Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Pregnant and single :(

343 replies

Cherryblossom200 · 27/06/2014 17:41

Hi everyone,

Long story which I will try to condense as much as possible...I'm 38 and met a guy 4 months ago who is the same age. We met online and had an amazing first date which lasted 8 hours long. On the 2nd date we had another great time, but he told me he has a Visa for Australia. He was upfront and honest with me and said he plans to live there for good (he is from the UK) we said we would continue the relationship for the next 6 months before he leaves to see if it would blossom and then make a decision about whether he would stay and wait for me.

The next 3-4 months were great, a bit up and down whenever we brought up oz and naturally I was worried about getting in to deep emotionally if he would just up and leave at any stage. He instigated a lot of the relationship and dictated the speed etc, he took me away for a wonderful weekend, booked us a holiday away in the south of france. Was amazing. I fell in love with him pretty quickly, he was very attractive and had a great personality. He slowly introduced me to his close friends and brother (I didn't really introduce him to many of my close friends) according to his friend he hadnt done this before.

About 2 months into the relationship I confessed my feelings and told him I loved him, he said he wasnt sure if he was in love me yet. But continued the relationship anyway. About 3 weeks before we split up when I was about to break up with him because he wasn't being forthcoming with his plans for oz he told me he loved me. So I felt over the moon, was elated!

We had sex a number of times without protection, he knew I wasnt on birth control so seemed happy with taking the risk. We spoke about our desire to have kids all the time. He made it clear he wanted children and didn't seem phased that if he was to stay with me we would have to think about starting a family sooner rather than later (I made this clear to him when I first started dating him)

Anyway a week before we split up we visited his visa lawyer to discuss the possibility of us going to oz together in the future, after this he had a panic attack in the evening and broke up with me the next day.

Two days later I found out I was pregnant. I told him and it went down like a ton of bricks. He made it clear he doesn't want to be with me, said he shouldn't of told me he loved me as he doesn't love me, said he doesnt want this baby and asked me to have a termination.

I have decided to keep the baby and go it alone. I simply can't terminate at this age and I want the baby dearly. Though I would of preferred to be in a relationship!

I have a very supportive family and financially I will be fine.

The father is emotionally unstable so no idea what he will do. I truly suprised by his reaction as he went on about how much he wanted kids all the time and how he would make a great dad?! He spoke on holiday about what our kids would look like? I makes no sense whatsoever.

We are both from middle class families, his parents are both pyschologists (so I'm wondering if this is why he is so messed up?!) but I feel that I have been duped by a commitment phobe...

I own my own place, have pets etc. He lives in a flatshare with 5 other people, surfs and spends all his money travelling. He has never lived with a girl and the girls he has had relationships with he never loved. The only girl he properly loved he is still very close with 20 + years with, she lives in another country but they speak on skype all the time. It was unrequited love on his side, she isn't even aware that he loved her. He speaks about her fondly, thinks she is amazing and beautiful but it's very clear she isn't interested in him otherwise they would have got together years ago. Plus she is in a relationship with someone else. He sayd he no longer loves her...but I feel subconciously he still does.

He is seeking therapy now.

I think it's very sad this has happened. He has treated me terribly since I told him I was pregnant, he asked me to 'prove' my pregnancy by meeting him so he could do the test himself. Was utterly degrading and humiliating.

I have no idea what he will do now...maybe he will go to oz and leave us alone. Part of me hopes he will go. But another part of me would hope he wakes up to this and grows up. Deep down I know he desperatley wants a family and has a good heart, but he seems petrified/angry and feels I have trapped him.

Despite amazing support from friends and family, being pregnant for the first time and doing it on my own is lonely and daunting...

I'm only 6 weeks 4 days so still early days and I'm trying not to stress.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated? Do you think he will come around?

xx

OP posts:
Cherryblossom200 · 01/07/2014 16:51

I'm half Swiss and half Indian and very proud of my roots :) I have been encouraged to experience lots of different cultures and for part of my childhood I lived abroad. It was an invaluable life skill. It's important my child is brought up the same way. I want him/her to experience the world and like myself live in other countries. It's made me who I am definitely. My parents encouraged me to be independent and make my own choices in life.

OP posts:
unrealhousewife · 01/07/2014 16:54

Remember you will need the father's permission to take your child out of the country, so your lifestyle might be slightly inhibited for the next 15 years or so. Sorry :)

unrealhousewife · 01/07/2014 16:54

*take your child out of the country permanently you can go for holidays.

unrealhousewife · 01/07/2014 16:55

If you do it permanently without his permission it's deemed child abduction.

Seriously, the laws have changed massively since your friend gave you legal advice.

Cherryblossom200 · 01/07/2014 16:57

Go Switzerland!! Hope you win :) x

OP posts:
Guin1 · 01/07/2014 16:59

So are you bilingual, Cherry? I wish I was so much! My Spanish is OK (or it used to be), but growing up in Australia, the opportunities to really practise a foreign language were pretty limited. I would love DS to have that opportunity, and kids learn language so much easier when they are young.

Wow - Kyrgios has just taken the first set against Nadal!!

drivinmecrazy · 01/07/2014 17:00

No, not in France. In deepest darkest Essex. The Tour begins in Yorkshire this week-end and comes through Essex on Monday.
Wow! Half swiss & Indian, a very eclectic combination.
My room mate from school is half Indian and she had the most amazing hair Envy

drivinmecrazy · 01/07/2014 17:05

Guin1 my DDs are both pretty bilingual. Both speak Spanish with beautiful accents, while I try really hard just to be understood.
I will be relying on my 8yo to translate at my mum's party (particularly with the gardener who's very nice, though not as nice as my 13yo DDs windsurfing instructor, Fernando Grin )

Cherryblossom200 · 01/07/2014 17:05

Yeah the hair gene skipped me sadly! I have more European hair, I actually look more Swiss then Indian. But my little sis has more of an Indian look about her! I hope my baby has a bit more of the Indian gene as would make my dad happy. My nephew has olive skin like us, but we are all blue eyed. Bit of an odd mix ha!

I speak some Swiss-German yes, but wish I could speak fluently. My mum speaks loads of languages, Italian, Swiss, French and English so will be an awesome grandmother.

You could try those language courses, not sure what they are called but I think they are supposed to be really good places to start with regards to learning a new language.

OP posts:
Guin1 · 01/07/2014 17:06

Ah, Essex. I had a bf from Saaf-end many moons ago! Also spent 6 months working in 'Arlow.

Cherry are you watching the soccer football? I may have to flick between that and the tennis. Although I should really be going to bed - middle of the night here! And DS is sure to be up at 6:30 and ready to party.

Cherryblossom200 · 01/07/2014 17:08

I am watching the soccer ;) I very much doubt the Swiss will win against Argentina! But if they do that would be amazing!

OP posts:
Guin1 · 01/07/2014 17:12

So how are your DDs bilingual, drivin? Do you spend a lot of time there or have Spanish family? I've only spent a week in Spain, but loved it. Actually, I may have better luck persuading DH to spend a few years in Spain rather than South America. Grin

Cherry, I'm may look around to see if there are any toddler language courses near me. I think I have seen them for French and Italian, but would prefer Spanish, as that is what I think I could help with most at home.

buggerboooo · 01/07/2014 17:21

Unreal, it actually shocks me that you might actually be someone's mother. That poor poor child.

Stubbed · 01/07/2014 17:32

I just wanted to say congratulations. You have so much to look forward to with your little one.

Keep reading mumsnet. You will hear about other's relationships and one day, for a minute at least, be grateful that you are single.

Guin1 · 01/07/2014 17:39

buggerboooo just to update - unreal comments are being totally ignored. Wink She is no longer part of the conversation (as the OP has requested several times).

Topics currently under discussion are the weather, the football, the tennis, foreign languages, and any supportive or sensitive comments for OP. Or anything else you want to throw into the mix. Grin

Cherryblossom200 · 01/07/2014 17:43

Thanks Guin and Buggeroo for your support :) but yes I'm now ignoring all her comments and would urge everyone else to also.

OP posts:
Twinklestein · 01/07/2014 17:45

Switzerland is a great place to bring up a kid, I still have a fantasy of a chalet of my own... perhaps when the children have grown up...

When I first met my husband (he's French) we were discussing favourite places to ski (Zermatt both) and I started whistling a tune. I said 'What's am I whistling?' The theme to 'Heidi' he replied, without missing a beat.

So I kinda had to marry him..

Thrice · 01/07/2014 17:45

If the biological father doesn't have official Parental Responsibility (assuming this is in the UK), OP can go wherever she likes with her DC. I took mine (bio father suddenly 'not ready' to be a dad, long story, boring), to Japan, Spain, France, and now we live abroad. With my DH who loves DC1 just as much as our bio DC and we have a lovely life. DC1's bio father checks in every so often. It works for us.

Guin1 · 01/07/2014 17:48

OK, Nadal's just taken the second set. So I really am going to have to go to bed now (nearly 1am here!). Hope the Swiss win the football Cherry!

Cherryblossom200 · 01/07/2014 17:59

Awww bless Twinkle! Lovely story :) I would he happy to live in France too, but ideally would love to live in Lausanne. Do beautiful there x

OP posts:
Cherryblossom200 · 01/07/2014 18:03

Thanks Guin! Night!!

Thrice you sound like me. I don't even know if the dad will apply for PR, not sure he cares! He may be an idiot but I have a feeling that he wouldn't object with me taking our child to Switzerland especially if he lives in oz. He would want the best opportunities for our child and knows that holding us back would hurt no one more then our child. I think he wouldn't object.

OP posts:
Thrice · 01/07/2014 18:10

Cherryblossom DC1's bio dad is on the birth certificate, he just never applied for PR. Even if he had, there needs to be a consistent relationship for the NRP to, for example, block a move out of the jurisdiction of the uk. Ex/Dc's bio dad now lives in a different country with his new wife and a baby on the way - he's grown up in his own way, 12 years later - I couldn't have waited that long. DC1 is just entering his teens and we honestly have had the most wonderful time. Adventures, travels, and DC knows who bio father is (they have met, they skype), the grandparents are somewhat involved (I would encourage this if your ex has parents, his bio dad's parents get a lot out of having a GC), and we have our whole big beautiful life as well. Don't be scared.

Cherryblossom200 · 01/07/2014 18:17

You seem to have the exact same outlook as I do! Really encouraging to hear! THIS is why I came onto this forum :)

How old your your ex when you fell pregnant? Mine is 38 and I fear he will never grown up, I think he has Peter Pan syndrome! He probably has another 10 years to go which would make him 50ish when he is ready to settle down with his new partner. I wouldn't want a new born at 50...no way.

OP posts:
Cherryblossom200 · 01/07/2014 18:18

Also I'm not going to push for him to be on the birth certificate, not sure if he will be in the country when the baby is born!

OP posts:
Twinklestein · 01/07/2014 18:21

If he's not on the birth certificate he would have to go with you to register the birth jointly, otherwise he'd be looking at court to get PR.

He sounds likely to be surfing in Aus at the critical times...