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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

Complicated DP problem ... warning, VERY long!

26 replies

lostrequiem · 02/06/2010 13:06

Okay, bit of advice wanted here. I'm a bit new, so do excuse any newbie mistakes I may make!
I am currently 32 weeks pregnant; the baby was an accident (proof that contraception is not 100% accurate! ) but I've always wanted to be a mother and the idea of an abortion terrifies me so it was never an option.

I had been with DP for a year when we found out, but he'd already started acting a bit weird, sort of distant and not as lovey-dovey as he usually was iyswim. He was shocked when he saw the test result, and a little worried about money and so forth, but at the same time he was over the moon - his previous long-term partner had suffered a series of miscarriages and he had despaired of ever having children despite wanting them quite badly.

This was near Christmas, which last year I had arranged to spend with my family because DP was busy with work through most of it and I'd be stuck on my own otherwise. Everything seemed fine until, on New Years Day, I get a phone call from him telling me that his stepdad (who he was very close to) had died and could I please catch a bus down because he really needed someone. I, of course, did so, only to be greeted by him saying the dreaded "We need to talk" as soon as I walk in the door.
Why he picked then to tell me I do not know, but it turned out that he'd been having an emotional affair since shortly before my pregnancy was confirmed, and that he didn't love me anymore, and hadn't for a while. He wanted to separate, but still wanted to stay amicable because he still liked me as a person (iyswim) and also to try and make things easier as far as baby is concerned.

I go back to my mum's, devastated, and don't really speak to anyone for about a month. Then I have to go down to the town where he lives, and he gets wind of this and invites me over to try and straighten everything out (with money etc. since I paid most of the bills for his house as he can't get a bank account).
As soon as I get there we're all over each other, but he is still adamant that he "doesn't love me" and "just wants to be friends".

Fast forward to the present, and I'm practically living back at his house despite the fact that he will barely touch me now (I am an enormous whale, after all!). I know it won't last, and I'll have to move back to my parents permanently before the baby is born, because there's no room in his flat and getting even a one-bed house around here is next to impossible. He knows I'd take him back in a heartbeat despite everything. We've fallen back into all our old routines, just without any of the really "couple-y" stuff. He's said that he doesn't know how he really feels, especially since the OW wouldn't leave her boyfriend for him when he'd left me for her, which really seemed to upset him ... guess he'd been expecting a relationship when all she wanted was a quick bit on the side

What I'd like to know is, am I being pathetic to still hope I can salvage this relationship though I know it's an outside chance at the very best? The whole OW thing aside, he's a smart, caring, funny bloke willing to put up with my many flaws and violent mood swings despite being a bit moody himself. I've never been good with relationships of any kind, and my one with him has been the longest romantic connection I've managed to mantain in my entire life - part of me thinks I might just be clinging to him because I don't feel as though I'd be able to find another relationship, even if I didn't have a baby to take care of.
Should I even be considering trying to get him back? And if I do, should I back off, give him some time and space first so he can get his head on straight?

Sorry for the novel, I just had to get it all out to someone Especially since my family are more angry about the whole thing than I am and won't give me any advice except "come home NOW"

OP posts:
nickelbabe · 02/06/2010 13:11

blunt time, though.
he doesn't want to be with you - you deserve better than to mess around with him and your own emotions.
move back into your parents as soon as you can and cut all ties.

ZZZenAgain · 02/06/2010 13:12

I think the situation is overshadowed by and complicated by the pregnancy to the extent that you cannot judge it clearly. Should think this is perfectly natural. Most pregnant women would presumably hope that by the time the baby is there, things will have sorted themselves out and they would be living with baby and the baby's father in a regular family set-up.

If you can imagine that you were not pregnant, yet the situation were as you have described here, I think you would be able to see that it is over.

I'm sorry, this is how it sounds to me and I don't think you should settle for being second best (good enough to put up with when OW is not taking him seriously etc). I agree with your parents, you will not like my advice but my advice for what it is worth is to go home.

Pancakeflipper · 02/06/2010 13:13

Oh blimey. I think you have to break your own heart and get out of there. You can not think straight.

He's totally loopy and hasn't a clue what he wants but he doesn't want to be alone.

Take some control before baby turns up. Move back to your parents ( hope that is a safe haven?). And just concentrate on you and baby. Once baby is here you can't play DP's silly games. You'll lose the plot.

If it is meant to be it's meant to be but your DP needs to sort himself out and you need space to breath again. So get out. You have a rosy future ahead - probably not with Mr Immature.

3ismylot · 02/06/2010 13:14

Well after reading that I am inclined to agree with your family!

He is using you and you are letting him!

You need to think about yourself and your baby, move back home and get settled before baby comes along. If he really loves you and wants to make a go of things he will come to you and prove himself otherwise he isnt worthy of your loyalty.

wannaBe · 02/06/2010 13:30

I see you're new here.

How much will you earn for this thread?

winnybella · 02/06/2010 13:31

It's an invasion...

CoronaAndLime · 02/06/2010 13:33

So sorry but you really should go back to your parents and sooner rather than latter.

You may find it hard talking to your family about your feelings for this waster guy as they hate him and you still love him, but you will get through this split alot better if you talk about it.

This is a heartbreaking situation and it prob seems that staying at his place is easier than not seeing him, its just prolonging the pain and will make it worse for you.

ZZZenAgain · 02/06/2010 13:34

earn?

dignified · 02/06/2010 13:35

Congratulations on being able to get a bus on new years day. I think you, the bad date , the mad wife and the weird kids should all move in together.

ZZZenAgain · 02/06/2010 13:35

what do you mean wannabe?

ZZZenAgain · 02/06/2010 13:36

is it the Brady bunch?

ZZZenAgain · 02/06/2010 13:38

bless

ahh the squeaky clean past. What would MN have read like in those days I wonder?

winnybella · 02/06/2010 13:38

It's the MM/ Tesla/ Steve troll...

ZZZenAgain · 02/06/2010 13:40

never pick up on trolls etc, they post when I am elsewhere in RL

lostrequiem · 02/06/2010 13:49

o-o You think I'm a troll, winnybella? You guys have a problem with them here or something? Sorry if I came across that way.

I guess I really just wanted a few opinions from people not involved and I see everyone agrees I should go back home ... thanks guys for being blunt, I suck at looking at things objectively

Going home probably IS my best option. My family are v. supportive, Pancake, and have stood by me this whole time. It's gonna be awful, which I think is the whole reason I don't want to.

OP posts:
Pancakeflipper · 02/06/2010 14:03

Of course it is going to be horrid but it ain't going to be a barrel of laughs staying there - you will go insane there.

Please get out this weekend. Go lick your wounds, let the family say " told you so" if they wish. But the future is about you and your baby. You need to ditch pain in the bum so you and baby will be happy in the future.

nickelbabe · 02/06/2010 14:21

you are also lucky that your family will support you - listen to them - okay they'll drive you mad and expect you to do everything their way, but at least they care about you - not like the nob who's stringing you along.

GO HOME NOW

3ismylot · 02/06/2010 14:22

It may be hard to eat a bit of humble pie and admit you made a mistake with this guy but it will be a lot less painful than being in a loveless relationship and trying to bring up a child.

Hope you can get some support and forget about this guy

LittleMissHissyFit · 02/06/2010 18:39

Bloody hell lost, he's done a number on you and your self esteem hasn't he??

many flaws, I'm a whale? FGS! He's shit on you from a great height because he is not emotionally mature enough to man up and be a father. for you lostrequiem!

He will never step up for you if you let him get away with this wishy washy half life of sharing a house, but not a life. YOU deserve better than that, Your CHILD will deserve better than that.He'll eat away at what's left of you, your confidence, your dignity and your soul.

Go Home NOW! Don't let him back in your life unless he can categorically demonstrate he is ready, willing and able to be the MAN you and your DC need him to be. You are best off on your own than stuck with an emotional vampire like him!

You didn't do this, he did. Kick him into the LOOONNG grass.

rabbit54 · 12/10/2010 21:56

I am very confused about the earn, troll bit wannabe

proudnscary · 12/10/2010 22:09

Sooo confused. Can someone explain why they think this is a troll (sorry to hijack OP if you are not) and what the feck has the Brady Bunch has got to do with it?

loopylou6 · 12/10/2010 22:15

Ummmm helloooooo this was months ago Hmm

DuelingFanjo · 12/10/2010 22:20

yeah - old old thread just been bumped. Why?

Anniegetyourgun · 13/10/2010 10:05

I think Rabbit has been finding old threads via Google and not noticing the date.

merrywidow · 13/10/2010 12:45

completely lost on meConfused