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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

17 weeks pregnant and feel like I need to leave my partner

33 replies

CandidFox · 20/03/2025 23:58

There’s a lot more than I could ever write but I will narrow this down as much as I can. I don’t know if I’m looking for advice, comfort or even just a vent.
im 17 weeks pregnant with my second child (mine and my partners first). We have been together for 3 years and he moved in to my house nearly 2 years ago. I feel very lonely and almost on my own as it is. My partner expects me to caress him and care for him 24.7 but when I ask for the same in return he tells me that i knew what he was and knew he wasn’t that type when I got with him. (I literally just asked for the same affection I give him in return a bit more often such as physical touch, back scratches more cuddles and everything he expects and isn’t happy when he doesn’t get, sounds petty I know. But he doesn’t do much of this and I feel like I need this more especially with me being pregnant). He does tell me he loves me etc, he reminds me I should appreciate him more as he’s took my son on and moved in with us and gave up a lot to be here. I pay all the bills even though he makes a bigger wage than me although he does cover food shops in return. I take care of everything around the house domestically. The only thing he does do is take the bins out. He rarely offers to cook or even does the dishes and when he does he expects me to really praise him to the heavens for it (even though I do it every other night and expect nothing in return).
he asked me to be more appreciative of him as he has took on my son and for ‘everything he does’. The problem is I don’t see it. Am I being selfish and self absorbed? I constantly feel like I am catering to him and not receiving the same in return. Some of his comments make me feel horrible, for instance, he asks me to put the tv on in a different room for him coming through. I forgot, he comes through and says to me in all seriousness ‘i only asked you to do one thing’. It makes me feel shitty. As if iv not already done a million things for our family on that day including just struggling being pregnant and a silly error such as forgetting something is a big deal. I’m struggling to keep up. But he sees that as a minor throw away comment, I just can’t/dont.
he told me when I fell pregnant that if we ever seperate that no one will take me seriously as I will have two kids to 2 different people, which makes me feel pretty shit.
on top of that, he constantly reminds me every day of how good looking he is (no idea weather he is just trying to joke around or not) but to some degree the constant reminders make me feel like I am almost below him.
we very rarely disagree because at this point he has made it clear that he is right and I am wrong no matter what the situation is and how I feel is invalidated. So instead I sit with a lot on my chest and then I’m accused of being ‘off with him’ or moody, probably because I’m allowing him to disrespect me with throwaway comments either given seriously or disguised as jokes because if I call him out there is more chance of us not speaking for a few days or him going back to his mums because he doesn’t like hearing what I have to say or me calling him out / disputing anything with him.
im emotionally drained. We have been house shopping recently and are looking into getting our first mortgage.
iv tried to my main points into this but I could write a book, I would be here all night. I am not perfect and don’t claim to be, I just don’t know what I expected because as he told me ‘you knew what I was when you met me’ and to some extent he was right. Although I did just think he put on a facade when we first met but unfortunately this is the reality of him.
I love my baby boy that I am pregnant with already so much and would never change that, I will do my very best as a parent and although I feel guilty saying it, but I don’t know if a part of me actually regrets this pregnancy with my partner.
im scared of what the outcome will be if I do leave him, how I will cope etc. although I am struggling to go on like this and I can’t see anything changing as communicating with him about how I feel or things he could improve just isn’t an option. I’m terrified of having to go through this on my own (although it feels like I am anyway) and hearing of him away meeting others , partying and continuing with life as normal whilst I make all these huge adjustments and sacrifices for our child.
im drained, im tired. And if you have got this far thank you so much for reading. I don’t know what I’m looking for but it feels so much better to actually get it all out.
thank you.

OP posts:
Catofthesouth · 21/03/2025 00:05

He needs to leave. It’s your house. He is leeching off you. Get him gone now, you coped before, you’ll cope again. Talk to your family and friends. Please don’t let him bully you any more. Lots of love xxx

OneKhakiFish · 21/03/2025 01:25

You might have known what you were getting into and put it aside to carry on with the relationship but that doesn't mean you have to do it forever. You deserve more than the scraps he's giving you and the constant put downs with his snarky comments is not on. He needs you more than you need him. He wants you to think you should be grateful to have him. He's a bully. You will be a great mum on your own, it's your house, time to choose you and your child's happiness. Your future will be so much better without him. x

notatinydancer · 21/03/2025 02:06

DO NOT buy a house with him.

2catsandhappy · 21/03/2025 06:09

I heartedly wish that the next time he punishes you by flouncing to his mummy, you take his key and have his bags packed for when he graciously returns.

Looking back, were you happier before he moved in? I can't hear one single redeeming thing he brings to your life. Zero.

With him gone, the bills will drop somewhat and you'll get the council tax 25% discount again. In time you will have CB and maintenance.

Imagine his pouty petulant jealous face when you are soothing your newborn and can't fuss over over him like before.
If he wants to party and socialise and not be a devoted partner and dad, well, get him gone. To be fair, he has told you who and what he is. He has worked on your self esteem to grind your confidance down. All the digs and sly remarks designed to keep you grateful and compliant. It is normal to have children with different partners.

He might be gorgeous but he sounds like a crap, selfish, self centred, conceited, egotistical, whiney man baby.
You need to be looking for a future registered child minder, much more reliable.
I really, really hope you drop the house buying idea and toss his manipulative arse out.

You can manage and thrive very happily on your own with 2 dc. I speak from experience. Happiest days of my life.

Arewethebadguys · 21/03/2025 06:12

I read two paragraphs and thought get rid! You pay the bills and he just buys shopping? That would be enough for me. Walk away - you'll be much happier for it xx

HowAmYa · 21/03/2025 06:19

his comments are disgusting and designed specifically to break your confidence and ground you down. He wants you to think you are nothing without him and look how close you are to that.

kick him out. He’s a higher earner so he can pay maintenance for his child.

Someone who truly loves you never says any of those awful things you’ve listed. Hold your head high and be a super single mum. His good looking shit face can go find some other mug to leech off. You’re not a mug. You’re strong enough to see through this now. Good luck x

category12 · 21/03/2025 06:23

So you're basically paying to have this guy live with you and he bullies you.

Yes, split up.

femfemlicious · 21/03/2025 06:29

This is terrible 💔. You made a big mistake getting pregnant with him. He is going to ground you down to nothing 💔

TwinklyRoseTurtle · 21/03/2025 06:40

Do NOT put him on the birth certificate- split up with him and go low contact, don’t even tell him when the baby is born and wait until you have registered the baby to tell him. He is emotionally abusive. Have you got a male relative or friend that can be there when you end things, change your locks in advance without telling him and pack his stuff. He’s left nothing to be wit someone who provides for him, how dare he tell you ‘ he took your son on’ like he’s doing you a favour, I can’t see from what you have described what he brings to the table. Don’t doubt yourself and please listen to the wise strangers of MN- leave him x

huuskymam · 21/03/2025 06:44

I would have dumped him the minute he said you should be more appreciative he took on your son. Give it time and your son will start hearing it too.

HettySunshine · 21/03/2025 06:46

He sounds absolutely awful and he is grinding you down to accept this as normal. IT IS NOT NORMAL. Please get him out of your house.

You say you are scared to go it alone, but I honestly believe it will be harder to live with this man than to be a single mum. He will drain your confidence and your personality until you are just his drudge. YOU DESERVE BETTER.

SirRaymondClench · 21/03/2025 06:47

Not one comment so far telling you to stay with this loser and there probably won't be one either. For a good reason.
Is there anyone in rl you can confide in to support you in getting rid of him? He needs to go. I'm getting abusive vibes off what you've written.
You're stronger than you know so find those reserves of strength and start looking to throw this one back in the sea.
The things he has said to you are disgusting and I would worry about how he will be with your son when the baby is here.
You can do this x

Twobigbabies · 21/03/2025 06:57

Sounds like classic abuse and he's just getting started. I'm sorry OP. None of this is your fault but the longer you stay the longer he will grind your self esteem to nothing. Try to find the strength to send him packing or he'll make your life worse than hell. Consider speaking to women's aid.

Holdmeclosertinydancer2018 · 21/03/2025 07:12

How have we got to the point where he lives in YOUR house, he pays no bills, does nothing around the house yet you owe him eternal gratitude? He's got you right where he wants you, confidence battered and thinking you can't live without him and now pregnant with his child. You will never get rid of him now, that baby will be used as a weapon, a means to get access to you.

He is nothing more than a bully that has convinced you he is worth more than he is when quite frankly he is a drain on you, a waste of space, a barrier to your happiness. Get rid of Lord of the Manor, he sounds like a right wally and you'll be so much better off without him.

Bananalanacake · 21/03/2025 08:26

Another case of letting a man move in too quickly then wondering how to get rid of him when he turns out to be a twat with a capital T.

Liveafr · 21/03/2025 09:00

In a healthy relationship people don't ever tell their partners that they should be grateful for being in a relationship with them. This comment alone is bordering on abusive.

Thre3isthemagicnumber · 21/03/2025 09:05

He is emotionally abusive. You should leave him. And get some therapy so you can think about why you decided to build a life with someone who bullies you.

thepariscrimefiles · 21/03/2025 09:12

He hasn't 'taken on your son' as he does fuck all, so you don't need to appreciate him more. He sounds dreadful in every single way. Conceited, lazy, egotistical, unkind and mean. You, your child and the new baby will be better off without him. Let him go back to mummy and fucking stay there.

Namechangetheyarewatching · 21/03/2025 09:15

Honestly, kick him out have have an abortion.

You don't need this POS in your life forever

Sunat45degrees · 21/03/2025 09:20

OP, you need to get out of this relationship asap. There's the traditional cocklodger - which is bad enough -, and then there's this man... and he actually scares me a little. And as you get more heavily pregnant and post the baby's birth, the abuse is going to ramp up. He's not even contributing financially or practically and yet he wants you to grovel at his feet and literally cuddle and pet him and TURN THE FUCKING TV on for him. These are all things he's doing to test you and train you.

Please please please end this. Please.

PS I also suspect there's a LOT more than what you're telling us. Pressure you for sex? Try to control where you go and who with?

Gliblet · 21/03/2025 09:22

Read back through your post and think about what advice you'd give to someone else if they'd posted it. From what you're reading, does he sound like a loving, supportive partner?

You'll cope fine if he leaves, you've managed on your own before, you're a capable, resourceful adult and the only thing making you feel like you can't cope is him. Don't let him take any of your money or property when he leaves, he's entitled to nothing. If you're worried about him being difficult to get rid of, wait til he's at work then get the locks changed and put his stuff outside for when he gets 'home'.

Springhassprungthesunisout · 21/03/2025 09:42

He's a cocklodger who got you pregnant so he thinks he's got you cornered into accepting any crumbs he throws your way. Take back your self esteem and boot him out of YOUR house.

lemmein · 21/03/2025 10:07

He hasn’t ’taken on your son’ - he’s taking FROM your son. Living rent free, no bills and expects YOU to be grateful? Mateeeee!

I wouldn’t even carry on with the pregnancy tbh - though I know that’s a very personal decision and you’ve probably bonded with your baby already.

Remove him from yours and your child’s life, the least painful way you can before he completely destroys you. Do you have any support? Family?

Poppins2016 · 21/03/2025 10:20

he told me when I fell pregnant that if we ever seperate that no one will take me seriously as I will have two kids to 2 different people

This is very telling. He knows full well that he's being an arsehole (he even acknowledges that leaving him has probably crossed your mind, and for good reason), but he thinks he's got you trapped now that he's got you pregnant, can get away with his behaviour and manipulate you into staying with this kind of comment.

Leave him. He sounds emotionally abusive with potential elements of coercive control, and it'll only get worse (if he's like this during your pregnancy when most men are on best behaviour and want to pull their weight and be supportive, imagine how much worse he could be down the line). You deserve better.

AnneLovesGilbert · 21/03/2025 10:29

Although I did just think he put on a facade when we first met but unfortunately this is the reality of him.

You saw a facade of a useless, selfish arsehole but thought a fairytale prince was hiding behind it?

He shouldn’t have moved in. You shouldn’t have taken resources from your child to fund an unrelated man, you shouldn’t have saddled another child with a twat for a dad.

All you can do now is try to mitigate the harm to everyone and dump him. You’ll be better off financially, your son won’t have an appalling role model in his home, you’ll stop feeling so resentful. I hope you have other support around you.