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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

Baby with ex

50 replies

Mummabear2jnj · 03/09/2021 18:32

OK, this is a bit of a mad situation for me and I'm really struggling with it. I'll try and get straight to the point. I'm a single mum of 2 boys, and in April I met who I thought was the man of my dreams basically. He told me straight away that after he had split with his ex she found out she was pregnant and was due in October. He was always clear that he wanted to be a hands on dad with the baby, and I was ok with that. I've had a hysterectomy and can't have children now, and he doesn't see his other children (different mums) after lots of problems. He was a victim of domestic abuse and coercive control and there are still court proceedings going on with access, which is another story. Well, his ex had lots of complications and I would always encourage him to be with her if she needed him. The baby was born prematurely 6 weeks ago and is still in icu. He was present at the birth and He goes every day to see his boy whose doing well and over 3 lbs now. This is my problem. He refuses to tell his ex that he has a girlfriend, aka ME. We've been together over 4 months now and when she found out we were dating she went bananas. His fear was that she will stopping seeing his baby. She initially wanted him back, which he refused as they had a very turbulent relationship and she didn't treat him very well. She apologised and tried to get him to go back because she struggles with her other child who is 5 and he had been like her step dad for 18 months. She accuses him of not being focused on the baby and so he says that's why he won't tell her about us. She tries to get him to look after her other child to hopefully get him back which im not ok with,especially as I have two children that would ultimately be his step children if the relationship continued. When the baby comes home he will have to spend his days at her house with the baby initially, which is going to be difficult. I've asked him to tell her that we are just dating even, but he point blank refuses as he doesn't want to hurt her even more with her struggling with the experience she's gone and going through. So when he's with her she has no idea he's been with me for the last four months and she's controlling him by saying he can only have the baby overnight if he gets his own place, he can't have him at his mums etc....hes paying her 200 pounds a month and is basically at her beckon call. Its driving me insane now tbh. I'm supporting him as much as possible, but I feel so insignificant in this situation. I guess I am really, but If we carry on together I'll be having a relationship with his child in the long run and I don't think she is ever going to be happy about that. I wish I could just walk away tbh, but hes a lovely hearted person and he doesn't want anybody to be hurt, but he wants more than anything to be a father and will do whatever he can to make sure nothing jeopardises that. Any advice? Its unlikely, but has anybody else been in this predicament?

OP posts:
aSofaNearYou · 03/09/2021 18:36

Sadly my advice would be to walk away. This situation sounds like it will be a shit show and he's not even willing to listen to you now, in the early stages. It's only going to get worse.

Mummabear2jnj · 03/09/2021 18:43

I'm expecting most people will say the same tbh. Its such a shame 😔

OP posts:
LifesNotEnidBlyton · 03/09/2021 18:44

This is all sorts of reg clay and wrong. Seriously this is too much too soon. You've been together four months. He's got children he doesn't see and is having problems with seeing. He's got a less than two month old baby in NICU. He seems to have a string of "crazy exes" (really worrying because he's either lying, or if hes not its drama you don't need). You say be was "step father" to his exes daughter for 18 months. So he's been with someone who he says abused him and had children, split with her, doesn't see those kids but says he's trying to see them, then got together with someone else, played step dad for 18 months and left her, she turned out to be pregnant, got with you, the baby has been born and is premature and in NICU, and now hes saying he wont tell her about you two "dating" because she'll be angry.

Do you see the problems here?

This woman has a small child and a newborn in NICU, she doesn't need to know about her messy exes four month old "relationship".

Seriously OP, run from this. Usually I tell people on here to do what they want, but honestly knowing you've got children of your own to think about and with the mess this mans life obviously is, I'd tell you as you've asked that you should leave this man to his complicated love and family life.

LifesNotEnidBlyton · 03/09/2021 18:45

Ignore typos.

Mummabear2jnj · 03/09/2021 18:50

I know, you're completely right. I think I was hoping someone else mightve been through similar and conquered through against the odds. Its hard to walk away but probably alot easier to do it now than go through more of these issues. I just needed to get it out there and talk about it with people who aren't involved with either of us.

OP posts:
Mummabear2jnj · 03/09/2021 18:52

Whats reg clay? Lol

OP posts:
Snowwhite78 · 03/09/2021 18:56

Crazy exes are are red flag OP. I'm sorry but once maybe twice but this seems like a lot. Smacks of 'everyone else has the problem and I'm a victim' 💐

LifesNotEnidBlyton · 03/09/2021 18:56

@Mummabear2jnj

Whats reg clay? Lol
Grin Grin It's a typo crossed with an AC. Should be "worrying" or something.
thelastgoldeneagle · 03/09/2021 19:00

Wow. He either has shit luck with women or he's lying.

Run away. Far too messy and complex.

IWantT0BreakFree · 03/09/2021 19:02

Is it really likely that all three of his exes are crazy/difficult/insert other cliché here, or is it actually far liklier that he is the common denominator and therefore the problem?

You've known him barely any time. You're seeing his best performance at the moment. This is a crazy situation to allow yourself to become embroiled in after just a few months. He's got kids with several different women who he doesn't see (MAJOR red flag) or is having difficulty establishing contact with. He has had a baby with his ex after starting a new relationship with you during her pregnancy. The baby is premature and should be receiving his full attention (as should her mother really, because even if they aren't in a relationship he should be supporting her rather than focusing on his dating life).

There's a lot going on and tbh I'd expect a decent bloke to have called it off with a new girlfriend to focus on his children and new baby, especially when it's clear that your relationship is a source of distress for the vulnerable mother of his very premature baby.

DowntonCrabby · 03/09/2021 19:07

Oh god OP run a bloody mile. Unless you want a future full of drama, manipulation and the potential you’ll be kept hidden indefinitely.

AnneLovesGilbert · 03/09/2021 19:17

It’s been 4 months. Cut and run. You must have your own stuff going on with you and your two, don’t expend all this energy on someone with such a chaotic life.

It doesn’t need to be this hard. Unless you’re affected to angst and drama you should walk away today.

furbabymama87 · 03/09/2021 19:19

Walk away. He's too entwined with his ex. Understandably so as there's a baby involved, but this seems more than that. He'll probably end up back with her and that's going to hurt you more. So cut yourself some slack, walk away and find a man who is able and wants to commit to you.

Unanananana · 03/09/2021 19:29

'Crazy' exes and kids he doesn't see? Then he started a relationship with you while his ex was pregnant with his child?

He sounds like a prince. How can you possibly resist dumping his ass? What does he offer you emotionally? Practically?

Run a mile. You'll probably have to run further to no longer see his red flags that are the size of king size duvet covers.

OneAugustNight · 03/09/2021 19:32

Very messy. Don’t get involved.

QueenBee52 · 03/09/2021 19:35

Oooft walk away... leave this mess far behind you ..

Ughmaybenot · 03/09/2021 19:46

Aw hell no. This is an absolute shitshow and you’d be mad to carry on down this road. He isn’t it OP, throw him back.

TacCat49 · 03/09/2021 19:55

How come the ex got pregnant? Was he having sex with her without using a condom? If the relationship was so bad why wasn't he safe guarding an easy exit. It seems not. Some people create their own dramas.

RLEOM · 03/09/2021 20:36

Sounds like he creates his own dramas, utter shit show. Exit this way ➡️

AmelieLovesAutumn · 03/09/2021 20:49

I have cheese older than your relationship!

4 months, 17 weeks, is no time at all. I guarantee you a life of misery if you stay with him

Besides the heartache you will suffer, you have kids to think about! Doing the hard thing now, will save you much harder times later.

Be strong & do what you know you need to do

theworldsbiggestcrocodile · 03/09/2021 20:51

I'll go against the grain. My dp has a crazy ex. And it sometimes is an absolute nightmare. But we deal with it together with total honesty all round and so far it's worked.
It's a mess. But life is messy I guess

Tigertealeaves · 03/09/2021 21:55

This is going to be shit OP. Do not do it. I'm sorry. There is not a single thing in your post that sounds healthy. This man has amply proven he cannot have a well boundaried and lasting relationship.

They actively chose to keep their child despite being separated, she wants him back - there is a long tunnel of drama ahead that may well end up with them back together. Some people just have too much baggage.

KittyKattyKate · 03/09/2021 22:03

Cut and RUN girl.

Mummabear2jnj · 03/09/2021 22:44

Its hard because I genuinely have fallen for him...it sounds like he's a dick but hes really not! I know it sounds far fetched, but his family and friends have confirmed the stuff with his exes, so I know iys not him playing the martyr. But I definitely think the right thing to do is to step back now and let him concentrate on his baby and her. If its meant to be, maybe it will happen in the future. I'm in no rush for another relationship any time soon, thats for sure!

OP posts:
QueenBee52 · 03/09/2021 22:56

@Mummabear2jnj

Its hard because I genuinely have fallen for him...it sounds like he's a dick but hes really not! I know it sounds far fetched, but his family and friends have confirmed the stuff with his exes, so I know iys not him playing the martyr. But I definitely think the right thing to do is to step back now and let him concentrate on his baby and her. If its meant to be, maybe it will happen in the future. I'm in no rush for another relationship any time soon, thats for sure!

definitely... the beginning of a relationship really should be a wonderful time ...

this ain't it 🌸

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