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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Female colleague calling and texting partner all the time

283 replies

N12251234 · 08/04/2024 22:05

So I’ve been with my husband for 10 years, married for 3. We have a 3 month old baby together.

Just before we conceived our child my husband got a new female colleague. He works 12 hour shifts with her 2 out of the 4 shifts he does in a week. She is 23 and single. We are both in our early 30’s. To begin with he didn’t really like this girl, called her annoying and some other not so nice things. Then as they began to work together more they became good friends. I just want to make it clear that I don’t think he is cheating with her or anything like that.

My issue is, I think she is being a bit disrespectful and so is he. They text each other all the time, send Snapchat pictures to each other, and she calls him at least once every day. Sometime several times a day. He often has her on speaker so I know the chat is innocent. She will literally call just to tell him what she’s eaten for lunch that day. She did this all throughout my pregnancy and when I had just given birth. My partner doesn’t see the issue and just sees her as being friendly and he said it would be rude to tell her to stop as they are good friends.

I just feel like a young single female shouldn’t be messaging and calling a married man who has just had a baby all the time. Am I being unreasonable to ask him to tell her to back off a little.

OP posts:
MsDogLady · 10/04/2024 21:19

Thank you for updating during this difficult time, @N12251234.

It’s very telling that he is now incommunicado with you. It sounds like he is digging in his heels about not giving up this OW.

A fully committed husband who values and respects his wife would be more than willing to dial down a work friendship that is threatening his marriage. His current behavior is matching what he has shown thus far … that this woman is far too significant to him. He is putting her first.

You are handling this so well, @N12251234. Stick to your guns if he tries to manipulate or bully you when you see or hear from him. 🌺

wizzywig · 10/04/2024 21:19

Oh the thread has turned op. Hope you're OK

N12251234 · 10/04/2024 21:56

Thank you for all of the kind messages and well wishes! They really are keeping me strong. Thankfully I have the most amazing family and they are being so supportive! His mum has also reached out to me and said that she is not happy with her son. Not sure what he has told her exactly but maybe she can talk some sense into him.

OP posts:
Caroparo52 · 10/04/2024 22:31

I wouldn't be able to tolerate this
at all. Totally disrespectful to you from both of them. He needs to stop answering calls when off duty. She needs to find a dp and then the attention will be redirected to new man. Hopefully. Otherwise you have hell to put up with forever. she's a complete bitch with eyes on dh

TuesdayQ · 10/04/2024 22:39

I'm so sorry, OP: they're in a relationship. It's just where the boundaries are of that relationship are right now; you know where they'll end up eventually, though.

It is highly unfair of your partner to do this under your nose, blatantly just so you appear unreasonable if you raise it as an issue. But you need to.

***

Edit: so sorry started a new job today so missed how many updates there were. Wow. This stranger is so proud of you, OP. You're doing great.

Merryoldgoat · 10/04/2024 22:40

I don’t want to sound patronising @N12251234 but I’m really proud of you. So many women don’t put themselves first and you really have.

Think seriously about what you want. You done nothing wrong and deserve to be treated with respect.

Candleabra · 10/04/2024 22:50

Sorry. Glad you have supportive people around you.
You haven’t said you do, but don’t expect any emotional support from your husbands family. They may be kind people and horrified at his behaviour (at first) but they always side with their child. Find other confidants.

YouShouldBeDancingYeah · 10/04/2024 22:56

Hi @N12251234 I just wanted to send you some support, you sound like an amazingly strong person. Like other PPs have said, stick to your guns and know what you want. You’ve got this! 💐

MsDogLady · 11/04/2024 00:48

@N12251234, your supportive loved ones are a godsend.

I’m glad that your MIL has reached out, but I guarantee that H has downplayed his behaviour and blamed your ‘misunderstanding’ and ‘overreacting.’ She would undoubtedly be shocked at her son and OW’s constant contact and their basically acting like a couple.

bradpittsbathwater · 11/04/2024 07:36

This is entirely his fault, no one should be blaming the crew mate. He's the one in a relationship with a child. I bet he's loving not having to do any childcare. He doesn't even seem sorry. What a selfish prick

Merrymouse · 11/04/2024 07:38

N12251234 · 10/04/2024 21:56

Thank you for all of the kind messages and well wishes! They really are keeping me strong. Thankfully I have the most amazing family and they are being so supportive! His mum has also reached out to me and said that she is not happy with her son. Not sure what he has told her exactly but maybe she can talk some sense into him.

Do you think he spends more time talking to the colleague about her lunch than he spends telling his mum about her new grand child?

fashionqueen1183 · 11/04/2024 09:51

N12251234 · 10/04/2024 21:56

Thank you for all of the kind messages and well wishes! They really are keeping me strong. Thankfully I have the most amazing family and they are being so supportive! His mum has also reached out to me and said that she is not happy with her son. Not sure what he has told her exactly but maybe she can talk some sense into him.

That’s really positive about his mum - I was wondering what she would say or do. I’d let her know she’s welcome to visit - without him!

N12251234 · 11/04/2024 10:17

Merrymouse · 11/04/2024 07:38

Do you think he spends more time talking to the colleague about her lunch than he spends telling his mum about her new grand child?

Edited

Probably! I don’t know how often he updates her but she always messages me for updates. So I’m guessing not that much. She’s coming round to see the baby this afternoon. I asked if partner would be joining and she just said she doesn’t know. He’s not decided yet.

OP posts:
LoudThunder · 11/04/2024 11:09

N12251234 · 11/04/2024 10:17

Probably! I don’t know how often he updates her but she always messages me for updates. So I’m guessing not that much. She’s coming round to see the baby this afternoon. I asked if partner would be joining and she just said she doesn’t know. He’s not decided yet.

He doesn’t know yet?

What a poor excuse of a man, and a father, he’s turned out to be. I’m so sorry OP.

Biggybigbiggles · 11/04/2024 11:34

He sounds like a complete dickhead. He doesn't know if he's coming to see his baby? You've absolutely not over reacted and I'm so glad you're getting good support from all angles!

The woman wants to be with him and she's telling him about her dates to make him jealous.

DriftingDora · 11/04/2024 11:45

I find it most worrying that they are both in a responsible job but behave like a couple of 12 year olds. Paramedics? Blimey, hope I don't get either of them if I ever need an ambulance. They need to grow up, the pair of them - and your heading implies that it's her fault: it isn't, he's happy to go along with it.

Abbimae · 11/04/2024 11:58

if he isn’t cheating she is trying her hardest to get him to. Giant 🚩

coconutpie · 11/04/2024 12:21

He sounds like a real sorry excuse of a partner and a father. I'm so sorry OP. Make sure you tell your MIL the full story when she calls over today.

YouShouldBeDancingYeah · 11/04/2024 12:56

coconutpie · 11/04/2024 12:21

He sounds like a real sorry excuse of a partner and a father. I'm so sorry OP. Make sure you tell your MIL the full story when she calls over today.

Absolutely this!!!

YouShouldBeDancingYeah · 11/04/2024 13:00

Also, he’s giving you the silent treatment as he’s sulking in the hope that you crawl back to him, see his point of view, apologise, forgive, and he can just carry on with his colleague.

I’m thinking of you, but just remember (as I think a PP said) it’s far easier to care for a newborn than a newborn and a giant man baby!

Merrymouse · 11/04/2024 13:23

She could be a 48 year bloke called Mike and it would still be odd for him to be constantly texting somebody who has no contact with the rest of the family.

3 months after giving birth you don’t even need to be reasonable. He should just accept that you might be feeling sleep deprived and hormonal and do what is necessary to protect his family.

His reaction is as out of order as the situation itself.

littlebitstuck2024 · 11/04/2024 17:49

You'd think he'd be mortified and apologising for his behaviour. I'm sorry that's not the case.

YouShouldBeDancingYeah · 12/04/2024 12:53

Hope you’re ok @N12251234

MsDogLady · 12/04/2024 17:24

How did your MIL’s visit go, @N12251234? Did your H come?

BOOTS52PollyPrissyPants · 12/04/2024 18:17

Another here hoping you are ok and that mil's visit went well and you told her what he is up to. Stay strong and keep posting for support.