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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Husband called my work to tell them I was cheating!

183 replies

Honestwoman · 01/07/2021 10:39

Long story short I hope. I asked my DH for a separation in May asked him to give me time to think and I needed space. He disagrees with this and wouldn’t leave.

I work away from home. DH looks after DC while I am away at work. I come home for a couple of weeks at a time. Over the last year DH gambled I found out and had to take control. There is no trust in our relationship due to this, house is always a mess I would spend my time at home gutting out rooms. He doesn’t tell me some things like council tax wasn’t paid, although he did sort it. I still apparently don’t know about it. This causes me a lot of stress, he did get a job all fine no idea what he spends his money on says he’s not gambling and so far I have seen no evidence of this. However when I was home in May and saw he had not done a thing like leave a big double wardrobe in the living room for5 weeks, house was upside down, asked him to clear out the bike shed so DC £200 bike can be stored in there and not in my living room. I saw red. I just can’t do this anymore so asked for a separation.

After I asked for separation he refused to go and give me time, instead he literally followed me everywhere I went including to a friends garden for coffee. Roll forward a bit and he started going through my phone when I was asleep I caught him at it and he denied it, and my old phone that DC now uses. He came across messages from months ago and accused me of cheating. Yes they were flirty and what not but nothing happened from those messages and nothing since. Yes I know I was wrong and shouldn’t have. He accused me of cheating, I assured him I haven’t. Just yesterday he said he believed me that I haven’t cheated. DH went to see his doctor as he has been struggling with depression and anxiety. I had his mother on the phone telling me I should be at home with DC as he is in a bad way. DH said I must give up work for the sake of the DC. He says I don’t care about him or DC.

My work called me yesterday to say my DH had been on the phone saying I was cheating with my clients son!!! I was mortified! Why would he do that? I don’t understand it. All while this is going on he is acting nice as pie messaging me constantly so I asked him if he has told anyone about these messages and he said no. I told him my work has called me in for a meeting and he says to me just tell them your having issues at home!!! I gave him the opportunity to tell me what he has done and he didn’t take it.

I’m at a loss. A week ago I said I would call off the separation I was thinking if his mental health and thought ok I’ll give it 6 months. This has not been an easy decision for me and it would mean I would be the part time parent and that is breaking me😢 but I cannot live this life I’m not sure how I am going to broach this when I am next home he doesn’t know that I know he contacted my work with these allegations!

I don’t understand what is going on with him, why one minute through messages he’s acting like there is nothing wrong, nothing happening in our lives, surely this is not normal behaviour?

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 01/07/2021 14:00

Your living room?? You don't even live there most of the time. Is this a reverse.

SaltAndVinegarSandwiches · 01/07/2021 14:02

Well the relationship absolutely has to be over. He sounds unhinged. Is he able to care for the children adaquately?

Honestwoman · 01/07/2021 14:04

@Tearsandtantrums I am currently at work that’s why I have not updated! It’s not a case of the post not going my way. Firstly I am only away 2 weeks at a time and home fir 2 weeks. And just because someone is struggling with depression and anxiety does not make them not a safe parent to live with!!! Yes Menatl Heakth is a big issue in our society nowadays but no need to shame the person who is struggling. I have tried to help where I can to no avail. I do not go home to criticise the state of my house but in his words I didn’t know what to do with the wardrobe this is after we had discussed it. Secondly I have been in this job for quite a few years now my DC are used to this and are in a routine. I call them every day to see how they are.

A lot of people are missing the point if he gambled, there is no trust, he lies or just doesn’t tell me important things! Literally will leave appointments for me to make and deal with. As for me asking him to leave and let me think yes I just got home and have a lot on my plate already I wasn’t saying leave the house for good! That wouldn’t be fair I’m very much aware that he is the main carer for our children and if anyone was to leave it would be me.

OP posts:
SaltAndVinegarSandwiches · 01/07/2021 14:05

The marital issues are separate. Whether or not OP was reasonable in complaining about unpaid bills or the state of the house we don't know or need to know. It's up to her whether that is an issue warranting the end of the marriage. The issue is her DH's reaction - going through her phone, making insane accusations about her cheating to her work, following her to her friend's house. This is totally unacceptable behaviour on his part.

FortunesFave · 01/07/2021 14:11

People here are so sexist! Op is being lambasted because she's a woman and works away!

justasking111 · 01/07/2021 14:15

[quote Honestwoman]@Tearsandtantrums I am currently at work that’s why I have not updated! It’s not a case of the post not going my way. Firstly I am only away 2 weeks at a time and home fir 2 weeks. And just because someone is struggling with depression and anxiety does not make them not a safe parent to live with!!! Yes Menatl Heakth is a big issue in our society nowadays but no need to shame the person who is struggling. I have tried to help where I can to no avail. I do not go home to criticise the state of my house but in his words I didn’t know what to do with the wardrobe this is after we had discussed it. Secondly I have been in this job for quite a few years now my DC are used to this and are in a routine. I call them every day to see how they are.

A lot of people are missing the point if he gambled, there is no trust, he lies or just doesn’t tell me important things! Literally will leave appointments for me to make and deal with. As for me asking him to leave and let me think yes I just got home and have a lot on my plate already I wasn’t saying leave the house for good! That wouldn’t be fair I’m very much aware that he is the main carer for our children and if anyone was to leave it would be me.[/quote]
If you leave be aware that he will turn the children against you and you will not have a leg to stand on, if you are very lucky when they become mature adults they will work out that you were not the wicked witch he made out and they will build bridges. You have seen what he did in one phone call imagine what he could pull day after day.

saraclara · 01/07/2021 14:16

@FortunesFave

People here are so sexist! Op is being lambasted because she's a woman and works away!
No. Many of us have clearly said that a man working away (for what seems longer than OP has just updated us with) would impact heavily on the relationship and family life.

It initially read as though OP was away for very long stretches of time, not two on, two off. Also that her DP's mental health and housekeeping was far worse than she now says, and gave the impression that the children might not be safe.

Maybe that's not the case, but either way, i don't think anyone's given advice that they wouldn't have given to a man in OP's position

C8H10N4O2 · 01/07/2021 14:16

OP works away from home for weeks at a time
OP is concerned for the mental health of the husband she leaves in charge of her kids, so much so that's she's going to leave him and leave her kids with him too

Irrespective of which sex is which (or either):

Home based parent can't hold down a job rather than being a SAHP by mutual planning.
OP is the only source of income so can't just jack in the job they have to find an alternative.
Mental health problems do not automatically mean dangerous to children - nice bit of bigotry there.
Home based parent has a gambling problem and yet wants to OP to give up their only source of income.

Each of these points is sex independent. Either way the gambling, stalking, lazy waster that is one parent can be a lousy spouse without being an immediate danger to DC.

justasking111 · 01/07/2021 14:16

@FortunesFave

People here are so sexist! Op is being lambasted because she's a woman and works away!
Not being sexist the OP can continue working it is what is happening around child care that is extremely concerning.
paddingtonbearmeetsdeadpool · 01/07/2021 14:21

he did get a job all fine no idea what he spends his money on says he’s not gambling and so far I have seen no evidence of this.

Is he still working now?

HaveringWavering · 01/07/2021 14:22

I don’t understand why you won’t confront him about having called your work? In this general message of mutual unreasonableness that is the one thing that stands out as utterly unacceptable. So why not challenge him head in about it?

HaveringWavering · 01/07/2021 14:22

General mess, not message.

Nocutenamesleft · 01/07/2021 14:23

@Honestwoman

I’m sorry I have no idea how to link/tag somebody and reply to them. Thank you for the link *@Sailingthroughtheweek* interesting article. The DC are safe he is not a violent man at all more and emotional person. If I leave I would need to leave DC I don’t want to upset their routine etc and given I work away from home it makes more sense. There is and always has been a lot of support for DH and DC while I am away. Grandparents are always in contact and also helped with childcare when DH was working. There is another position within my work, I can’t apply until I’m home as I don’t have access to my CV when at work. If I get it then I’ll stay home with DC and Chuck his ass out. However I can’t give up work, as I am doing a diploma through my work, if I leave I’ll have to pay it all back and I wouldn’t be able to afford to do that. The messages were not to the son but rather another relative. I don’t know how to deal with him calling my work. How would I say I know?
I’m sorry

But I really don’t think it’s a good idea for you to go off to work

If your work are as good as they say. There could be some type of meeting in the middle. Ask for some family time off. Try to sort something out. Your children deserve that much.

billy1966 · 01/07/2021 14:23

@Caselgarcia

He's getting desperate now you are serious about separating. The suggestion that you give up work is because you become financially dependent on him. I would explain to your work colleagues that you are separating and he is making false accusations about you. You've got to make it crystal clear that the separation is happening. Tell his Mum, family and the children. Start planning for a future without him. Don't let him trap you.
This. Contact Woman's aid and the police.

He is dangerous.

Tearsandtantrums · 01/07/2021 14:24

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justasking111 · 01/07/2021 14:24

@paddingtonbearmeetsdeadpool

he did get a job all fine no idea what he spends his money on says he’s not gambling and so far I have seen no evidence of this.

Is he still working now?

No he got sacked for lousy time keeping
MackenzieT · 01/07/2021 14:25

He sounds fucking insane and a potential real danger and you sound untrustworthy with your 'flirty messages' and entitled as all hell with your expectation you'll leave your kids behind with a gambling lunatic or alternatively demand the SAHP leave. Genuinely concerned for your kids in this because you both sound like a shitshow.

Tearsandtantrums · 01/07/2021 14:26

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paddingtonbearmeetsdeadpool · 01/07/2021 14:32

DH life seems to consist of football and not much else in the case of hobbies or even friends. He sees my friends with me that’s it

That's his choice to not have friends. This may shock you that a lot of people out there don't need a big or small friendship group to talk gossip and shit too. I like to do things with my partner I am very anti social myself.

JingsMahBucket · 01/07/2021 14:38

@Tearsandtantrums why are you bullying the OP so much?

paddingtonbearmeetsdeadpool · 01/07/2021 14:39

I have 4 children I couldn't imagine putting them last on my list of things to worry about. They always seem to be first no matter how I am feeling.

Tearsandtantrums · 01/07/2021 14:40

[quote JingsMahBucket]@Tearsandtantrums why are you bullying the OP so much?[/quote]
I'm not bullying her, I'm telling her the truth. Do you think it is acceptable for a person to say their other half is so mentally ill/unable to look after themselves and their house/might be a danger that they can't stay with them anymore so they are leaving...and leaving the kids with him?

Tearsandtantrums · 01/07/2021 14:40

*sorry, correction, she's planning on kicking the husband and kids out so I guess it's them who are leaving

JingsMahBucket · 01/07/2021 14:42

@Tearsandtantrums you think you're telling the truth but all you're doing is bombarding her with deliberately poor assumptions and personal attacks. You are not being helpful at all. You're actually being pretty nasty.

Tearsandtantrums · 01/07/2021 14:43

[quote JingsMahBucket]@Tearsandtantrums you think you're telling the truth but all you're doing is bombarding her with deliberately poor assumptions and personal attacks. You are not being helpful at all. You're actually being pretty nasty.[/quote]
Where are my deliberately poor assumptions? Can you please enlighten me? Are you saying the OP isn't a bad parent?

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