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.

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:
Namechangedforthisoneyep · 02/05/2026 11:12

OP, he is awful and his behaviour is inexcusable and you are NOT to blame. BUT you do need to give yourself a reality check and you do need to make your self accountable for your own life. Stop
bwing a passenger to this bullshit. Stop allowing this to happen to you. You are worth so much more. Leave or make him leave. Be alone. Think of your kids and being a role model.

PygmyOwl · 02/05/2026 11:13

OP this man is a liar and a cocklodger who invades your privacy. Ditch him!

Purplecatshopaholic · 02/05/2026 11:13

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.

Sums it up

SingingHinny · 02/05/2026 11:13

LemonKoala2 · 02/05/2026 11:06

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

Yes, but focus on your actions here. You chose another abusive relationship because you’ve not yet done enough work on yourself to be able to recognise one.. End this asap, and have a lot of therapy before you even contemplate dating again. These are actions you can take to ensure you’re never in this position again.

Notarealblonde · 02/05/2026 11:17

Too much drama. Id say enjoy being single...FOREVER. It really is amazing!

Itiswhysofew · 02/05/2026 11:22

Show him the door. You're worth more than this freeloader. His life sounds too chaotic.

Pickledonion1999 · 02/05/2026 11:22

I've no idea why you would move this guy in with your kids after only knowing him for a year when he has shown so many red flags. Get him to pay for the car damage and ditch him asap.

Charlize43 · 02/05/2026 11:24

Sorry, nothing.

I've not had one this morning (probably the hangover from last night).

SunMoonandChocolate · 02/05/2026 11:26

OP, have you completely lost your mind??? Why the fuck are you still with this piece of shit? There are so many red flags that you could make sheets for thousands, and yet you're still with him. If he already has 12 points on his licence, he shouldn't even be driving, or is he waiting for the court case to be officially banned? I'm afraid the fact that he's crashed YOUR car, is on you really, as letting him drive it, when he's clearly not a sensible driver, is just plain daft. Was HE even insured?

To sum up - LEAVE THE BASTARD, he's not making your life better, and never will!

asdbaybeeee · 02/05/2026 11:28

You are not the problem here

LemonKoala2 · 02/05/2026 11:29

SunMoonandChocolate · 02/05/2026 11:26

OP, have you completely lost your mind??? Why the fuck are you still with this piece of shit? There are so many red flags that you could make sheets for thousands, and yet you're still with him. If he already has 12 points on his licence, he shouldn't even be driving, or is he waiting for the court case to be officially banned? I'm afraid the fact that he's crashed YOUR car, is on you really, as letting him drive it, when he's clearly not a sensible driver, is just plain daft. Was HE even insured?

To sum up - LEAVE THE BASTARD, he's not making your life better, and never will!

He’s waiting for the court case but I’d imagine they’ll let him off as his job is driving and he wouldn’t see his children.

OP posts:
Purplecatshopaholic · 02/05/2026 11:32

Op, who gives a SHIT about his court case. These are HIS problems. Please dump this complete loser and get some therapy.

Charlize43 · 02/05/2026 11:35

I've read it now and the whole situation sounds as toxic as hell. It's not going to end well - I think everyone can see that.

BillieWiper · 02/05/2026 11:36

He's sounds absolutely vile in every imaginable way. You'd be better off dating an axe murderer. Well not quite. But you'd be better off single that's for sure.

BlueMum16 · 02/05/2026 11:38

You've been with this man for under a year
You have meet his daughters
Friendly with his ex wife
Above has all happened so fast. I would not get involved in his DC life's at this stage.

He's moved in
Doesn't pay rent
Crashed your car
Doesn't pay for that either.
You need to move him out and reassess your relationship.

Back to my first point this is why you don't get involved with DC so soon.

InterestedDad37 · 02/05/2026 11:39

More red flags than the factory that makes the red flags 🚩

Ophy83 · 02/05/2026 11:42

He sounds awful. Get the money for your excess and increased premium then bin him.

Scarlettpixie · 02/05/2026 11:47

You need to throw this one back OP, and then next time please take things a bit slower!

It's not you but even if it was, why would you stay with him?! Read your post back. What would you say to your friend if they were in your shoes?

Lavender14 · 02/05/2026 11:56

I've said yabu purely because you are unreasonable to continue this relationship.

You need to get out immediately.

He's abusing you financially, verbally and emotionally.

He's calling you an abuser because he's deflecting from himself and his own actions.

He's judging you for not leaving an abusive relationship which is ironic since you did leave and actually he is the one being abusive, again a complete deflection.

He's carrying out an emotional affair with his ex behind your back and then calling you abusive when you try to hold an appropriate boundary.

I'm guessing he doesn't really care for the other woman either, he's just making sure there is A woman lined up ready to be taken advantage of and meet his needs when you start seeing through him.

The fact you're working to keep him while he contributes nothing is absolute insanity op.

You need to go to womens aid, make a plan to leave urgently. Change the passwords on your devices. Change the locks on your doors and report him to police. Coercive control is now a criminal offence. If he gets nasty later you will be glad you put it on record with them and he is the type to try and intimidate you.

I think op he's really love bombed you, wormed his way into your life and home way too early and then just eaten away at your life from the inside out. Next time you leave him to work I'd go straight home, pack his shit, ideally leave it at a neutral location, if not your front garden is fine and get your locks changed and tell him by text that it's over and he can collect his things by x date or you'll have it disposed of. I would have a friend or male relative stay for that time.

You need to tell friends in real life what is happening, you deserve proper support and domestic abuse like this thrives in secrecy. So stop covering for him and use your friends to cut through the gas lighting.

ThisOneLife · 02/05/2026 12:01

LemonKoala2 · 02/05/2026 11:29

He’s waiting for the court case but I’d imagine they’ll let him off as his job is driving and he wouldn’t see his children.

You think criminals are “let off” because they have kids? You think everyone in jail is childless?

He needs to be off the road so he can’t kill anyone.

Tel12 · 02/05/2026 12:03

Why would anyone put up with this?

LemonKoala2 · 02/05/2026 12:07

ThisOneLife · 02/05/2026 12:01

You think criminals are “let off” because they have kids? You think everyone in jail is childless?

He needs to be off the road so he can’t kill anyone.

From what I’ve read, he will get off
with those excuses and a hefty fine and if I’m honest, I’d like him to get banned as I think he needs a sharp shock to reality.

OP posts:
pinkyredrose · 02/05/2026 12:11

Only got a quarter of the way through your post and my insides are screaming 'he's a wrong 'un'.

Why the fuck does he live with you?!

pinkyredrose · 02/05/2026 12:15

How long has he been living with you?

LemonKoala2 · 02/05/2026 12:16

pinkyredrose · 02/05/2026 12:15

How long has he been living with you?

He stayed a few times and then never really left!!

OP posts: