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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

My mum died and my bf sodded off to a festival

208 replies

Yellowfleur · 28/05/2023 16:54

My head is all fuzzy. My mum died on Friday following a year-long struggle with cancer. I can't even begin to imagine how to go on. I had my sister with me, but she had to go home to her own family. The funeral will be at the end of next week.

Maybe I'm fixating on this issue because it stops me from thinking about my mum. She lived with me. I'm a single mother and she helped me raise my DD. We were the best team ever. A little trio of women who got on so well. We were each other's world. The last year of chemo, sickness, surgeries, and then end-of-life care has been just so so painful.

In the last few weeks, I've also had massive issues with an ex. I've had to press charges, but he's now skipped the country. I'm scared of him. I'm getting nothing but emails, messages, and voicemails from him. Thousands of words, hours of voice recordings. I'm scanning them for threats and keeping the police informed, but they can't do much. They have the papers to section him, but he's not in the country now. It's a nightmare.

So, my current relationship is only 7 months old. I met him and he knew about my mum and that I was caring for her. Our relationship has been committed and serious and loving, but also quite 'light' because I haven't been able to give him much time. We see each other once or twice a week. Sometimes more, sometimes less, depending on the situation with Mum and finding a babysitter, etc for DD.

We all knew she was going to die. And when she did, on Friday, I told him and he said all the right words. But then he said, "Oh, I have tickets for a festival this weekend. I'm sorry about that. I feel bad about it, but I feel as though I need to go". And off he went. He then texted me a couple of times to check in on me. But nothing between yesterday morning and this morning. He left me for 24 hours and didn't ask how I was.

I don't know whether or not I'm overreacting because my emotions are all over the place. But I feel disappointed. My female friends have all been great. I know that he's not particularly good with words. And he's never been through anything like this before. I've explained what's been going on with my ex. He asked if I wanted him to call him. I said no, as I don't think it would help. He asked if I wanted to see him tomorrow. He's not been an out-and-our arsehole... but I was kind of expecting more from him. On social media, he's been posting photos of the festival, and it looks like he's been having a bloody good time.

He never met my mother if that has anything to do with it.

What do you think?

OP posts:
Datafan55 · 28/05/2023 17:50

P.s you CAN do this on your own.

bloodywhitecat · 28/05/2023 17:52

Having recently nursed a loved one through cancer, a stroke and their death I would be questioning just how caring and committed he was. It was in the days immediately after the death that I needed to most propping up. I am so sorry for your loss Flowers

Yellowfleur · 28/05/2023 17:52

Also, he's been to three festivals over the last three weekends. We're not talking Glastonbury. We're talking crappy French festivals with about a thousand people and a load of bands nobody has ever heard of.

He's a bit younger than me and has no kids. He has never experienced grief. That's true.

OP posts:
TedMullins · 28/05/2023 17:58

Sorry for your loss. But I don’t think he’s done anything wrong. A festival presumably only lasts one weekend and he can support you when he’s back? I wouldn’t expect someone not to go (nor would I not go myself if circumstances were reversed)

Watchinghurling · 28/05/2023 18:00

Sorry but I think that's dumpable. It's really basic to be there for a girlfriend when her parent dies. Throw this one back.

PurpleBugz · 28/05/2023 18:00

I'm so sorry for your loss.

It does sound like it's more casual for him than it is for you.

I think I'd split up over this. But you say he's not experienced loss so maybe he just doesn't understand. Maybe don't act rashly as you are hurting so bad. Give him some time to step up and support you and if he doesn't you will have your answers

FangsForTheMemory · 28/05/2023 18:08

He’s not a keeper. I would end it.

whynotwhatknot · 28/05/2023 18:08

He doesnt soun as committed as you sorry

and sorry for your loss ive been through it-its only 2 days its very raw for you i was so angry at everyone and everything for the first few weeks

take care of yourself

mummabubs · 28/05/2023 18:08

Firstly, I'm so sorry for your loss OP. I would be questioning how serious this relationship is to him. I'm trying to think how I'd have reacted if seven months into being with my (now) husband if his mum had died. For various different reasons I didn't meet his parents or family until a year after we got together and yet I still can't imagine me not even offering to stay and be with him had his mum passed away.

You describe your mum as having played a large role in your life, I assume your bf knows this? All the more jarring that he wouldn't ask if you needed him in that moment. But it sounds like he presented it as he was going, that wasn't up for negotiation. I can't say that I think I'd be able to easily overlook this going forward... X

Midsummernightmare · 28/05/2023 18:08

So sorry for your loss.
May be he thought you’d rather have some private time to grieve as a family given that he never met your mum and that you were so close?
I wouldn’t do anything too hasty as I’m sure your emotions are (rightly) all over the place right now. Maybe see him again when you’re ready and see how things go.
You might be in a better place to make big decisions once you’ve had the funeral as that is most likely going to be the focus of your thoughts for the next couple of weeks.

coodawoodashooda · 28/05/2023 18:09

I'm so sorry. I'd not respect him. I think it's awful.

ProfessorXtra · 28/05/2023 18:09

Does he live in the UK and visiting France for the festivals? maybe when he says he needs to go, he wants to be in his home country.

I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my mum not long ago. It’s an awful time.

I know you say you are committed but it’s a light touch relationship. He possible just doesn’t see the relationship like you do.

If he is going home sometimes it feels like a need not a want. If he is in France anyway, would he likely have been able to get straight back to you? It took my Aunt 4 days to be able to get home when mum died.

I am very sorry for your loss truly I am. But I wouldn’t make a decision about the relationship. But I think you have completely different views on what your relationship is.

Itsanotherhreatday · 28/05/2023 18:09

I have a friend who relied on her mother to the extent the boyfriend and then husband didn’t feel part of their lives - when her mother passed, they had been married 20 years and she had always relied on her mother for childcare and emotional support - the sudden expectation for him to now take in that role led to their divorce.

He didn’t know how to support her - so the question is, as you’ve clearly state your mum was your sport, childcare and confidant, have you ever ‘needed’ him?

He doesn’t see that as his job to support you because you’ve never asked him to. Does that make sense?

Wallabyone · 28/05/2023 18:10

I'm so sorry for your loss. He sounds quite immature and uncaring...it would definitely make me reconsider the relationship. Hugs x

Opentooffers · 28/05/2023 18:10

I think it's fair he went, just unfortunate timing. Festivals cost £100's so it's a fair bit to lose, it's only been 7months and he never met her. However, if he has the time to post, he has the time to text, so 24 hrs with no word is not impressive.

porridgeisbae · 28/05/2023 18:13

@Yellowfleur Years ago, I had a bloke do something similar- go off to a festival when I'd had to go into hospital. It was bad enough, but I'd been seeing him much less time then seven months.

I think by seven months the bloke should definitely have not gone on his trip, but instead stayed to offer you some additional support.

DiscoStusMoonboots · 28/05/2023 18:15

Firstly, I'm so sorry your mum has passed - losing a parent is utterly, utterly shit and you need to lean in to all the support that's on offer right now.

Secondly, that man is not a keeper. Death outranks 'light', in my opinion - he should have (at the VERY least) offered to have been there for you. It doesn't matter that he didn't meet your mum - you're in pain, and he's in a relationship with you. The fact that he's not even checked in with you for 24 hours, knowing that you're having such a horrific time tells you everything you need to know about him.

Please look after yourself and your loved ones as a priority. He doesn't deserve a second thought.

Viviennemary · 28/05/2023 18:16

I think it was ok for him to,go but I can see why you're disappointed.

lostat · 28/05/2023 18:17

If he hadn't met your mum (and presumably your daughter) then him suddenly being at your home wouldn't be the greatest idea. He should have checked in a bit more but see how you feel going forward, it might have been a blip. I'm so sorry for your loss.

porridgeisbae · 28/05/2023 18:17

maybe when he says he needs to go, he wants to be in his home country.

Then he can leave his want for at least a few weeks in order to be there for OP in the height of grief. Not leave within about a day after her loss. Shock

Maybe at least wait until a week after the funeral or something like that.

Ryah76 · 28/05/2023 18:20

Blahblablahblahblah · 28/05/2023 17:42

Im sorry for your loss.
Festivals happen every year.
When people show you who they are, listen….
Its up to you if you want the dramatic instant ending or not. Either way he has shown you his priorities. From your post I sense you are a caring and thoughtful person, I sense your response would have been different and thats what you deserve from a partner.

I agree with the above.
it doesn’t matter how ‘light’ the relationship is, even if he viewed it as a friendship, I’d expect a little more sympathy than what he’s shown.
I am so sorry for your loss- 💐

PimpMyFridge · 28/05/2023 18:22

Someone to whom you are the most important person in eyes l their eyes would recognise how huge this is and at least discuss the going/not going decision.

I think he is, whilst a pleasant enough person to have around, basically froth. So, just take this reaction as a valid sign as to how deep your connection goes. So he likes you, but he wouldn't drop everything to make sure you're ok. That's ok, if you're happy with that. Just don't go relying on him to be your rock or to prioritise you at inconvenient short notice.

I'm really sorry for your loss and I hope you and your DD turn to each other and are able to support each other at this awful time of such a life changing event.

Emotionalsupportviper · 28/05/2023 18:24

Patchworksack · 28/05/2023 17:02

I’m very sorry for your loss. I’d be disappointed in the BF but maybe he is taking ‘light’ to mean low emotional commitment. He texted you, he offered to call and you said no - so he’s giving you space. I think it’s not a time to make any big decisions if he’s normally a decent guy. It sounds like you have necessarily kept your lives quite separate because of your caring commitment.

I agree with the above, but I still think it is very selfish of him.

I'm so sorry for your loss - you and your DD must feel bereft.

WunWun · 28/05/2023 18:25

I'm very sorry for your loss 🌷

It sounds like a very casual relationship so I'm not sure you should have expected more really. At least you know where you stand now. If you want to make more of the relationship that's something to talk with him about I suppose. But certainly it doesn't sound like you have any grounds to be angry with him and certainly not to "call him out" in any way.

Americano75 · 28/05/2023 18:27

I'm so sorry for your loss, no wonder you're all over the place. Please focus all your precious energy on you and your daughter, because I don't think this man is a keeper at all. Lots of love to you.

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