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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

Why do they have the right? Why is it fair?

124 replies

g059902 · 11/12/2016 21:18

How is it then men have the right to be...a part of/the leader in creating a family; a home; becoming a step parent and creating a bond with that child; persuading and promising to "always do the right thing" and be sure they work as part of a partnership through all the good and bad times that come with starting a family; be present at a women's most vulnerable, emotional and intimate moments of giving birth and bringing a life into the world and then just decide to leave.
I understand that are always factors that are to be taken into consideration, however, generally on the whole, when there was "true" happiness, but things get a bit rocky, how is it men have the option and think it is "normal" and acceptable to just leave? I am not talking about just my own circumstances, it happens all the time. You hear of men just leaving and as in my circs, I imagine it is a common theme that they will use any excuse, any reason, any flaw to somehow justify what they have done. Women since the age of time and probably for the rest of time, have been left "holding the baby"; managing the household; finances; ensuring their children are happy, as much as they can be when this happens; dealing with schools; doctors; appointments; illness; sleepless nights etc etc etc and all the while men think it is somehow ok, or justifiable to do this . And furthermore, take pride in creating a new life.
I just do not get it and I also do not see why they should be allowed to simply opt to do the part time dad thing and again, this be ok. When did this become so accepted and just a part of life that people need to get over?

This is not the life I wanted for my babies and neither do I think I should have to accept it just because that's a decision he has made. People around me say "he's too young" (hes 6 years my junior, early 20s) and he will realize his mistake one day; he wont ever get back this time; etc etc etc it still does not make it either justifiable or acceptable. However, society says it is and legally, it is. There is no moral justification to what I see as something that is probably the most important thing in life to be cast aside like a one night stand or left over food.
Why should I accept that my ex has decided that "there were aspects of my personality" he didn't like, and clearly he wasn't prepared to be the partner I was to him and help me to be the best version of myself and so ducked out of "our family" and within 24 hours into a new relationship to ensure that any opportunity that "could have" been was certainly not going to ever be.

So lets say things were bad (at the time we argued, a lot, I had PND and he was not engaging in the family unit as he should do but instead focused on his own wants and needs out until early hours, lack of engagement with the children lives; lying about where abouts and money; not supporting me as the bread winner when it was my time to work), someone decides they cant be bothered to put up with the arguments and leaves, fine (well not really but can be worked on), but surely, in the majority of these situations after the heat has died down as parents; adults; people who were apparently "in love" only a few weeks ago, it would be "normal" to allow what is meant to be, be. But, not here, here we have someone who has forced a situation and then moved in and on with someone else immediately, with no thought about what was a family unit.
But... this is acceptable, and I am just to get over it and on with life. Not only has my heart been broken, but my family unit, the life I created for my children has been shattered and will never be what it should be. My baby will never ever grow up having memories of climbing into bed on a weekend morning and cuddling/laughing; she won't have the Sunday afternoons of just lounging out after an activity or walk in the morning playing with daddy while Mummy cooks a roast and prepares for school and the work week; excitement on the preparation to Christmas and family holidays etc and all of the other cherished memories a child will hold on to. This person has managed to define, his; mine and my 2 children's lives and all that is to be done is move on and get over it.
How? How do you accept the fact that someone has been allowed to firstly do this, but secondly fail to give the family/a relationship any opportunity to either exist or not?

Why should women accept this? Why is this ok? And why should I now have to live without a section of my children's lives because of someone else's decision?

There are legal rights in place to protect absent parents who are fighting to be a part of their children lives, but what about for the parents that have been well and truly screwed over; abonded and left holding all the responsibility; the pain etc etc.

This is not fair on my children or I and for the many thousands of other families that go through this. The one thing in life that should be a serious commitment and not thrown away at the drop if a hat is a family and it is the most common thing that happens.

Its one thing to accept a relationship breakdown, fine these happen, but to disregard what should be something so pure and true without no second thought, that relationship and family unit, how is this ok on a moral level if nothing else!

OP posts:
whirlygirly · 12/12/2016 22:49

Yes mrsdigestives the bar is way too low. I'm regularly told I'm lucky - xh is a high earner who pays his way. And has the dcs roughly every other weekend.

His career has been made possible by me and his new wife shouldering all the home responsibilities for 6 dcs combined though. My career, although I'm in a role involving responsibility, is so limited by juggling school pick ups, I have about a sixth of his earning potential.

It isn't a level playing field at all.

Newbrummie · 13/12/2016 07:04

And God help you if you complain and get frustrated - then apparently you're mentally ill 🙄

HappyHappyHappy1 · 13/12/2016 08:29

A man who leaves his partner & kids is a man who had no other choice

A woman who leaves her partner & kids is seriously mentally ill

Hmm fair?? Not all all!

citybumpkin · 13/12/2016 08:46

What about women who make their husband of some time move out and then not long after another man moves in with them and their kids?

HappyHappyHappy1 · 13/12/2016 09:03

No one is saying it doesn't happen, however the majority is, the guy leaves of his own accord.

I'm one of the "children" who was abandoned by the father leaving for another woman

HermioneWeasley · 13/12/2016 09:07

If it's any comfort OP, I hugely judge blokes who do this.

The ones who abandon their own families and then play happy families with step kids while their children don't even have warm winter clothes are total bellends looking at you SIL's father

Newbrummie · 13/12/2016 09:36

Thing is if a women moved a new man in, it brings usually financial and emotional support. When the children's father leaves 9/10 it removes both and puts the remaining parent under huge financial pressure.

g059902 · 13/12/2016 09:45

HappyHappyHappy1 if you dont mind me asking has your childhood been effected? I can imagine it had an impact on your mum (or dad depending on who left of course).
Its not even me I care about - if it was just our relationship then cool - go, I'd probably go out, spend time with friends, get a new hair cut and a few new outfits and get on with my life...its the family unit that has been destroyed that is actually killing me. I literally do not know how he (in this instance) can actually live and function in life with his lovely new younger gf (with no responsibilities; free to go where ever and with whom ever; sleep in bed until 1pm; not get drama from anyone for doing so; not have to worry about childcare when hes off to his bar job, which of course when he finishes has a drink, or 15, after) and then pop in and out of the children's lives when he has time or remembers he has them.
The killer and ironic thing in all of this is when I found out I was pregnant I was against it because of his age and this exact thing happening - he convinced me and "promised" everything he needed to and I stupidly allowed him to make me believe he wouldnt be this person. Infact he often agreed with me about how his views on broken families etc. The whole thing is wrong on sooooo many levels and I just have to accept it and move on.

My whole issue is that he hasnt tried or given the relationship or family the opportunity, and im the bad person in all of this for acting mental. This is an actual nightmare i cannot wake up from while he strolls around thinking hes king of the world. F**k right off!!!!

OP posts:
HappyHappyHappy1 · 13/12/2016 10:10

I was hugely affected by it, so much so that I now suffer with separation anxiety & depression.

It absolutely devastated me at the time and I promised myself and any future children I had that it wouldn't happen to them.

My ex was amazing when he found out I was pregnant, told me the same as yours did, how his dad didn't bother and he hates men like him.....that he wants to be the best dad possible, he can't bear the thought of his child going through the same thing he did, how if, even me and him weren't working as a couple he'd still stay because he wouldn't want his child to suffer.

He said all the right things to me, begged me not to leave him & ruin our family unit!

Yes my son won't experience the heartbreak of his father leaving but he still won't know what it's like to have his mum and dad together, I pray it doesn't affect him at all.

Because 13 years later, it still absolutely tears me apart that my dad so easily walked! I didn't see him because he was too busy living with his new gf & HER baby!

It made me feel unwanted and unloved that he created me yet put his needs before my own, tried to hide money in the divorce proceedings so he could pay less financially for me & also said he was paying for his step daughters nursery fees so had to pay less on his own kids. How when I did see him, he spent his time calling me the other child's name! Even accidentally texting ME on HER birthday!

To think my ex said all the right things, told me how he'd never leave & where is he?? In bed with another woman he probably hasn't advised he's got a baby on the way!

Yet I'm the crazy one because I emailed his boss begging her to make him see sense and be as much involved as i am! It fucks me off no end that I keep getting told "you can't force him" well, i fucking should be able to!

Newbrummie · 13/12/2016 10:17

I do think women need to read the signs
"Hate men like that" "can't bear the thought of his child going through what he did". They believe it when it comes out their mouths but it just can't be and isn't true. They can't help it but they are fucked up as no doubt am I and my kids too. The pattern will keep repeating itself over and over. Literally the only happily married couples I know their own parents are still together

citybumpkin · 13/12/2016 12:00

newbrummie just saying that there are instances when the women actually makes her husband leave (he is not at fault in any way) - she stays in the marital home with the kids - and then almost immediately moves in another man. There is no time for space, being alone.

Newbrummie · 13/12/2016 12:30

Yeah that does happen. The timelines often get blurred though, my dad told me mummy moved step dad straight in, I've now seen in black and white there was actually an 18 month gap. That may have seemed like "straight away" to my dad and 5 year old me, but it really wasn't/isn't it ?

citybumpkin · 13/12/2016 12:52

The one I know of was a moved straight in after the women/husband has just bought a new house. Husband moved out - new man moved in. Weird to me.

Newbrummie · 13/12/2016 13:19

No doubt she'd been planning and with new guy a while. There's three sides to every story, his, hers and the truth

Underthemoonlight · 13/12/2016 13:51

Op you could easily describe my life at 22 only we didn't argue so it came as a shock. I even looked after him for 6 months as he had health issues from a childhood cancer. I gave up my nursing career when I was in my last year six months till I qualified to care for him. He left when he was all better and was having the life of Riley drinking drugs ow. Whilst I lost my home in the process.I got Job and cared for our 13month old. Ow dumped him he came crawling back I wouldn't give him the time of day. I met dh and never been happy ex hates him even though he didn't do anything to him.

Ex is a better dad now and he has baby on the way hopefully he will have learnt from his mistakes but he's cheated on his dw as well but she's clueless. I think she might see the real him once they have this baby. I remember him asking me to get illegal slimming tables 3 weeks post delivery I had already returned to my pre baby weight.

His family know what a shit he is but deny his behaviour although many other people recognise what's shit he was to me. I would love him to actually apologise for all the EA and his treatment but he never will. He's got a second chance not that I think he's deserving of having another family I feel my DS was short changed Ina way as he was a baby when he walked but he had a fan relationship with dh and loves his siblings. Ex did me a massive favour.

vonny81 · 13/12/2016 14:04

Can relate to everything here, what absolutely boils my Erm kettle.. Is all these rights for dad's etc and wanting equal rights. What about equal responsibilities as well!?
I have been in an EA Relationship and he decided to throw another strop and walk out on me and our son 26/10 he will not have a rational face to face discussion to sort anything out as he hates me and doesn't want to see me. It's all my fault I need mental help etc etc! He's threatened to take our boy who is coming up to 21 months old. Told me the law that he can take him to his mummy n daddy's house and he doesn't have to hand him back and the police can't make him!.
I'm trying to get legal aid but it's impossible unless he has smashedy face or house in, how on earth is this right!?

HappyHappyHappy1 · 13/12/2016 14:45

Vonny, sounds just like my ex!

He walked on the 17/11, haven't heard from him since 21/11. He can't stand me & wont discuss anything at all! Blames me for it all and says I'm crazy!

Oh how funny, these exes must all be bloody related!!

SandyY2K · 13/12/2016 14:45

I truly get what you're saying and because it wouldn't cross your mind to abandon a child, you just think nobody else would do that. It's awful.

My mum's friend had 5 children. Her husband was physically abusive and eventually she left. The oldest boy wanted to stay with his dad ... and he did. Until one day he came back from school and dad wasn't there. Dad didn't come home for a week and he eventually called his mum, feeling embarrassed (because he insisted on living with his dad)

Turns out he let the house fall into mortgage arrears and just uped and left. That was over 40 years ago and he hadn't contacted any of his 5 children since that day.

He just walked away and left the country. And he is very much alive.

What kind of man just abandons his children like that. And of course it increases the chances the'll suffer from abandonment issues in later life.

One of the sons said that when he looks at his kids ... he can't ever envisage walking away from them the way his dad did.

There are times the warning signs are there sometimes ... but not always.

vonny81 · 13/12/2016 15:26

The nest part is, 4 days after he dumped me by text, he posted one of those memes on Facebook about fathers fighting to see their children! 4 whole days, I really should have him done for slander. He has abandoned us but he wants to take our boy at weekends cos he wants to be a dad!
How about run your life round your child instead of yourself! Which parent has devoted their whole life to making sure baby is happy, fed, asleep, learning, socialising... Change my work hours to fit around family life, forfeited my entire social life since I met the waste of space. Of course I thought he was the best thing since sliced bread, but that was what he wanted. Cut my life out and make sure I only had him, so I was more inclined to accept his appalling behaviour and take him back. I still don't know if this is just another cycle of his abuse or its for real. I'm already getting the impress he is regretting his decision but he keeps spouting off how much money he's spent on solicitors fees because of me!
Hoping his behaviour shines through in court. He's made no attempt to sort it between ourselves, he thinks court will automatically grant him what he wants.

All these exes must be related in some way, they need shipping off somewhere with no phones or social media and let then think about their actions!!

citybumpkin · 13/12/2016 16:28

newbrummie I just can't get my head around how people can behave like that?

Newbrummie · 13/12/2016 16:43

Can you not ? After years of being in a shit marriage which is over many many years before the woman or man finally has enough and meets somebody new, the feelings for "daddy" have long gone. Some people need the courage the new person gives them to get rid of the first one.

citybumpkin · 13/12/2016 16:57

From what I know the relationship was pretty good and they had just had another child. The other man was already in a long term relationship.

Newbrummie · 13/12/2016 17:03

Nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors though do they ?

citybumpkin · 13/12/2016 17:18

No they don't but its all a bit weird. Each to their own and all that. Its not how I would choose to deal with such a situation.

grannycake · 13/12/2016 17:20

Dad's leave but mums do too. I'm 60 and my mum left when I was four. Dad then decided to join army and was posted abroad for the next 12 years so he chose to leave as well. I lived with my gps and left as soon as I was 18 as knew I was a burden

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