I'm not sure how much more I can take

[WhyDo]

Namechanger, but long time mn'er (I've made my profile public with how long I've been here so you can see I'm not a troll)

I've put this in relationships but it might belong in MH.

This could be a long one, you've been warned.

So, tonight ds1 finally got in touch with the man who walked out on us 16 years ago, when I was 17 and had just found out I was pregnant.

They've emailed back and forth all evening. It sounds like they both want to establish a relationship (which for ds is certainly what he wants and the reason I tracked xp down for him, and contacted him).

I was being all together and supportive and encouraging. I've never bad mouthed xp. He's never paid a penny in maintenance. I've always stuck with the line of "we were both young and I'm sure xp cares" (I was just 17 and he was 21).

I thought I was coping really well, but now I've fallen apart. All those years of struggling, all those lonely months crying myself to sleep with terrible PND, and now he can walk in, say "I'm sorry I never got in touch, I was scared" and ds thinks he's the best bloke ever.

I'm very aware that I am being unfair and irrational. And I'm so glad for ds, but at the same time I'm the one getting the grunt answers and the teenage moods. And I want to scream "what about me?! " as though I'm the teen in need of support. And I hate myself for it. I can't stop crying and i can't sleep.

In other background news, 3 years ago I left my h of 8 years. He was emotionally and Sexually abusive and I'm currently going through the courts to try to sort some kind of stable access for my two other dcs. I've just had a letter from tax credits who have fucked up last year's payments (didn't make changes when I had informed them) saying I've been overpaid £2500 which I don't have, and I don't have the energy to pick up the phone and tell them they're wrong, because I'm so tired of fighting for everything.

I do now have the most wonderful and supportive dh, and our baby is due in 6 weeks. I have immobilising SPD that means I'm terrified to leave the house now, I live miles from anywhere, and now I can't drive anymore I'm feeling trapped.

I need to carry on being the strong one, doing the right thing, saying the right words to support ds through this really hard time. But I also need to vent and say all the irrational things I feel too.

I know this is MN, but I'm going to say straight out that I'm heavily pregnant, in a lot of physical pain, and emotionally fragile. Please don't post if you feel I'm a terrible person :(

My life would now be great if it weren't for XP and XH. I have always done everything I could do encourage good access. I have always picked up the pieces when the dcs were let down. I am so tired. I am so fed up of being told I'm a selfish bitch by XH. I'm so sick of being so unsure all the time.

I selfishly want ds1 to reassure me that he still loves me. I want him to respond to me saying "I love you so much and I'm always here to talk, whenever you need me because I know how hard this must be for you" with something more than the "k" I get.

Help me be a good mother to ds through this bit. Thanks.

[MushroomSoup]

No, you're not. While he is a member of your household your rules apply. Maybe worth agreeing a one night only a week rule with the grandparents?

[WhyDo]

Sorry, back again.

Another problem I hadn't mentioned; ds is constantly asking to go and stay with my parents. If he goes over for an afternoon then he'll often wind up staying there most of the week. I know part of it is running away from any chores at home, but it's also running away from everything.

I've spoken to him and asked him to see that he can't spend all his time there. I'd rather he was out with his mates, but he's even cancelled on them to stay at my parents'. I need him to be around so I can make sure he's ok, and he had agreed, but lo and behold he's there for an afternoon and once again I get the phone call asking to stay. When I said no I got a load of attitude (his behaviour is always worse after being there).

He's going through so much, and my parents do know and support him, but they also don't always give the advice that I think is right.

Am I overreacting? Because I'm really upset.!

[WhyDo]

Thank you

Keepcool that is so good to hear :) thank you for sharing that.

[MushroomSoup]

Lovely!

[KeepCoolCalmAndCollected]

My father came back when I was 16 years old. Although it was great to get to know him, life became more exciting and we got on very well etc., I never for one moment lost sight of what my mother went through to bring me up. It's probably going to be quite tough for you at times, but you will always be your son's number one parent - never doubt it x

[Chubfuddler]

Really pleased op.

[WhyDo]

If it hadn't been for you lot I would have kept trying to protect him from my upset. At some point I have to realise that he's almost a grown up and is more than capable of empathising and understanding.

I can't thank you enough.

Yes, there's lots still going on, but I really need to realise that I'm not going to lose my family, and I do have so much support.

[ExitPursuedByABear]

Glad you talked.

[tallwivglasses]

Oh I'm so pleased :)

[WhyDo]

Just to let you know, I did speak to ds last night. And I did get my hug :) I feel a lot better. Thank you for the great advice.

[WhyDo]

Thanks Exit.

I feel so lost.

[ExitPursuedByABear]

I think he is old enough to learn that parents aren't superhuman and need help and support at times.

[WhyDo]

Mushroom, you're probably right.

Maria, it's not good, is it? I'm much better now than I used to be. I was so full of shame for years. It's less now. I wish I believed I was a good mother.

[MariaLuna]

I'm very good at feeling guilt. It's my fault I got knocked up so young (pill failure but should have used condoms too), it's my fault I chose rubbish men because I thought no one else would want me.

O.k. Stop right there!

Stop with the guilt - it's a waste of energy. And has you going round in circles.

Stop with feeling it is "all your fault". It is NOT all your fault. Things happen in life that may not be how we envisaged it but you have done a brilliant job during difficult times.

Time to give yourself a pat on the back for being a fantastic mum!

[MushroomSoup]

I think he'd shuffle his feet, feel embarrassed, mumble that of course he loves me, and give me a manly hug.

Aww! That's probably all you need!

[WhyDo]

:) what?! No clutching him to my bosom and telling him we have an eternal bond and I'll die before anyone comes between us? I'll save that for his wedding day then

I think he'd shuffle his feet, feel embarrassed, mumble that of course he loves me, and give me a manly hug.

But I do think you're right. Before all this he's occasionally expressed anger at xp for abandoning him (his words), so I know the time may come when he needs answers and lots of reassurance.

[MushroomSoup]

I don't think it will hurt him to know you are not a superhuman! I would go for honesty, yes.
I don't mean break down sobbing, clutching at his heels, telling him every single detail of your life (can you imagine!) but with regard to the big picture, I would be honest.

How do you think he'd respond?

[WhyDo]

MushroomSoup, complete honesty? No more pretending I can cope with everything? Sounds novel. I always worry about ds seeing my hurt. I don't want him to feel in any way responsible for my emotions, but I would like him to be considerate and aware of them.

[MushroomSoup]

Can't you just say it like it is?
DS, can I just let you know something? I'm pleased that you have found your dad, and I'm excited for you but I'm struggling a bit with my feelings over it all. I worry that you're going to forget about me and no longer love me. I know it's stupid, but an extra hug every now and then will really help me.

[WhyDo]

Tallwiv, I have many, many blessings to count :) I actually have a husband whose first thought is always me and dcs, and that's still so alien to me.

I think I might be coming round to needing to tell ds my feelings. But I don't want to burst his bubble.

Any ideas on what I should say?

[tallwivglasses]

I think you need to speak to your son. And rant away! but don't forget to count your blessings x

[WhyDo]

Bump

[WhyDo]

I know, chub. And I know this is just all new. Just wish it didn't hurt so damn much.

[Chubfuddler]

No I didn't mean I hoped he was, just that having massively let you and your son down he clearly has had bell end tendencies in the past. At some point if they get beyond the initial contact stages your son will ask him "why?" and how he handles that will show your son whet he is really like.

You are his mother. You have been there for every sniffle, every skinned knee, every school report, every minor triumph and disaster. There's just no comparison.

[WhyDo]

Chub, I really hope he's not a bellend. Well, rationally I hope that, I hope he's grown up and become a good man and that ds can have a positive relationship with him.

Childishly and selfishly I hope he's nowhere near as good as me and ds loves me more!

You echo dh's view, that I am safe and stable, and that's why ds is so confident in this step.

Tax credits will get sorted. They are more the cherry on the top really. Just need to decide whether to fight or give in. It's their mistake, but I have no proof of that beyond my phone calls.