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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

Partner isn't helping

49 replies

Marban11 · 09/02/2025 06:46

Hi, If someone could really help me, I'd much appreciate it.
I've been with my partner for 9 years.
I have one son from previous relationship, his dad died passed away when he was 1, he is now 13
My partner also has 2 children from 2 previous relationships, 1 lives close to us who is 12 and other lives a few hours away who is 16.
We have 2 sons together 1 six and the other 1 a 3 months old.
We've never lived together, he has his own house he owns and I rent.
Since we've had our last baby my partner has been staying at mine every single night.
He was paying £50 a week for our son and since our 2nd baby came along he's added £20 extra. Total of 70 pounds for both.
It's nowhere near what I'd get when I've calculated it on CSA website.
He won't tell me what he pays the other two exs, I know it's close to what CSA would make him pay as they've both said at some point they'd go through CSA and then they stopped threatening that, which means I know he's paying them close as it's kept them from going to CSA.

He pays for the extra also, amy clubs, uniforms, trips out, also spending money for any holidays etc.
He does not pay for the extras for our 1st son. When I question it he tells me all I have to do is ask. I do ask, I do mention it nicely and still nothing.
Anyway since he's been staying here every night, am I wrong in thinking he should be helping financially abit more? I'm paying for everything. I've mentioned it so many times, tried talking to him, showing him proof.
He tells me he has his own mortgage to pay for. He says I'd be using the same amount of gas and electric even if he wasn't here. He says things like 'Jesus how much money do you want from me'
He bought me a new bed last year, after he moaned for ages about how uncomfortable mine was when he'd stay. The mattress is more to his comfort as I find it too hard but I thanked him as he already broke my bed apart before I could say anything.
It go heated when I spoke last with him amount this financial issue and I asked him to start saying down his as I feel like I am being taken advantage of.
He refused and said this is his house just as much as mine and thats his bed he bought it. He then said its not my house and I don't pay nothing towards it as it's
a government funded house. He thinks because I get benefits I don't pay for rent, when I certainly do. I was upset by this. He said he has every right to be here whilst his two sons are here.
I've been sleeping on sofa in my living room for 2 weeks with our baby in the next to me crib because he still wakes in night and my partner has to get up for work. Another thing I don't agree with. Me having to sleep on sofa, even though he hasn't made me but made me feel like it as he's moaned when he's previously woke in the nights when he has work.
His own house is a shit state, falling apart. Moulded and quite frankly unlivable for any child. He hasn't said that but I've obviously been down there and it is. When we stayed at his a few weeks back as work was being down for 2 days at mine. He only put the heating on in living room, it was ice cold everywhere even bedroom. Nothing for us to eat, lucky to have a cup of tea and toast.

I've raised my first son alone without any help as his dad passed young so it's not about the money and me trying to get more out of it, I just think it's wrong and I feel taken advantage of.

I need someone to tell me straight whether I'm wrong or right. He tells me nobody else would expect it.

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 09/02/2025 06:51

He’s taking the piss, he’s paying into a home he owns while living in a house you are paying bills for, that you will never own. Send him home.

BilboBlaggin · 09/02/2025 06:55

He has absolutely no right to live in your property, get him gone if he refuses to contribute fairly to the children or the bills. If he won't go willingly then pack his bags while he's at work and change the lock barrels before he gets home.

OldChairMan · 09/02/2025 06:56

He's a fucking disgrace. He's insisting you and the baby sleep on a sofa to allow him the bed? That alone would see him booted out. A snivelling excuse for a man.

onceuponatimelived · 09/02/2025 06:58

Please kick this bastard out and live peacefully in your own home! He sounds like a nasty piece of work! I’m sorry you’re going through this OP but please please please get him out of your precious space!

Anotherschoolholiday · 09/02/2025 06:59

I don’t understand how you have 2 children but don’t live together.
Babies wake in the night. He needs to get over it and pull his weight not banish you to the sofa. Everyone has to work around it- currently you work in the home and he works out of the home.

He’s selfish and everything is on his agenda. He bought the new bed for himself not you- even broke up your old one, controlled you into thanking him and then banished you to the sofa. In your own house- not his. I don’t think he’s going to change unfortunately

Cynic17 · 09/02/2025 07:04

He's not a "partner" at all. Dump him, and send him back to his own house.

Marban11 · 09/02/2025 07:05

He has always blamed me saying it's my fault we don't live together and he won't say why it's my fault. His mother said once he was waiting for his kids to be older until we move in together, when I asked him he denied that.

OP posts:
Thelionthewitchandthesofa · 09/02/2025 07:05

Are you in a Council property OP?

If so you might find that him living there might affect your lease.

Also having a 'lodger' f/t could affect your DHSS benefits.

And whatever else you do, don't have any more children with this man. Your Health Visitor can advise you about your contraceptive options.

Spudthespanner · 09/02/2025 07:06

We have 2 sons together 1 six and the other 1 a 3 months old.
We've never lived together, he has his own house he owns and I rent.

What the fuck?!

Fraaances · 09/02/2025 07:07

Get CSA involved and stop letting him stay. Stop feeding stray men

DustyLee123 · 09/02/2025 07:08

I’d say he’s in abusive territory the way he’s treating you. He destroyed your bed and put another there, stating that it’s his? That’s no way to treat the mother of his kids, but maybe it’s why two previous women have sent him packing.
Honestly, kick him out and regain your independence.

category12 · 09/02/2025 07:09

Does he have a key to your place?

If not, next time he goes out, bag up his stuff and leave it on the doorstep and don't let him back in. Tell him to go home and you're through.

He's a horrible person and you would be far better off without him. And then go to CMS.

Marban11 · 09/02/2025 07:12

I had a c section on on our baby and was extremely poorly after it, still recovering now. The first night I came home I was in and out of bed in agony trying my best with our new born and he'd sit up in bed whilst I got up but didn't help unless I'd say.
So when he's asked he says he done all the night feeds too, when I questioned this he said he was awake too we both done it together and I feel yet again it's rubbish. It's like he was only waking up and sitting there so he could say to people he helped.

OP posts:
Thelionthewitchandthesofa · 09/02/2025 07:12

Spudthespanner · 09/02/2025 07:06

We have 2 sons together 1 six and the other 1 a 3 months old.
We've never lived together, he has his own house he owns and I rent.

What the fuck?!

I rolled my eyes at that as well. It seems the OP has made some unwise choices.

However, we are where we are now and OP needs support.

Venturini · 09/02/2025 07:13

What are you doing?? Throw him out now and claim child maintenance.

category12 · 09/02/2025 07:15

Spudthespanner · 09/02/2025 07:06

We have 2 sons together 1 six and the other 1 a 3 months old.
We've never lived together, he has his own house he owns and I rent.

What the fuck?!

Presumably they don't officially live together because it would affect OP's tenancy etc.

And a very good thing too that she's kept that independence, given he's a nasty piece of work.

Marban11 · 09/02/2025 07:18

Thelionthewitchandthesofa · 09/02/2025 07:12

I rolled my eyes at that as well. It seems the OP has made some unwise choices.

However, we are where we are now and OP needs support.

This is my first time in asking for help, please don't roll your eyes at my situation or judge me. I've only shared a snippet of what I'm going through right now. I feel I've picked the wrong forum to open up to. Sorry to have annoyed anyone with it. Thank you for all your advice

OP posts:
category12 · 09/02/2025 07:23

Marban11 · 09/02/2025 07:18

This is my first time in asking for help, please don't roll your eyes at my situation or judge me. I've only shared a snippet of what I'm going through right now. I feel I've picked the wrong forum to open up to. Sorry to have annoyed anyone with it. Thank you for all your advice

Op, please don't be too put off by what's been said.

I think it's more than the financial issue - you're in what looks like a controlling abusive relationship.

Please consider ending the relationship and reaching out for help if you don't feel you can safely.

Shushquite · 09/02/2025 07:25

Op, you can post what you like. You don't need to put up with your partner unkind behaviour. Tell him, as you don't live together he can go. He is not on the lease and remind him you can call the police if he don't leave when told to. Make a child maintenance application.

If he insist on taking the bed, tell him he needs to give you cold hard cash. As he decided to break you one. He need to pay for a replacement by x date.

PivotPivotmakingmargaritas · 09/02/2025 07:26

You will get great advice here , if you are prepared to be honest and ask for help how to get out of this situation. And take your medicine in that you’ve been blindsided- which is ok as women a lot of us have- so let us help ou with what now

Ask him to leave and place as CSA claim

you will have a much happier house without a man child and his other children

Worried8263839 · 09/02/2025 07:47

Anotherschoolholiday · 09/02/2025 06:59

I don’t understand how you have 2 children but don’t live together.
Babies wake in the night. He needs to get over it and pull his weight not banish you to the sofa. Everyone has to work around it- currently you work in the home and he works out of the home.

He’s selfish and everything is on his agenda. He bought the new bed for himself not you- even broke up your old one, controlled you into thanking him and then banished you to the sofa. In your own house- not his. I don’t think he’s going to change unfortunately

Probably because she wouldn't get benefits if they lived together.....

Thelionthewitchandthesofa · 09/02/2025 07:52

@Worried8263839 "Probably because she wouldn't get benefits if they lived together....."

They are living together now. If this was discovered she could lose her benefits anyway. SS take a dim view of Benefit Fraud.

OP needs a long chat with her Health Visitor to find out her options.

rainbowstardrops · 09/02/2025 08:12

He has no bloody right to stay in YOUR house! Kick him out and claim the money that you deserve from him. He's treating you appallingly.

AnonAnonmystery · 09/02/2025 08:46

@Marban11 I do hope you come back k for some support. Would speak to your health visitor and make them aware of the situation. It’s alot to deal with and you must be mentally and physically exhausted. There sounds like there is some abuse. Contact women’s aid too, Take care x

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 09/02/2025 08:58
  1. It's your house and you should be sleeping in your bed with baby next to yiu. He can go home or sleep on sofa.
  2. Tell him the amount you need for the kids or go via CSA
  3. You are likely going to lose benefits if he is now living there and you should report as a change of circumsrances