Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Partner visiting children with his exes in their homes

266 replies

user1481055867 · 02/01/2022 23:43

My partner of 2 years works and lives in UK, but his kids from 2 previous relationships live in European capital with his 2 exes, in his homes with 2 kids each - all of primary school ages from 3-10.
The short of the story is that he visits them few weekends a month (1 per family) , birthdays and key holidays staying in their respective homes for duration of his stay. He owns those properties and comes and goes with his own keys as he pleases and does not allow his exes to bring boyfriends into his homes. His explanation that economically this set up makes sense as those women are unable to secure rent in their financial situation and since they were not married legal avenue is more problematic for all parties.
I guess at first, I couldn’t really say much, but as we get more serious I want to make it clear that I am not ok with him playing families with one ex and 2 kids during Xmas and then another for New Year, while I am back in UK feeling strange not knowing how to explain to family and friends the whereabouts of my partner during entire holidays.

I am pretty sure long-term I cannot tolerate this, but I don’t want to make a big fuss, as a mother I understand kids must come first. His previous girlfriend left him due to complexity of this situation and I am quite close, but I never had to deal with parenting set up in this way and dont want to be unreasonable.

Has anyone experienced something similar and is this at all acceptable?

OP posts:
MsAgnesDiPesto · 03/01/2022 00:53

@user1481055867

He claims they could have relationships, but not when living in his homes, knowing they cannot afford to move and its hard to date as a single mum in a city with 2 small kids...He also said they both harbor hope he will return.I didnt mention the kids are not of consecutive ages but mixed across both relationships.
So he was sleeping with them both at the same time, still houses them, has keys to their homes and comes and goes as he pleases?

There are four of you (at least) in this relationship. I'd Chuck him immediately - you are just one of his international harem.

seekinglondonlife · 03/01/2022 00:57

This man really hasn't got time to be in a relationship. He has created his own little Gilead, run as quick as you can OP.

MadinMarch · 03/01/2022 00:59

Gosh the more i answer the more crazy this sounds...He left one for another because she got pregnant against his wish, for the other one only to do the same. So he repeated this cycle one more time claiming he didnt plan or want any of these kids and they only wished to "trap" him and to get a paycheck or smth to that nature....

You make it sound as though he is telling you that this happening was all out of his control. It wasn't though, as if he wasn't shagging both women concurrently, he wouldn't have created this mess of a situation. I bet the women didn't know about each other at the time either... or even now don't know about you and the other woman.
Not only is he financially abusive by not allowing them to have boyfriends in their own homes, it's emotionally abusive too.
There's no other way of looking at it really.
Run for the hills, and don't look back!

Nathlash · 03/01/2022 01:03

OP, do you really fancy being Concubine #3 in the UK, bringing up the children that overlap with those of Concubine #4? Because that’s where this is headed.

Danikm151 · 03/01/2022 01:04

He’s probably telling them the same thing.
He’s having his cake and eating it too

BadNomad · 03/01/2022 01:05

I'm guessing he has either a ton of money or a gold-plated penis 'cause I can't think why else a grown woman would even consider being in a relationship with this man.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 03/01/2022 01:06

@Aquamarine1029

I am not even in love with him at all, if anything i am forcing myself to give him a chance....

Why on earth would you want to give him a chance? Fucking hell.

100% agree - what on earth is making you do this? Get shot of him immediately! Have you been conditioned to "Be kind" at all costs to yourself? Because that's the only reason I can think of to give this utter waste of skin "a chance"!

If you don't clear him out of your life, you could miss the opportunity to be with someone who actually cares about you as a person - clear him out the way! Bin him! Whatever words work for you - get rid!

viques · 03/01/2022 01:09

My advice for what it is worth is be very very vigilant about your contraception. Old Baby Maker’s swimmers are obviously Olympic champions.......

Mamanyt · 03/01/2022 01:10

I would be another ex so fast you wouldn't see me for the dust.

user1481055867 · 03/01/2022 01:12

I will just throw one more explosive detail into this whole thing he told me on practically one of the 1st dates that he would only consider an open marriage as no point to subject yourself to lifetime of frustration as everyone does and just lies and cheat. To top it all he said only men should allow to do this as they know how to compartmentalise and women just fall in love and lose their heads. I thought he is just French...

OP posts:
Oddbobbyboo · 03/01/2022 01:12

Right, I’ve read this thread and established that this is actually’real-life,!
Run run run….. jeez…… get away from him…. I have an ex husband who sees himself as the mighty I am! My children 23,19&14 are so embarrassed by him… we divorced 12 years ago and we rarely see him… but they still question my life choices when it comes to him… it makes me cringe. My son is like….. how can you sit opposite a man hear all that and decide… yes, I’m going to marry him and have children with him….. I guess I thought I’d be different to the others! He’s still doing this crap now…. I love my kids x but man I wish I legged it!

Please get away from him…

SleepingStandingUp · 03/01/2022 01:12

I am not even in love with him at all, if anything i am forcing myself to give him a chance no one should be this desperate for a relationship. You deserve better. Even if you never meet another man again, that would still be better then this

Potatodrivers · 03/01/2022 01:17

@user1481055867

I will just throw one more explosive detail into this whole thing he told me on practically one of the 1st dates that he would only consider an open marriage as no point to subject yourself to lifetime of frustration as everyone does and just lies and cheat. To top it all he said only men should allow to do this as they know how to compartmentalise and women just fall in love and lose their heads. I thought he is just French...
My god.

How do you feel now after you've wrote it all down and been able to read it for how it is?

DeeCeeCherry · 03/01/2022 01:17

I will just throw one more explosive detail into this whole thing he told me on practically one of the 1st dates that he would only consider an open marriage as no point to subject yourself to lifetime of frustration as everyone does and just lies and cheat. To top it all he said only men should allow to do this as they know how to compartmentalise and women just fall in love and lose their heads

Well then whats your AIBU? At least he told you the score.

What makes you think those women dont have partners in his absence anyway? I bet they do. Do you have STI tests? If not, you should.

You need to do some work on assertiveness and raising your standards. This is bottom of the barrel stuff, the man sees you as lacking self-worth.

Notimeforaname · 03/01/2022 01:17

Ah this has to be a joke now. He told you he s into open marriage and has two families. Come on..

Notimeforaname · 03/01/2022 01:18

Dump him or be missus no.3

AllyBama · 03/01/2022 01:19

Do you even seriously even need opinions here? Is your bar so incredibly low that this guy is even getting consideration? Seriously, what are you actually doing? Stop wasting your time.

SugarAndSpiceIsNice · 03/01/2022 01:19

This thread cannot be real ...
Or is it the case of truth being stranger than fiction ... No one can be that naive.

steff13 · 03/01/2022 01:19

Are you sure this isn't a Sister Wives situation?

WhereYouLeftIt · 03/01/2022 01:19

@user1481055867

I will just throw one more explosive detail into this whole thing he told me on practically one of the 1st dates that he would only consider an open marriage as no point to subject yourself to lifetime of frustration as everyone does and just lies and cheat. To top it all he said only men should allow to do this as they know how to compartmentalise and women just fall in love and lose their heads. I thought he is just French...
So - he told you who he was, and you didn't believe him.

"I am not even in love with him at all, if anything i am forcing myself to give him a chance...."
Why? Serious question - why? Were you indoctrinated growing up that you must always 'be kind', put others first etc.? Not having a go at you, lots of women have been similarly socialised, and it really makes women act against their own best interests because they feel uneasy/guilty if they don't. For some reason you feel obliged. Is it just socialisation? Or something specific about him?

Anordinarymum · 03/01/2022 01:26

OP When did the penny start to drop?
What on earth did you see in him initially?

ChristmasPlanning · 03/01/2022 01:27

@user1481055867

I will just throw one more explosive detail into this whole thing he told me on practically one of the 1st dates that he would only consider an open marriage as no point to subject yourself to lifetime of frustration as everyone does and just lies and cheat. To top it all he said only men should allow to do this as they know how to compartmentalise and women just fall in love and lose their heads. I thought he is just French...
I mean this kindly but why on earth would you have seen him after that? Have you been in other relationships? If so were they healthy?
user1481055867 · 03/01/2022 01:29

Thank you all for strong but much needed feedback. That break up text message had gone out....When in it sometimes you cant see how absurd the situation is...Something about New Year makes one feel like you need a change...

OP posts:
Anordinarymum · 03/01/2022 01:32

@user1481055867

Thank you all for strong but much needed feedback. That break up text message had gone out....When in it sometimes you cant see how absurd the situation is...Something about New Year makes one feel like you need a change...
Just think yourself lucky you did not have children with him. Good luck !
Changemaname1 · 03/01/2022 01:32

Mate. This sounds horrific fuck that . Glad you are ending it stay strong because I bet he’s a charming sod . U deserve a million times better !