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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:
oakleaffy · 17/08/2023 18:49

Dillane · 17/08/2023 18:35

Sounds like she’s hoping to get pregnant by your bf OP.

To add to her ''kid'' collection. 5 and counting.

HowlingAtTheM00n · 17/08/2023 18:54

Nobody uses an ovulation stick to avoid getting pregnant since that would be the most stupid idea ever . You can get pregnant in the 5 days leading upto ovulation! People generally take ovulation sticks that are trying to get pregnant hoping to catch that peak surge

oakleaffy · 17/08/2023 18:55

@Whenthepartysover
He sounds an utter waste of space.

As others have said, he's probably craving attention with his 'Poetry'

Kick his sorry arse out of your life.

Onwards and upwards.

lavenderandlemon · 17/08/2023 18:57

@SockGoddess sounds like you dated MY ex! Needed a round of applause for doing the washing up and thought every stupid harebrained scheme he had was Nobel prize worthy.

@Whenthepartysover I'm sure he is lovely to you when he wants to be seen as The Best Boyfriend In The World. I imagine he needs his ego stroked constantly, by as many people as possible - you, his mum, random women online. There's no way she flew all this way to see the parks of Manchester, lovely as they may be. They're absolutely involved, and I imagine he's painting you as the controlling girlfriend who ~just doesn't understand him like she does~. The ovulation stick is a pretty big sign that they're shagging.

But, OP, you're only 23 and you're already figuring out this isn't right! It took me until 35 and an expensive divorce to stop going for these men.

SpongeBobJudgeyPants · 17/08/2023 18:57

@Whenthepartysover do you want children at some point? At your age I was too busy with career and having a good time, but later on, in my 30's I wanted offspring. Can you imagine how needy he would become if you are focused on the small baby or child? I can. And whilst it is unattractive now, it's very difficult to cope with anything other than an unselfish rational partner when you have a child. Ask me how I know. Sad Don't be like Spongey. I've done the work so you don't have to. Even if you think you might not want children, BunBoy is waving more red flags than the red army. Please take advice from women like me who have tried dating these 'tortured, intelligent geniuses' and found in the end it was just effin hard work for a very low return.

Whenthepartysover · 17/08/2023 19:01

I know that everyone is right. Breakups suck though and it's going to be hard to deal with it while trying to focus on uni stuff. But there's been some messages on here that have really hit home

OP posts:
MysteryBelle · 17/08/2023 19:07

He doesn’t put you first. He puts you below his poetry/10 yr old novel and ovulation stick woman. A stranger.

Never pick someone who doesn’t put you first.

I was engaged to a professional sports guy and the sport was all he could think about. He was very nice and sweet but his entire life revolved around it so that he lived, ate, and breathed it. Someone who is successful at something often is like that, or even an person who may not be super successful but has an interest that is all consuming, and there are women who are ok with being second but I knew I would not be happy if I stayed with him. So if you’re happy not being his first priority, carry on.

FabFitFifties · 17/08/2023 19:10

applesandmares · 17/08/2023 11:14

I'm surprised so many people think she's using the ovulation stick to have sex with OP's boyfriend. Why would a married woman want to be having sex with someone else without a condom?!

Plenty

Dolores87 · 17/08/2023 19:12

QueenCamilla · 17/08/2023 17:14

@Dolores87

Only if you jump to conclusions. There are many reasons she could be tracking her cycle. Its very unlikely she is taking an ovulation strip to make sure she doesn't get pregnant having sex that day as thats just not how it works.

  • you are right. I'm a mum of one (and done) and have spent 99.9% of my reproductive years avoiding pregnancy. I wouldn't even know what an ovulation stick looks like!
And then there's the American woman with 5 children, and she's very well acquainted with her ovulation... Yeah, I can agree that avoiding a pregnancy is not the main use of ovulation kits... 🤔

If boyfriend was cheating or intending to cheat why would he 1. Ask if his gf minded she stay and 2. Be open about his friendship with this women. And 3. Be like "im just at the park with Claire" when his gf text?

-that's basically how I conducted my affair in the beginning, if that helps?
My husband even gave me lifts to/from my "friends" house.

Apologies for bursting the bubble.

Well I am sorry to read you were such a shit person 😂

Joking aside though, fair enough about how you conducted your affair. Everyone i have known to have an affair and everyone i know to have caught out their partners, their partners were super secretive.

Maybe i am naive about affairs but I couldn't be in a relationship where I couldn't make emotional connections with other men incase I happened to be doing what you did, i just don't think that is healthy at all.

oakleaffy · 17/08/2023 19:12

Whenthepartysover · 17/08/2023 19:01

I know that everyone is right. Breakups suck though and it's going to be hard to deal with it while trying to focus on uni stuff. But there's been some messages on here that have really hit home

He sounds like a narcissist.
Look up HG Tudor narcissists
on you tube. You are probably an 'Empath'.. I bet you try and encourage his poems.

This American is pandering to his ego, hero worshipping his poems and he's lapping it up.

You can do so so much better!

Men like him are two a penny.

Wisteriathroughwindow · 17/08/2023 19:13

Haven't read all of thread but OF COURSE YOU ARE NOT BEING UNREASONABLE. This situation is totally insane!

Olika · 17/08/2023 19:17

I was ready to give him benefit of doubt and thought he is just oblivious/dumb in the beginning but with all more info you have provided and how this American woman situation has been playing out... leave him. You have your whole life ahead of you. You deserve better. This is not worth it. And always listen to your gut.

lavenderandlemon · 17/08/2023 19:21

Whenthepartysover · 17/08/2023 19:01

I know that everyone is right. Breakups suck though and it's going to be hard to deal with it while trying to focus on uni stuff. But there's been some messages on here that have really hit home

Just think how great it will be to focus entirely on your internship and your course next semester, and not have to spend the weekend filming his videos and wasting your time while he edits them. Once you're past the initial sadness, you're going to absolutely love the freedom!

Dylanesque · 17/08/2023 19:24

Just another thought. The BunBoy poet will be getting tons of narcissistic supply from having at least two women vying for his attention. I wonder how many more women are in his Instagram harem? Eventually he will discard Claire off the pedestal as his 'muse' knowing there will be another one eager to take her place. Fresh narcissistic supply for him. These types will suck you dry like a vampire...if you let them

Channellingsophistication · 17/08/2023 19:26

He is not putting you first. This whole situation sounds very odd.

Firstly why is his mum getting involved I thought he was a grown-up.

Secondly, why on earth is the visitor using an ovulation stick? The only use of those is to know when you are at your peak in order to get pregnant. No one would use them for any other purpose. It’s utterly bizarre that a woman with 5 children from the US would go and stay with some random guy she’s never met before in the UK.

I don’t think this is a good relationship at all…

Sandra1984 · 17/08/2023 19:34

@Whenthepartysover There have been times that I've gone back to uni and spent an hour crying in the shower because I feel like the relationship isn't like it was a year ago and I want it to come back. But then there are so many good qualities as well so it can be hard.

WOA.

You're 20 something, in a year relationship with the BF and supposed to be in "honeymoon" period, having fun and enjoying the freedom. Crying for an hour in the shower is very concerning and a very very bad sign at your age. This is not working for you my dear. Like some famous actress said once: "be with a guy who ruins your lipstick, not your mascara".

LaffTaff · 17/08/2023 19:35

Maybe its just me, but the whole thing sounds weird af; I dont indulge in online friendships though, so maybe having complete strangers move in is considered normal behaviour in virtual friendship etiquette.
It all sounds simperingly liberal, and I reckon i'd've told him (and his poetry) to gtf long ago.

HamBone · 17/08/2023 19:39

Whenthepartysover · 17/08/2023 10:42

Also, yes this woman is a bit "kooky" tbh. I know she does have 5 kids because I've seen them on her Instagram. She often tells my boyfriend through long deep conversations in the night that she is in an unhappy marriage and wishes she could fly free and travel. Clearly Manchester was top of her bucket list

Haven’t RTFT. To me, she sounds like someone who’s discontent with her life choices and looking for opportunities to escape. Your bf is an opportunity…especially if she got pregnant.

Of course it’s fine to visit friends in other countries, but your spidery senses seem accurate in this particular case.

WongWifi · 17/08/2023 19:41

Whenthepartysover · 17/08/2023 17:58

@LadyOfTheCanyon everything you just said hit the nail on the head. You're completely right about him and you don't even know him.. can't believe it's that much of a cliche. It really is always about him. We spend most weekends going places to take pictures or shoot videos for his hobby. Then we go home and I'll watch TV while he spends ages at his computer editing or working on his novel that he's been working on for 10 years. He is a very good boyfriend though and we have a good relationship. That's why it's hard with people saying to dump him. I have two years of good and happy times with him and it's hard to just end it with someone when you love them and are emotionally invested

Sunk cost fallacy.

Twilight7777 · 17/08/2023 19:42

Trust your instinct, someone with 5 kids and just leaves them behind for sunny Manchester? Nah I smell bullshit

Dolores87 · 17/08/2023 19:44

WhenthepartysoverThere have been times that I've gone back to uni and spent an hour crying in the shower because I feel like the relationship isn't like it was a year ago and I want it to come back. But then there are so many good qualities as well so it can be hard.

Cant find where you posted that to quote you so I hope you see this reply, but tbh it doesn't matter about his behavior or intentions or not over this situation if you are coming back to uni and crying for an hour regularly. That is a no from me. Call the relationship off, you are not happy in it deep down and when you get to that it doesnt magically change back for the better honestly.

nillionaire · 17/08/2023 19:49

The only sightseeing in Manchester she had in mind was him. It’s quite obvious.

nillionaire · 17/08/2023 19:52

Can’t help thinking this thread is ’inspired’ by the evil American woman in Bridget Jones.. 😂

OfficerChurlish · 17/08/2023 19:59

For what it's worth - I'm in the US and I don't find it weird that someone wanted to visit Manchester or wanted to take a solo trip there despite having a spouse and children. I probably wouldn't leave an ovulation thingy in someone else's trash can but it would not surprise me at all if an overnight guest did it at my house, especially if I'd said "make yourself at home", etc. And it seems normal to me that your partner would want to show a visitor around and answer any questions she has about the local area, even if the purpose of her trip didn't involve him. I'm guessing he still sees himself as her "host" even though she had other reasons for the trip. And he may have thought she'd be busier or more independent but just went with the flow when she wanted more companionship/help. That could be innocent on both sides.

BUT. I don't think your partner is being very supportive of you, and it sounds like this is an ongoing problem. He knows you're finding the situation weird and you wanted to spend some time together just the two of you after your argument over the guest - so why on earth is he on his phone chatting with her while the two of you are spending that planned time together? He can tell her he's busy all day and he'll catch up with her tomorrow/after you leave to answer any questions. And he shouldn't be second-guessing or policing your feelings - you feel how you feel, there's no point in covering it up or ignoring it and the two of you have to be able to work through things for a strong relationship to continue. He doesn't have to understand your feelings (although he should try, and of course vice versa) but his acting puzzled that you COULD feel that way and minimizing/trivializing the issue seems like a red flag. Not necessarily that anything untoward is up with his visitor, but just that he might not be a very empathetic partner/might be a little focused on his own comfort and convenience and his own point of view as the only "normal".

TowerRaven7 · 17/08/2023 20:03

I’m in the US and kids are going back to school right now. There is no way 5 kids are going back to school and she’s away. No way.