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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

Partner has someone else's baby on the way

225 replies

Alwaystooproudtoask · 09/06/2022 00:51

So this thread may be long I'm sorry. I've just got soo much whirling around my head, heading may also be a bit misleading sorry. So I met my partner who worked for the same organisation as me (didn't meet there), around 3.5 years ago. I had older children already from a previous relationship that had ended many years ago. Because of this I had accepted when the drs had told me After my last Dds complicated pregnancy I couldn't physically have more, it was very traumatic and both me and baby were not too great after. That was until my partner who I was madly in love with I should probably add, kept raising that it makes him sad we can't have a child together. He didn't have children & it really did affect me that he would have to sacrifice that to be with me and i didn't want to think of life without him or him sacrificing not having the blessing of a child because of it. I probably should add I broke up with someone because of the same issue years ago and he did meet someone and have a child but blamed me for being stuck in a horrible relationship all for the sake that I had pushed him away so he could meet someone and have a child. He said he would have been happy not to have had any children as long as we we're together. I felt awful for lots or reasons about that. But back to partner now , I had started to look into if there was any alternative ways we could have a child together through my drs. I didn't want to get his hopes up so discussed the basics. after some blood tests that came back unexpectedly well and lots of reassurance I was informed I could try and have a consult lead pregnancy due to high risks & that all was very likely to go well given the right care. We discussed this and discussed the news which came with the blow of, I only have around a year to try as I was in the early menopause (no pressure, to process or conceive eh). We hadn't conceived after 7 months. He put it down to me not being able to conceive, and highlighted it did make him sad, when my periods would confirm I wasn't pregnant. I had the mindset that, it also wasn't looking like we would conceive naturally.
we started having difficulties in the relationship, he was great with my children & they really did like him, that's one of the things I really loved about him, including he was amazing with our 2 little doggies. Unfortunately him and my eldest dd( 20 at the time) had fallen out and it had got a bit unbearable, he also had the mindset that he shouldn't have to help with housework as it was for me and the kids to do, as none of it was his mess. I struggled with that being his family upbringing mindset (his mother apologised for that) as he lived alone before me, I had the fantasy illusion of him being a domestic god, a girl can dream.
His mindset and upbringing was so far removed from mine. His family moved around a lot due to work where mine were very grounded. He was always wanting us to move away and start a fresh somewhere, one day Yorkshire, the next Germany. I live near the sea and we're quite happy here but would move if it was a great option. when I first met him I felt he was a deeply intellectual thoughtful, very affectionate guy & I probably was in a much less stable way than I realised. I'd been a single mum for roughly 10years by this point. However, I asked him to leave due to issues with my older dd. he didn't want to leave & wanted me to help him with making the situation better. I didn't have any fight to give at this point, I felt absolutely emotionally drained due to lots of things I guess & I needed needed him to fix it all, I know way too much pressure. The 1st few days without him was fine, I felt fine about our time apart but that was when I realised that's exactly all I wanted, just some time apart. I just wanted him back & by day 6, I had just found out I was pregnant. He had gone to stay with family up north & said he was really happy when I called, I asked if we could see each other but he was putting me off. I've realised I have a terrible habit of pushing people away and then trying to pull them back. The result was I told him I was pregnant via a message. It really sucked but it's how I did it and I can't go back on that unfortunately. When he phoned he was like a different person he was screaming at me to get rid of it and how much he hated me and he'd moved on and wasn't coming back (it was 6days wth) and that I'm on my own if I keep it & that he had never said he wanted a child with me let alone want one & that I was lying about that fact.

I decided to continue with the pregnancy and she's the best thing to happen to our family and we're all absolutely in awe of her. My pregnancy was terrifying, I needed bloods taken every 2 weeks and she needed brain scans in the womb regularly and I was always terrified she wouldn't survive, I'd had 12 years of being told it wasn't possible. She was induced early and spent some time having treatment in hospital due to being born quite poorly, conceiving knowing I was putting her at risk weighed heavily me, even with all the drs reassurance, but we were in it and she's just great and An absolute blessing. Her dad would check in every so often, when I was pregnant until he would tell me how much he hates me and block me off everything. I felt so sad about it and did feel he was behaving that way because I'd hurt him and provoked him with things I'd say. I felt I was the cause of why he was having difficulty regulating his emotions. He asked to move back at one point, as he said he could only be around if we lived together. After the things he had said when he found out I was pregnant I didn't want him moving back in, I felt we had a journey to get through before that. He wasn't at the birth & it bloke my heart he didn't check in let alone be there around that time, even though I was induced earlier than he expected, I was blocked by him and his family at that point so couldn't contact him. I must add I was soo angry that his family blocked me, I had stayed at there's when visiting a couple of times but he said it was him that blocked me of all there contacts.
He decided to arrange a visit when she was around 6 months old. & had a few more visits. I thought things were going well and that it could only be positive for Dd. we talked about what a mess things are but he wanted to move on in a positive direction & me too, I still question if I said did the wrong things to cause him to stay away, he said it hurt him too much and he didn't know how to fix things. It was a journey with my elder children adjusting to him being back around. Then boom he had decided I'd been horrible and hated me and he left and didn't return for almost 7 months. zero contact, even on her 1st birthday, but did send a gift with his parents. the weird thing is I thought we were really getting on. Then one day he just knocked on the door said he'd moved back to the area, as he'd been living about 3 hours away & that he's been working on his mental health and he's here to stay and finally do everything he can to prove he's here to stay. It was such a whirlwind, I was totally swept away and yes I'm pathetic & within 2 weeks I was absolutely back in love again. The children (they are high school uni & above age) we're away and the 1st night he stayed just felt soo special, it felt like we could really move forward & actually be a family. I knew it was going too take a lot for me to let go of heartache from his absence in the pregnancy and 1st yr but our dd was bonding so beautifully with him & I am a pathetic hopeless romantic. Our first night was overshadowed by constant calls in the morning. Long story short it was a girl to say she is pregnant 😔. It's been absolutely devastating again. He is doing to her what he did to me. He said she was just a housemate in a shared house and that she thought she couldn't have children too and she's keeping it for fear of not managing to have another child. She contacted his parents (through fb) but I had inclined to them something was going on, so luckily he had told them prior to the message. He said she suffers with lots of mental health and would have a lot of difficulty managing life with a baby. I told him I don't want anything to do with him if he doesn't do the right thing & support her and the child. I was obviously devastated. When we did speak he informed me she had decided not to go ahead with the pregnancy & his only focus now is me and our dd. It's taken months of feeling like I'm on a horrible rollercoaster, and me and him just trying to move forward. I was always saying he needs to confirm for sure if she kept the baby, well a few weeks ago he has confirmed that he has been speaking with her, I was great full for his honesty and glad he had. she had decided that although she didn't want him involved she wants him to financially support the baby. He said he's ok to do that & that they are only talking to negotiate money. He said it's an issue as she believes she should receive more than me as he's in our dds life. I don't believe him and feel like he enjoys talking to her to get at me. He's started telling me about chats he has with her about me. I have always pushed for him to be involved while hes been adamant me and our dd is all he wants and has the capacity to cope with. I always knew she would keep the baby, so it's not a surprise and it's my Dd sibling an innocent baby. He has me worrying about his mental health a lot, and I tolerate a lot of things & tried not to push him into a dark place, about everything, as he doesn't deal with things well clearly, hes now says I'm manipulative and always put him in a dark place. When I feel I affect my mental health to protect his. Anyway In an argument he blurted that the other girl thinks I'm mad because I questioned him if he had been to visit her when he just went away for 2 weeks to Scotland and to visit his parents where she lives near by to them, I might add he told me while in bed he's going away it wasn't a discussion we had, hence the argument I guess, that he never considers my feelings. I felt that inconsiderate to our relationship. I don't have issues with her for thinking I'm mad, she doesn't know me or I her & I believe he plays mind games with us both now, I do have issues with him discussing our private relationship with her, especially when he says he isn't going to be in her life & she apparently doesn't want him to be in hers & it's simply about money. I actually feel an idiot hearing myself as I read this and can't believe I'm caught is an insane situation like this. I am also aware I can quite easily and happy live life without him as I've had to do that more times than I care to remember. I asked for some time out the other day and he has sent me awful messages telling me how manipulative I am and that no wonder I've never been able to keep a man. I think I've unfortunately just not made great choices and probably do have to work on myself quite a lot, I was doing just fine when he was absent for the 7 months, my issue was more about will he ever re-appear.

The current situation is he's now saying im preventing dd from having a relationship with him. This is because he's decided he doesn't want to see her at my house or have her at his & also won't take her out without me there. He wants us to meet weekly for walks (a bit of a drive away too) and coffee. I just don't want to push myself to do that, especially when the probability of rain is high and I don't have much time for this, especially as I do everything alone. I work and am a busy single mum of a toddler. He says the alternative is we be together but I feel like I have no trust and he's playing emotional games with me and this girl. He's now saying as I've been writing that he will probably be in the child's life, I am happy about that, I'm just so sick of his swapping and changing his mind and getting angry with me for addressing that. I'm sorry for all this rant, my brain is pounding. I can usually walk away so easily but the pull he has on me is quite literally soul destroying and really a bit concerning now. I'm guessing my character my get questioned here but I don't mind maybe I need some harsh truths. My family hate him (bar my children), but they don't see him just hear my stories and I do have friends who seem to promote us being together. So I'm so conflicted & he tells me I'm the problem soo much and he loves me deeply but in the next breath he hates me. I can't decide if I'm in an abusive relationship or if I'm the emotionally abusive one? ☹️

OP posts:
Maytodecember · 09/06/2022 09:08

So he’s a man who wants everyone to jump when he says jump.
He blames everyone else but himself for his messed up, misogynistic, selfish ways.
And you put your health, and that of a child, at risk because he felt sad he wasn’t a father —- but he’s changed his mind now.
He’s manipulating everyone in his life and your children shouldn’t be anywhere near him. Get rid. Now.

layladomino · 09/06/2022 09:08

He sounds absolutely awful. Vile. A poor partner and a poor father (poor isn't descriptive enough, he's an actively dreadful father, causing his child - and your children - damage. He is utterly selfish, a user, only worries about himself, happy to mess other people around on an industrial scale, causing a trail of hurt and destruction in his path. He lies. He gaslights. He blames you for his failings and mistakes. He can't be relied on. The list goes on.

I've rarely read a description of someone so inept and useless and incapable of being in any sort of relationship.

Why on earth did you stay with him after he regularly guilt-tripped you about having a baby despite knowing that could threaten your life? After he refused to do any housework? After he fell out with your daughter? Each of those on their own should have been enough to leave him.

You now know he didn't want a baby with you. He wanted a reason to punish you. So all those times he was guilt-tipping you were lies. Lies to get you to feel bad and give him more control and power over you. He didn't mean it. If he'd meant it, he would have come running as soon as he knew you were pregnant. Or even if the relationship was over for you both, he would have been a wonderful father, so grateful at last to have the child he SO wanted. But no - he disappeared. Which shows you it was all lies about wanting a baby with you.

If not lies, then it shows he can change his feelings in a blink. That you can't trust anything he says.

Please just walk away from this man for good. Block him. Don't engage with him on anything other than essential communication about your child. Don't worry about his other relationships or why he did what he did (he's a selfish, vile abuser, that's why he did it).

Please put your children first. This must have been awful for them, I really feel for them.

tootiredtoocare · 09/06/2022 09:16

Your self confidence is in your boots. You, and your baby, deserve better than this. He's got you so screwed up you don't know which way is up. He doesn't care about you, and if he's so willing to give up contact, he doesn't care about his DD either. Her life will be worse for having a 'dad' who only pops in twice a year. She's better with no contact at all until she's mature enough to make her own decisions about whether she wants to know him. Think - where are the advantages in keeping him in your life? Because the only things you've mentioned are damaging and dangerous for your mental health, and all your DC. You don't need a man to validate you, and you definitely don't need this shitbag. Pull up your big girl knickers and keep them on when he's anywhere near you, which should only be once because that's the time you're going to tell him to f.o. out of your life.

Phobiaphobic · 09/06/2022 09:19

God, he sounds absolutely appalling. I'd recommend therapy, OP, to try to unravel why you're still involved with him.

Normal healthy people do no behave like this.

Magda72 · 09/06/2022 09:19

@Alwaystooproudtoask he's an abuser. End of.
Leave him & then get yourself into therapy in order to work on your self esteem & breaking your pattern of choosing awful men.
Don't blame yourself for your choices - there's always a reason behind our actions - but I would say you need to break a cycle & work on trauma as what you've been through with him sounds highly traumatising.

Crumbleburntbits · 09/06/2022 09:22

It’s him, not you. Your family are right to hate him because they can see that he isn’t good for you or your children. You need to end the relationship for good and stay single until you have had counselling to work out why you are prepared to be with a scumbag who is so horrible to you.

Purplefoxes · 09/06/2022 09:28

Wow I read your post. What a rat bag. Thus guy is manipulating you, don't believe a word he says! When he says '"the OW (because thats what she is basically) said this about you" I don't believe it, this is his complete fabrication to control you as he thinks you'll listen to the voice of another woman. He is making you doubt yourself. Cut all contact except unless it is a about access for the baby. Hopefully he can start paying child maintenance if not already but I presume you need to go via the courts for this. The fact he moaned and moaned he wanted a baby and then the minute you are pregnant screamed at you. He only wanted a baby to get you hooked on the line. Exactly what he has done to the OW as well. He chooses vulnerable women on purpose to be his victims and it makes him feel powerful. Find your inner anger, this guy has ruined several years of your life from the sound of it and upset your older kids. He is no good. Throw him in the bin where he belongs. All the romance bits are fakery and not his real personality, he is a narcissist and his mask has slipped. Read the chump lady website and stop focussing on this utter turd, focus on you and the kids. Good luck xx

GruffalosToes · 09/06/2022 09:29

Please please please please please get some therapy OP. Please access the Freedom Programme. I imagine you've had a dysfunctional upbringing yourself which accounts for why you have zero boundaries and will put up with this shit. It's not your fault but it IS your responsibility to do something about for the age of your child.

He is a worthless individual. Block him from your and your daughters lives immediately. Your poor children.

Badger1970 · 09/06/2022 09:34

Seriously, read your post back to yourself. Out loud.

He's utterly toxic, and you're dragging yourself down as well as your kids.

I honestly think you need some therapy here - this isn't normal to accept and tolerate such appalling behaviour from someone. You are worth more, and so is your DD.

Goldfishmountainclimber · 09/06/2022 09:36

End the relationship with this man. You can make a healthy happy home for you and your children on your own. You deserve better than this life that you have put up with with him.

Kendodd · 09/06/2022 09:38

Tried my best but couldn't read this because of lack of paragraphs.
Wishing you well whatever the story was anyway OP.

sussychungus · 09/06/2022 09:42

sounds like a wet wipe #leave #slay

Alwaystooproudtoask · 09/06/2022 09:49

Thank you for your reply x

I do always wonder if I'm looking at it from the wrong perspective and if it is me, creating everything being worse. He said he slept with her to try and move on from me. He says they are totally not together and gave me her contact details in a casual chat one day to message her any time I want. I don't want to do that. I just wonder if I've hurt him so much by always pushing him away and this is the consequence 😳. Todays drama is he wants me to meet him for a country walk, I've said I will do 1 of 2 lovely parks we have near by. I woke up feeling positive about doing that. Thought I could read while he spends some quality time. Apparently he won't be coming to any s&@!y park and I'm stopping him have a relationship due to refusing to drive to him. Gosh this man turns me bonkers. I woke up feeling better after my massive rant/offload too

OP posts:
Herejustforthisone · 09/06/2022 09:50

I couldn’t quite get through it but my takeaway is this:

Neither you, your older children, this other woman, nor the swathes of babies this abusive, weak cunt of a man is leaving in his wake, need him. He’s garbage. Treat him as such.

And please, I beg of you, work on yourself.

NwNmOldFace · 09/06/2022 09:52

OP it is a cliche as old as the hills but in this case it is definitely not you, it's him. Check out the Freedom programme, some of what is happening here may ring alarm bells for you. Get a solicitor, a court order and your life back. He's a waste of space and will forever blame you for his inadequacies

Alwaystooproudtoask · 09/06/2022 09:54

I know! I literally couldn't stop once I started and it was soo late 😖. I rarely talk to people about all this so it often just bubbles away. We did go for an sti check together but maybe another is needed.

OP posts:
Alwaystooproudtoask · 09/06/2022 09:55

😂 exactly what the words my mother says . Thank you x

OP posts:
IncompleteSenten · 09/06/2022 09:56

He is a piece of shit.

AintNoPartyLikeANumber10Party · 09/06/2022 09:57

Ditch this abusive gaslighting creep.

If he wants to be a dad to your DD, you can agree a schedule and he can take care of her at his flat on his own.

Your poor children. You need to step up and stop showing your kids that it’s okay for women to be abused.

sussychungus · 09/06/2022 10:00

my best advice would be to go to tescos and get some caramel nibbles and listen to some taylor swift and just relax, dont think about him and have a day focusing on yourself. #slay

KosherDill · 09/06/2022 10:00

Herejustforthisone · 09/06/2022 09:50

I couldn’t quite get through it but my takeaway is this:

Neither you, your older children, this other woman, nor the swathes of babies this abusive, weak cunt of a man is leaving in his wake, need him. He’s garbage. Treat him as such.

And please, I beg of you, work on yourself.

This.

sussychungus · 09/06/2022 10:00

true

Purplefoxes · 09/06/2022 10:03

Alwaystooproudtoask · 09/06/2022 09:49

Thank you for your reply x

I do always wonder if I'm looking at it from the wrong perspective and if it is me, creating everything being worse. He said he slept with her to try and move on from me. He says they are totally not together and gave me her contact details in a casual chat one day to message her any time I want. I don't want to do that. I just wonder if I've hurt him so much by always pushing him away and this is the consequence 😳. Todays drama is he wants me to meet him for a country walk, I've said I will do 1 of 2 lovely parks we have near by. I woke up feeling positive about doing that. Thought I could read while he spends some quality time. Apparently he won't be coming to any s&@!y park and I'm stopping him have a relationship due to refusing to drive to him. Gosh this man turns me bonkers. I woke up feeling better after my massive rant/offload too

It's 100 percent not you it's him. Would you sleep with another man to move on from him? Perhaps you should! He slept with another woman to get his jollies, that was HIS choice and nothing to do with you! He is a classic narcissist. Read up on it please and take the scales away from your eyes. Your older daughter can see straight through this man, ask her! Can't understand why he seems to have you under his spell with all this shitty behaviour?! Unless of course you are actually enjoying these cycles of drama he pulls you in he pushes you away like a soap opera. And like a faithful dog you keep running back to him everytime with your tongue hanging out for more?! He's even just done that with a simple walk in a park for God sake! I bet he loves it, he gets to keep two women chasing after him (probably more let's face it). What will it take for you to wake up from this nightmare masquerading as a dream? Find your anger and stop swooning over this utter utter moron. Once you are out you will begin to realise how he has manipulated you and treated you so so poorly. Not your problem if he doesn't have a car he can get a taxi or a bus if he wants to see his child! It's not down to you to facilitate him. Who is paying for the child's clothes, food, haircuts, school/nursery expenses, prescriptions etc. I bet he doesn't pay for anything does he? This guy is a loser. Why would you choose to stay with a loser? So he can show your daughter how to be a loser and you can show her how to be abused by a man? Children often repeat the patterns of their parents relationships, get out now quick!

Alwaystooproudtoask · 09/06/2022 10:03

🤣 unfortunately he is and often convinced all he needs to do is wave his magic wand around. I'm much more pleased by having the dishwasher done.

OP posts:
MartinReubyUnsungHero · 09/06/2022 10:04

Alwaystooproudtoask · 09/06/2022 09:49

Thank you for your reply x

I do always wonder if I'm looking at it from the wrong perspective and if it is me, creating everything being worse. He said he slept with her to try and move on from me. He says they are totally not together and gave me her contact details in a casual chat one day to message her any time I want. I don't want to do that. I just wonder if I've hurt him so much by always pushing him away and this is the consequence 😳. Todays drama is he wants me to meet him for a country walk, I've said I will do 1 of 2 lovely parks we have near by. I woke up feeling positive about doing that. Thought I could read while he spends some quality time. Apparently he won't be coming to any s&@!y park and I'm stopping him have a relationship due to refusing to drive to him. Gosh this man turns me bonkers. I woke up feeling better after my massive rant/offload too

Loving relationships are NOT like this.

It's not meant to be this difficult and second guessing yourself to make someone treat you properly and lovingly.

Loving relationships don't require endless paragraphs of despair on an Internet forum.

He's messing you about BECAUSE HE IS MESSED UP.

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