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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Daughter found hubby was discussing me with other women and blatantly lying about me and flirting with them

109 replies

Gnomeymum · 03/08/2025 09:43

So my 11 yr daughter saw messages her dad was sending other women claiming he's virtually a single dad that his business is failing because of his devotion to our daughter etc these women were replying basically telling him how great he is and how I should appreciate him more and how lucky I am. Over time this became them saying they would treat him better etc and ultimately him telling one of them that I would be away taking our daughter to a kids family camp and she could come and stay! Our 11 yr old was very upset and replied to several of these women saying far from what they were being told her dad has had very little to do with parenting her, is workaholic and blames that for why even if I am ill he can't help. She told them about eachother and that we are married and together as despite his mental health difficulties and previous issues I am committed to our relationship and we are a family.
I'm not saying our child was right to have read his stuff. He had let her use his phone and notifications came and she looked.
I knew nothing until I was away camping with her ( he never takes time off to holiday with us.) he rang in the middle of the night shouting and balling about what she had done and saying he loves me but she can't come home and he doesn't love her or want her back as she's dangerous and a bitch blah blah. This was the first I knew. Half the camp heard as we were literally in a tent and he was yelling.
At one point he screamed that I should sort MY daughter out. I asked him how and he said he was having to deal with these upset women and they were going to get our daughter arrested for abuse. I said send me their number and I will call them to explain she's just 11. He sent one woman's number before changing his mind.
I eventually calmed him down and said I would talk to her and our daughter.
Next morning I asked our daughter for her side and rang the woman who frankly came across as totally vulnerable. She denied threatening to have our child arrested and said he had told her we were divorcing and I leave him with our child 24/7 so he can't work. She went on to explain that he keeps saying he cares about her. She went on to explain she has PTSD pmdd bpd depression anxiety bipolar and is addicted to pain medications. They had met when she was homeless after her kids were taken into care and he gets in touch whenever he's down.
I asked her if this helps her and she became upset and started saying she hadn't meant me or our child any harm and I'm not how he had told her. I actually felt bad for her and angry at how he is treating her too.
Our daughter explained her side to me and I spoke by phone with him and a few days later we went home. He was calm however our child has apologised for snooping in his phone but he still won't show me or explain anything saying he has the right to contact who he wants and that he has never met up or physically cheated since we got married therefore it's none of my business. I have really tried not to react knee jerk or go mad at him, the woman I do have contact with or even our daughter. I am bursting now with upset. I don't think it is fair how he talked about our daughter, fair to ruin our break away and he is taking no responsibility at all. He's done nothing wrong it's just talk. He's angry with me and wants me to punish our daughter in some way.
He keeps threatening to throw me or her out and I am financially dependent since I gave up my work to look after our daughter and help in his family business ( for no pay) opposite to what he tells these women I can't work or get training without him creating crisis letting me down on childcare or saying I'm needed in the family business instead.
I really don't think I don't do my bit.
He became ill with depression a few years ago and blamed his lack of libido on me saying I was fat and repulsive. I had gained weight after two miscarriages and perimenopause. I listened and did my bit losing over 3 stone! His gp told him loss of libido is part of depression and said to me he presents as autistic and that he just doesn't understand some things and I need to explain clearly and that I am doing a great job supporting him. He had said in front of his GP his libido was affected by me being fat and repulsive. His GP was really shocked and told him this was an indication of him being unwell as I'm not. ( At this point I was 9 stone size 10) I try to understand he is feeling bad but putting it all on me or a child really doesn't feel fair even if he is ill. This with these women has really messed with my feelings of trust and he is so angry and tells that I don't trust him and why should he trust me then or love me etc and no wonder he doesn't want sex with me if I don't trust him.. but even that's not true we have been intimate since he started antidepressants. I even slept with him since camp because he said he felt unloved by me. After he said he felt more loved but then still has not come clean about these women. He's now furious I spoke with V the woman whose number he gave me and says that's coercive controlling by me
Am I being unfair asking him to stop these relationships and saying untrue stuff about us to these women and be honest with me? He says that's coercive controlling of me. I'm so distressed by the whole thing.
I would hate to abuse anyone and I feel so mixed up and emotionally exhausted.

OP posts:
Namechangeforthis88 · 03/08/2025 09:50

It's hard to know where to begin. The man's just a bin fire at every step of the way, and you deserve better.

EsmeSusanOgg · 03/08/2025 09:50

This man is emotionally abusive. He is emotionally and financially abusing you. He is also abusing your daughter.

He is cheating on you. Whether physically or not, he is cheating. And he is now blaming a child for him being caught out cheating.

Please, please seek advice from a divorce lawyer. Please document what has been going on. Are you getting child benefit at least? Do you have your own bank account? Talk to Women's Aid for advice on getting away safely.

littlemousebigcheese · 03/08/2025 09:52

God, throw him into a volcano, there’s nothing to salvage here. Choose your daughter, choose yourself and tell him to sod off

OrigamiOwls · 03/08/2025 09:52

He's cheating, at least emotionally. He's verbally abusive. He gaslights you and tries to twist things back onto you. He threats to make you 11 year old daughter homeless. I could go on with his red flags.
I know it's difficult as it sounds like you're financially dependent on him...but it sounds like he's bringing nothing positive into your or your daughter's lives here. For me there wouldn't be any way back for this relationship.

Tagyoureit · 03/08/2025 09:53

I couldn't even finish reading your post!

Your dh wants to throw out his 11yo DD for telling the truth! He has lied about you, emotionally cheated on you with several different women!

Just eew all over!

And well done to DD!! She stood up for what is right!!

Get rid of this poor excuse of a man, dont show your dd this is acceptable!

hoverbotchangedme · 03/08/2025 09:56

You’re a better woman than me I would not be so understanding.

he’s abusive and controlling. He is manipulating you to think you are the problem and Jesus Christ your poor daughter. Can’t believe what he has said about her. She didn’t do anything wrong and actually if I was you I’d be very proud of her for having the courage to message those women.

His manipulation is all over you, your daughter and these other woman. Surely when he got caught he should have called and said I’m sorry I’ve done this but to turn the situation around on you and your daughter is disgusting

depression and or autism or not there is no excuse to treat you and your daughter like shit. I’d be planning a way forward for you and your daughter without him

but if you want to work through it he needs to admit guilt, stop all contact with other woman, apologise to your daughter, take medication and sort his depression out be it via a hobby or exercise and you need to rekindle the romance. Not that he deserves that!

cafenoirbiscuit · 03/08/2025 09:58

OMG please want better for yourself. And teach your daughter that she isn’t to blame. This is hugely damaging for her, and may end up being a blueprint for her future relationships.
speak to women’s aid and they will help you with an escape plan.
get out, take your brave daughter and never look back.

AgnesX · 03/08/2025 09:59

Your daughter's fantastic. That can't be said for your DH, what a waste of space. What does he bring to your relationship, has he any plus points?

For your daughter, if not yourself, it's time for you to part company.

usersame · 03/08/2025 09:59

OP this is beyond ridiculous. You need to get yourself and your daughter away from this man by whatever means necessary. He is horrendously abusive. Stop justifying anything he says or does. Just get away from him - for ever.

Juststop2025 · 03/08/2025 10:14

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BarbaraVineFan · 03/08/2025 10:20

Why on Earth have you taken your 11 year old back into the home of a man who has exposed her to all this trauma and has verbally abused her?

Avantiagain · 03/08/2025 10:24

You need to make plans to leave him. You know you have to do this.

Diarygirlqueen · 03/08/2025 10:24

God he's done a right number on you.

You are putting him first over your daughter, how pathetic this all reads.
That poor child, the emotional abuse she has endured and her mother not standing up for her.
Get some counselling to help understand why you have endured his behaviour, get out of this marriage and pray that your daughter forgives you in later years.

lovemetomybones · 03/08/2025 10:30

I put unreasonable because it’s not about him ending those relationships it’s about you ending yours! How your daughter must be feeling right now, scum of a father trying to attract vulnerable women with lies, she corrects the lies and she’s told she’s a bitch she can’t go home by herself own father!!!! And you getting her to apologise- what moral compass do you both have? Because it’s screwing up your child.

I never say this but on this occasion raise your bar and LTB!

Snugglemonkey · 03/08/2025 10:31

He is a dick. He is abusive. You deserve better.

Juststop2025 · 03/08/2025 10:33

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It's not often I read something online that distresses me this much. I feel quite sick with anger and sadness at the thought of that poor little girl sitting there, undoubtedly crying and distressed, listening to you trying to placate a shrieking and abusive lying, betraying monster and being blamed for telling the truth.

I loathe women who allow men to abuse their kids almost as much as I loathe the men who abuse them. You deserve whatever happens to you. She does not. Get her out of there.

PerfectTuesday · 03/08/2025 10:33

He became ill with depression a few years ago and blamed his lack of libido on me saying I was fat and repulsive. I had gained weight after two miscarriages and perimenopause. I listened and did my bit losing over 3 stone!

That's appalling. He is emotionally abusing and controlling you. You are not responsible for his depression, supposed lack of libido etc. If he genuinely lacked libido he wouldn't be cheating on you - a lack of libido means you are not interested in sex at all - so that's bollocks anyway.

DoctorMarten · 03/08/2025 10:34

Please rescue yourself and your daughter.

Just fucking do it.

Frogs88 · 03/08/2025 10:36

YABU to bring your daughter back into that situation. You need to protect her from that vile man. Stop pandering to him. He’s calling your daughter names and threatening to kick out a child because she outed him as a cheat and a liar. He cares more about his ego than his daughter.

Batherssss · 03/08/2025 10:36

Go into any police station and ask to speak to the domestic abuse officer.
You and your poor child are being abused.

Forget about him.
Focus on your daughter.
Poor child.

Peoplearebloodyidiots · 03/08/2025 10:37

WTF OP. I don't want to be mean but how is this even an AIBU. You are setting a terrible example for your daughter on how a women gets treated by a man! Why on earth would you work for him for free, why would you put up with his lying and hiding, why would you let him speak to your daughter like that and allow her to apologise to him. You sound like you need a huge amount of support mentally and with your self esteem. I hope you get some and get some courage too.

Barney16 · 03/08/2025 10:37

He's a monster and the sooner you give him the boot the better. He's cheating on you and somehow has managed to persuade you that it's your fault. Heads up OP, it isn't. He's scum.

Notmycircusnotmyotter · 03/08/2025 10:38

He's disgusting

Flamingoknees · 03/08/2025 10:42

He is an emotionally abusive bastard of the worst kind. He is causing your daughter immense harm. You are causing your daughter immense harm by making her live with him. Contact Women's Aid and your local Domestic Abuse service (Google, or ring Social Services, or ask GP surgery for the number). Get your daughter out of there - show her that he is unacceptable as a partner and a parent. Build a new life for you and her.
It is heart breaking she tried to protect you from this, and went to camp without telling you.
I'm praying that I see a MN notice saying this thread is took down as they've recognised you as a troll.
If not, wishing you lots of strength and support from wherever you can get it. Don't shield him - tell everyone you need to. You can do it.

Elektra1 · 03/08/2025 10:42

Quite apart from the cheating, the way he has treated his own daughter is damaging and abusive and I’d divorce him for that alone. You both deserve better.