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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

He has given up on us

11 replies

Keeponmoovin · 14/08/2024 09:42

Long story short, been together 9 years and married 2 with our first baby- 10 weeks old. Happy relationship before kids- he is very calm, likes his own space, chilled out kind of guy, spends a lot of time on his laptop working. I’m a bit more get up and go, have to motivate him with odd jobs etc. We do have different interests which sometimes clash and he likes to stay in most weekends unless we go for a walk or lunch but otherwise not a lot going on. He does like to hang out with a certain few colleagues at the weekend which involves a walk and drinks and this has become a little more recent lately, but I completely trust him in that sense.

He always wanted kids, so last year I conceived very quickly and his was response was nothing but cold and distant. He said he was in shock- fair enough. Eventually having asked him what was up he admitted he thought he had more time and was really anxious about a child coming despite us really discussing it. Those 9 months I spiralled and felt so upset by this. He eventually said he had accepted it, however still remained quite distant and wasn’t too interested in feeling the bump or listening to my updates on the pregnancy and how she was developing inside me. Eventually this lead to me resenting him and feeling rubbish in my own skin with a growing bump. He remained nice and civil with me but no emotion or connection towards the pregnancy. As a result arguments started- mainly from me as I wanted our spark to come back but he would zone out on his phone or not listen. He would openly admit he didn’t want a second child despite her not even being born.

Fast forward and baby now here, he loves her to death, however imo doesn’t contribute a right lot. He will take her if I ask him to, change her nappy and entertain her for a short time, but is so keen to put her down and go on his phone (says it’s work related) or watch tv. I’m just not feeling ‘us’ as a family and arguments have started up again (from me). On a few occasions I have said ‘I am done’ in the hope he would listen and try harder.

After a good conversation he said the spark had gone for him during the pregnancy because of all the arguments, and he didn’t think it would come back despite still loving me. He thinks we have grown apart and I have changed. I said I wanted to work on this spark to which he did agree, I even put suggestions out there in the hope he would follow up on them and atleast try harder in my company but still no motivation at his end- takes himself off to another room and zones out or looks at his phone when I try to talk. I have reassured him that couples can lose a spark and a baby brings a whole different dimension to a relationship, but he still doesn’t appear to put in a lot of effort. We went for a walk the other day and he said there was no conversation, despite me trying the whole time and him giving me very little back. I think he is checked out and we have discussed going separate ways but that’s his decision and not mine. How can he walk out on his newborn and lovely home?
He said he will always love us and do right by our little one and doesn’t want a messy divorce etc, but I don’t get it. I’m still in disbelief it’s come to this. Yes I can be very argumentative and drive him up the wall, but I was pregnant and felt upset by his reaction. Am I being unreasonable here?
He is a good guy deep down, but I can’t help but think something is off here.

OP posts:
Refugenewbie · 14/08/2024 09:49

It's impossible to know why he's changed but you'll be happier without him.

Thiswayforward · 14/08/2024 09:52

In your situation I think I’d ask him to go for couples therapy. It shouldn’t be so hard. But you have a baby and it’s tiring. It sounds lonely being pg without his support. It sounds like you fell pregnant and he resented that somehow.

Myfavouriteflowers · 14/08/2024 09:59

He sounds as though although he SAID he wanted kids he didn't really want them.
You say he was cold and not involved right from the beginning of the pregnancy but now he is blaming his lack of interest on the arguments you had during the pregnancy. He is rewriting history.

When you say you trust him regarding his meeting up with colleagues for his leisure activities does this mean it is a female colleague he is meeting up with?

In my opinion it sounds as though he really isn't up for the life of a family man and he wants to continue his own life style which allows him enjoy life without responsibility.

Dweetfidilove · 14/08/2024 10:26

Is he one of those lacklustre, weak willed people that is just dragged through life without making any decisions?

I can bet he really didn't want a child, but was happy to go along with it as you wanted them, so as soon as the reality presented itself he shut down. Now you're left holding the baby, and soon he'll start telling you he only went along with it, because it's what you wanted.

I'm so angry on your behalf. I would advise you to slowly disengage your emotions as this man is going to suck up all the good energy you need to enjoy new motherhood, and look after your baby. As the baby gets older and you get stronger, you can decide what to do about the deadweight.

Keeponmoovin · 14/08/2024 12:00

I agree however I mentioned couples therapy and he won’t do it. Just keeps saying he can’t see it working out despite me trying to give us ideas to make it work.

OP posts:
Odiebay · 14/08/2024 12:39

Honestly perhaps he has had his head turned? He's in for a shock with 50/50 custody if he is doing the bare minimum with his child now!

Purplecatshopaholic · 14/08/2024 12:45

I don’t think he wanted a child, was future faking you, and was mighty pissed off when reality hit. He’s probably had his head turned by a child-free shiny new female too. I’m really sorry op, and I hope I’m wrong (but why refuse couples therapy if you are indeed still committed to the relationship?)

HurryNotNow · 14/08/2024 14:54

Keeponmoovin · 14/08/2024 09:42

Long story short, been together 9 years and married 2 with our first baby- 10 weeks old. Happy relationship before kids- he is very calm, likes his own space, chilled out kind of guy, spends a lot of time on his laptop working. I’m a bit more get up and go, have to motivate him with odd jobs etc. We do have different interests which sometimes clash and he likes to stay in most weekends unless we go for a walk or lunch but otherwise not a lot going on. He does like to hang out with a certain few colleagues at the weekend which involves a walk and drinks and this has become a little more recent lately, but I completely trust him in that sense.

He always wanted kids, so last year I conceived very quickly and his was response was nothing but cold and distant. He said he was in shock- fair enough. Eventually having asked him what was up he admitted he thought he had more time and was really anxious about a child coming despite us really discussing it. Those 9 months I spiralled and felt so upset by this. He eventually said he had accepted it, however still remained quite distant and wasn’t too interested in feeling the bump or listening to my updates on the pregnancy and how she was developing inside me. Eventually this lead to me resenting him and feeling rubbish in my own skin with a growing bump. He remained nice and civil with me but no emotion or connection towards the pregnancy. As a result arguments started- mainly from me as I wanted our spark to come back but he would zone out on his phone or not listen. He would openly admit he didn’t want a second child despite her not even being born.

Fast forward and baby now here, he loves her to death, however imo doesn’t contribute a right lot. He will take her if I ask him to, change her nappy and entertain her for a short time, but is so keen to put her down and go on his phone (says it’s work related) or watch tv. I’m just not feeling ‘us’ as a family and arguments have started up again (from me). On a few occasions I have said ‘I am done’ in the hope he would listen and try harder.

After a good conversation he said the spark had gone for him during the pregnancy because of all the arguments, and he didn’t think it would come back despite still loving me. He thinks we have grown apart and I have changed. I said I wanted to work on this spark to which he did agree, I even put suggestions out there in the hope he would follow up on them and atleast try harder in my company but still no motivation at his end- takes himself off to another room and zones out or looks at his phone when I try to talk. I have reassured him that couples can lose a spark and a baby brings a whole different dimension to a relationship, but he still doesn’t appear to put in a lot of effort. We went for a walk the other day and he said there was no conversation, despite me trying the whole time and him giving me very little back. I think he is checked out and we have discussed going separate ways but that’s his decision and not mine. How can he walk out on his newborn and lovely home?
He said he will always love us and do right by our little one and doesn’t want a messy divorce etc, but I don’t get it. I’m still in disbelief it’s come to this. Yes I can be very argumentative and drive him up the wall, but I was pregnant and felt upset by his reaction. Am I being unreasonable here?
He is a good guy deep down, but I can’t help but think something is off here.

I would say, in many ways, the relationship between a couple is fundamentally different to between parents.

A lot of parents gone through a rough patch when the first baby arrives. Your lives are turned upside down. For new mother's it's obviously really hard work, but you have a focus.

I think new dads can feel quite lost. Their best friend suddenly has another human who they care about a lot more, and spend all their time with. Dads don't really know what to do, and will never really be able to help enough.

PND is also a real thing for dads.

So it's possible he's just not coping well, and will come around in time. But you don't have time to wait, and can't take on looking after him as well as your baby.

Start with the positive here:

He said he will always love us and do right by our little one

Well this means he has a duty to sort himself out. The least he should be doing is going to couples therapy if he's going to "do right" by the LO.

This also means doing half of the parenting.

Assuming you are amicable, the rational thing to do is for him to stop moping and just get on with it. What's the alternative, get his own place and start dating?

IME, no one with little kids has time (or money) for much of their own life. When things are going great between the parents there's no time for fun, you hardly touch each other, never mind have sex. You're so tired all you can do is parent and worry you're doing it wrong. That's what "doing right by the LO" looks like, at the best of times.

The least he should do is co-parent and co-habit, and get into therapy for the first year, and stop being a problem.

If he's still not feeling it in 18 months, then he can think again.

Keeponmoovin · 14/08/2024 15:55

Update- after probing a little more, it turns out he never really wanted marriage and is guilty of just going along with things to please me. He did mention once to me that he wasn’t fussed about marriage, but when I questioned it he agreed he wanted it (clearly to please me). No wonder it took him ages to propose and even the proposal was rubbish. Now we have a child and it turns out he went along with that too. I’m absolutely shell shocked at this revelation. Yes he loves his child and has promised there is no other woman, and will always love me, he just thinks it’s the way he is and may never want these things in the future. What the hell!! I’m so worried about my future as a single mum. He is moving out and is showing no guilt over the situation. He is just acting completely normal and unaffected, even to the point of joking about it.

OP posts:
greenwoodentablelegs · 14/08/2024 15:57

Jesus ! Hugs Op !!! You can do this ! Many women on Mumsnet will help

Didimum · 14/08/2024 16:30

This is horrible. I'm so sorry, OP. Unfortunately I wouldn't be surprised if there was another woman.

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