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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

Will he actually change?

13 replies

littlepurplerose · 11/03/2025 20:34

Met my partner 5 years ago. Fell in love. He's gorgeous, funny, family love him, we into all the same things....

Post Covid, his business starts to fail bringing financial issues which obviously I just supported him through, picking up his half of the share of bills etc. didn't think much of it.

We then 2 years later fall pregnant with our first child.

His finances are slipping more and more. Its getting bad by this point. I ended up using my maternity leave savings to cover his share of bills/ rent etc (i run own business)

I begin finding out he has a lot of debt that u hasn't known about... I'm so so stressed by it but still standing strong by his side as he always telling me "it's under control" and I stupidly believed it...

We fall pregnant with second child who is now 6 months old.

Since the birth of second child things have spiraled more. His debtors finding me and threatening legal action, his failure to contribute financially at all to the kids and family life. His dishonesty around debts, the stress this situation is bringing into the home. The reluctance and procrastination in getting a stable job.

I hit breaking point.

I told him he needs to go away and fix this and come back when he can be the man he needs to be for me and our children.

He has moved out and is being respectful of this space I have requested whilst he sorts his shit out.

He knows there's absolutely no chance of reconciliation without finding a stable job and creating and executing a plan to pay off all the debt.

My question is.... can people really change?

Would you have done the same?

I feel guilty for braking up the family but equally I couldn't carry on the way it was going.

(We are not married and no joint finances/ accounts)

OP posts:
festivemouse · 11/03/2025 20:41

100% I would have done the same - you've been so strong taking this stand for you and your children, especially when you have threatening creditors getting involved. You shouldn't feel guilty, he did this, not you.

I don't always think people can change a lot about their base nature, if his natural personality involves being dishonest, prioritising himself in family situations, stringing you along pretending things are fine then that is likely what he would slip into again. I think he'd really need to want to change a lot and engage with professionals to help him with that.

littlepurplerose · 11/03/2025 20:44

@festivemouse

Thankyou so much for your kind reply.

You're right. I also advised him of getting professional help.

I so want to believe he can change but I just don't know.

Xx

OP posts:
HenDoNot · 11/03/2025 20:46

Why are his debtors coming after you and threatening legal action?

Has he taken out debt in your name?

Anyway, the only thing is have done differently to you was I’d have got rid of him sooner, the warning signs were all there a good few years ago.

littlepurplerose · 11/03/2025 20:47

@HenDoNot because much of the debts are private debts so just "people" as opposed to companies / banks .

Yes the red flags were there I just didn't want to believe it.

OP posts:
Dillydollydingdong · 11/03/2025 20:50

Private debts in his sole name are nothing to do with you. Tell these people to bugger off.

SunflowerTed · 11/03/2025 21:11

You did the right thing. He has built your relationship based on deception. He is also a cocklodger

Maitri108 · 11/03/2025 21:31

His debtors are finding you? How? Has he given them your contact details?

You can't trust him OP. He agreed to two children that he knew he couldn't afford and sponged off you for years and lied and lied.

Why would you want him back?

GentleOchreViewer · 11/03/2025 21:37

This is difficult, good luck on whatever you decide

madaffodil · 11/03/2025 21:39

Worst case scenario - I hope you have receipts for all the furniture and everything in your home, just in case the bailiffs come knocking. You might need to prove that things don't belong to him but to you, because if you can't, they will just muscle in and take what they want. It might be worth taking his name off all utility bills as well, so you can prove he no longer lives in your property.

ladygindiva · 11/03/2025 21:46

I have done the exact same thing in a very eerily similar situation. In my case, no, he didn't change. There was no reconciliation. But at least I ( and my kids) have financial stability.

YellowRoom · 11/03/2025 21:49

Why do you feel guilty? Your selfish, lying, cocklodger partner broke up your family.

TheseBootsAreWalking · 11/03/2025 23:18

Yes you did the right thing. In the end of the day this has been landing on your lap to carry him so far. And now with a little family you are doing the right thing by taking this decision. It is normal to doubt yourself though as no one wants to see their loved one go through this. But he has had a choice for a long while, and digging his head in the sand and ignore the big financial issue has brought him here. Not you.

littlepurplerose · 12/03/2025 08:52

Thankyou everyone for your replies. I appreciate it.

Im really battling with the idea of my children not having their daddy present in the home.

Cos in their eyes hes a great dad- fun, cuddly, present- all the things....

This is tough.

OP posts:
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