Hi everyone, I’d just like some advice or some relatable people to speak to.

I’m a young mum with a 3 month old baby. My partner and I are still together but have broken up many times previously because of issues mainly surrounding alcohol and his gambling issues. I have had an abortion previously and when I fell pregnant again, I decided to keep my little sweetheart (no regrets, at all).

The timing wasn’t the greatest but I knew we could get by and provide for her and ourselves as well as still being able to have money for the little things e.g treating ourselves.

My partner had the choice of whether he wanted to stick around, I kept her knowing there could be a chance of doing it alone and prepared mentally for that.

I love him and have continuously given him the benefit of the doubt regardless of past major fuck ups with gambling.

Since she was born, he has slipped up a few times (never leaving us with $0 but being close to it) and I’ve forgiven him, trying to get him help and be as supportive as possible. These slip ups have now become more consistent and I’m deliberating on whether or not I should stick around.

He’s a great guy and a good father, we love each other but he has a huge addiction to gambling that he can’t seem to shake.

I don’t know what to do. I feel powerless and I know people can’t be helped if they don’t want it but I’m holding on with the hope that he’ll wake up and realise that he needs to stop.

Please leave advice, similar stories, anything! I’m prepared to be a single mother and I wouldn’t fall apart without him, I just want him to be good so badly that I’m holding onto those hopes.

Thanks for reading.