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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:
Littlemissalone · 21/08/2023 16:42

Well done. That loser is out of your life and now you can start again knowing what you will and won't put up with. I've followed this thread the whole way and I think you are fab. Enjoy being single, or go find a man with a proper haircut!

AndIKnewYouMeantIt · 21/08/2023 16:46

I'm sorry OP! But... yeah. I have 7 online friends in a group chat and none are married men who are coming here from abroad and need a "place to stay". He can have online friends who are not women who need saving from a so-called unhappy marriage.

JudgeAnderson · 21/08/2023 16:54

@Whenthepartysover you've done the right thing, and if it's a first break-up it's normal to wobble about it. But your boundaries were different to this guy, and they are entirely reasonable boundaries that you're entitled to. Far better, when you're ready, to find someone who is on the same page with that and shares your values, rather than the ongoing stress, hurt and uncertainty.

As for something to watch, I find Kath & Kim (on Netflix) both very funny and weirdly comforting.

ButterCrackers · 21/08/2023 17:07

Stay strong. If this loser tries to contact you keep in mind that you are worth more than his shitty behaviour to you. No matter what he promises ignore him. Take your time and enjoy not having the stress and misery of him in your life. You’ll meet some one who will treat you with respect. Make plans to kick back and relax. Keep a focus on your studies. You have everything going for you. He has nothing.

Nutterjacks · 21/08/2023 17:18

Whenthepartysover · 21/08/2023 09:11

It's over. I'm at my mum's because I don't want to be on my own atm I'm devastated

Oh darling you have absolutely done the right thing.
You are worth so much more ❤️

You will hurt for a while, that's totally natural but give it time and you'll realise you've had a bloody lucky escape.

You're right to go and stay with mum. She's the best person to give you love, care, strength and support when you need it most. You'll get through this together.

Sending you big hugs 🤗

suburbophobe · 21/08/2023 17:36

Well, I've only read up to page 7 and these are my thoughts.

I don't believe she has 5 children. Where would she find the money and time to fly to England if she did? And if she has a husband I bet he wouldn't be saying "Sure. No problem, have a great time".

Maybe your "boyfriend" (he's no friend) sees her as his break-through making it big time as an artist or whatever in America. Dream on!

There's either that or he wants a relationship with her.

Incidentally I have a friend whose wife ran off to USA to be with a guy she met online....
Even his step-kids - HER kids- were shocked and disgusted by it.

OP, don't waste mental energy on trying to figure out a guy who's obviously put you on the back-burner.

You have a fabulous life ahead of you.

Oh, and all you pearl clutchers getting your knickers in a twist about modern fashion.... ("bun man"), probably the same types who were shocked at hippies, punks etc.

Vive la difference!

Notveryanything · 21/08/2023 17:57

Whenthepartysover · 21/08/2023 13:00

@HowDoYouSolveAProblemLikeMariaa thanks for this. I think I will try to watch something funny but it gives me a strange sensation to laugh when I feel so terrible. The Office US is my favourite but I've already watched it twice this year ha

In terms of books I usually like either thriller/horror or some sort of literary coming of age story. But i feel like I can't concentrate on the words.

Just caught up with your thread @Whenthepartysover

Your descriptions of how you're feeling after breaking up really resonated with me and many of us I'm sure.

I hope you're finding ways of looking after yourself.
Things will start to feel easier over time. I'm sure people here will be happy to chat to you when you're feeling overwhelmed or sad.

Charrington · 21/08/2023 21:47

Oh @Whenthepartysover breakups are terrible. And the first time feels worse than anything. Cry as much as you need to - and let your mum look after you.

Jane Austen was top of my comfort reading for man troubles - I’m pretty sure she’d be on this thread too rooting for you. If you can’t manage a book, dive into one of the films or mini series.

CandyLeBonBon · 21/08/2023 23:58

suburbophobe · 21/08/2023 17:36

Well, I've only read up to page 7 and these are my thoughts.

I don't believe she has 5 children. Where would she find the money and time to fly to England if she did? And if she has a husband I bet he wouldn't be saying "Sure. No problem, have a great time".

Maybe your "boyfriend" (he's no friend) sees her as his break-through making it big time as an artist or whatever in America. Dream on!

There's either that or he wants a relationship with her.

Incidentally I have a friend whose wife ran off to USA to be with a guy she met online....
Even his step-kids - HER kids- were shocked and disgusted by it.

OP, don't waste mental energy on trying to figure out a guy who's obviously put you on the back-burner.

You have a fabulous life ahead of you.

Oh, and all you pearl clutchers getting your knickers in a twist about modern fashion.... ("bun man"), probably the same types who were shocked at hippies, punks etc.

Vive la difference!

You might want to take the time to read the OP's updates and maybe try not to sounds quite so condescending!

MsRosley · 22/08/2023 00:25

Better a few weeks of misery now, OP, than years of it if you'd stayed together. Do some nice things for yourself, and hang on to the fact that heartbreak never lasts that long.

HowlingAtTheM00n · 22/08/2023 01:03

The fact he's willing to chose a stranger he met online over you says it all.
I'd say he dosent want you back as he's found an easy way out of the relationship so he can be with her. Who knows what he and Claire talked about the night you broke up.
If he gave a shit about you he'd stop chatting to her if it's affecting your relationship that bad. I think its mental you begged him back

Jillybloop393 · 22/08/2023 02:51

I wonder what would have happened if you hadn't agreed to her staying with him in the first place? We won't know now, I suppose. I don't blame you about changing your mind - I would have felt the same especially once I realised that they were spending lots of time together. But .... she'll be going back to America in a few days time, that's a long way to continue an affair, if indeed they were having one. Maybe you and he can get back on track, he'll know to not meet her ever again if he wants your relationship to thrive, she won't make the journey again .... sorted!

oakleaffy · 22/08/2023 05:52

Chickenkeev · 19/08/2023 17:49

I wouldn't want to attribute dickishness to a particular hairstyle but i really don't appreciate man buns. I always think the men are a bit 'up themselves'. Totally wrong and irrational but there ya go! DH is pretty much bald so not something i have to worry about 😁

Haha! 😂 I think bald men are normally lovely.

SummerWhisper · 22/08/2023 05:56

He possibly shacked up with her the minute you finished with him, hence him saying he won't have you back. What a toxic couple they are going to make. Please don't let him reel you back in once she has left. You come across as emotionally intelligent, very reasonable and far too good for him. He will soon know the difference in what he has lost and gained. They deserve each other.

Nagado · 22/08/2023 08:33

I’m so sorry you’re going through this, but I am 100% sure that as soon as you start to feel better, you’ll realise how badly he has treated you and that you can do a million times better.

In the meantime, I think it will help you if you erase all trace of him, as much as you can. Don’t watch anything that you used to watch together or listen to sad music. Delete his texts and photos (or at least put them somewhere you can’t see them until you’re ready to delete them permanently. Get a notebook and write how you’re feeling, then tear those pages out, scrunch them up and bin them. Write about all the things he did to annoy you or that were selfish and keep looking at that list. Cry as much as you need to and let your mum look after you. I promise you that this will pass and you won’t feel like this forever 💐

IndiaRose23 · 22/08/2023 09:19

Sending support. Break ups are horrible but you will get through this! If it helps, I'd have been the same as you.

I listen to true crime podcasts, if you like those kind of books. Always fall asleep at night listening to them.

If you need someone to listen, please message.

oakleaffy · 22/08/2023 18:56

@Whenthepartysover This is your first ever breakup....

You will get through it and be fine.

You will find a much nicer man who won't want to be unfaithful with flaky Americans.

I swear to you my ''Manbun'' {Ponytail} also had a woman who tracked ovulation whom he was unfaithful with...I called her ''Piss machine''

In the end, ''Piss Machine'' was unfaithful with HIM, and he wanted to come back...

''Hi...it's me... Do you fancy a visitor this weekend?''

I said ''Sorry, Too busy''...

Never saw him again.

Not sorry!

DaNcInGtEqUiLaCaT · 22/08/2023 22:28

Well done. You definitely won't regret this.
23 year old you will be thanking 23 year old you.
It feels like a loss and we've all been there. Now delete all the pictures, block bin (bun) man and eat more pizza.
You really will be ok

CrunchyCarrot · 23/08/2023 07:48

I'm sorry things went so badly south, OP. It does hurt, I know. I'm glad you have your mum to stay with so you can just get it out of your system.

In time this will all turn out for the best. You have gained a lot of valuable (if painful) experience, so hang in there, in the end you will be stronger for this.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 23/08/2023 13:25

Really sorry it ended so badly OP but it sounds as if it was for the best. You’re so young, you’ll look back on this and think what a lucky escape.

23hol · 23/08/2023 22:03

Everything you say about how youre feeling post first break up really resonates with me, so much that I cant read and run. Feel free to message me. You sound so strong and brave. Well done. You will feel like shit for probably quite a long time (as its the first heartbreak) and it will come in waves. Don't reach out to him. Don't visit his social media profiles. Distract yourself for now. Focus on your career/studying as you always should have. It will get better. The offer is there if you want to PM. Take each day, each hour, each moment at a time. This too shall pass.

samqueens · 25/08/2023 23:33

I’m sorry you’re hurting OP - you’ve been very brave. Things that may help either now or in future…

Obviously blocking him on all forms of contact and having a good clean break of minimum 6 months!!

(Don’t be surprised if, just as you start to feel yourself again, he finds a way to reconnect - that always seems to be the way)

At some point read the Lundy Bancroft book Why Does He Do That? (you can download on kindle/Apple Books, can’t remember which). I think it should be essential reading for all young women - a guide to where the red flags are, and something to help future proof yourself from getting too deep into toxic relationships.

About 3 months after my first broken heart I read On Love by Alain de Botton, and it made me feel less alone and more optimistic for the future.

Put all your energy into yourself, your studies, your family and your friends. It’ll be worth it xx

samqueens · 25/08/2023 23:35

Also, if you haven’t already, go and see Barbie…
Laugh and cry 🤣😥

MaryLea · 27/08/2023 18:31

It's a great book, should be required reading for men too. My son actually gave it to me, having read it and figured out why his father behaves the way he does, and deciding he didn't want to follow suit.

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