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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 just walked out on me and 15 month old

305 replies

stressedhadenough · 20/07/2022 15:20

He's been in a foul mood the entire morning. He's supposed to be looking after our DC (today is his day to do that, we have one day each per week to stay home with her and she's at childcare the other 3 days). Just so happens I'm off work sick today, though, so all 3 of us home together. He's been like a bear with a sore head following a disagreement about whether or not to put the pool up in the garden. That's it. Nothing even important or major. We just had a different opinion on it. He was a moody arse, walked away from me as I was talking to him, so I asked him what the hell was wrong, why is he being like this. Nothing's wrong he says. Right.

He says he's going to do the food shop. Says he will take DD. Right, great. He starts loading stuff into the car including her changing bag. DD then poos. I say "please can you just hold off putting the changing bag in the car, she's pooed, I'll change her before you go". He shouts back as he's walking away with the bag "just use the wipes on the kitchen table". I reply "I might also need the lotion, though - can I please just have the bag?" He grumpily brings it back, sighing. Then goes off outside in the garden.

There are no cotton pads in the bag - I realise they are upstairs, and DD is trying to pull off her nappy (new habit she's got into). I shout his name. No reply. I shout again. He shouts back "what?" in a shitty tone. I say please could you help me a second (don't want to leave DD to pull her dirty nappy off). He comes in, I ask could he please run upstairs for cotton pads. He sighs/huffs again, goes upstairs. Comes back down and then comes really close to me and goes "stop speaking to me like shit"; then walks away.

I said "me?? Are you joking? You've done nothing but speak to me like shit all morning!"
I then point out he's been like a bear with a sore head since the pool disagreement, walking away from me mid conversation, quiet and moody, huffing about the place, trying to put the changing bag in the car when I needed it (pointless, why would you do that?), and then being abrupt when I shouted his name asking for help when changing her.

He then went "right, I'm off, you can do the shopping yourself".

And off he sped in his car. I'm home not feeling well, looking after our toddler on my own, ok what is supposed to be his day to look after her. And now I am also responsible for the food shop which he has decided he's not doing.

Tried calling a few times to ask him when he's coming home, he answered one call and said "I'm not speaking to you, you're out of order, I'm not coming home", then hung up immediately. I tried calling back, numerous times over the past hour or so, he's ignoring my calls.

I text him saying "do you really think it's appropriate to just walk out on me and DD like that, leaving me to do everything today including the shopping when I'm not well?"

He replied "I haven't walked out on her, I've walked out on you. Don't use her". Confused erm,., you've literally just walked out and left her here??

And that's that. So what the fuck do I do? Is he an arsehole or is he being reasonable here??

OP posts:
leatherboundbooks · 20/07/2022 22:47

OP, I had a husband who would do things like that, looking back it was never really anything to do with me, it was to do with external stuff, but he would pick arguments any way he could, to justify storming off. sometimes it was because he didn't want to do something we'd agreed we'd do together, it really was controlling behaviour, whatever I did would be wrong, if I tried to call him I was wrong if I didn't I was wrong. I had to stay where I was as if he came back and I wasn't there he would say I didn't care for him, it got worse and worse over the years, yes I should have got out sooner He would never discuss whatever it was and I would be wrong for wanting to try and sort things out.

I suspect you would have been wrong whatever you did, had you not started changing the nappy you'd have been wrong, you'd probably have been wrong had you not helped with the pool, and not sure where you are but no heatwave here today, nice and cool here. A toddler-sized pool that could be blown up in a few minutes and have a few inches of water put in would be great fun for a little one, she could get in and out when she wanted, unlike a huge pool, little ones don't need such an enormous pool

FabFitFifties · 20/07/2022 22:47

The fact that he wanted to punish you is a red flag. -. This. It will get worse OP, and when daughter is old enough to challenge, she will get the same treatment. They always get worse.

Emlaeric · 20/07/2022 22:48

He's a human being too. I'm not saying he's in the right. I agree he needed to cool down. Remove himself. His comment sounds like he still is fired up. Space was needed.

AsMyGranWouldSay · 20/07/2022 22:48

Wanting to punish you is really messed up OP. No need to analyse it, the fact is no-one should be punishing anyone in a loving relationship. People get angry and frustrated yes, but that kind of controlling, mood hoover behaviour is a step too far.

I hope you get some space and rest and that you feel better soon.

Singlemammaoff2 · 20/07/2022 22:49

Please do not stay in a relationship just for the sake of your dd. She will pick up on it. I left my husband when my dcs were 14 & 32 months I just couldn't take our problems any longer and really didn't want it effecting the children. Not saying it has been easy but definitely was the right choice.

Sallycorriander · 20/07/2022 22:53

Op you are getting some appalling comments but people do like to kick others when they're down and invent their own scenarios. It says more about them than it does you. Don't drain your energy explaining yourself to them.

This boils down to him controlling you when things don't go his way. You are left holding the baby literally while he runs off and sulks or does god knows what. No communication. No idea when he's back. Its not about him taking a breather and going to cool off, it's about punishing you for having an opinion or the audacity to question him.

Fupoffyagrasshole · 20/07/2022 22:54

There’s definitely 2 of you at fault here now I’ve read the rest of your posts!

the nappy bag thing would have irritated me - you didn’t really help him or save him time - you made him have to go back to get a bag and then go upstairs it made the task more complicated than it needed

he normally has the child himself today and they have their own little routine and then you shit on his idea to do the paddling pool with her.

he probably feels like a child being told what to do and feels that everything he does is wrong

he was also wrong for storming off and leaving you sick to look after your daughter - however I think he was right to go! Otherwise you guys would have argued in front of your daughter which isn’t good - better for him to go take a breather and come back a bit calmer ! Agree he could have taken your daughter shopping but I’m sure he just was riled up and felt he had to go

i know I’ve had moments with my husband that I just have to go out for a walk and clear my head - I don’t like arguing and when you are already annoyed or angry with the person it’s not a good time to start trying to discuss things or make decisions ! Best to do that later when things have settled

you seem to have already decided you don’t want to be with him anymore though and that’s also fine - but really I don’t think he has done much wrong today

Toucan123 · 20/07/2022 23:04

I'm absolutely sickened by how vile some posters have been to the OP. I know there's always been a few very spiteful people on Mumsnet but there seem to be more of you than ever on this thread. OP I hope you're feeling better and that the actual good advice on here has helped a bit. I'm sorry your DP is treating you so badly, especially when it's so abundantly clear you haven't done anything wrong. As if having a discussion about when to put the pool up and offering to change your baby's nappy is "interfering" or "micro-managing" 🙄... What utter crap some people talk 😡

Psychonabike · 20/07/2022 23:04

@stressedhadenough There are always loads of women who are prepared to tip toe around men and call other women out for nagging/micromanaging etc when all that has been described is the expectation that you might communicate, discuss, agree things together like adults.

This man sounds like he communicates like an abusive and emotionally stunted child. It doesn't sound like he is particularly insightful or willing to make real changes.

The way he got up close to tell you not to speak to him like that sounds very unpleasant, not a healthy dynamic at all.

You say he is a good father, but is this a father who is modelling healthy adult relationships for your child? You have a daughter -this is setting the bar low for her expectations of men.

stressedhadenough · 20/07/2022 23:04

@Fupoffyagrasshole

He didn't have to go back to the car for the bag - he had it in his hand walking away from me out of the door as per my op:

I say "please can you just hold off putting the changing bag in the car, she's pooed, I'll change her before you go". He shouts back as he's walking away with the bag "just use the wipes on the kitchen table".

That was deliberate obstruction on his part. Absolutely no need.

Have you read my update? He admitted he walked off this afternoon to "punish" me, but can't articulate what for. That's really not healthy.

OP posts:
ImRunningUpThatHill · 20/07/2022 23:06

his constant running away and shutting down is a form of abuse OP:

”Stonewalling abuse in a relationship is when one person refuses to communicate or cooperate with their partner becoming like “a stone wall”. You may know it as its more common name, the ‘silent treatment’.

Alternatively stonewalling can mean a partner dismissing everything as if the other person is “making a big deal out of nothing”, belittling what they say or pretending “everything is fine”, when clearly it is not.

Being stonewalled can be incredibly frustrating for the person on the receiving end as they want to know what is wrong but are unable to get an answer. It can be considered a form of emotional abuse and is often used as a form of control.”

stressedhadenough · 20/07/2022 23:06

Toucan123 · 20/07/2022 23:04

I'm absolutely sickened by how vile some posters have been to the OP. I know there's always been a few very spiteful people on Mumsnet but there seem to be more of you than ever on this thread. OP I hope you're feeling better and that the actual good advice on here has helped a bit. I'm sorry your DP is treating you so badly, especially when it's so abundantly clear you haven't done anything wrong. As if having a discussion about when to put the pool up and offering to change your baby's nappy is "interfering" or "micro-managing" 🙄... What utter crap some people talk 😡

Thank you.

I didn't read some of the deleted ones - they must have been reported by others. I'm glad I didn't read them. It wouldn't have helped me right now at all. My head is such a mess. 😥

OP posts:
stressedhadenough · 20/07/2022 23:08

@ImRunningUpThatHill

Wow. I'd never heard of stonewalling. That description fits perfectly with how he often responds to me.

OP posts:
HelloBunny · 20/07/2022 23:22

My DH is similar. Can’t have an adult conversation / two-way discussion with out losing it. It’s so difficult. Our DS is two now, and DH made the baby years so much harder than they needed to be...

i told him to shape up or ship out, when he was on a bad spiral a few months ago... Thing is, he improves for a while then the shit starts up again. I never know when or why. I don’t want the same for DS in future.

whynotwhatknot · 20/07/2022 23:37

he sounds immature op especially seeing as hes late 30s i was epxting you to say about 20

and the comment about punishing you is a massive red flag

Catlover1970 · 20/07/2022 23:40

stressedhadenough · 20/07/2022 15:44

@Teaandcrumpets95

This is his usual default response to any arguments or disagreements. He fucks off and leaves everything to me, with no indication of when he's going to be back.

This kind of behaviour is unacceptable

Magda72 · 20/07/2022 23:44

@stressedhadenough I'm so sorry you've had such a hard time on here. Please ignore the gaslighters who are not only gaslighting but are also being vile about it.
Those of us who have been in your situation recognise what you're talking about & totally get it.
I spent years living like this but am now 12 years divorced from exh. He & I coparent very well & one of the reasons for this is that I can tolerate him far better now, precisely because I don't have to live with/deal with his moods/silent treatment/disappearing for hours & the relief is immense.
Trust me, if you choose to leave your dd will be fine because she will have a happier, more relaxed mum.
Life is too short to spend every day walking on eggshells & having to manage the childish behaviour & foul moods of a partner.

ThreeLittleDots · 20/07/2022 23:45

I can't believe what I've just read OP, that you've been batting off losers here all day long!

You need help with the logistics of leaving... What would you like to know?

Growuppeople · 21/07/2022 00:07

Your off work sick why are you getting involved? He would’ve filled the pool up if you were at work no? Just leave him to get on with it I’m sure he knows what he’s doing! I’m so glad Ive always been a single parent, would hate anyone telling me what to do

Normando91 · 21/07/2022 00:38

Genuinely flabbergasted at the people having a go at the OP. Perhaps she does have a bit of a control issue, don’t see that as a negative thing when it’s her child- she needed her nappy changing and asked for a bit of help from her partner, that shouldn’t be met with him walking out on them both, regardless of how annoying he felt she was being. It’s ridiculously immature behaviour. I’ve been there with a man like this and the constant walking on egg shells, not knowing what you may inadvertently say to set them off is horrible. When they just sit there in silence, refusing to engage with you, it’s bloody hurtful and disrespectful.

Hope you’ve managed to have a relaxing evening OP and feel better soon.

TrueLady · 21/07/2022 03:39

I'm just going to give you a very big virtual hug! Just take a deep breadth and don't allow him to disturb your peace. He's immature and acting out. Perhaps this is how he behaves when there's conflict - walks out - his default coping/ control mechanism. Also he seems to act in the moment ie storms out. So, When you know he's moody just leave him alone. Ignore his moodiness and distract yourself from him,don't give the argument any attention. Don't let him draw you in to his nonsense. Also the fact that you kept calling him after he stormed out makes him feel he has the control and that his storming out is having the desired affect,like a child having a tantrum to cause maximum chaos and attention seeking. He may also just be angry and this is how he manages his frustrations. Choose your battles and save your emotional energy. Immature people ( like him) always feel the need to "win" the argument. So when he sees that actually you don't give his behaviour the time of day, he may stop doing it because he is not getting the attention he expects. To be honest life is too short for silly bickering and your daughter needs a positive,joyous atmosphere and you need to not be so stressed. Persevere if you can and don't make life-changing decisions in anger/ frustration. Relationships are not easy. Patience is like gold in these situations. (Having a small child can cause relationship dynamic to change)- remember what you love about each other and celebrate that -Wishing your family the very best 🥰

Thepossibility · 21/07/2022 03:55

No way I'd let him sweep this under the carpet. Treating you like shit when you are sick, for NO good reason! What a prince. Nope.
Ignore the ridiculous posters that think you communicating with the father of your child makes you deserve this shitty behaviour. It's getting ridiculous on here lately, no matter the post people can't wait to jump in to tear stops off the OP for existing.

nca · 21/07/2022 06:16

Next time if it's his day leave him to it. Let him change her and shop with her and decide how to manage that.

If he wanted to fill the pool let him fill the pool.

I'd also book some couples counselling for the two of you to try to find a way through this.

I hope you feel better soon.

vroom321 · 21/07/2022 08:25

I don't think you finished your thread title.

billy1966 · 21/07/2022 08:43

I hope you feel a bit better today.

Reach out for support.

But do not accept this wasters awful behaviour as acceptable.

He is an utter disgrace walking out to punish you and your child.

Completely unforgivable.

You will be better off on your own.

No need to rush to a decision, but he is not good enough for you and your child.

He is completely untrustworthy.

Take care of yourself.

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