Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be rethinking my 3 year relationship as he never told me he had kids.

412 replies

PenelopeDelph · 20/05/2019 01:15

New account for this as v v outing but need to rant. I'm 33 and he's 45. We've been together 2 years. I knew he was married in his 20s and got divorced at 35 but he has never mentioned his kids before now. Both of his parents are dead and he doesn't have anything to do with the rest of his family either. We had our DD 6 months ago and recently moved into a new flat and have been talking about getting engaged.

On Friday I was suspicious as he told me he was at work in another city (he is a self employed handyman) but got a text from my friend who works at a hospital in our city saying she'd bumped into him in the car park and he'd told her he'd just given an elderly woman a lift to A and E after she fell over. I phoned him to ask why he was still in our city when he'd left for work hours ago and he told me he'd explain when he got home (which was 2 hours later). The sod had me worrying for hours thinking he was ill and hadn't told me.

So he gets home and tells me to sit down and I was feeling sick with worry expecting him to say he had cancer or something horrible. He ends up blurting out he has 3 sons from his previous marriage who he didn't see for years because of conflict with his ex wife but has been building bridges with them the past few months ever since he discovered his eldest's girlfriend was having a baby. They are 21, 18, and 16. He said he didn't want to tell me as they resented him for a while over having no contact and weren't happy to hear he'd had a new baby with a younger woman. But said that he'd always intended to tell me soon. Not sure I believe that. Anyway so half the time when he's been at "work" he's actually been spending time at the pub with his sons and even helping his eldest do up his baby's nursery. Which would be lovely if only I had known about it! He says they are all a lot closer now.

On Friday eldest's girlfriend had a baby girl and my partner was at the maternity ward paying them a visit. Apparently his ex wife was there as well and while I don't feel threatened by her I find it disheartening that he'd told me he was at work while he was at the hospital with her meeting their lovely new grandchild. All while I was at home with my daughter. I feel exlcuded and an absolute mug. Me and DD went to stay with my mum after he told me as I was fuming. We came back today and it has been tense to say the least. I lost my shit when I saw he'd packed all of DD's old baby clothes up to pop round to his son as I had intended to give them to my friend. Another huge row happened and I haven't seen him since. I reckon he's at his eldest's house.

I just feel like me and my DD have been so excluded and disregared. It's great that he's trying to make it up to his son's for not being part of their lives but he should have told me, surely? It's like he wants to keep them and us in two separate boxes because they resent us after he didn't see them for years and had a baby with me. Which infuriates me because it's his fucking fault, not mine and DD's. I'm very hurt and angry by it all and I'm not sure what to do next.

OP posts:
cuppycakey · 20/05/2019 19:36

You must be so shocked! Why on earth would he lie like that?

I would never be able to trust him again. I hope you find a way forwards for you and DD Flowers

mamaofboyzz · 20/05/2019 19:36

If he hasn't told you this then I would be wondering what else he has or can hide. Major reg flag

FeeLock · 20/05/2019 19:37

I'm really sorry to read about this, however, I agree with those who speculate as to what else he hasn't told you about. I can't imagine you could ever trust him again; I certainly couldn't. It's not impossible to say at the beginning of a relationship, "I have children from a previous relationship but we're estranged".

Other things which occur to me is that ease with which he has been able to live this double-life, exploring his relationship with his other children. I'd wonder whether there would be other families he hasn't told you about.

I don't know the answer as it's difficult to deprive your DD of her father. If this were me, I'd end my relationship with him and work out the finances, access, child support, and co-parent relationship subsequently, but I know nothing is as easy as someone else writing this.

All the v best. Flowers

diddl · 20/05/2019 19:38

It is his GC isn't it-not his & his exes?

PenelopeDelph · 20/05/2019 19:40

My head is absolutley wrecked. Have been able to confirm it's deffo a grandbaby though, as eldest's gf profile is public and there are countless pictures of baby. I never really thought it was his, that would almost be too absurd.

I've recieved a text from him saying "I know you aren't in the mood to make up yet so won't attempt that yet but will pop down and see DD later as have barely seen her all weekend." Think me and DM are going to have to grit out teeth for an hour while he comes over and plays with her. Christ what on earth happened to my life

OP posts:
Whatevermission · 20/05/2019 19:41

I am surprised she blocked you. Why doesn't she want her son's to meet their half sister? If he is just back in contact after 30 years and they are all getting to know each other, why wouldn't that include his girlfriend and daughter?

Whatevermission · 20/05/2019 19:42

He can take her out somewhere, eh Penelope?

Xyzzzzz · 20/05/2019 19:44

So sorry op Flowers what a shit situation.

PenelopeDelph · 20/05/2019 19:44

Whatevermission Probably for the best. Not sure I can trust DM to grin and bear it. She is incensed.

OP posts:
DeRigueurMortis · 20/05/2019 19:45

I know you aren't in the mood to make up yet

I'm pretty sure he has no clue just how badly he's fucked up here....

He's making it sound like he shrunk your favourite jumper or ate the last piece of your chocolate bar Hmm

It's not about a "mood" it's deciding if it's remotely possible to come to terms with a total betrayal of trust.

Iflyaway · 20/05/2019 19:46

So sorry you are going through this....

I would not be able to get over this cos he sold you a lie and is horribly dishonest.

How could I trust someone I was in a relationship with after all that??!

Gather your child, your self-respect, your stuff and leave him, if only emotionally and mentally.

Onwards and upwards. Your future self will thank you.

PenelopeDelph · 20/05/2019 19:49

God knows what went on with dog. We got him in Jan and he claims he initiated contact with kids in December after a friend informed him eldest's gf was expecting. I have no idea what to think or why he ended up taking on the dog.

OP posts:
BluebellCockleshell123 · 20/05/2019 19:50

I'm incredulous that he thinks you "aren't in the the mood to make up yet". He's a bit presumptious isn't he!?

I couldn't trust another word this man said and for me it would be over. There is no need to pay happy families with him for the sake of your DD. Can you ask your mum or someone to be present if he wants to see your DD and you go out for an hour?

ThatCurlyGirl · 20/05/2019 19:53

I know you aren't in the mood to make up yet

Fuck me OP you've dodged a bullet in the long run the BRASS FUCKING NECK of him saying that to you!!!!!! I'm not often shocked on here but he is next level arsehole!

PenelopeDelph · 20/05/2019 19:53

He seems to be under the impression I'll get over it and he'll introduce us all and we'll be one big happy family and DD and his precious grandchild will be the best of friends. Which is fucking weird considering if he had his way I wouldn't know about them. Fuck knows where ex fits into his fantasy

OP posts:
optimisticpessimist01 · 20/05/2019 19:54

The fact that his ex has blocked your on Facebook to me infers that you are "the other woman", I would presume he was still with her when he started things with you. There's no other logical reason for her to not have a conversation with you otherwise

Please leave this man. His comment "aren't in the mood to make up yet" should tell you all you need to know about this vile being. You don't want this liar to be the main male role model in your daughters life.

Alsohuman · 20/05/2019 19:58

The blocking means nothing of the sort, it's pure conjecture. I don't engage with people I don't know on FB.

optimisticpessimist01 · 20/05/2019 20:01

If my exes new wife who has a new baby messaged me saying she wants some closure on whats happened after being lied to throughout the entirety of the relationship I would be obliged to. I'd feel sorry for the poor woman.

Regardless of the reason why she hasn't replied, doesn't deter from the fact that this man is a perpetual liar and clearly cannot be trusted.

timeisnotaline · 20/05/2019 20:03

I've recieved a text from him saying "I know you aren't in the mood to make up yet so won't attempt that yet but will pop down and see DD later as have barely seen her all weekend."
Aren’t you tempted to reply ‘this weekend? Or may 2029? I just can’t tell with you.’

78percentLindt · 20/05/2019 20:03

I have had a look through some websites tracing births, marriages divorce etc. If you don't know the details it will cost £65 for them to do a 10 year search via the Gov website. You could ask him when and where he divorced. That might be enough for him to tell you that he is not divorced - or you can track the certificate more cheaply.
It seems that BMD does not cover recent births- I could not find my nephew born in 1998.
However, I would be tempted to tell him to get lost! Or let your mum !

littlepeaegg · 20/05/2019 20:04

Really cannot believe this, feel so sorry for you and DD. Why would his ex block you for?? How odd

Horsemenoftheaclopalypse · 20/05/2019 20:06

Someone said this is the worst (non violent/abuse) type things they had seen on here.
I have to agree.

He does not need access to his child and you do not need to give it to him.
If you really want to I would send your mum out to let him in a cafe. Do not let him force contact on you.

What he has done is a gross betrayal...

PenelopeDelph · 20/05/2019 20:07

I am trying to think of it from ex's point of view but it's hard when I don't know what she's been told. Even if she was 100% oblvious and didn't want to get involved surely it is just common decency to say "I was not aware you didn't know/that you and DD existed. I was just visiting my son and grandchild and don't think him not telling you is any of my buisness." If the shoe was on the other foot I think I'd have said that.

My gut is telling me he's told them all I'm a crazy jealous witch who wouldn't let him get in touch. That way he becomes a victim and is no longer a deadbeat arse. Hence why ex blocked me as to her I cut her kids off from their dad.

OP posts:
Februaryblooms · 20/05/2019 20:07

I'm so sorry OP, what a total bastard of a man he is.

I agree with what a PP said, you were probably unwittingly the other woman hence the (apparent) hostility towards you from his children.

Him living in a bedsit was likely the result of his behaviour and wife may have told him to leave the family home temporarily but was open to fixing things, then he met you and kept stringing her along in the background. New grandchild arrives and they're all playing happy families, you reach out to her and she blocks you because it's easier to pretend you and your DD don't exist.

That would be my take, only an assumption and i hope im wrong. I am biased as I've been on the receiving end of ever so slightly similar bullshit.

lifebegins50 · 20/05/2019 20:21

Yes, I think her not responding suggests him & her have been in contact to discuss it.

I am so sorry, I can't imagine what goes on in his head to think this is anyway acceptable. He must think you are sn object without feelings and that you exist to serve him.
You will be baffled by his responses as a healthy mind cannot understand or relate to an unhealthy mind. All you can do is decide on your boundaries, how you expect to be treated, what you want in a relationship and stick to them. If he fails to meet your boundaries then cut him lose.
Painful though it is in the short term, it will save you years of hardship as I doubt you will ever trust him.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.

Swipe left for the next trending thread