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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

Leave my partner or stay and work on it

37 replies

MummyVL · 28/07/2023 18:06

Do I leave or stay...

Background, me and my partner have been together for 8 years and live together, we had a baby 2 years ago. I fell pregnant again at the start of this year, all was fine but when the 12 week scan appointment arrived in the post it all changed. My partner said it wasn't what he wanted and if I had the baby he would resent both me and the Newborn, he wanted an abortion. I cried and cried, tried to change his mind but he wasnt having it. So I felt backed into a corner and decided to contact the clinic, I had 3 days to take the medication otherwise it would be the surgical option. I drove 300 miles on a bank holiday to collect the medication alone as partner wouldn't take the time off of work. My family had our 2 Yr old and I made up a story of why I needed childcare.
I took the tablets at home and passed the baby alone as once again he wouldn't take time off of work, he offered no support at all... fast forward to 3 months on I still feel like I am grieving the loss of my baby, I dreamthed of having my 2nd child and up until being 9 weeks pregnant I thought my partner felt the same.

Since his lack of support I have sat back and noticed a lot of holes in our relationship that I ignored in the beggining. Such as even after 8 years he will not attend any family or friend events with me, I go alone with my toddler. He won't allow friends around our house when he is at home, they have to have left by the time he arrives back from work, if they are still in he will be blatantly rude and make them feel uncomfortable so that they leave. He is quite tall and can be quite intimidating. I went on our holiday abroad alone with my toddler this year as he didn't want to come with us.
He spends no time with us as a family, he would rather spend his evenings / weekends in the shed not joining in with us.

I work 36 hours per week from home, I have our toddler Yr old all week with only 1/2 day childcare per week, I do all of the household chores, However he still thinks I need to 'pull my weight' at home and in his words its about time I started appreciating him. I don't feel like there is anything more I can give in the relationship. Yes I have been unhappy and not particularly upbeat recently but can you blame me?
I have sat down and spoken to him about this, he doesn't want to throw away a long term relationship and said he was sorry for how I felt, but no apology for his behaviour and no promises to change etc.

I am attending counselling and I don't feel any intimacy in the relationship anymore, however leaving and moving to my parents is such a huge decision to make and will be life changing for my toddler. Do I stick with him and hope he opens his eyes or do I leave and go it alone?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

OP posts:
ThePM · 28/07/2023 18:11

He sounds absolutely awful.
I’m older than you and will say that the men that improve with age are few and far between.

once they start their downward trajectory-that’s it really. It does seem that he is getting worse so on what you’ve said I would throw him back in the ocean, he’s less keeper, more a rotting kipper.

ToBeOrNotToBee · 28/07/2023 18:13

He doesn't love you. It's possible he doesn't even like you.

Leave him, and find happiness.

maybebalancing · 28/07/2023 18:15

I am struggling to see any positives for you in this relationship.
It isn't much of model for your dc either.
I would leave this situation and it isn't something I say casually.

funniestpersonyouknow · 28/07/2023 18:21

Walk away - you and your child deserve so much better than this

chocobaby · 28/07/2023 19:55

i honestly can’t believe you’re asking if you should stay in such an awful relationship.

Callyem · 28/07/2023 20:14

I think this sounds like an unbearable relationship to be in and would absolutely end it.

thistimelastweek · 28/07/2023 20:22

You don't really have a partner, just a selfish bloke who lives under the same roof.

He's not going to change so make it official and go it alone.

Berryblues · 28/07/2023 20:38

Op I think you already know what you want to do but it difficult especially with children involved. Think about the situation objectively, in a healthy loving relationship partners would discuss the pros and cons of having another child and how to best support you thorough the journey of going thorough an abortion, insted he's basically forced your hand about going to the clinic alone and hasn't gave any sort of sympathy or compassionate support. Hes not even took the time off work to help you, even though your working full time and then has the balls of steel to say you not appreciating him enough 🙄 hope you have a good support network he doesn't sound like a good guy that's going to make your future better.x

Treacletreacle · 28/07/2023 20:42

I've wasted many years with a man that sounds exactly the same I actually then starting calling myself a single parent whos flatmate was my sons dad. Believe me when I tell you he won't change. You are already doing it alone. Please don't be me. Get out while your child is young so it's easier for them.

MrsTerryPratchett · 28/07/2023 20:46

Drop him like he's hot.

He's a terrible person and you deserve much much better.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 28/07/2023 20:49

Run, don't walk.

Bunnie007 · 28/07/2023 20:51

Please leave. You deserve to be happy, your child will not thrive in this environment, so please don’t stay for their sake. I know leaving will be hard but you can build such a happy life away from this man. Make a plan and move forward with it, step by step. He sounds very troubled and I fear his behaviour will only get worse.

Eteiene · 28/07/2023 20:59

I'm so sorry that you had to go though the loss of your pregnancy alone 😔😔

Although I'm not in a situation with children ..I am in a similar one of feeling at a crossroads of noticing more and more the " holes" in the relationship and questioning whether I keep the " peace" ( for him not for me .....) Or upend my entire life ...in the hope of something better..

Are there friends/ family you can talk to about what been happening? How is the counselling feeling for you in terms of support?
This is really tough, thinking of you

TheAverageJoanne · 28/07/2023 21:03

Work on what? There's nothing there except for the contemptuous critter you're married to. Leave like Usain Bolt.

PTSDBarbiegirl · 28/07/2023 21:03

Jesus OP......
You don't need a man like this. You know this already. Just get out, take your DC and get out of it. Life's too short. You still have a happy, beautiful fulfilling life ahead for you and your dc. You will thrive and be more happy. Your situation is toxic and I'm sorry to say, it won't get better. Start living happy 💐

Cluedup81 · 28/07/2023 21:04

Jesus Christ, that’s absolutely awful 😢
I’m sorry, but he’s callous and selfish and only cares about himself. Please leave him, he sounds like a drain on your happiness and a waste of good oxygen. You will be happy without him x

MoonLion · 28/07/2023 21:06

It's about time you started appreciating him?! Wtf? What about him appreciating you for a change? He sounds like a nasty selfish man OP Sad

Olika · 28/07/2023 21:07

I am so sorry for you having to go through all this. You shouldn't stay with him. Don't waste your life away with a horrible man like him.

Crunchingleaf · 28/07/2023 21:20

OP he is vile. I really feel for you. You have been through so much and having to grieve for a baby alone.

You don’t have a partner OP. None of what you described sounds like a partnership. He is dragging you down, sucking all the joy out of you and your child’s lives.

OP will you ever forgive him for what has happened as his callousness towards you? You are too good for him.

Lifeafternarcabuse · 28/07/2023 21:23

Please leave. You deserve so much better and your little one does too You can do this

StopMindlesslyScrolling · 28/07/2023 21:34

I'm genuinely struggling to see anything good about your relationship.

Please don't bring a child up in this environment unless you'd be happy with your child being treated the way that you are/your child acting the way your P does.

Your DC learn their relationship skills from what they see.

Sickofchangingmyfuckingusername · 28/07/2023 21:36

He is really very low on the evolutionary chain. Those 8 years have gone now- at least you have your little one- don’t waste any more time on him.

Needapadlockonmyfridge · 28/07/2023 22:27

You deserve a better life than this. You really do.
He sounds completely horrible.

Stratocumulus · 28/07/2023 22:39

My heart goes out to you. You are so brave.

Talk to your parents regarding the logistics of moving back with them. You never know what rabbits they will pull out of a hat to help you.

Tell them the truth about the medication trip for the abortion. I hope they will be supportive but likely horrified about what you’ve gone through. You might find that not harbouring the secret any more is helpful to you?

This excuse of a husband needs to be kicked into touch. He’s not worth your anguish. Don’t spend a day longer concerning yourself about him. It’s your time now to heal and start enjoying life.

Dotcheck · 28/07/2023 22:47

I’m so so sorry about your baby.

Each and every point you have listed about this awful man is very big, and worth leaving him. Taken all together, they make a very worrying, scary profile.

Please get help so you can leave this abusive, controlling man.