Stay-At-Home Mom Leaves Husband And Kids Behind For A New Boyfriend

Postpartum depression is more common than many realize. According to the Cleveland Clinic, around 75% of new mothers experience the “baby blues” after giving birth, and up to 15% go on to develop postpartum depression.

It’s a struggle that doesn’t just affect the mother—it impacts the entire family. One Redditor shared how his wife stopped caring for their young children because of it, leaving him overwhelmed and desperate to hold everything together. He tried to support her in every way he could, but in the end, the situation took an unexpected turn he never saw coming.

Read the full story below.

The man was at a loss when his wife stopped caring for their children because of postpartum depression

Father caring for toddlers at home while mother is away, highlighting husband left picking up the pieces after wife leaves.

Image credits: Arina Krasnikova / Pexels (not the actual photo) 

Desperate, he reached out online for help

Text excerpt about wife leaving toddlers behind while husband struggles to care for children and seek help.

Husband struggling to care for toddlers alone after wife leaves to party with new man amid postpartum depression.

Text describing toddler care struggles with wife neglecting diaper changes, husband managing while wife parties with new man.

Husband picks up the pieces managing toddlers and household alone while wife parties and neglects her responsibilities.

Stressed husband in white shirt holding his head, overwhelmed after wife leaves toddlers behind to party with new man.

Image credits: Mikhail Nilov / Pexels (not the actual photo)

Text on a white background expressing concern about toddlers not getting proper meals during workdays unless food is prepared or ordered.

Father expresses frustration over lack of sleep as wife leaves toddlers behind and he is left picking up the pieces.

Text expressing a husband struggling as wife leaves toddlers behind to party, causing him to handle all family duties.

Image credits: Dadatwhitsend

Image credits: Wellington Tavares / Pexels (not the actual photo) 

What postpartum depression really feels like, according to moms who have been through it

Giving birth is often described as one of the hardest experiences a woman can go through. But the period that follows—early motherhood—is usually painted as special, joyous, and deeply rewarding. In reality, what comes after pregnancy and delivery is far more complex.

Welcoming a baby brings a whirlwind of emotions: excitement to finally meet your child, nerves about stepping into motherhood, moments of sadness or anxiety, and very often, sheer exhaustion. Those first weeks are spent caring for a newborn while your own body is still healing, both physically and mentally.

That’s why many women go through what’s known as the “baby blues” in the first two weeks after delivery. It’s a mix of weepiness, irritability, exhaustion, and sleep troubles that often comes as hormones shift and life at home changes.

But when those feelings don’t fade or they become so overwhelming that it’s hard to care for yourself or your baby, that’s when postpartum depression (PPD) may be present. In rare cases, some women also develop postpartum psychosis, an even more extreme mood disorder.

For those who haven’t experienced it, PPD can be hard to grasp. In conversations with the parenting brand What To Expect, moms opened up about just how consuming it can feel.

Image credits: Andrea Piacquadio / Pexels (not the actual photo) 

“For me, PPD was a heavy feeling of dread coupled with general anxiety about most things, especially sleep,” shared Jennifer Rodgers, author of You Made It to Motherhood: A Guide for New Moms.

“Like all infants, my baby woke up to eat many times throughout the night. I couldn’t get back to sleep afterward, and I couldn’t nap during the day. Most of the time, I felt like I was in a fog,” she said. “When the sun started to go down, I would dread the long night ahead. I didn’t feel like myself, but I didn’t know what was happening.”

And while there are common symptoms, every mother’s journey with postpartum depression is unique. Some women only go through it with their first child, others after every pregnancy. For some it’s milder, for others far more severe.

Jeni Elizabeth Bianco, a network and celebrity wardrobe stylist, shared that her struggles began after the birth of her second baby.

“I worried constantly; if we went for a walk, I would envision my kids getting hit by a car. It was paralyzing. I could not control my emotions or get the thoughts out of my head. It’s almost as if something had taken over my body,” she said.

Like many moms, she didn’t initially realize she was experiencing PPD. She thought it was “just hormones,” or that postpartum depression only meant feeling detached from her baby. She didn’t recognize that being consumed by extreme worry and overprotectiveness could also be a sign.

With time, medication, and therapy, she noticed a real change.

“I’d tell any woman diagnosed with PPD to cut yourself a break and give it time,” Bianco said. “And do not ever doubt yourself as a mother. We as moms have to find the strength to put ourselves first sometimes, knowing if we don’t our children may suffer. Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask for a shoulder.”

Experts agree that support makes a huge difference. Karen Kleiman, MSW, LCSW, explains that research shows a woman’s depression often improves significantly with consistent help. That’s why partners play such an important role—by being present, patient, and understanding, even when it’s difficult.

It’s crucial not to dismiss PPD or hope it will simply go away. As Kleiman notes, the more you expect of the mom, the greater your demands, the more difficult her recovery will be. And for partners, being too hard on yourself can also deplete the energy you need to support her.

If you or someone close to you is struggling with PPD, remember you are not alone. Reach out to your partner, family, or friends, and seek help from healthcare providers or organizations that understand what you’re going through. Support is available, and it can make all the difference.

The author later shared more details in the comments

Reddit comments discussing wife leaving toddlers behind, husband coping, and mental health crisis advice.

Reddit conversation about wife leaving toddlers behind, husband struggling with daycare costs and parenting challenges.

Woman leaves toddlers behind to party with new man, husband struggles emotionally picking up the pieces alone.

Comments from a husband struggling with wife’s depression while caring for toddlers alone, seeking professional help.

ALT text: Online discussion about wife leaving toddlers behind and husband dealing with the consequences of neglect and family issues.

Reddit conversation discussing wife leaving toddlers behind to party while husband copes with challenges.

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Readers responded with advice and their own similar experiences

Commenter shares experience with postpartum depression and husband supporting her while wife leaves toddlers behind to party.

Commenter warning about toddler neglect and urging husband to prioritize childcare amid wife’s neglect and new relationship issues.

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Comment from a wife about struggling with postpartum depression and sharing a gym childcare solution to support self-care and parenting.

Text discussing postpartum depression and finding a mother’s helper to support wife and toddlers at home.

Alt text: Father managing household and toddlers alone after wife leaves to party with new man in a challenging family situation

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Comment discussing postpartum depression, parenting challenges, and wife leaving toddlers behind to party with new man.

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Comment from a stay-at-home mom about husband picking up the pieces while wife leaves toddlers behind to party.

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Wife leaves toddlers behind to party with new man, husband struggling to manage and pick up the pieces.

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Comment advising a husband on managing toddlers and seeking daycare support while wife parties with new man.

In a follow-up, he revealed that his parents stepped in to help, and things began to improve for the family

Young woman in red hoodie sitting on floor next to bed, reflecting on wife leaving toddlers behind and husband picking up pieces.

Image credits: Sofia Alejandra / Pexels (not the actual photo)

Wife leaves toddlers behind to party with new man, husband struggles to pick up the pieces and move forward.

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Mother leaves toddlers behind to party with new man while husband struggles to manage the family challenges.

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Text on whiteboard about wife taking new medication for a week and showing clear difference in her condition

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Worried husband left picking up the pieces as wife leaves toddlers behind to party with new man.

Text excerpt showing a husband’s message about daily battles and support after wife leaves toddlers behind to party with new man.

Image credits: Dadatwhitsend

Commenters were glad to see the progress

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Reddit conversation about wife leaving toddlers behind to party with new man, husband dealing with family struggles and support.

Reddit conversation about wife leaving toddlers behind to party, husband considering gym for stress relief and childcare support.

Reddit user discussing postpartum depression support from parents while managing work and family after wife leaves toddlers.

Online forum conversation with users discussing emotional support after a wife leaves toddlers behind, husband managing alone.

Reddit conversation about wife leaving toddlers behind to party, husband managing family challenges and seeking support.

Alt text: Supportive husband shares experience after wife leaves toddlers behind to party with new man

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Screenshot of an online discussion about a wife leaving toddlers behind, highlighting relationship and mental health challenges.

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Sadly, his final update took the story in a direction no one expected

Woman packing boxes using tape dispenser, symbolizing husband left picking up the pieces after wife leaves toddlers behind to party.

Image credits: Ketut Subiyanto / Pexels (not the actual photo)

Text excerpt discussing a husband’s perspective on family struggles with wife leaving toddlers and managing postpartum medication.

Text excerpt describing a wife leaving toddlers behind to move in with a new man, husband left dealing with the aftermath.

Text excerpt describing a wife leaving toddlers behind and the husband dealing with custody and financial strain.

Text about wife leaving toddlers behind and husband managing childcare with family support and work flexibility.

Man with tearful eyes covering his mouth in dark background, symbolizing husband left picking up the pieces after wife leaves toddlers.

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Wife leaves toddlers behind to party with new man while husband struggles to pick up the pieces at home.

Man expressing pain and depression while struggling to raise toddlers alone after wife leaves to party with new man.

Man shares emotional struggle after wife leaves toddlers behind, husband left picking up the pieces and raising kids alone.

Text message from a husband expressing gratitude for advice while dealing with wife leaving toddlers and family struggles.

Image credits: Dadatwhitsend

Readers offered their sympathies and words of comfort

Reddit comments discussing custody and child support issues after wife leaves toddlers behind to party with new man.

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Single parent struggles after wife leaves toddlers behind, husband left picking up the pieces with family support.

Comments from users discussing the wife leaving toddlers behind and the husband dealing with the situation and seeking legal advice.

Wife leaves toddlers behind to party with new man while husband is left picking up the pieces at home.

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Comment advising to get a lawyer and sharing experience about a wife leaving toddlers behind to party with a new man.

Comment sharing personal story about wife leaving toddlers behind, husband struggling, and advice on protecting kids and self-care.

Comment expressing support for a husband left picking up the pieces after wife leaves toddlers to party with new man.

Screenshot of an online comment expressing support for a husband left picking up the pieces after wife leaves toddlers behind to party.

Comment sharing experience of wife leaving toddlers behind, husband managing and coping with family challenges.

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Husband left picking up the pieces while wife leaves toddlers behind to party with new man, reflecting family struggle.

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