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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

Am I being too harsh?

19 replies

Cuppycake01 · 19/03/2021 21:10

Am I being too harsh?
The other day I went for a scheduled growth scan and got told baby hasn’t grown as much as what she should have. We talked about the possibility of being induced at 37 weeks if things don’t pick up by next week (I’m currrently 35 weeks - baby is also breech) but I already knew baby could come a little sooner due to a few other factors with me physically which make me statistically more likely to not carry to term.
All of the above is fine. Can’t be helped. But naturally the above means I want to have everything sorted in advance ‘just incase’.
However the day I had had my scan (Tuesday) that night my husband took it upon himself to get drunk. Obviously this was at home because Covid brings the wonder that is lockdown. He’s been working crazy over time recently and I know he’s feeling the pressure so I didn’t object to him having a couple of drinks. But when he got to like the fifth or sixth I said to him do you not think you’ve had a bit much now. I think personally it’s for pretty obvious reasons. If I need to go to hospital I would much rather be able to get there as opposed to have to phone for a taxi and sit for the 30 minute ride wearing a facemask etc.
The mother of all arguments then broke out. I ended up sleeping in the spare room.
The next day we kissed and made up and spoke calmly about it. He agreed I was right.
The next night, he drank nothing.
Thursday night he said he was going to have a couple. Credit to him he had a couple. And then knocked it on the head.
Then along comes tonight (Friday) he was supposed to be working OT tomorrow but came home from work and said he’s said he doesn’t want to anymore. I was dressing the babies room and he wants to be part of that. He just wanted a night to be able to have a couple of drinks. Relax. Have some me time.
I have no objection to any of the above.
So he pours a glass of wine. Drinks it. Glass. Number two. Drinks it. Then glass number three comes along and I said I thought you were only having a couple. He said he thought he had tonight to get drunk and then he wasn’t going to drink again until baby is here. I said no. And obviously explained. Again. That if I need him. Which I might. He won’t be able to drive. So he stormed off. Got into bed. It’s only like 7pm so I gave him twenty minutes to calm down and then went upstairs to talk to him.
Got told where to go. Got told I am being selfish. I am ruining his life. I’m horrible. All he wanted was tonight. And I’m inconsiderate for going upstairs cause he’s working in the morning. I said I thought you weren’t. Apparently he is now. He’s arranged to go in because he can’t have a ‘me’ night so there is no point not going in now. I said I thought you wanted to do babies room with me. Apparently he doesn’t care now.
Obviously this upsets me and I left him again to cool down.
I went back upstairs to try and make peace again and got my head bitten off and told I’m horrible etc etc etc and he’s sick of me and I’m ruining his life and I’m controlling and he doesn’t give a toss about how I feel.

Naturally I did end up saying something mean. I said I hope I do go into Labour tonight cause he will not be attending the birth at all now or in the future. Obviously I don’t mean that and I do regret saying it but I snapped.
I came away and cried for a bit because I was looking forward to tomorrow together once he had said he was no longer working.
But I’m also not sure how many of these arguments I can take. I know stress and upset isn’t good for the baby but I can’t help but feel that way when things like this happen.
I just want to get dressed and walk out the house and not come back. I don’t know if I am being as horrible as he says but I feel like a horrible person.
I don’t know what to do :/

OP posts:
SparklyWindow · 19/03/2021 21:13

Is he usually like this?

Cuppycake01 · 19/03/2021 21:16

@SparklyWindow he has moods and things that are almost like tantrums. Sadly he’s from an odd kind of home where things were particularly calm or stable between him and his parents so I do know he lashes out sometimes but they are usually like every once in a while if you get what I mean. He doesn’t like to speak about his feelings so he kind of bottles everything up.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 19/03/2021 21:19

Parents shouldn’t be lashing out. I’d be seriously planning a way forward as a single parent.
Does he have a drinking problem OP.

AnneLovesGilbert · 19/03/2021 21:19

What a dick. You’re not being controlling, you’re concerned and vulnerable and apparently married to a man with a serious drink problem. Why does he need to get drunk? Stress and over time is no excuse, he’s not going to find having a newborn a walk in the park either, is he planning to drink his way through that?

If there’s somewhere you can and want to go tonight you should. Family or friend? And have who you want at the birth. No one else has a right to be there with you and I wouldn’t trust him to stay sober and support you as you need.

whatsoccuringnow · 19/03/2021 21:23

You're not being harsh. He is being an arsehole I'm so sorry. My DH was the exact same. And 6 years on still is. 2 kids, has not changed him one iota, he is a selfish prick who puts work and alcohol in front of me and the kids always. I'll leave someday but there are reasons why I cant atcthe moment. Decide very carefully if you can tolerate this. Best of luck. You chill and mind you and baby x

Cuppycake01 · 19/03/2021 21:24

@AnneLovesGilbert over the last few months I have seriously started to question if he has a drink problem. But he doesn’t get stupidly drunk and he isn’t abusive. He just ‘likes a drink’ like I say I wouldn’t mind but I want to be safe. I don’t want to have to get a taxi with a stranger and wear a facemask and be alone.
I could go to my parents. But that would then open up the whole why are you here thing and I feel right now like I made the wrong choice in marrying him.

OP posts:
Cuppycake01 · 19/03/2021 21:25

@whatsoccuringnow I kind of get what you mean. I am currently sat here questioning why I married him and I think the only thing stopping me from walking out of the door right now is the impending little human I have inside me 😕

OP posts:
whatsoccuringnow · 19/03/2021 21:31

Its completely up to you, it's a hard decision to make. I know people on mumsnet say just leave, but it's not always that simple. The funny thing is I dream of being alone with the kids now as my DH is not reliable, complicates plans and contributes nothing emotionally or offers any support (apart from financially- he will throw money at me as he is a high earner, and thinks it's all he needs to do) some day I will get him out. In hindsight it would have been easier at the beginning to have left and my son would have known no different.

Wolfiefan · 19/03/2021 21:32

He doesn’t need to get drunk to have a problem OP.
I quite like a nice glass of wine. But it doesn’t affect my relationships or job or ability to function. I don’t mind if I do drink or not. That doesn’t sound like it’s the case for him.
Not abusive? That’s a really low bar.
And throwing tantrums? Could actually count as abusive. Certainly it’s unhealthy.

whatsoccuringnow · 19/03/2021 21:36

This should be a lovely time before your little one arrives. Try to focus on yourself. We deserve better for sure x

TheLost · 19/03/2021 21:42

If he’s had anything more than a small glass of wine you’d be getting a taxi to the hospital though, not sure why you didn’t ask him to stop after a small glass/ he didn’t offer to stop after a small glass.

He’s behaving ridiculously. He’s got a heavily pregnant wife, a child due any day and he can’t not drink for a couple of weeks even though it would mean you getting a taxi to the hospital while in labour. That’s a very clear drinking problem. Not necessarily an alcoholic but being unwilling/ unable to stop for a few weeks when you really need him to shows there’s a problem either with the drink or with your relationship.

winterchills · 19/03/2021 21:51

I had similar with my first and from my experience this never ended it was the start of a whole shit storm. The more you explain the more they seem to rebel. Selfish bastards

KurtWilde · 19/03/2021 22:07

I had much the same with my first exp but his involved going to friends for 'a couple' and disappearing for 24 hours. Coming back hungover or still drunk. At 36 weeks with my first baby I was told I'd likely go into early labour and I asked him to please not go awol. He told me I was awful, controlling, wrecking his friendships and clearly didn't like him having friends. Jealous. Insecure. Blah blah. No. All I'd asked was that he not make himself unavailable/blind drunk, and act like someone with responsibilities. Just until baby got here at the very least.

It never got any better. Consequently he wasn't there at the birth and we split up when she was 2.

Shoxfordian · 19/03/2021 22:21

It doesn’t sound great. He can’t even hold off to ensure he can be supportive to you. Does he have any redeeming qualities?

HollowTalk · 19/03/2021 22:27

He's got a lot of growing up to do, hasn't he?

junebirthdaygirl · 20/03/2021 00:07

Someone has a drink problem when its causing problems in his life: work, relationships etc. If he cannot put caring for his heavily pregnant wife ahead of having a drink he is not looking like a great prospect for fatherhood.
Are your parents nearby? Could you say if you have even 1 drink l am calling my dad to come get me as l want to know there is a adult near me ready to care for me if l need to get to the hospital. And l mean no drink.
Do not take any responsibility tomorrow for tonight as he is completely in the wrong and aside from the driving you don't want a drunk DJ in the labour ward with it.
This is all him.

junebirthdaygirl · 20/03/2021 00:08

Not DJ ..DH

youvegottenminuteslynn · 20/03/2021 00:27

If someone's drinking causes problems then they have a drinking problem.

He's pushed your boundaries, tried to get away with more than you've agreed with and been insensitive to the fact you're both about to go through a life changing thing - and you're physically going through it, literally.

He sounds like a dick tbh. If you think you'd leave him if you weren't pregnant, start making a plan in your head for doing. Then if you want to, at least you have a bit of a plan of action to follow.

He doesn't sound like the type of person you can confidently rely on, which means you'll be under extra pressure as a parent and I'm really sorry about that, it's an unfair burden on you.

Sunflower1970 · 24/03/2021 07:47

I think I would go and stay with your parents. I know it will open up a conversation but he needs to know that you’re not going to be treated so shabbily. Make a stand. It might make him realize his behaviour is unacceptable and you’re not going to tolerate it. Do you want your child to grow up in this household?

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