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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:
TerrierCollector · 03/08/2025 12:48

I don’t think I’ve ever said this on here, but you need to leave and you need to leave as soon as you possibly can. For your own sake, but even more so for the sake of your daughter! Please get some help and go!

OldGothsFadeToGrey · 03/08/2025 12:55

This reply has been deleted

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💯

Fleetbug · 03/08/2025 12:56

Please read chumplady. You shouldn’t believe a word this man says to you or your daughter. Just assume everything he has told you is a lie to get what he wants, and act accordingly. I hope you have family/friends to support you and your daughter. And get professional help- your GP is a good start as they witnessed your abuse.

Cnidarian · 03/08/2025 13:06

Protect your daughter from him, you are the only one who can. I don't really understand why you would bother calling this woman, what exactly did you expect to gain from that? All you've found is another women he is abusing, you are bing abused and you are allowing your daughter to be abused. Nothing else matters, get out, get her out, get a job, divorce and get a good lawyer.

Francine84 · 03/08/2025 13:13

If this is true then you need to get your daughter as far away as possible from this awful man.

IrisPallida · 03/08/2025 13:21

Not good at all, any of this. Not good.

The worst part is that it is your daughter who is feeling that she has to stand up for you.

You are her mother. You have allowed this to happen. Why are you not stepping up and protecting your daughter instead of a poor 11 year old trying to protect her mother? What has gone so wrong that a mother allows this situation to develop?

You need to get legal advice about your position and to take steps to divorce. And stop with the no money excuses, you need to do whatever it takes.

MyQuirkyTraybake · 03/08/2025 13:22

I'm confused. How is his cheating your fault?

BTW having autism isn't an excuse to abuse your wife and child.

Om83 · 03/08/2025 13:25

You need to protect your daughter and you must show her that in a healthy relationship your partner does not
—get to speak emotionally with other women and hide it
-tell lies about your relationship to others
-verbally abuse both you and your daughter when he has been found out,
-stand in your way of getting a job
-call you fat and repulsive.
-make you feel guilty to force you to sleep with him

I cannot believe what I have just read. He is projecting his own coercive behaviour onto you.

you must find the strength to leave him, it might take time to get things sorted and I expect it feels like you are stuck, but you are entitled to half of your marriage assets, you can get a job, he will have to pay you child maintenance and you will survive.

getting your daughter out of there is the only responsible thing to do. How dare he threaten to throw her out!!

iamnotalemon · 03/08/2025 13:41

Please leave for your daughter, if you can’t do it for yourself. It will only get worse x

Fleetbug · 03/08/2025 13:42

OP you have been manipulated into a coercive controlling relationship. This is against the law in UK. You have options, one of which is contacting social services to say you and your daughter are being threatened by your husband, with verbal aggression and threats of eviction. @Juststop2025 and @OldGothsFadeToGrey the OP is the victim of crime that has been ongoing for years. She has been manipulated to believe this FW and she’s suddenly seeing the reality- no wonder she’s confused. Let’s give her and her daughter all the help we can

Createausername1970 · 03/08/2025 13:46

Oh my word.

This is not a healthy, respectful relationship and certainly not a situation your daughter should have to endure.

I don't say this lightly, but you should give serious consideration to drawing a line under this relationship and leaving him.

Gemmawemma9 · 03/08/2025 13:51

Why the hell are you not protecting your daughter from him?

OldGothsFadeToGrey · 03/08/2025 13:58

Fleetbug · 03/08/2025 13:42

OP you have been manipulated into a coercive controlling relationship. This is against the law in UK. You have options, one of which is contacting social services to say you and your daughter are being threatened by your husband, with verbal aggression and threats of eviction. @Juststop2025 and @OldGothsFadeToGrey the OP is the victim of crime that has been ongoing for years. She has been manipulated to believe this FW and she’s suddenly seeing the reality- no wonder she’s confused. Let’s give her and her daughter all the help we can

I see that, and I should have said I don’t believe OP is pathetic - I do believe PP is right that it’s up to her to act now and protect her daughter. If a few strangers on the internet help OP recognise that this isn’t normal and that her actions are (inadvertently) contributing to her daughter’s situation - well, it’s a hard message to hear, but an important one.

I’m not without sympathy, actually have masses as you will see from my previous posts that I supported a relative going through similar, it was an awful situation and took something extreme and traumatic to get relative out and I wish we’d been able to get through sooner. I wish we had been harsher, blunter. Only OP can break the cycle and protect her DD.

Personperson · 03/08/2025 14:09

Why are you being so passive about this?

Why aren't you raising hell at how he spoke about your daughter? At how he is treating you both? Has he ground you down this much to be so meek about your own child?

Come on find your fire. Remind yourself why does your daughter deserve this and why do you deserve this????

Lotsofsnacks · 03/08/2025 14:46

FFS OP get a divorce and get your dd out of there asap!!! Then get a job, you’ve relied on him and he’s taken the piss as it’s backfired, you aren’t even being paid for working for him. Confide in family and friends and get some support. You can’t carry on like this…

Itiswhysofew · 03/08/2025 15:08

It's all about him. His behaviour is not acceptable and this is no way for you and your DD to live. Is there anyone supportive you can confide in?

pinkyredrose · 03/08/2025 15:14

How did the campsite hear him yelling if he was on the other end of the phone?

Anyway this looks like another one post and run thread.

Gnomeymum · 03/08/2025 21:37

Thank you all. This camp was the first time I've got away in over 6 years. We live remote. My only family is old with dementia and I have no support. For the last year I have been studying to get back my career. I have kept hoping. My daughter is very clear I am on her side but leaving is not simple. You are all right. Thank you again. I will get us out as soon as I safely can. I needed to see these. Someone recommended I posted to see.

OP posts:
Wordsmithery · 03/08/2025 22:39

He's repulsive. Don't give him any more chances. Time to put your daughter front and centre before she withdraws from you. She is likely to be quite damaged by all this.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 03/08/2025 23:27

Well done to your daughter, I'm sorry she was exposed to that at her age but she doesn't need to apologize to your DH or spend time with him ever again.

It should go without saying LTB but I am worried your self esteem is on the floor and you will listen when he tries to blame you.

Don't.

Talk to a lawyer and make a plan to leave with as much money as you can.

Smallsalt · 03/08/2025 23:48

Do you have autism too or any other condition which makes you vulnerable. Because otherwise I can't understand why you would put up with even a fraction of his behavior. You need need to get out of this situation , it's ridiculous that you are even querying that. If not for you for your daughter.

Although your daughter seems to have better understanding and boundaries than you do. It really shouldn't be her having to protect you.

Hufflemuff · 04/08/2025 04:02

Gnomeymum · 03/08/2025 21:37

Thank you all. This camp was the first time I've got away in over 6 years. We live remote. My only family is old with dementia and I have no support. For the last year I have been studying to get back my career. I have kept hoping. My daughter is very clear I am on her side but leaving is not simple. You are all right. Thank you again. I will get us out as soon as I safely can. I needed to see these. Someone recommended I posted to see.

Do better for your DD. Leaving isn't easy, but its not impossible - your response is not good enough i'm afraid. If this scenario doesnt give you the motivation then absolutely nothing will and I feel bad that DD is stuck in this toxic home, living with a man who would say those things about her.

MuckFusk · 04/08/2025 04:26

You had better go back to work so you can afford to leave this horrible, unfaithful, child and wife abusing nutcase. He is the one who is controlling and abusive, not you. He's totally projecting when he accuses you of that. He is doing untold amounts of psychological damage to your daughter. Keep all evidence of his verbal abuse of her to use in court in the hope of denying him custody and visitation. He is a monster. Get away from him. If you have nowhere else to go but a domestic abuse shelter, go to one.
Of course YANBU to expect him not to cheat on you and lie about you, but that's hardly the most important issue. His abuse is.

MuckFusk · 04/08/2025 04:28

Gnomeymum · 03/08/2025 21:37

Thank you all. This camp was the first time I've got away in over 6 years. We live remote. My only family is old with dementia and I have no support. For the last year I have been studying to get back my career. I have kept hoping. My daughter is very clear I am on her side but leaving is not simple. You are all right. Thank you again. I will get us out as soon as I safely can. I needed to see these. Someone recommended I posted to see.

We're rooting for you and your daughter. 🩷