Postpartum rage with partner in Australia...

I need to know if I'm being unreasonable.

My partner lives in Australia, I live in the UK. Accidentally fell pregnant, gave birth at 32w and spent a month in NICU. Bub is now 3mo, 1mo adjusted.

Pre baby arriving, our plan was for me and baby to spend mat leave here in the UK so I earn money, then move to Australia late next year.

Baby arrived early and partner came here for a month when baby was 2-6weeks old. But he was mentally not present because we have an Australian business and he had the toughest month ever in August, with the largest contract ever meaning he was spending the newborn days with us but not actually present. I mean we probably cuddled twice in that time and multiple times he couldn't even remember if he changed baby's diaper. When he flew home, he was straight off the plane and working 20+ hour physically tiring days for 4 weeks. He barely had time to talk to us, and we barely had a proper conversation unless it was about work.

It led to me getting upset every time we spoke from the lack of connection cause I just really needed him, missed him and was (am) struggling with being a single parent effectively. He ended up blocking me for 2 days cause he couldn't cope and had to focus on the job to deliver it.

Now the busy period is over, he booked to fly back to us a week later, because he said he needed a week to reset and prep for his next contract in October, so he doesn't spend time here whilst mentally back home focused on work again - which is fair and what I wanted.

My problem now is that 4 days into the busy period being over, he's done nothing to prep for the next contract. The last two days he's spent at the beach fishing with his 11yo son from a prior relationship.

Ordinarily I'd be so happy that he's spending time with his son, but right now it's enraging me. I can't talk to him without seeing red and resenting him.

I don't want this to be the end of the road for us, but it feels like we're the lowest priority to him and it really hurts. I think I hate him for it. Am I being unfair?

Posted Sep 6, 2026, 3:25 AM UTC

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