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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Any thoughts??

98 replies

LemonKoala2 · 02/05/2026 10:33

I need some advice pretty sharpish-but its a long one, sorry!!

Bit of background, I've got 3 children, divorced 7 years ago. I've been with my current partner nearly a year, he has two children and they have different mothers. One is lovely, really lovely actually, the other refuses to meet me (no idea why). His first marriage failed due to falling out of love, the second relationship he cited that she had abused his daughter psychologically.

Some things with him haven't quite been adding up over the months, but that being said, I do over analyse things.
I am quite a private person, I don't really post on social media (mainly due to my job) and so most people don't really know much about me. I'd disclosed to him that my marriage was very hostile and abusive and he threatened to walk out, stating that he couldn't accept the fact I had had three children and stayed with someone who abused me. We managed to overcome it but his mood swings continued. I tried to unpick this a little bit and he disclosed he had tried to commit suicide some years ago, no further action was taken, he isn't on medication or anything.
He started to have random conversations about things, but these 'things' were things I'd been having conversations with friends about over text messages or facebook messenger, so then it dawned on me he had been checking my phone. Whilst he was looking through my phone, he had seen very historic messages to girl friends talking about people I'd messaged (we're talking years old), and he basically said he couldn't accept that I'd been with other people. Again, I found this odd given that he had got the mother of the second child pregnant after four months of dating and refused to commit to her until the child was 8 months old simply because he didn't want her or the child.

I've continued to observe for a little while, I've noticed that he is extremely jealous, he went through my social media asking who every single friend/follower was, I deleted everyone that would pose a threat but yet he still had women on his social media who he had slept with or he had lots of scantily clad pages on there so it felt a little one sided.
One day, I was on his i-pad looking on the internet and a message came through from the ex that won't meet me. Curiosity got the better of me, and when I looked at the thread, there were reams and reams of messages between them both, they only stopped a couple of weeks before he met me and they were predominantly him leading the conversations. He had been messaging her on an evening, asking her how day had been, sending her memories on facebook containing romantic photos of them both. One message prior to us meeting was him asking her how she was and told her she looked her usual gorgeous self, and another photo was of him pedalling her on a go kart which he had sent her. This is a woman that has allegedly abused his daughter? I just find it all very odd. There were also numerous messages from him asking her to go on family days out, why would you want someone like that near your daughter? It just doesn't add up! I confronted him and he got upset, said he was bored and that he just wanted to appease her incase she stopped him seeing the child but there was no threats or negativity, it looked like they were dating to be honest and I queried whether the reason why she is refusing to meet me is because this emotional relationship has abruptly stopped. His daughter had told me that when he told this woman about me, she had burst into tears.

Moving on a bit, he has no car now as his car failed MOT in December, so I have been getting up at 5:30am daily to take him to work, he then takes it to collect his children from their separate destinations, the boy alone lives 30 miles away. Its now May, he's awaiting a court date as he has accumulated 12 points and hes just crashed my car, which is repairable but theres no mention of him paying my excess and my insurance is now going to increase!
He lives here but doesn't contribute and although he offers, he has no money!

The latest installment which is what brings me here is that I have just taken him to Dublin for his birthday for two nights and we had the best time. Since covid, he has sent his daughter a voice note every morning and night. On his birthday, he got a video message with a promise to facetime later that day, he was obviously very excited as he mentioned it numerous times throughout the day. I have always thought this is really nice and also good of his ex wife as I wouldn't enjoy my ex constantly messaging my phone to be honest! Anyway, we'd gone for a nap, both starkers in bed, and his daughter asks if she can facetime..we were literally about to get up, get ready and go for tea. Before I could even move, he had slung a hoody on, whipped his i-pad out and his daughter was on screen and I'm sat there with everything hanging out!!! I was a little annoyed at this, especially as seconds later, his ex wife hops in the camera to wish him happy birthday. I felt really awkward so I got up and went into the bathroom. Instinctively, I felt most people would think that would make a partner feel a little uncomfortable and draw the call to a close, its a romantic getaway, we are clearly in bed but he dragged it on for 20 minutes! He was on his phone constantly afterwards, whether it was him messaging work or social media or texting his daughter and I got a bit sick of it so I made a general comment about him being on his mobile a lot and he just flipped. He said I was a lying b**ch, a psycho, abusive, controlling and jealous of his daughter. He said he was entitled to have a birthday wish from his child, but that wasn't the issue, the issue was him accepting a call when I'm sat there starkers!
He's since text his ex wife to tell her that the facetime has caused a massive argument and he doesn't know if we will stay together which means he wont be able to collect the daughter, but interestingly, didn't message the other mum! Clearly seeking validation!
I was really annoyed by this action because that will affect my relationship with that mum now and he has admitted he finds it weird that we get on.
I'm unsure if we can move on from this or if its just me??

OP posts:
cauliflowercheeseplease · 02/05/2026 10:38

Why would you stay with this man? There is not one positive point about him.

Ilovemychocolate · 02/05/2026 10:38

I mean this kindly…but you do know that there are men out there that aren’t free loading cock lodgers, who won’t go through your phone and aren’t emotionally unstable?
Why oh why did you let him move in?

Namechangedforthisoneyep · 02/05/2026 10:39

This reply has been deleted

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BigYellowBus · 02/05/2026 10:41

Not entirely relevant but I am completely baffled as to why so many people leave their phone unlocked

OP - this man has more red flags than a 1920s Communist Party convention

LemonKoala2 · 02/05/2026 10:41

cauliflowercheeseplease · 02/05/2026 10:38

Why would you stay with this man? There is not one positive point about him.

I think he's gaslit me into thinking it may possibly be me that is the problem!

OP posts:
LemonKoala2 · 02/05/2026 10:41

BigYellowBus · 02/05/2026 10:41

Not entirely relevant but I am completely baffled as to why so many people leave their phone unlocked

OP - this man has more red flags than a 1920s Communist Party convention

I didn't. He'd watched me unlock it and memorised it!

OP posts:
Offherrockingchair · 02/05/2026 10:44

Do you really have to ask? Get some self esteem and throw him back. I don’t know you but I know you are worth a million times more.

Pancakeflipper · 02/05/2026 10:44

Please end this. His behaviour will not improve, it will get.increasing worse.
You deserve better, you deserve to feel valued. He's just doing what he wants and playing games.

BigYellowBus · 02/05/2026 10:45

LemonKoala2 · 02/05/2026 10:41

I didn't. He'd watched me unlock it and memorised it!

That's awful. Seriously, do not commit to this man

Squirrelchops1 · 02/05/2026 10:46

The red flag comment is spot on.
Unfortunately when you disclosed prior DA and staying in that relationship he wasn't horrified...he was rubbing his hands with glee knowing you'd make a perfect victim. He's groomed and gaslit you repeatedly.

Whyherewego · 02/05/2026 10:46

This is not a nice person. On many levels.

Please know that he is the problem, not you !!

MrsShawnHatosy · 02/05/2026 10:48

OP do not stay with this man. He’s an awful partner in every way.

Sunisgettinganewhaton · 02/05/2026 10:49

He's a cheating, sponging twat.
Gather up your self respect and throw the fucker out.

Endofyear · 02/05/2026 10:51

Jesus wept, I didn't get to the end of that but I have to say - WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH THIS MAN????

It's actually really worrying that you didn't react to his numerous red flags by removing him from your life immediately.

Swiftie1878 · 02/05/2026 10:51

LemonKoala2 · 02/05/2026 10:41

I didn't. He'd watched me unlock it and memorised it!

Oh c’mon…
You know he’s “off”. Stop being silly and get this man out of yours and your children’s lives.

Pearlstillsinging · 02/05/2026 10:51

I'd be moving him out tomorrow. He is definitely no catch.

Diarygirlqueen · 02/05/2026 10:52

I voted Ybu for staying with him so long.

FindingMeno · 02/05/2026 10:52

You know you need to end this, so just do it.
He will destroy your peace bit by bit and gradually make you feel less like you can manage without him.
It's what that sort of man does, and I think you know that
Don't wait and see if things get better.
They won't

BreatheAndFocus · 02/05/2026 10:53

LemonKoala2 · 02/05/2026 10:41

I didn't. He'd watched me unlock it and memorised it!

Yeah, that’s what my abusive, controlling ex did too. He also put an app on my phone so I could find it. What it really was was an app which allowed him to see exactly where I was.

These men are insecure, controlling users. They don’t give a sh*t about anyone else. It’s hard to get your head round but they simply don’t care. Other people are only there for them to use.

Leave this man and focus on yourself. Not only do you not need a man to be happy, this man is actually making your life worse. Get out and feel the weight gradually lift off you.

cauliflowercheeseplease · 02/05/2026 10:54

LemonKoala2 · 02/05/2026 10:41

I think he's gaslit me into thinking it may possibly be me that is the problem!

you deserve so much more. The fact you’ve realised you are being gaslighted is a good thing, I wanted you to realise this on your own.

Take the steps you need to do to leave him. Before you end up losing yourself.

Purplewarrior · 02/05/2026 10:55

Did you have any therapy after your abusive relationship? It looks like you have fallen prey to another abusive Wankbadger.

He is totally taking the piss out of you. You are worth so much more than this shitshow. Being single would be vastly superior to living as you are.

Tell him to pack up his stuff and find some other mug to bankroll him. 💐

MaggieBsBoat · 02/05/2026 11:04

I assume you’ve now changed your pin right OP?

in any case, dump this malignant fool.
You’ve heard all the alarm bells and seen all the waving red flags. If you ignore them it’s on you.

LemonKoala2 · 02/05/2026 11:05

MaggieBsBoat · 02/05/2026 11:04

I assume you’ve now changed your pin right OP?

in any case, dump this malignant fool.
You’ve heard all the alarm bells and seen all the waving red flags. If you ignore them it’s on you.

Absobloodylutely!

OP posts:
LemonKoala2 · 02/05/2026 11:06

Purplewarrior · 02/05/2026 10:55

Did you have any therapy after your abusive relationship? It looks like you have fallen prey to another abusive Wankbadger.

He is totally taking the piss out of you. You are worth so much more than this shitshow. Being single would be vastly superior to living as you are.

Tell him to pack up his stuff and find some other mug to bankroll him. 💐

I did but I've considered going for more as he's just completely gaslighting me

OP posts:
Stillreadingalot · 02/05/2026 11:08

I voted you're unreasonable because I think you're completely unreasonable to be with this guy!!!