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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

Husband unsure about relationship

3 replies

Pmpml · 09/01/2024 00:52

So there is a lot to this so I’m going to summarize to the best of my abilities so here it goes. So my husband and I have a 3 month old baby and we are 20 and 22 have been together for five years and live together in a different state from pretty much all of our family and friends. My husband works a lot. The other day I asked him what was going on with him as he’s been extremely distant and not wanting anything to do with me unless I really initiate it for about the past month. He said he was unhappy and it just felt like we were parents and not a couple anymore and he’s been feeling this way for about a month. He said he feels like we have changed and grown up a lot since having our daughter and he doesn’t know if he wants to work on our relationship but wants me to continue living with him in our house and not move back to where our family is if we split. I know we had been arguing more which often comes when you’re tired and I have ppd and he works all the time but like have some forgiveness we just had a baby. I told him that wasn’t fair for me and my mental health and that wasn’t an option for me so if he wants to split we would have to figure something else out and then things escalated and he left the house and the next morning I went in the guest room where he slept and asked him if he wanted to be with me and he said I don’t know and I need space so I gave him about two days before asking again. He said he felt trapped and he would lose his daughter if we broke up so I said ok well I can’t just leave the state with her without your permission and I don’t want you to be with me if you don’t want to so with that information do you want to breakup and he said idk. There was a lot more too but I offered actual plans to work on our relationship and also tried to explain that we would still have to put effort into eachother even if we decide to comparent so while it seems easy to just break up it isn’t. Plus he works constantly now and doesn’t always make an effort with our daughter even when he is home. So we last had a conversation about two days ago at this point. His sister is coming to visit this week to help with childcare and then next week his aunt and other sister will be here and then I will be going back home to visit family for five days. I’m trying to just give space and let him come to me. Idk I guess I want to know if people have been through similar and did you work it out or when they asked for space did they end up leaving? Btw he said he doesn’t want to me to go somewhere so he can have space so he can still see his daughter but I’ve been home and he’s not even coming to say goodbye to her before work. So he is just sleeping in the guest room and going to work. I feel like he wants me to be the one to leave

OP posts:
Riseandshinee · 09/01/2024 01:27

I read the whole thing and wish I knew what to say but I know that if you start building small habits into each day with checkboxes you tick off you’ll start to feel better I also think you should start getting out and taking your baby places just you and her I know it doesn’t help with how lonely you must feel and it’s ok to think for a bit that whats happening is awful but it’s important to not dwell every second of the day on things

KatyKeene · 09/01/2024 02:05

Happiness in life whatever your circumstances isn’t a constant state.

Becoming parents is a huge life change for everyone. I’m sorry for what you are going through - please look after yourself. You are a mum for the first time and it’s difficult.

There are no easy fixes. Focus on your happiness and your baby. It’s lonely I hope your family can give you support. Don’t blame yourself.

If you aren’t getting enough help and support reach out to friends and family. For the moment don’t obsess over this uncertainty. Do things that make you
happy getting out and about with the baby - connecting with other mothers.

Nothing has been decided and whilst it’s difficult to remain positive do try and give yourself a break from stressing and worrying. Easier said than done I know.

You both decided to marry and have a family - and I’m sure you are both adjusting to the new family life. Don’t make any rash decisions to leave.
Build yourself up and understand you are a good mum. You haven’t done anything wrong. Life is hard and work stress is very difficult.

Everything is so new and it’s important to try and enjoy your new born. I would suggest getting help from family and planning nice activities. Perhaps you
can attend a mother and baby class and plan a nice baby photo shoot for
when baby is six months.

This doesn’t have to be an expensive studio - if you have a friend with a camera maybe a day out can be the time to capture moments. If your husband wants to be the photographer - even better!

Would you be open to planning a date night for you both in the next few weeks - it’s a suggestion - if you feel it’s not the right time you don’t have to do this.

Many families experience difficulties transitioning into parenthood. It’s important not to blame yourself or your partner. Babies wean at 6-8 months
perhaps you can draw your husband into helping with the new phase.

Many men can become distant and feel left out and make no effort and it’s not your fault. Handling such a delicate time in your family life will be the key to
overcoming difficulties.

I want to reiterate that you are a great mother and you want the best for your child. You can’t be responsible for his happiness - I know. The best advice is
to be calm and enjoy the baby and not worry too much. You both love your baby - can you ask for more help at bath time or bedtime so baby connects
with dad. Can he take baby out for walk whilst you do something for yourself -
haircut - coffee catch up with friend.

These are just suggestions - I don’t have the answers. When I was a new mother I was very unsure of myself (also had a c section), to the point where I would only do a bath time if I had help from the father after work.

I was feeding the baby and neither of my sons ever took a bottle. With my first child I asked for help with bath time - and I’d also pop to shops walking distance to pick up some baby supplies and that little walk and break was
very helpful.

I hope you find some comfort and confidence knowing this is a difficult time
for families you are not alone. Please look after yourself and know you are awesome just for reaching out here - that was a huge step.

Someone else may have better suggestions. Look after yourself you need to be a bit selfish and get some time to yourself.

Ellie6489 · 09/01/2024 07:13

I'm sorry for your mental health and PPD. Fuck him/marriage right now and please focus on getting better, for you and your daughter's sake. It's about survival now for you both. Don't compromise and make decisions considering his feelings. He doesn't consider you at all.

If that's what he does when things get hard in your marriage then it's best to let him go. He is basically wanting to abandon you, he's avoidant.
It will go from him wanting to still live together in the same house to moving out when he has a new relationship. I don't think he's giving you the truth about why he wants to separate. He's not being entirely honest with you and it sounds almost like trickle truth. He'll get you to agree to little things, then he'll start asking for what he really wants putting you at a disadvantage as you don't know what his true intentions are. You don't want to put yourself in a position making decisions based on his deceptions, leaving you worse off than you already are. Be careful

As he's young, I have a feeling he will regret leaving you. But the damage would have already been done. I could never be loyal to someone who abandoned not just our marriage, but our child.

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