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 again and relationship breakdown - wtf am I doing???

58 replies

EW444 · 17/04/2021 02:22

I could really do with any form of advice...

I got pregnant with twins a few months into seeing a guy, he was a friend for a long time and we’d always been very close. We decided we wanted to be together and have these babies. We were form two different cities at the time, I owned a 2-bed apartment that was big enough to house my babies and my family/friends are here so we decided we would carry on living separately and raise children here. I did not anticipate how hard pregnancy and raising the babies would be he would come for half the week then go back to his home. I started to grow to resent him because he had this ‘other life’ and was free to do as he pleased when he wasn’t here. I suffered with post-natal depression and it was hard!!!!

Fast forward a year and a half we still live separately and I am pregnant again I took the morning after pill because he said he would not move here, I suggested any other city but not where he is from and he said there was no point in that. So it was London or nothing. Financially we could not afford a property there not a chance, we both work part time and we’d have to go into social housing this was his only suggestion. I do not want to sell my property to move to a city I cannot afford to live in or own a property. And I don’t want to raise my children in London. My family have also been my rock throughout raising my children so far helping me in his absence and I don’t think I could bear to be so far away from them. I want a house with a garden for my little girls which is more than affordable here if he was to assist. I’m now back and forth what to do with the pregnancy, I would need to sell regardless and buy a bigger place but on my wage it is going to be tough to do by myself and with my partner refusing to buy a house I will be doing it alone.

The relationship has basically broken down because he is not willing to make any sacrifices or compromises to accommodate a third child that he says he wants. Equally I know he doesn’t want to move here and I don’t want to force that upon him but if we can’t agree where to live I don’t see why we can’t just buy here temporarily.. he says he will be keeping his flat in London regardless and this is a massive cost that takes away from any of our future plans.

We’re at loggerheads most the time and we’ve honestly realised how different we are, religion culture, family, beliefs sometimes it seems we at completely different ends of the spectrum. He’s a playful dad but doesn’t seem to help with all the hard work I will sort the girls in almost every way whilst maintaining the house whilst making him dinner and catering to him. I’ve asked for help so many times and when I do it’s yes I’ll do it but on my terms and when I’m ready. I find this highly irritating when he isn’t doing anything!!!

I know the relationship is basically over and it’s now become an uncomfortable environment as he still comes here every week for a few nights and stays in the same bed but we don’t talk. I don’t know what to say anymore. I breakdown most days because of the stress of contemplating abortion, shared custody of the girls in different cities, financially supporting a third child and sorting out bigger housing in 6 months. I feel completely alone and he doesn’t seem to understand or care.

Am I crazy to even think of having this baby? Should I be more understanding of what he wants?

He doesn’t drive either with is another annoyance I am expected to drive to ldn to see his family which i don’t mind on occasion but then he will complain we should be going more frequently however he doesn’t realise how big of job it is to pack up two 15 month olds drive 3hrs down to london to spend the night in his 1 bed flat with 2 travel cots that the girls refuse to sleep in and we barely have room to move around. His flat is not even finished the kitchen is ripped out their is no over and bathroom has not been done but we manage to get some warm water. It is uncomfortable and hard work but I still do it and it’s never enough. I feel he has all these demand and expectations but doesn’t put in any of the ground work. His response is always ‘so we have to struggle for a bit’ he’ll say I’m not willing to put hard work in or be out of my comfort zone. However I don’t understand why I need to choose to struggle???

We are just so different!!!!! Sorry I went on!!! Rant over.

OP posts:
UhtredRagnarson · 17/04/2021 09:13

I came to a realisation recently after years of being a single parent with all the trials that come with that. I realised that my life didn’t have to be as hard as it was. I could have made different decisions at various stages throughout and the hard thing wouldn’t have happened. And I don’t just mean hard for me- I mean for my DC too. The choices I made meant hardships for them too. If I could go back in time I’d make the smart choice for them as well as for me. Bringing a third child up will not make life better for your twins. It will reduce the already stretched resources available to them, not just money, space in their home, but your time and energy for them and also your ability to increase your family income through working more. Your girls already have a sibling in each other. You already have two children. No one in your family is missing out by not having this baby. But everyone will miss out all round if you do have it.

KittyKattyKate · 17/04/2021 09:15

Go with your head, OP. Go with your head.

Mum4Fergus · 17/04/2021 09:20

OP, how would life look, and how would you cope if it was just you and 2, soon to be 3 babies, on your own, with no support, financial or otherwise? If it was me, that's what I would make any decision on-life can turn on a penny...you need to plan for the worst outcome

Opentooffers · 17/04/2021 09:22

So he doesn't pay for the 2 he has, and now you are contemplating the 3rd? Just don't, I'm amazed you ever wanted to have sex with him again after the first 2, doubtless that was the heart being followed, so it just shows you should go with your head. Wants 3 kids but doesn't want to work to pay for them Angry. He really is a waste of space, CMS for the money he does get (can only hope it makes him go full time, but doubtful).

Coolerthanapolarbearstoenails · 17/04/2021 09:29

In the situation you've described I would terminate the pregnancy and end the relationship.

You didn't say how old your girls are, but as they get older things will get easier and you will have more of a chance to get out of the flat. Adding another baby to the mix is going to put you back another five odd years possibly? A sibling won't benefit them in any way and make your life an awful lot harder.

It's great you have family support but please don't let your mum/sisters feelings cloud your judgment. It's 100% your decision.

DaenarysStormborn · 17/04/2021 09:36

Ignoring him as he sounds like an utter waste of space. Sorry.

Write down the income/childcare positives for having just the two and repeat for having three.

You need to decide based on what is best for you and your current family and make sure he is paying enough child maintenance. You sound like you want the baby. If you want it, then do it but you need to do an analysis of the reality of the situation.

Grimsknee · 17/04/2021 09:40

"why am I allowing myself to have a third baby with someone who doesn’t deserve it you know"

FFS this is just wrong, A baby is not a gift that you give a "deserving" partner, like a nice meal or something. It's something you do because you want to bring into the world a human being that you will care for and nurture for two decades.
Why are you contemplating having a baby with a man who isn't committed to the two children he ALREADY has? Why do YOU want the baby?

Twolostsoulsswimminginafishbow · 17/04/2021 09:41

As pp have suggested. You can provide for your girls on your own, you’re essentially already doing that and dump his sorry arse.
There’s so many things to consider with another child. You know you can’t rely on him. I also don’t think you get any government help if you need it for a third child so this could also impact your girls in the furure. You might not need that now but he isn’t going to give much on a part time wage and as you own your property If you could not work at some point you’d really struggle.
I’d be planning for just you and your girls.

UhtredRagnarson · 17/04/2021 09:41

@Grimsknee

"why am I allowing myself to have a third baby with someone who doesn’t deserve it you know"

FFS this is just wrong, A baby is not a gift that you give a "deserving" partner, like a nice meal or something. It's something you do because you want to bring into the world a human being that you will care for and nurture for two decades.
Why are you contemplating having a baby with a man who isn't committed to the two children he ALREADY has? Why do YOU want the baby?

This!
Magnificentmug12 · 17/04/2021 09:43

So he gets to do the single life then come back and play daddy and have sex. Of course he doesn’t want to give that up, he has the best of both worlds! Literally, half a week at a time!!

Personally I would have an abortion, and say you move in here and we become a proper family or it’s over. If it’s over he will have the girls half the week giving you time to also have a life and best of both worlds instead of him just taking it all for himself!

Figgygal · 17/04/2021 09:46

You are as bad as he is I’m afraid if you’re having to be supplemented by your family in order to pay for the children that you already have you absolutely should not be contemplating proceeding with a third how is that fair on anybody.
Sorry I absolutely would be putting my two current children first and not proceeding with the pregnancy.

Magnificentmug12 · 17/04/2021 09:46

You have a close not family that will shoulder the responsibility of a 3rd child. I don’t think that’s something I could do knowing my dad already finances two children I already have. It’s like taking the piss put their generosity!

Magnificentmug12 · 17/04/2021 09:47

Knit

Maggiesfarm · 17/04/2021 09:51

@EW444

My family support me either way! My dad is helping me financially but is majorly pissed off that he is having to do this for me and my girls instead of my partner which is completely understand!! I have a really close net family which is the best thing. My mum and sister would help me with. Third baby but part of me is like why am I allowing myself to have a third baby with someone who doesn’t deserve it you know??? The other part is like the baby isn’t to blame for anything ...
Yes but the difference is the baby will not know anything about it if you terminate. He/she does not think!

You can think with your head, not with your heart. Put sentimentality aside.

autumnalrain · 17/04/2021 09:53

You cannot have another child with this man

Maggiesfarm · 17/04/2021 09:54

EW444
I think my mum and sister really don’t want me to have an abortion hence there generosity.
....
You don't have to tell them. You can have 'a miscarriage'.

JSL52 · 17/04/2021 09:56

I think the message is fairly clear, you asked for advice. I would terminate the pregnancy and the relationship.
He's an absolute waster , think of the example to your girls. I can guarantee when you stop driving him around you'll see a lot less of him.
Can you get UC top ups for childcare to go FT ?
It's good of your Dad to help financially, but that should be because he wants to , not because your 'partner' is a lazy, irresponsible child.
CMS as well , I'm sure lots of people don't want to be 'a slave to their job' - tough shit when you have two children I'm afraid.

LouiseTrees · 17/04/2021 10:00

@Aquamarine1029

In your position, I would be ending this doomed relationship for good and terminating the pregnancy.
So would I and I’m normal quote anti abortion. I never understand why people think having kids but living apart will work, inevitably one partner ends up with hard graft and the other is a Disney parent ( usually the dad). I would suggest he needs to work out how he will see his existing kids and no you definitely don’t need to be more understanding of him. He doesn’t need to be in London, if you are in the UK a fair chunk of England is very well connected with London. You don’t mention where you currently are OP ( general area), perhaps we can help make your case if we knew.
Knackeredmommy · 17/04/2021 10:01

Your partner sounds like a waste of time. Think about the children you have now and how much harder it will be with another one. Is that really fair on them and you?

category12 · 17/04/2021 10:07

Of course he wants the third, he gets to play at being daddy and then go home again to live as if he's single.

You need to think about what's in your own interests and what's in the interests of the children you already have. You're already dependent on your family financially and practically - don't you think it's about time you stood on your own two feet instead of making yourself even more reliant on their good will?

If this is real, you need to sort out child contact, where the twins go to their dad regularly, and make sure he's paying child support if he isn't.

Deanefan · 17/04/2021 10:22

I think what you have is a situation NOT a relationship. I think you have to make the two children you already have your priority. Clearly he is his first priority. In your situation i would definitely terminate the pregnancy. If you have another child now you delay the time when you can increase work and start to improve your future prospects as well as increasing costs.
He doesnt sound like he is in it for the long haul or even the medium/short haul TBH!

Char1tySh0ppa · 17/04/2021 11:33

He could work FT
Rent or sell his property
Move in with you, as a proper family

Instead, you are relying on your family financially & practically

I would not bring more children into this relationship

youvegottenminuteslynn · 17/04/2021 13:03

His life won't change if a third child is born. He will just have one extra kid to play with at yours.

Your life would be impacted, hugely, when it comes to time, resources, energy, finances, mental health and more. Your twins' lives will be impacted hugely too. Your parents lives, your sisters life - all will be impacted.

Is that impact fair or anyone involved or sustainable? For me, all things considered I would terminate.

This man isn't your partner, it's already over. He's already doing the bare minimum for people around him and taking the absolute maximum from people around him.

He doesn't even work full time despite being able to and having two children to support, where finances are tight to the extent your dad has to help.

He's lazy and selfish, you're a grafter. That dynamic never ever works.

It's also a really unhealthy dynamic to show your girls as they grow up. That a mummy does everything, including working, and daddy does the fun stuff. That women should do what makes other people's lives easier and men should do what they enjoy doing.

Please stop even considering this man a partner, he absolutely isn't. The relationship is over. Your girls need you and resources are already stretched emotionally, financially and physically.

Termination is always a personal choice a woman should have full autonomy over of course. I personally couldn't consider continuing a pregnancy in your circumstances. You shouldn't feel obliged to for your family or for him if you don't want to either.

Thanks
EW444 · 17/04/2021 13:17

Thank you for all the response and advice. I think I’m pretty clear on what I want and need to do. I do not want to be in a relationship with someone like this and I honestly want the best for my girls. To be clear I wouldn’t ever expect my family to pick up the pieces, yes they are my support and I guess they are just trying to help but I’ve always understood these are my children and not theres. My dad does not financially support me or the girls now he was talking hypothetically if I had to get a bigger place he would support where he could to make that happen but I am definitely fortunate to have the help I do. But yes I completely agree he should be the person I am able to rely on and I do not want to bring another child into this type of set up or to take this away from what my girls have and need. I’m just trying to get my head around going through with an abortion I’m now over the threshold to have the tablet so it would be a procedure which is really hard to digest. I know it is the right thing to do but I just hope that I can deal with the consequences of my decisions after.

OP posts:
Blueskytoday06 · 17/04/2021 13:20

Heartbreaking as it is. I would terminate the relationship and the pregnancy. 💔

Swipe left for the next trending thread