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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Woman from America staying at my boyfriends place

649 replies

Whenthepartysover · 17/08/2023 10:01

Me and my boyfriend have been together two years. I am 23 and he is 27. I am currently at uni in Leeds but I go to his at the weekends in Manchester.

He is a bit of an artsy type, he is a graphic designer and a freelance photographer. He writes poetry and has an Instagram account where he uploads all of his poems and short videos of spoken word. It's a bit of a community and he speaks to lots of people on the platform. He has been speaking to this woman now for a while. I didn't really have a problem with it because she lives in America and is married with 5 children. Plus I trust my boyfriend and try to be rational about things.

She told him she was taking a trip to the UK alone and he asked me if I would mind if she stayed with him so that she could save on accommodation and also have someone there who she knows and trusts. I said it was ok. I don't know why I said this.. I honestly felt ok about it at the time.

All the plans were made and he picked her up from the airport on a Sunday evening and I went back to uni. On Monday I was sat in my uni room alone studying and I text him to ask what he was up to. He said he had taken 'Claire' to the park and they were lay around on the grass. I immediately felt a rush of emotion imagining him strolling through the park with this woman. I couldn't control it I got very upset. I think it was because I was just sat there alone and he was with another woman. I trusted that he wouldn't do anything bad or disrespectful but I suddenly just felt very uncomfortable and like I was a bit of a mug. I tried not to tell him how I felt because what's done is done, she's here now. Nothing I can do. I just didn't realise that he would be out doing things with her. I thought he was just providing her a spare room to stay.

I did end up telling him how upset I was and he said "I did worry that this would happen". We ended up having an argument and I know that I am the one being unreasonable here. I said something was ok and then changed my mind once it happened. That's not his fault. I said I'd prefer it if he let her get on with things on her own. He was saying that it's unfair as she is in an unfamiliar country on her own and doesn't want to abandon her, and his mum agrees. Anyway she ended up staying in a hotel the next night.

It came to the weekend and I went to his. At this point she was in a hotel. I said I wanted to spend the weekend doing nice things together after our argument and just try to sort it out. I got to his to find an ovulation stick in his bathroom bin. Is it just me or is that weird? I don't know what is happening in her life. She may be struggling with conceiving and is being very strict with tracking. She already has 5 children though but that's none of my business. I just find it a bit rude to take an ovulation test and put it in the bin that's wide open. I would've wrapped it up and chucked it in the outside bin if I was in someone else's house. The bin doesn't have a lid. It's one of those bins you'd have in your bedroom but in the bathroom (he's a guy so never really had anything to put in it). I was a bit annoyed about it because I felt like she was taking the piss. But I tried to move past it and have a nice weekend. However he was just on his phone constantly replying to her texts while we were out. We had another argument and I have gone home to my mum's and we haven't spoken since.

I don't know where to go from here. I know this is my fault. But I really need some outside perspective on this. How would you feel? Do I even have a right to be upset? Do we just wait for her to go back home and then try and move past it or is it the end of the relationship? I'm trying to think logically and rationally without heightened feelings of jealousy in the way. But it's hard.

OP posts:
Elleviss · 17/08/2023 16:16

OP, you are going to drive yourself mad going round in circles in your head.
I don't want to sound patronising but, at 23yrs of age this could be your first experience of gaslighting. See that as a positive experience as you will definitely see all the telltale signs in future.
I'm afraid to say they have probably been having sex as she wouldn't be doing an ovulation test otherwise.

He is making you feel awful because his own behaviour is awful. He's projecting it on you. I would seriously quit calling him now and see this relationship as over. He has fooled you and doesn't really seem to care does he!

FairAcre · 17/08/2023 16:17

Ask yourself does he make you more happy or unhappy. If it is the latter then finish it. Move on and find somebody who really values you.

MarkWithaC · 17/08/2023 16:18

ManateeFair · 17/08/2023 16:10

I didn't say it was the OP's problem! It clearly isn't.

I just meant that I can see why the boyfriend would feel really bad about booting Claire out of his house. It's not the OP's problem at all - I'm just saying I don't think it's accurate to suggest that Claire having to go to a hotel isn't a big deal for her and/or the boyfriend.

If all this was innocent, then the boyfriend and/or Mrs America would have suggested that the OP meet MA (as the OP has been trying to suggest, but which by the sounds of it the boyfriend doesn't want), so she could see that the vibe between them was just friends. If the OP could see that it really was just a case of her using his place as a base for her trip, she'd be more relaxed about her staying with the boyfriend.

Dolores87 · 17/08/2023 16:19

Whenthepartysover · 17/08/2023 15:55

@Dolores87 I know and I understand he is in an awkward position. But I feel hurt and a bit deceived.

This is how the conversation went when he asked me about the trip. "Hey, Claire has told me that she's been saving to come to Manchester and she's about to book her flights. She asked me where some of the best hotels are and asked if I would be willing me meet up a couple of times while she's over here?" I was like ok cool sounds good. Then he said he has invited her to stay at his instead to save her money on accommodation and am I ok with that. I said yeah it's ok, but I'd also like to meet her while she's here, seeing as he has formed quote an intense friendship with her online. He said yeah that's fine. On the run up to her coming, he compiled a list for her of sightseeing things to do in Manchester and said he was going to give it to her.

But now she's here, that isn't the scenario at all.
I'm sick of being cool calm and collected about this and people missing the point. It's not about the fact that she's here. I haven't suddenly just changed my mind and had a go at him. I asked him what he was up to. He replied chilling in the park with Claire after a lovely stroll. And it took me off guard. I'd spoken to him previously that day and he never mentioned going to the park. Obviously he doesn't have to tell me his exact say by day plans but it seems like something you'd bring up. I tried not to mention it because I knew it would make him feel bad and awkward etc and I just thought.. well this is my own issue so just get on with it there's nothing I can do. However when he asked me if I'm ok, I decided not to say "I'm fine" when I'm not, and actually communicate the face that they're not even sightseeing. They're just hanging around together. So then what is the real purpose or her trip and why wasn't he honest? If he would've just been reassuring then this would have gone a lot better. But the fact he doesn't even understand how I could feel upset and uncomfortable right now is really really disappointing to me and I would expect more from my boyfriend quite frankly

Reading that I don't think he has been deceitful to you I honestly think he has been naive about how this women feels about their friendship and what she would be doing in Manchester when here. I think she has planned to come to Manchester to see him and presented it as "im visiting Manchester we should meet up and hang out" thing and hes gone along with that.

I dont think he is cheating or intended to cheat on you. I think he has been far too honest about seeing her and her staying and being in the park with her to be cheating.

I do understand why you feel insecure though I would feel insecure and it is a shame your boyfriend doesnt understand that. I think that is the problem here not all these ott "hes a manipulative horrid man bun poet lying to you" replies you are getting.

I think you are letting your insecurity stop you from seeing why he would be annoyed or upset with the situation and he is letting his annoyance impact how sensitive he is to your feelings.

Give each other space space and let emotions cool down a bit and see if you can have a better conversation with some better resolve then :)

Maia77 · 17/08/2023 16:20

It all looks a bit dodgy to me. Maybe your bfr is innocent but the woman might have some hidden agenda.

dawngreen · 17/08/2023 16:26

I can think of better places to visit, after leaving 5 kids at home.

MsPavlichenko · 17/08/2023 16:26

You’re tying yourself in knots here trying to persuade yourself you are wrong or uncool. At worst your DP is conducing an affair in plain sight whilst keeping you hanging about . Abusive. At best he has formed an intense online friendship with a stranger, has her visit him and is torturing you both probably in a sadistic manner. Also abuse. As an added bonus it sounds as if the of five may fancy another one.

Please bin him off. Block him, and do the Freedom Programme . It will be a distraction, and help you going forward. I get you love him but he doesn’t deserve your love, and more talking will confuse you further. He’s an arsehole.

MsPavlichenko · 17/08/2023 16:26

Mother of five

MysteryBelle · 17/08/2023 16:26

A sensitive and a poet perceptive to the varied and complex emotions of humanity should be able to figure out the sly machinations of Mrs. America and the anguish of his upset girlfriend.

He knows exactly what he’s doing. And with whom.

Sandra1984 · 17/08/2023 16:30

@MysteryBelle A sensitive and a poet perceptive to the varied and complex emotions of humanity should be able to figure out the sly machinations of Mrs. America and the anguish of his upset girlfriend.

Maybe he doesn’t, maybe he’s thick as a brick. The fact he’s a poet with an Instagram account doesn’t make him necessarily smarter than your average generation Z.

AliceOlive · 17/08/2023 16:32

Honestly, I would ditch this guy. He's talking daily with some woman he met online then invited her to stay at his house? No, just no.

There's no prize at the end for you putting up with this shit. Except perhaps a marriage were you get gaslighted into thinking you are being cruel for not wanting him striking up intimate relationships with random women.

plantingandpotting · 17/08/2023 16:33

Stick your phone on airplane mode and head out for the evening.

He's a fboy.

QueenCamilla · 17/08/2023 16:33

@applesandmares
The advice if your tracking cycles is to do it consistently for months in order to get a reliable set of data.

Reliable set of data. Heard it all now!
That's how accidental mum of twelve happens 🤣

MysteryBelle · 17/08/2023 16:35

Nothing you say will make him into a decent person or into someone who cares about you so stop trying so hard. Stop trying at all. You’re afraid to lose him. You never had him.

Proof, he cares more about the strange married American woman mother of five ovulation checker who landed on his doorstep and about showing her the splendors in British grass.

Where is your dignity and self respect? Raise your standards above the deeply buried strata of the crust of the earth where they presently languish.

Coffeetree · 17/08/2023 16:36

They're both bananas. You've hit the nail on the head when you said you expected more of him. Yes! A boyfriend is supposed to be someone who adds value to your life, not some chaotic freak-magnet.

MysteryBelle · 17/08/2023 16:37

Sandra1984 · 17/08/2023 16:30

@MysteryBelle A sensitive and a poet perceptive to the varied and complex emotions of humanity should be able to figure out the sly machinations of Mrs. America and the anguish of his upset girlfriend.

Maybe he doesn’t, maybe he’s thick as a brick. The fact he’s a poet with an Instagram account doesn’t make him necessarily smarter than your average generation Z.

That’s what I meant be ‘should’. Nevertheless, he knows he’s upsetting his girlfriend and he knows what he’s doing is inappropriate. Acting the fool does not mean he’s sincere.

applesandmares · 17/08/2023 16:37

@QueenCamilla I don't think anyone said it was perfect! We'll be using it after our wedding with the mindset of trying to prevent a pregnancy but not minding if it happens. You have to collect data from lots of cycles to get a better idea of when your fertile period starts. Not for everyone but could be why she is testing even when she's away from her husband.

Stillcantbebothered · 17/08/2023 16:37

Whenthepartysover · 17/08/2023 11:03

Thanks to everyone for your opinions, it really is good to read both sides because I was really going insane inside my own head.

I will call him this afternoon to have a talk. He is very stubborn, he will absolutely not text or call me if I don't do it first so it has to be me

Putting aside the current issue with the visitor, you should seriously consider committing to a future with someone who is so stubborn he will never make the fist move when you have a disagreement.

Relationships and marriages require compromise from both sides and you face the risk of building resentment over time if you’re the one who always has to make the first move or apologize and trust me it will grind you down over the years.

Dolores87 · 17/08/2023 16:39

Stillcantbebothered · 17/08/2023 16:37

Putting aside the current issue with the visitor, you should seriously consider committing to a future with someone who is so stubborn he will never make the fist move when you have a disagreement.

Relationships and marriages require compromise from both sides and you face the risk of building resentment over time if you’re the one who always has to make the first move or apologize and trust me it will grind you down over the years.

Now this is something I do agree with.

Sandra1984 · 17/08/2023 16:40

MysteryBelle · 17/08/2023 16:37

That’s what I meant be ‘should’. Nevertheless, he knows he’s upsetting his girlfriend and he knows what he’s doing is inappropriate. Acting the fool does not mean he’s sincere.

Maybe he’s not acting as a fool, maybe he’s a fool.

MysteryBelle · 17/08/2023 16:41

She tested to make sure it’s safe to have sex and to on purpose leave the strip where Op will see it as she knows Op was coming in at the weekend.

The people who think either one of these bozos is a wide eyed innocent bumpkin…. It’s mystifying 😂

MysteryBelle · 17/08/2023 16:42

Sandra1984 · 17/08/2023 16:40

Maybe he’s not acting as a fool, maybe he’s a fool.

Maybe both 😄

MrsMarzetti · 17/08/2023 16:47

Did he arrange for you to meet her or has he hidden her away ? Red flags are flying.

applesandmares · 17/08/2023 16:48

MysteryBelle · 17/08/2023 16:41

She tested to make sure it’s safe to have sex and to on purpose leave the strip where Op will see it as she knows Op was coming in at the weekend.

The people who think either one of these bozos is a wide eyed innocent bumpkin…. It’s mystifying 😂

But an ovulation test can't tell you that? It will only confirm whether or not you'll ovulate in the next 12-48 hours - it won't tell you if you're already in the fertile period. Surely if she wanted to avoid pregnancy they'd just use a condom!

SuperFi · 17/08/2023 16:52

How do you know she’s definitely still at the hotel, or if she ever did really go to a hotel? very convenient for him you being 2 hours away.

The whole thing is well dodgy.