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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

Am I doing the right thing?

90 replies

beauophelia · 21/11/2022 20:42

Hi guys,

Just looking for some general advice and reassurance that I'm not being OTT.

So me and my partner have been together 4 years, we have 2 young children together.

Before we had our kids, he used to be out most weekends, but did settle down briefly whilst my eldest was a baby. He then started going out again which I didn't mind every now and then, but then he would start using our little arguments as an excuse to just get up and go out and leave me and the kids for the night and not return home until the next day without a message or call to let me know what the hell he's been playing at.

He has done this probably more than 10 times in the last 12 months, sometimes he'd just pretended he was going to his van to get something then driving to the pub and going on a full blown night out or "popping to the shop". He's also, when doing this, spending money we don't have to spare at this moment in time.

One time I had enough, so I got my kids in the car and followed him, but he then made me look like a total nutter in front of his family making out I never let him go out (which isn't true either) However, now they are seeing the flip side and realising it isn't me and that he does it off his own back without us even arguing now.

He did stop for a while, but has just started doing it again recently. Every time he does it the next day he grovels and apologises to me, and promises he won't do it again, but then he does.

For instance, 2 weekends ago he went out after he was supposed to come home after 2 pints and the pub. I'd been at work all day, already felt unwell and still hadnt eaten and he said he was going to bring us food home, he didn't return home until 1030am the next day. His family after this realised it isn't my fault when he does this, and that maybe he has a binge drinking problem.

And tonight after the footballs been on he hasn't returned home, he's been out since 1pm and he was supposed to be home at 4.

I just am at my wits end, so I've ended things once and for all

He never used to drink much through the week either when we first got together, but now he seems to always be having cans of beer on a night, sometimes the odd one, other times it's a lot. And I can always tell or get a feeling when he's going to do his "disappearing act" I call it, when he will go out, as he usually seems half cut before he leaves.

Sorry for the long winded post, I just want to know what everyone else's opinion is. I've tried to explain it the best I can, I've not mentioned every detailed time he's gone and what's triggered it but sometimes we don't even need to of bickered for him to do this!

Also to add, when he does do this, I get 0 responses to calls and texts. So I'd never actually know where he is or who he's with. But I've never caught him cheating so I generally don't think he would be or is doing anything of that sort.

So do you think I'm being over the top by leaving the relationship now? Or am I doing the right thing.

Thank you for any advice

OP posts:
Opaljewel · 21/11/2022 20:47

Absolutely not over the top. The lack of respect and the lies would do it for me. You can never be sure of where he goes when he does this. Stick to your guns you deserve better.

Where did he go when you followed him that time?

Pollywoddles · 21/11/2022 20:57

You are not being over the top and you are absolutely doing the right thing.

beauophelia · 21/11/2022 21:08

@Opaljewel he drove around the town where we live then back to his parents as he knew I was following him then started going bezerk and making out I was crazy! And I think his parents sided with him more that night as they believed him over me.

@Pollywoddles thank you for reassuring me - I just hate the thought of splitting up our family. Besides this, he is a brilliant dad and great partner but I can't cope with not being able to trust him having a few cans at home on a weekend or even be able to trust him to go to the bloody pub for a couple of pints with his friends without worrying if he will even come home.

I don't actually mind him arranging the odd night out with his friends and for him to say don't expect me home early, I'm going out, but to just get up and go and leave me and our kids at home all night worrying is just not on anymore.

OP posts:
KangarooKenny · 21/11/2022 21:12

Is there any chance he’s doing drugs as he doesn’t come home ?

Noxpox · 21/11/2022 21:19

@beauophelia I think you have given him one chance too many already! If he keeps doing it and you don’t leave, you are just tolerating his behaviour. You say he’s a brilliant dad and a great partner but he really doesn’t sound it! He’s taking the piss and disrespecting you.

Pollywoddles · 21/11/2022 21:19

Brilliant Dad’s and great partners don’t stealth bugger off overnight once a month leaving you to cope on your own and make you look like a lunatic if you push back. You are not splitting up your family, he and his behaviour are. You and your kids deserve better.

beauophelia · 21/11/2022 21:23

@KangarooKenny yeah he does, for sure. I found a photo on his phone of him mocking me to his friends as he screen shotted a message from me asking where the hell he was and he responded to them with a picture of a bag of drugs.

The more I talk about it the more angry I get for allowing it to get this far. So it's safe to say I'm totally done with it now, my kids and I do deserve better.

The main reason I've stayed is truthfully because I'm scared to be on my own and cope by myself with my kids. It's very daunting but I think il be just fine.

OP posts:
KangarooKenny · 21/11/2022 21:24

Can’t believe you’ve stayed with him this long then.

beauophelia · 21/11/2022 21:30

@KangarooKenny that was the other weekend I saw that, and I did end things but after a week of him saying he would go and get help, I tried to make it work again - until he's done this again tonight. So it shows he won't change, ever.

OP posts:
KangarooKenny · 21/11/2022 21:31

No he won’t, but he’ll keep doing it as long as you take him back.

Opentooffers · 21/11/2022 21:32

My sons dad did this a couple of times, that was enough to kill any feelings or respect I had for him. I ended it, then he died 10 years later. Too many demons to bury in drink.

beauophelia · 21/11/2022 21:33

@KangarooKenny well after getting second opinions knowing I'm not being over the top I know I'm doing the right thing now. I'm praying he doesn't try coming back here tonight for whatever reason as he does have work tomorrow, I've told him not too. Absolute waste of space!

OP posts:
Bedazzled22 · 21/11/2022 21:36

You are totally going the right thing. It will just get worse and why wait for that. You deserve so much better

beauophelia · 21/11/2022 21:37

@Opentooffers oh god, that is awful. My dad was a heavy drinker and also died from it and I've tried to open my partners eyes into the harm drinking the way he does and what it can end up in. But clearly he will never see sense. I just really hope he sorts himself out. If not for me, for his girls.

OP posts:
beauophelia · 21/11/2022 21:39

Thank you all for your support and advice.

Tomorrow when I get the "I'm so sorry" messages, at least I've got this to remind me why I need to stick to my guns!

I just needed to know I'm not going to regret what action I take but I'm totally reassured there will be none of that. 🤞🏼

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 21/11/2022 21:42

Well done. You've made the best decision of your life. Please, PLEASE don't take him back. You'll only end up in the exact same position.

pumpkinsareshortlived · 21/11/2022 21:47

"The main reason I've stayed is truthfully because I'm scared to be on my own and cope by myself with my kids"

You are on your own, he has checked out with his booze! He is not worth the heartbreak as drink is his priority over a loving spouse and children. LTB.

red1238 · 21/11/2022 21:55

My DH used to do this before we had children and I found it very distressing. I can only imagine how stressful it is with children. It's absolutely unacceptable and you are right to not tolerate it any more. DH went to AA and hasn't drank for 6 years now. Your partner has a drink problem- it's costing him more than money and the problem is progressive, just as my DH'S became. Don't have any reservations about telling others, such as his family, about the truth that you're dealing with - he has a drink problem. Also could suggest to your partner that he needs to go to AA. Don't let him hide in his denial.

DesMoulinsRouge · 21/11/2022 22:05

The times he storms off, I'm 100% certain he plans to go out and then manufactures a row so he can pretend he only went out because you annoyed him.

He sounds like a loser. You deserve better.

MamaBear54321 · 21/11/2022 23:01

Reading this post has really hit a chord with me as I have experianced the same with my childs father. They never change , make promises they cant keep and some how it ends up being our fault 🤔 .
Yes I tried to stay for my daughter but she wasnt gaining anything more than I was . It was showing her it was okay to be treated like this and it wasnt. Dads show up for there kids not disappear all night .He wasnt there because he choose not to be. 1 beer or 10 beers makes no difference when they are a alcoholic or drug addict. I hope you stay strong for your children they need stability and consistency your the only one giving them this right now. What he is showing you is the best he can give you . Your worth so much more than that .

AreWeThereYet69 · 21/11/2022 23:12

Oh OP my heart goes out to you. He's not a great dad if he's behaving like that. And he's an awful partner.
You are not being OTT in the slightest. What you're describing is him going AWOL almost once a month while you're left looking after 2 young kids.
Sometimes separating really is the better option
🤗

Fourfurrymonsters · 21/11/2022 23:20

I can’t believe you’ve put up with this for so long. And incidentally, he is absolutely not a brilliant dad or great partner in any way, shape or form. He’s a shit.

Yellowcakestand · 21/11/2022 23:50

KangarooKenny · 21/11/2022 21:12

Is there any chance he’s doing drugs as he doesn’t come home ?

This is what I was going to say.
My ex used to do this regularly. Also binge drinking.
I always asked about drugs but it would cause almighty arguments.
We went to family Court where I brought it up and he denied it. Then he told cafcass that actually he did cocaine 2-3 nights per week throughout our 11yr relationship!

Quiegal · 21/11/2022 23:52

@beauophelia

You need to tell him you had enough and he needs to go.

I wouldn't like the disappearing acts because for me I would think he having one night stands.

I have known about men doing this before it's not good. It becomes a pattern where the I will do what I want go out get drunk do whatever. Next day tell her I am sorry it all fine. It's not enough is enough.

BertaHoon · 21/11/2022 23:56

He's taking cocaine by the sounds of it as well as drinking.
You can't live like this. He won't change either. You need to cut him loose for your own peace of mind.
Nothing changes if nothing changes.

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