Forum Single mothers

Pregnant and going through a divorce

17 replies

Miep
My husband and I are splitting up.
Among other things, because I want more kids and he thinks one is already too many.
He kept me on a string with things like, "we'll stop the pill when she's 1.5," "when she's 2.5," "after Christmas," "when she starts primary school," "financially I'm scared..."
In the end, I stopped the pill several times, but then he told me to start again.
It led to a lot of arguments and stress.

So now we've decided to divorce and he's moving somewhere else.
Despite everything, there's still something between us (so also in bed).

Last month I had a pretty bad stomach flu, but didn't think much of it.
This morning I held a positive test (which I already suspected due to being incredibly nauseous, sore breasts, feeling cold, everything smells bad around me, I have a super sharp sense of smell, headaches, and frequent urination. 1 plus 1 added up for me...)

My (ex-)husband wants me to have an abortion. His future is ruined due to alimony, he doesn't know if he can still buy that house, his freedom, and whatever else.
But abortion is really not an option for me! After years of a huge desire for children.

It might not happen the way I wanted (I'm a stay-at-home mom and will end up on welfare, the child will grow up with divorced parents and the father doesn't really want it).

But I'm staying positive!
Since he's hardly ever home anyway and I'm already raising our daughter mostly on my own, I expect I'll manage this too.
I'll just keep applying for jobs and see where things lead!

Replies

  1. * #2

    Girl, you never let a baby get taken away for a man...
    Love, Ju or well mavanmi
  2. Miep started this #3

    Thank you!

    I would never get rid of a baby!
    Whether he likes it or not, it's more than welcome with me!
  3. Lighthouse #4

    What a sad story, Miep...
    I think I'd make the same choice as you.
    And if it's just like that through the pill and stuff... but then I think: it had to be this way!!
    X
  4. DeeDee012 #5

    Oh Miep, that's so sad that you're going through this.

    I'm convinced that you'll handle it all on your own really well. It's a shame that he thinks that way, but demanding an abortion is going too far for me!

    Wishing you all the best with it!
  5. Miep started this #6

    We’re now a family where I do the whole household (including cleaning up the mess the kids leave behind), plus all the shopping, finances, parenting, pets...
    The only thing he does is play on the tablet, watch TV, call his friends and mom, pick up the car, and smoke.
    This has been going on for years, and after all this fighting, I’ve truly given up. Sometimes he’d pretend to change, but always fell back into the same behavior. And this year it’s really extreme.
    That’s why we’ve decided to put an end to living together.

    But demanding an abortion because it would ruin his life—that’s pretty harsh!
    He could also see it as a blessing in disguise. That’s how I see it anyway!

    I’m also sure I’ll manage everything on my own, because I already feel like I’m doing it all alone!
  6. DeeDee012 #7

    Well, you won't have all that stress later that he's causing now. It might even become calmer for you!
  7. Lighthouse #8

    I can relate to this from my previous relationship.
    And once I put a period behind it (with kids too), it was just a relief!
    I didn’t feel heavier, but rather lighter, because I no longer had to take care of him and had much less stress.
    I wish the same for you and expect it too: that you’ll have a calmer time ahead.
  8. Beertje #9

    Good morning.

    Miep, you're incredibly strong for putting a point behind it all now! You come across as very strong. Try to stop that bed-sharing part though. That way you'll still have a kind of bond.

    I can somewhat relate to your story. My ex did a lot around the house. We were both at home due to circumstances. He took care of the vegetable garden, the garden, housework, cooking, and the groceries. I took care of the kids, laundry, finances, and his well-being. When our youngest was 5 weeks old, he left. Suddenly, there wasn't enough money for a pack of diapers. It was too expensive and the kids had ruined his life. (No idea why men think kids ruin their lives. I find those comments awful, ugh.)

    My life became much calmer and easier despite having to do much more. It still took a while before I was completely over it; we also had that bed-sharing part. Once that stopped, things got much better.

    Now I have a very nice man, the oldest is 10, the middle one 9, and the youngest 8 months. Due to circumstances, I unfortunately have to do it partly alone now. It's heavier now than 9 years ago.

    Girl, you've got this! You can definitely do it alone! Make sure to have a good care/help plan for the final stretch/delivery/postpartum week.

    Wishing you lots of strength!
  9. Beertje #10

    Forgot the most important thing!

    Congratulations on your pregnancy!
  10. Miep started this #11

    Thanks for your kind words!

    I'm not scared at all to do more, I even think I'll have less to do. Much less was (I already have one turn per day from him alone), things aren't pulled over a lot or thrown everywhere.
    Even with a baby, it'll be okay, because he didn't dare lift our daughter in the first year. He's never even changed a diaper!

    We were once on the verge of breaking up.
    Sometimes I think, why did I stay.
    Especially because he walked through the house like a zombie yesterday and blamed me for the pregnancy...
  11. Sisi #12

    If you're sleeping with a guy, you should also be responsible enough to face the consequences if she gets pregnant. It's really good of you to put him aside, because with this childish and self-centered attitude, he's not only ruining your life but also your kids'.

    He can't even legally demand an abortion from you, so he can jump up and down all he wants and threaten legal action, but he has no leg to stand on. My tip: cut off all contact and let only the mediator handle things. This kind of stress is also very unhealthy for your unborn baby.

    Girl, huge congratulations on your pregnancy! Enjoy your life now that you're free from such a loser!
  12. Miep started this #13

    The worst part is that he was really there for my daughter and me in the first few years. But that he changed so much.
    Thankfully, he still does fun things with the girl. And we have a flexible arrangement. Especially on weekends and at the request of him or my daughter.

    As long as he's still living with us, nothing is broken.
    I have hope that he'll act differently when he's there. That he'll see what he's going to miss.
    It can always be broken off definitively later on...
  13. Sisi #14

    My sister went through a nasty divorce, so be careful what you say or promise. Because that can be used against you later, and you really don't want that. Are you maybe making it look rosier than it is? You just said he's never even changed a diaper for your daughter and didn't even pick her up during her first year..

    Whatever you do, make choices that you're 100% behind. Not just to do him a favor.
  14. Miep started this #15

    Daughter is old enough to decide whether she wants to see her dad or not. I don't want to keep him away from her.

    The first appointment was to go and meet, but given his behavior last night, I don't think that's going to happen anymore. He was like a zombie, and nothing came out of him except "hmhm." In bed, he turned his back to me.

    I'll see how it goes, but if he stays like this, meeting won't work.
    If he comes around and we each have our own space, then we'll see how things go.

    So far, I've always assumed the positive. I don't like that negative complaining...
  15. Sisi #16

    Yes, it’s really good that you’re staying positive, but don’t let it make you naive. Think about what’s important to you and to your kids. That’s really all you can do. It’s very noble of you to give him the chance to see his kids. If my husband said that kids’ lives would be ruined after I found out I was pregnant, I don’t know if I’d stay so peaceful.

    Try to keep talking to each other, hopefully you’ll find a solution together Good luck!!
  16. Miep started this #17

    He's talking about the last one.
    He's totally crazy about his daughter now. And she's happy with him.
    He's such a fun dad.
    I really don't want to deny her his attention.

    But he really didn't want number 2, and he finds it ruining his life...

    Now I can't say the hormones are calm either...
    I've been feeling it all for a good week now. Not just physically but also mentally...

    We really should talk first. Then I'll see if I'm seeing things clearly or if it's all in my head...
  17. Esther #18

    Miep, that sounds heavy. A partner who feels his life is being ruined by having a child really doesn't fit into your new situation. It's good that you're going ahead with daughter 1, but for baby 2, his attitude is clear. Let his doubts about him and you fade away. You deserve someone who walks alongside you, not someone who wants to step out. Strength.

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