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.

Am I being jealous? How do I move this forward?

129 replies

Justanotherfalsealarm · 21/12/2023 11:19

This is a long one, but I’m really hoping for some advice and helpful pointers from all you wise eggs. When I first met my partner, a while before lockdown, he would invite me to stay over (I lived around an hour away) and stay with him on my day off, he would go to work and go and have lunch with a female friend and leave me to fend for myself for the day. This female friend hasn’t liked any of his exes. Then we had her and her partner over for dinner, which was pleasant, then they split up. Roll on lockdown and when we were able to meet in gardens, we had a couple of bbqs with her. After 18 months, my partner and I bought somewhere together and just as we were about to move, I found out the I was pregnant, I also found out that my ex-husbandwas going for full custody of my children....... I was commuting 2-3 hours per day, moved house and really struggling.
My partner was on a sabatical from work at this point. After a month in new home, my work sent me home early, as I felt so unwell, I tried phoning him, nothing. They rolled in, pissed from the pub. Ever since this moment, it became awkward with her. I really, internally, wanted her to leave, so that I could talk to him about my anxiety of potentially losing my children and lie in bed and maybe get some love and affection, but was polite to her and sat and chatted to two pissed people. Then when she left, he was annoyed with me for not being more friendly...... After that he started meeting her secretly. Around a year later, I walked to the corner shop with dogs and one child – I was making dinner for his and my children and there he was in shop with her, having spent afternoon in pub and going to meet someone else in another pub.... I couldn’t speak to them – is this wrong? Have I been rude here? He says that I’m jealous and controlling. It has a huge impact on our relationship. She is constantly texting him and I have described her as the third person in our relationship. I tried texting her a couple of months ago, as I wanted to try to move things forward. She has said to him, oh yeah, I did receive a message, but I didn’t know who it was from, so I deleted it. She has texted with me previously. She wanted my partner to join him for newyear. My children are with me, so I suggested to him a party, so that I can enjoy new year with children and some friends. Now I’m having to find a babysitter and I seem to be joining them for new year. He said that I don’t like his friends and he wouldn’t be able to invite the people that he wants to for a party, but it seems that she was controlling the shots here already and already had tickets, etc. Thank you for reading so far! What’syour advice???

OP posts:
Laiste · 21/12/2023 11:31

It sounds like a mess 😕

Apart from this aspect of your relationship how is it generally?

I feel the two of you are seeing this from totally different places. Do you suspect he's romantically involved with her?

Justanotherfalsealarm · 21/12/2023 11:39

I should add that I didn’t lose custody of my children. It was standard controlling behaviour from my ex, but I did lose the baby.

OP posts:
Justanotherfalsealarm · 21/12/2023 11:41

When it’s great, it’s really great. We’ve tried writing things down for each other, as we feel that we don’t communicate.
I don’t feel as though he hears what I say at all.

OP posts:
craigth162 · 21/12/2023 11:45

At least one of those two is being manipulative

Chaboxy · 21/12/2023 11:46

Eek! You are being jealous but my god, who wouldn't be in that situation! It sounds like it's been really tough on you and so sorry to hear you lost your baby.

I personally wouldn't be able to put up with the situation as I would constantly feel left out and, exactly as you've said, like there is a third person in the relationship.

It's a tough one because it sounds like you've made every attempt to improve things but neither of them are open to change.

Ultimately, is this situation what you want for yourself? Is this a constant problem that sits in your head or does it only occasionally rear its head? And is it manageable when it does? If not, maybe it's time to leave or give an ultimatum.

Lots of love

TimeForTeaAndG · 21/12/2023 11:48

I'd have dumped him when he was inviting you over then leaving you by yourself all day in favour of lunch with her.

He sounds shit.

Justanotherfalsealarm · 21/12/2023 11:48

Do you think so? I have found it really therapeutic writing it all down and I’m really not sure that I’m being unreasonable here? If I had a male friend and I knew that his wife/partner was a bit upset- I would consider that I would want to make her happy and include her….

OP posts:
Justanotherfalsealarm · 21/12/2023 11:50

It’s a constant problem which sits in my head 😣🫣

OP posts:
Justanotherfalsealarm · 21/12/2023 11:51

Yes, I probably should have laid down the law from the outset.

I had lunch with an old (male) colleague and was 20 minutes late meeting my partner and he went mental at me.

OP posts:
sunlovingcriminal · 21/12/2023 11:53

I'd be upset if this was my partner. Whilst he may not be having a physical affair, it sounds like an emotional one at least, especially with the constant texting.

Having female friends, fine- having a "best friend" who is calling the shots as to what NYE plans are would be pushing the boundaries for me.

Chaboxy · 21/12/2023 11:54

You're not being unreasonable! It sounds horrible. Even more so if he was mad at you for your one hangout with a male friend impacting his life ever so slightly - the audacity!?!

Justanotherfalsealarm · 21/12/2023 11:55

Yes, he regularly describes her as his best friend- which makes me wonder what my role is????

I find that very hurtful.

he’s currently helping her move a coffee table- she clicks her fingers and he jumps. He won’t even pick up prescriptions for me.

OP posts:
Olika · 21/12/2023 11:57

Personally I would end it. He can be with her now that she is single and by the sound of it that's for the best so he can get pissed with her as much as they please.

Gummybear23 · 21/12/2023 11:57

Finish with him and start 2024 afresh.
Focus on your children and wellbeing.

This sounds like juvenile behavior from your partner.

Dont waste another day.
Life is too short.

Gummybear23 · 21/12/2023 11:58

Value yourself and your children.

Justanotherfalsealarm · 21/12/2023 11:58

To add into the mix….. during the dying embers of his marriage he had a very close relationship with a much younger colleague- he did some work for her- could have got into trouble for. She would also constantly text him and he would hang out in her flat, smoking with her. She has decided to come back on the scene. He asked her to sleep with him- when his marriage was finishing- she refused.

OP posts:
Gummybear23 · 21/12/2023 12:00

You know the answer to this dilemma.

Move on and save any more head space and heart ache.

PieAndLattes · 21/12/2023 12:01

Regardless of whether he’s having an affair, he’s prioritizing her feelings and spending time with her over you. This isn’t about being jealous. This is about him trampling all over your reasonable expectations and boundaries and then gaslighting you. You are not being unreasonable.

I wouldn’t go to the New Year’s Eve party. He’ll dump you in a corner and spend it with her anyway. He’s not going to change so all you can do is work out whether you are happy to put up with it or whether you want to be someone’s priority in a relationship. If you do, you’re not going to get that from him.

As an aside, they sound like raging alcoholics.

SecondUsername4me · 21/12/2023 12:01

I honestly don't know why you are still with him.

Gummybear23 · 21/12/2023 12:02
Quit The Voice GIF by Amanda Cee Media

The gif above.

GalileoHumpkins · 21/12/2023 12:03

He's a waste of space in your life, things are not going to change so you need to get rid and let them get on with it.

Undineimmor · 21/12/2023 12:04

Swapped one controlling idiot for another.

cue...is it me?

Please set so me boundaries. Just don't entertain bullshit from anyone.

Justanotherfalsealarm · 21/12/2023 12:05

Yes, I think that I have swapped one for another….

it is me. I’m too laid back and understanding 🤷🏻‍♀️🫣🫠

OP posts:
CalistoNoSolo · 21/12/2023 12:06

I've no idea why you want to be with this man, he sounds awful. But what I really can't understand is where your children fit in to this toxic relationship, you barely mention them and yet they should be your absolute priority.

Justanotherfalsealarm · 21/12/2023 12:06

Lots of you have said that they will get it together once I’m out of the picture- I think that you’re probably right…. 🤷🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread