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Relationships

AIBU holding a grudge?

6 replies

OneLoyalSwan · 28/03/2024 22:01

First time poster here and looking for thoughts :):)
I’d just started seeing my ex after a 3 month break when I fell pregnant. Things went downhill rapidly and I made it clear from the start I wanted to get along for the baby but not be in a relationship. What actually happened is I became both physically and mentally quite unwell throughout the pregnancy and we did not get on at all, minimal contact except for appointments and I was not particularly friendly.
Once baby was born, my mental health improved ten fold and I became the mother and co parent I had hoped to be. We began getting on really well and seeing each other regularly (still only as friends). However, when the baby was a couple of weeks old, I found out from a friend of mine that my child’s dad had actually been with another woman through most of the pregnancy, up until a couple of weeks before baby was born.
I made it clear I had no desire to be romantically involved with him whilst I was pregnant and fully acknowledge he had the right to date if he so wished, as did I (although it was the last thing on my mind) although this was not something we had explicitly discussed.
I came to realise I had a lot of unresolved feelings which I’d swept under the rug due to the pregnancy hormones and misery (or maybe just some weird toxic desire to go back to someone who had hurt me?). We talked through our dramas and have been back together for the past year. He is an incredible partner and father and I feel very lucky. HOWEVER - I cannot shake the resentment I feel that while I was pregnant and poorly he was living his best life with another woman. The fact that he didn’t tell me and I had to hear from a friend. The fact various others knew and I feel like an idiot for mosying along not knowing.
As previously stated, our relationship is wonderful, apart from this one issue that I cannot seem to let go. I bring it up every couple of weeks and know I sound bitter and angry and I end up feeling sad and comparing myself to this other girl. Is this a case of ‘let it go or let him go’? I know I can’t Carry this resentment around with me forever if the relationship is going to work. Is this a me problem?

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Justanotherusername27 · 28/03/2024 22:10

I understand why you feel that way but ultimately he had the right to do that. He respected your boundaries and made some of his own I suppose. I get why you’re annoyed and I would be too but really he didn’t have to tell you. If he’s as amazing as you write then maybe just tell him one last time that it hurt you and drop it. Not worth the agro x

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OneLoyalSwan · 28/03/2024 22:16

Justanotherusername27 · 28/03/2024 22:10

I understand why you feel that way but ultimately he had the right to do that. He respected your boundaries and made some of his own I suppose. I get why you’re annoyed and I would be too but really he didn’t have to tell you. If he’s as amazing as you write then maybe just tell him one last time that it hurt you and drop it. Not worth the agro x

Thank you for this response, very true and definitely not worth the agro - I’m letting it take up way too much space in my brain without any good reason! Think this is something I need to work on within myself! X

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Aquamarine1029 · 28/03/2024 22:19

It is 100% a "you" problem at this point and if you don't let it go your relationship is all but over.

That was then, this is now. The choice to nurture your current circumstances or ruin it by silly insecurities is up to you. Choose wisely.

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Noicant · 28/03/2024 22:19

I have never felt as vulnerable as I did when pregnant. If I’m honest I would have felt like he should have been present and prioritising me as the mother of his child even if my rational brain said otherwise. I was not easy to deal with when pregnant, I was extremely sick and angry or weepy (because of the nausea) my physical health and mental health were very bad, I really needed someone to take care of me without question.

Realistically you have to move to move past it, the resentment won’t help and people don’t always get it right but I totally get where you are coming from.

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Ladyprehensile · 28/03/2024 22:28

Give it time.
In my experience, if you can hang in there and distract yourself every time invasive thoughts inhabit your mind, the emotions will soften and it’ll get better. Might take a while but yiull get there.

You will never forget it, you may never get over it, but live your best life together now and enjoy the good parts.

Don’t throw baby out with the bath water. Give it a go and if, in the long run, you have to split up because you’re still so angry and resentful, at least you can look back having given it your best shot.

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OneLoyalSwan · 28/03/2024 22:29

Noicant · 28/03/2024 22:19

I have never felt as vulnerable as I did when pregnant. If I’m honest I would have felt like he should have been present and prioritising me as the mother of his child even if my rational brain said otherwise. I was not easy to deal with when pregnant, I was extremely sick and angry or weepy (because of the nausea) my physical health and mental health were very bad, I really needed someone to take care of me without question.

Realistically you have to move to move past it, the resentment won’t help and people don’t always get it right but I totally get where you are coming from.

Edited

I think you’ve hit the nail on the head with the vulnerability comment. My pregnancy was spent in ‘survival mode’ with absolutely no enjoyment so this just felt like a bit of a punch in the gut.
But that being said, I realise it is time to let it go!
i feel like this post was my acknowledgement I needed to move on… I just needed some tough love 😅

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