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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:
determinedtomakethiswork · 21/11/2022 23:59

You've done absolutely the right thing. Please don't take him back, no matter what he says. I'm sure he'll be full of promises but he will break them every single time.

ShellsOnTheBeach · 22/11/2022 00:02

I hope he has life assurance - because he is going to drink himself into an early grave.

Don't let your children be witness to this...

And how much would all the money he wastes on booze be worth once they turn 18 if it had been invested in a S&S ISA!!

beauophelia · 22/11/2022 06:37

Thank you everyone! Still not even heard off him since yesterday at 4pm, but I am certain now I've made the right choice.

OP posts:
Pollywoddles · 22/11/2022 10:34

Remember that feeling of certainty and hold onto it when he’s begging to come back or things are getting hard. You and your kids will be so much better off in the long run.

Daniki · 22/11/2022 15:29

That is disgusting behaviour, get him out of your life and never look back!

Rose8419 · 23/11/2022 05:59

Just wanted to say you are so strong. Sending hugs and lots of strength for your future. You can do this! ❤️

Kim662841 · 23/11/2022 06:13

He is not being a good dad or partner. And you say you’re worried about being on your own but you are anyway! With the added stress of him! This would be unacceptable to me x

Bambikate · 23/11/2022 06:25

100% doing the right thing. I am literally going through the same thing as you right now. Drink, cocaine and violence and arguments. He used to disappear on pay day and I’d not see him all weekend till the grovelling texts and messages started Sunday evenings. Still doing it after our son was born earlier this year and so I called it a day. Then he assaulted me during one of his visits to see his son which I had been helping facilitate for him (still trying to help him- god knows why) so I had to get the police involved. He’s now on bail and I’m going through the family courts for a non molestation order.

sgtmajormum · 23/11/2022 06:29

My ex husband was like this, just didn't come home from work til 2 or 3 in the morning, wouldn't answer the phone, I had no idea where he was or if he would come home. Started out maybe once a month then it was every week multiple times. Did the whole apology thing, then went and did it again and again. I was terrified of how I would cope on my own. But eventually one thing just made me snap and I knew he would never change so I kicked him out. He tried wheeling out of it with the usual apologies but I was done. We've been split 6 years now. It was tough at the beginning but I'm so glad I'm no longer with him.

THisbackwithavengeance · 23/11/2022 06:32

He's a disrespectful human being and a shit dad and partner to boot.

You did the right thing OP. Tell him to fuck off.

Normal people in relationships do not go AWOL.

Leomii81 · 23/11/2022 06:35

This is awful for him to carry on like this.he has a wife and family behav like a single 18 Yr old needs to grow up. Lack of respect would be enough for me to end it.

CrystalCauldronWitch · 23/11/2022 06:51

This smacks of emotional/psychological abuse, which is a form of domestic violence. Using alcohol as an excuse for his behaviour is not acceptable.

From the Relate website -

‘But the point about whether the behaviour is abusive, is how it makes you feel. If your partner’s behaviour makes you feel small, controlled or as if you’re unable to talk about what’s wrong, it’s abusive. If you feel like your partner is stopping you from being able to express yourself, it’s abusive. If you feel you have to change your actions to accommodate your partner’s behaviour, it’s abusive.’

Refuge have a lots of forms of contact for support - check out their website.

You are absolutely right to tell him you’ve had enough, the marriage is not healthy and not only is it having a detrimental effect on you, it will be negatively impacting your babies. Get out while you can and make a better life for the three of you.

Sending you lots of luck; don’t look back!

UniversalAunt · 23/11/2022 06:56

@beauophelia With your family background & his current behaviours, you have a shrewd idea of what is going on.

You are an adult now, not the vulnerable child you were with the drunk father, & are free to make choices about who you share your life with.

Also ‘but after a week of him saying he would go and get help’, this is meaningless without action.

If you split, he will still be father to your children so if he goes away, the issue is still there.

If he were serious about this, you’d be with him when he’s sat in front of the GP &/or psychologist asking for help, & you’d see him finding out about support groups etc. Because actions speak louder than words & you need to see this to both believe & trust him.

You may find Al-Anon family support helpful for the situation you are in now & for what has gone before. www.al-anonuk.org.uk/about-us/

ReneBumsWombats · 23/11/2022 07:03

Besides this, he is a brilliant dad and great partner

I'm going to scream...

Aprilx · 23/11/2022 07:10

You are definitely not over the top. I would even say you have let it go on for far too long. You don’t need to put up with somebody that shows you such little respect.

anyolddinosaur · 23/11/2022 07:10

Yes, you are. Teach your girls to expect better.

Player001 · 23/11/2022 07:11

Stay strong, you can do this. It will get much easier as time goes on I promise.

That man is not a role model for your children. You do not want them to be copying his behaviour when they grow up.

TabsKane · 23/11/2022 07:11

Stay strong x you’re doing the right thing

you deserve better than living that life

Oddbutnotodd · 23/11/2022 07:18

You’re doing the right thing. Given your family history with a father who drank you may benefit from something like the Freedom programme as well as AlAnon. You have every right to have a better relationship than the one you’ve had up to now. He’s never been a brilliant partner and father.
Raise your standards and expectations from a relationship or you may find a similar partner again.

Good luck with everything.

whattodo1975 · 23/11/2022 07:21

If you’ve had 2 kids and only been together 4 years I’m going to suggest that you had kids way too soon in the relationship and didn’t get to properly know the person he was. He’s clearly not going to change.

Kizzy192 · 23/11/2022 07:21

This isn't normal. Not at all. YANBU. Get you and your kids out. Realise your worth... How would you feel if your kids ended up in relationship like this? What would you recommend to them? 💙

Baconking · 23/11/2022 07:24

You will never regret splitting up with him OP.

He sounds like a terrible partner and dad. Your life will be so much less stressful when you don't have to keep wondering where he is and what he is doing

beauophelia · 23/11/2022 07:26

Thank you everyone for the messages.

It's weird when you take a step back and realise how foolish you've been for so long!

He went back to his mum and dads yesterday, I feel so much better after finally sticking to my guns with it this time.

Didn't really sleep much last night as I do feel so emotional and stressed by it all, wondering how I'm going to manage but its only up from here on out now!

OP posts:
Gh12345 · 23/11/2022 07:26

I also think you’ve done the right thing. The lack of respect he has for you and to top it off - a picture of him mocking you. I feel angry for you. I doubt he’ll ever change.

beauophelia · 23/11/2022 07:27

@whattodo1975 we did have kids quickly, but I do not regret my two little girls whatsoever. It's not their fault he's made these wrong choices in life!

But yes, I probably didn't get to know him well enough. But I can live regretting my past decisions, just need to make the right ones going forward.

OP posts: