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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

At my wits end, please help, any advice welcome

15 replies

Mindyres · 01/06/2022 10:28

Me and DP haven’t been together a huge amount of time. He’s 40 I’m 35. Around a year and a half ago, about 10 months into the relationship, we talked about kids. He wanted to put it off longer, I didn’t. At this time I should say that he came across consistently as a very dependable and sensible person. If I said what his job was it would be outing but he has masses of responsibility and from a society level he would be deemed important, integral, someone who is needed etc. I had no reason to think he would go on to behave in some of the ways he has - but maybe I’m being unfair…

We compromised on kids and agreed to start last Christmas. It happened almost immediately which neither of us were expecting. There were a tricky few weeks while we got our head around it but generally he had been supportive and positive.

As the months have gone by, I am feeling genuinely alarmed as to what I may have got myself into. We were living together but his job moved temporarily and the last 3 months he has been living elsewhere but visiting regularly and attending appointments etc.

His behaviour is really starting to worry me. One weekend was my brother’s 40th and he quite literally sulked all the way there, an hour’s drive, I think because he didn’t want to take up the day to go. He barely spoke in the car, it was draining. When we arrived he suddenly snapped out of it, chatting away and laughing. Whenever we were alone, at the bar or something, he would be miserable again. As soon as we got in the car to drive home, he was back to pretty much silence.

He has also turned up drunk, two hours later than he said he would. I’m not too fussed on the time but I think turning up at 11pm and staggering through the front door and upstairs is quite a selfish and unkind way to behave towards your pregnant partner. I had no idea he was planning to drink all night then come over. I said he couldn’t stay and then the next morning he claimed I hadn’t let him in the house at all - total lies or he was so drunk he doesn’t remember. It’s been very frustrating and he says I am lying and I never let him in. It hasn’t been the first time he’s got blind drunk and often over dinner he would down a bottle of wine as if that was standard for a Monday night. I did used to say could we cut it down a little but he played it down and said everyone in his profession does it.

These instances have caused a lot of strain as I am close to my family and don’t like his attitude and I am not a massive drinker in general and find stumbling around mid week at 11pm pretty gross. Following these arguments, he seems to have become paranoid. An example is that on one occasion I had used his phone without asking (I shouldn’t have done this and understand why he was angry, my phone was out of battery) but since then, months ago now, whenever we argue he keeps saying I’ve deleted his messages and he wants them resorted. It’s like he’s paranoid about something. I’ve never deleted anything on his phone.

There’s other strange things but even typing what I have already makes me so sad. I’ve never been involved with anyone like this before. I don’t really live like this, I tend to keep myself to myself and have a quiet life. Not saying I don’t like a drink etc but I just would never behave in this way and I would never have expected it of him either. Not sure what I’m asking I’m just really low/worried. I almost wish he had been like this sooner or said he wanted an abortion because now, this many months in, it’s not something I can do, personally. And I just don’t know how to see a future anymore, alone or with him.

OP posts:
BelleTheBananas · 01/06/2022 10:31

Abusive weirdo. He will be an appalling father. Please leave while you still can.

Mindyres · 01/06/2022 10:35

@BelleTheBananas obviously I am giving one side and I am not perfect either, I don’t deal with any of this calmly, for instance. I get very upset. He can be kind and generous and seems to manage well at work as he’s respected and well known for what he does. I feel so shit.

OP posts:
Ragruggers · 01/06/2022 10:39

I am sorry this has happened.Is he interested in the baby and making plans for your future ? It doesn’t sound good I would be making plans to go it alone.

Oldraver · 01/06/2022 10:40

Just get rid of him. The silent behaviour then all sweetness and light in public is abusive and will only get worse. The drunkenness is instantly stackable

Mindyres · 01/06/2022 10:42

@Ragruggers yes in moments he does and he seems committed but it’s just becoming impossible with this sort of behaviour.

My family all think he’s lovely and would be sad and worried if I was alone. I don’t want to damage my relationship with them but I don’t think I can cope with arguing over it really. It’s bad enough society/his colleagues think he’s wonderful when I have to put up with this.

OP posts:
Turnthatoff · 01/06/2022 10:54

Do you know his family? What are they like?

NerrSnerr · 01/06/2022 10:55

Are your family having a baby with him or are you?

How long have you been together. You need to remember that your unborn child is going to turn into a real person and it's your responsibility to try and make their upbringing as stable and happy as possible. Even if that means upsetting your family.

Turnthatoff · 01/06/2022 10:55

Also, I don’t think using a partner’s phone without asking is something to get angry about.

YRGAM · 01/06/2022 11:00

This behaviour could suggest two things:

  • He is trying to get as much drinking and partying done as he can before the baby comes (this is very common among men)
  • He felt pressured to try for the baby and is now resentful of you for it

Judging by what you have written I'd say it is the former. The sulking is worrying and is something you should both address, but I don't see anything in your posts that suggests he is going to be a bad father. Men don't go through the hormonal and body changes than women do, so a new baby often doesn't seem real to many men - it can take them time to internally accept that it is happening.

Reading between the lines as well, if he turned up two hours later than he said he would at 11 he can't have been that drunk. Maybe your underlying attitude to alcohol is escalating this? Either way, I would discuss it with him.

You both need to have an honest conversation about how you are feeling about the new arrival, really. Good luck - remember, it's easy for a stranger to say 'Just get rid of him', but I'm sure you'd rather not go down this route if you can help it

SafferUpNorth · 01/06/2022 11:04

Awww OP, this is so sad to read. Expecting a baby should be a joyful, bonding experience for a couple. I have no real advice but to say it sounds as if he might not be coping very well with the impending change. Maybe it's dawning on him how radically his life will be altered and he's scared.

How far along are you? Are you able to ask him honestly whether he's struggling with the prospect of parenthood? Does he have friends with kids he can talk to?

Wishing you all the best Flowers

HaveringWavering · 01/06/2022 11:22

Some questions.

  1. Do you love him?
  2. Does he have kids already or is this is first?
  3. Do you actually know any of his colleagues, or is your impression of what they think of him purely based on what he has told you?
  4. when is he due to come back to your shared home?
  5. how much discussion was there before he moved out? Do you have independent proof that he is working elsewhere?
LemonTT · 01/06/2022 11:22

Mindyres · 01/06/2022 10:35

@BelleTheBananas obviously I am giving one side and I am not perfect either, I don’t deal with any of this calmly, for instance. I get very upset. He can be kind and generous and seems to manage well at work as he’s respected and well known for what he does. I feel so shit.

The fact that you don’t deal with it well makes it worse. It’s not an explanation or mitigation for his behaviour. You are both incompatible. Why do you want to bring up a child in home where two parents are arguing, one is drinking or sulking and the other rightly disapproving. That’s never going to get better.

I assume you don’t live together and there is every reason to assume you wouldn’t get on. Don’t change that and consider whether a continued relationship is beneficial for the child. It sounds like it isn’t and will just complicate Co parenting.

HaveringWavering · 01/06/2022 11:25

Your phrase “visiting regularly” concerns me. If he is in a committed, loving relationship with a live-in, pregnant partner, then he would not be “visiting” he’d be “coming home” and would be maximising the time with you and minimising the time he absolutely has to be away for work.

HaveringWavering · 01/06/2022 11:27

I assume you don’t live together

@LemonTT she says in the OP that they lived together until he had to work away temporarily.

greenhebeaww · 01/06/2022 11:40

@Mindyres you say your family think he's wonderful but I wouldn't put too much on this. When I first met my DD's OH I thought he was wonderful but there was just something that niggled me. Later, my own parents also mentioned to me they thought there was something. These concerns evaporated for a while as he was - I think - presenting himself on his best behaviour. Lately, my concerns have re-surfaced. Very similar to your experience. I have never once mentioned this to DD. She thinks that I think he's wonderful, but I've noticed things which make me feel uneasy.
I would speak to your mother/father/sibling about this - they will understand.

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