Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Husband and weird phone behaviour

61 replies

Karoliine · 11/02/2023 18:24

My husband has always been hiding his phone from me. Couple of times I have checked it and first time I found out he had cheated on me, and second time I found his profile on sex site. This is why I hate him hiding his phone and I always feel something weird is going on.
I have suggested we both keep our phones open for each other to check and won’t hide phones from each other but this makes him furious.

Anyway, today he asked me to come and see a message his lady friend from work had sent to his phone (not a work phone). The message was about his salary issue, some unpaid salary he will be getting soon, with some smileys added. He only wanted me to see this message and the amount mentioned.

So as he asked me to come and see the message, I was like ok, let me see it. And his reply was that I should read it while he holds the phone, because the whole conversation is not meant for me to read. Honestly it hadn’t even crossed my mind to read more than what he asked me to read. He said the conversation is “secret.”
Am I being unreasonable because this made me suspicious. What is it that he is chatting with this lady (during the weekend) that I should not see? Also his job is nothing secretive or serious and any serious work related conversations should be on his work phone anyways, if I’m correct.

Ofcourse he got angry when I told him how weird the whole thing sounds to me. He shows me one sentence from the conversation and tells me the rest of it is secret and I should not touch his phone. Then why does he even show me any messages in the first place ?

I have noticed his phone behaviour is beginning to make me crazy. He has never apologised the things I have seen on his phone before and still keeps hiding it. And calls me crazy because I find it hard to trust him. Maybe breaking up is the only option because I have a feeling he is not being honest with me and has a secret life online.

OP posts:
tara66 · 11/02/2023 20:26

Does he actually say his phone is ''secret''? How old is he?

ScruffGin · 11/02/2023 20:25

If I ever got to the stage of needing to check my partners phone, then the trust is gone and the relationship is over. Get out and find someone who isn't a twat

SelinaKant · 11/02/2023 20:24

There is no trust in this relationship. I can't imagine humiliating myself by asking my husband to look at his phone in case he might be having an affair/sexting/whatever. What is the point in the relationship? The very basics aren't there. Don't be so desperate to stay in a relationship or you will get stomped on. Nobody can MAKE you anything or MAKE you do anything. Take charge of your life and take responsibility for your decisions and choices and move on!

follyfoot37 · 11/02/2023 20:21

Surprised you are still with him tbh

Hydie · 11/02/2023 20:12

neverknowinglyunreasonable · 11/02/2023 18:54

Couple of times I have checked it and first time I found out he had cheated on me, and second time I found his profile on sex site.

Didn't really need to read the rest.

Yes I also stopped reading at this part, I mean whatever he has done I am sure you seen it coming with such a sleeze ball! SURELY

BadNomad · 11/02/2023 20:08

You don't trust him, and you never will be able to trust him, because he is not a trustworthy person. Checking his phone won't change that. His phone behaviour isn't really the issue. Who he is, is the problem.

Murdoch1949 · 11/02/2023 19:38

Sadly, he's playing you. He got away with unacceptable behaviour before, you gave him a second chance, so he's made this leap that he can do what he wants. I understand why you forgave him, but he's using that against you. I'm afraid you won't be happy with him, you don't trust him, it's time to plan your getaway.

bonzaitree · 11/02/2023 19:33

Disengage, get your ducks in a row and leave.

why would you stay with a cheater?

PinkiOcelot · 11/02/2023 19:22

Why are you still with him?

GoldDuster · 11/02/2023 19:19

He is good at making me feel that I am the one here who is crazy,

This is why you need to leave him. Deep down you know what the situation is, stop listening to him and get away from him permanently.

Christmaspyjamas · 11/02/2023 19:18

Karoliine · 11/02/2023 19:07

He is good at making me feel that I am the one here who is crazy, jealous and all that. He never said sorry for cheating or joining those sites and never really tried to understand how I felt. Instead he blamed me. So maybe he has brainwashed me and ruined my self worth. I’m really lost and just had to open up somewhere..

OK but just know that that isn't true.

You need to leave him because when you didn't leave before he just learned he can get away with it.

He's not sorry.

Blablablanamechangagain · 11/02/2023 19:14

I mean, he might as well let you see whatever sleazy shit he's up to. Cause you won't leave him.

Please have a little self respect and raise your standards. You can do a million times better.

PorpoiseWithPurpose · 11/02/2023 19:14

He’s done a number on you, mate. He’s a weapons grade loser and you need to leave him today.

mtc2206 · 11/02/2023 19:12

He’s gaslighting and emotionally manipulating you. He clearly has no respect for you or your relationship. You should break up with him.

Zola1 · 11/02/2023 19:12

Hes purposely doing this to get a rise from you I think.

However...different situation but a friend of mine, her partner is allowed to check her phone for something specific, but he tends to wander off and read her messages with friends and family etc. Do you do things like that?

EmmaDilemma5 · 11/02/2023 19:10

You're with a cheater, it isn't going to change.

Sunshineguy · 11/02/2023 19:09

Trash belongs in the bin. He's gaslighting you. Get rid.

MsVestibule · 11/02/2023 19:08

Well, he certainly likes to keep you on your toes, doesn't he? He could have easily just said 'ooh, so and so from work has texted, I'm going to get £x back pay', but no, he deliberately made you suspicious by saying 'look at my phone, NO, NOT THAT BIT'.

Seriously, he's already cheated twice (that you know of), just leave him.

Nutrigrainygoodness · 11/02/2023 19:08

Why are you still with him?
I couldn't live with having to think about checking DWs phone! It's not a healthy way to live.

Karoliine · 11/02/2023 19:07

He is good at making me feel that I am the one here who is crazy, jealous and all that. He never said sorry for cheating or joining those sites and never really tried to understand how I felt. Instead he blamed me. So maybe he has brainwashed me and ruined my self worth. I’m really lost and just had to open up somewhere..

OP posts:
Christmaspyjamas · 11/02/2023 19:06

You know what he's like and you know why you can't see his phone.

Stay with him or leave but don't stay and that act wounded and mystified as to what's going on when it's clear.

GoldDuster · 11/02/2023 19:06

You've got the feeling he's not being honest with you?

I think that you've got more than a feeling, you know that he has cheated and you know that he has a profile on a sex site.

What more would you like? You find it hard to trust him because he has shown himself repeatedly to be untrustworthy. There's nothing left to work out.

NewUserName2023 · 11/02/2023 19:04

Why are you still with him. Line up your paperwork and kick him out. Maybe his female"lady friend" can have him!

HystericalAndUseless · 11/02/2023 19:02

Why are you still giving this guy more chances? Walk away! If I'm reading your post correctly, the first time you checked his phone you found out he cheated - and you gave him another chance. Then the second time you looked you saw he was on a sex site (so basically he was actively looking for women to cheat on you with). But you still didn't ditch him. And now he's behaving suspiciously again - obviously you're going to suspect the worst. He can't just expect you to take his word for it when he's cheated in the past.

That said, no healthy relationship involves checking one another's phones. If you have to keep checking his messages to reassure yourself he isn't cheating, you shouldn't be with him.

Even if you could check his phone whenever you wanted, he could still cheat IRL with people and not text them, or get a burner phone, or delete messages as soon as he gets them. Ultimately, you can't trust this guy. You've given him a chance to earn it back and he's blown it! Enough is enough surely?

DontLikeMenthols · 11/02/2023 18:58

I mean, he’s a cheat. You know he’s a cheat, what are you expecting from this thread? He’s a loser, divorce him.

Swipe left for the next trending thread