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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

Nasty argument, how do you work through it?

42 replies

Emboo19 · 24/06/2017 09:13

Apologies if it's a bit long and all over the place, I'm a bit hungover and didn't sleep much last night.

I've been with my boyfriend almost 4 years, we have a dd who is 8 months now. Wasn't a planned baby and he really struggled and we had a difficult first few months. He's had counselling and we've been doing really well, we live together and everything's been good.

We had a baby free night out last night. I'm breastfeeding and so haven't been drinking much and it was a big night out, lots of alcohol. He was drunk, I was very drunk.

So we got into a silly argument, I think it was about food, but can't quite remember and we'd stopped and we were ok again. (I'm just trying to give a overall feel of the night) We headed home and he said something when we got in, it related to dd not being home and how nice that was. I can't go into the whole argument as it would be very long and I can't remember exactly how it went or why escalated like it did, but it was horrible and I was in particular very nasty. He walked out, but came back a hour or so later, he stayed downstairs though and I was up in bed. He had football this morning and he asked me if I wanted him to stay home instead, I said no, and that's all we've said since.

He'll be out most of this morning so I've got time to think, but I just don't know what to say or do. I know I need to apologise and I think it means we've still got some issues I've been choosing to ignore.
But where do I start? I feel sick and not just from drink, but I keep remembering things I said and I'm not sure how I can take it back!!

This isn't a usual thing for us either, we don't argue when drunk or really at all! This is the worst we've ever had by a long shot!

OP posts:
Isetan · 25/06/2017 11:21

It's difficult to be specific because you are being very vague but whatever it is that he's sorry for and that consciously you've forgiven him for,subconsciously you're clearly haven't.

Alcohol is a truth serum with embellishments and that together with being in a bad mood, fuelled your response. Maybe it's time to talk to a professional to honestly talk through your issues.

In your rush to forget, you skipped a step and alcohol maybe gave you an opportunity to express what you're not saying when sober.

PlaymobilPirate · 25/06/2017 11:25

I'm guessing he wanted you to terminate the pregnancy and you there that at him?

If he's willing to move on then that's all you can do - dragging it out won't help. Dis he say things that were out of order too? If yes and he's apologised too then it's time to move on.

PlaymobilPirate · 25/06/2017 11:26

Threw that**

AyeAmarok · 25/06/2017 11:35

I'm guessing the issue that you're still annoyed about was his lack of support or presence for you/you and DD when you were pregnant and/or she was a newborn, or something along those lines?

If so, then don't be too hard on yourself. That is actually a very shitty thing for him to have done and you are extremely vulnerable when you are pregnant and after the birth, so you will feel it even more acutely. It's not something you get over in a few days.

Emboo19 · 25/06/2017 12:13

Sorry I wasn't being vauge to avoid saying what it was, it's just long and complicated.
But yes it's along those lines AyeAmarok, I did post about it at the time but under my user1234... name. He didn't want children at all, although to be fair to him he never asked me to terminate.
Most of it comes down to his own relationship with his dad and some of the shitty things he said and did. And he's been dealing with this and he's good with dd now and in genera we are really happy.
There's just a few things in particular that niggle me I guess, I'm not sure why over other things though.
He's said he'll ask his counsellor if we can have a few sessions together, but I'm really not sure what he can say that he hasn't already Confused

Maybe it's just a time thing?

OP posts:
Emboo19 · 25/06/2017 12:15

It's not a few days either, dd is 8 months and it's been 4 months since he really stepped up and sorted himself out!

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RandomMess · 25/06/2017 12:27

It's not about what he can/could say it's about you moving forward as a couple, why have you been keep these feelings to yourself rather than as they crop up telling him?

Eg.
"I'm really hurting today, I look back on x and I'm so angry about it still"

It's going to take time for your feelings to be resolved and you need to learn how to deal with them so they don't eat you up with resentment and they don't become used as rod to beat him with when future disagreements occur.

NC4now · 25/06/2017 12:30

I think you should go a bit easier on yourself. The booze will still be messing with your head. I get terrible post-booze guilt, even when I've done nothing to feel ashamed of.
Can you accept that his feelings towards having a family have changed, now he has one? People feel how they feel and it wasn't wrong of him to not want to start a family. But it sounds like he has stepped up now and is doing right by you.
It must have hurt, knowing he didn't feel the same as you when you became pregnant - I've been in the same position and it feels like a personal rejection of the baby and you as a mother - but he didn't know DD then. Men often don't really get it till the baby is born or even later.
He sounds like a good egg, really. You both do.
Drunken rows can never be taken as the truth. It all comes out wrong. Brew

Emboo19 · 25/06/2017 13:13

I don't say anything because I know he already feels so guilty Random. He worries I won't get over it or that I'll change my mind about us being together. Then he gets a bit too try hard, which makes me feel a bit smothered.
And the things that still bother me seem a bit selfish compared to the other stuff that I've already come to trems with!

Like I say, I understand his reasons I know it wasn't me or DD, I know he loves us.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 25/06/2017 14:37

Yes he feels guilty, however you talking it over from time to time is about you coming to terms with your feelings. You need to tell him about feeling smothered, he needs to tell you about his fear of you leaving him.

It's about you both being able to be very honest with each other and support each other through thick and thin. Hearing each other's hurts and fears, being vulnerable with each other without the fear that it's a "bad" thing.

Not sure I'm explaining myself very well. It's about changing the dynamics of how you both deal with emotional issues.

Emboo19 · 25/06/2017 16:41

Yes, I think the being vulnerable thing is something I really struggle with. I don't want to/can't need him!!
We've discussed that and it hurts him, but I don't think that will ever change not completely.
I need to know, I'll be ok if it ends up just being me and DD.

I don't know! I confuse myself the more I think about it!!

OP posts:
RandomMess · 25/06/2017 18:30

Yes that's so tough isn't, we'd been together for around 11 years and have 3 DC together when our "to do" happened, I still grieve for how much I used to love him versus how I'm that bit guarded now. It's a work in progress...

Emboo19 · 25/06/2017 19:41

It is difficult Random. I sometimes wonder if I'd have been better ending things, but we have DD and I do really love him.

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RandomMess · 25/06/2017 20:32

If you can work together to be more open and vulnerable with each other then it could be the making of a wonderful relationship!

Funnily enough, my DH always says that the DC were the best thing I ever made him do and how grateful he is... we're all human, all have issues, all make mistakes. It's still very raw for you, would you regret it forever if you didn't really try and give this relationship a go?

Wish I could get my DH to talk about our issues far more than he does, still a work in progress for us but outside of that he still makes me laugh after 17 years together, we're a reasonable team and we have 4 DC between us. 3 years ago I was preparing to leave it was THAT bad, I never thought things could be as good as they are now. Yes I still want things to be better but no marriage is ever perfect and has seasons. Who knows what the future holds, but I don't regret staying and trying again and working on myself as well as "us"

Emboo19 · 25/06/2017 22:56

Hope it continues to get better for you Random I hope one day my boyfriend will feel like that about DD and maybe even want another or.....
Yes, I definitely think it's worth trying and we do get on very well. It's just the change I guess, before I thought I could rely on him for anything and share anything with him. That's gone now!

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DailyMailDontStealMyThread · 25/06/2017 23:10

I've been where you are now and we got passed it and after some really tough times we are in a much better place now.

An 8 month old is really jo time, take it slowly and see where you are when your DC is starting school.

Emboo19 · 26/06/2017 07:26

Thanks DailyMailDont it does help to know others have got through it! Would you say your relationship is as good as it was before now? Or do you never get that same feeling back?
Before DD, he was so reliable and constant that I never doubted for a second is love or support for me. Maybe slightly too much if I'm thinking about it!!

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