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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Help me deal with the OW please!

48 replies

thatsnotmyfruitshoot · 01/11/2010 13:24

Found about H and OW's ongoing affair a year ago and H and we split as a result. I never contacted OW when I found out, even though I did know her, I wanted to retain some dignity at the time.

Now she's more openly on the scene and having regular contact with my dc's. We've still had no contact, but I've heard from a mutual friend that she's saying some unkind and untrue things about me - it makes my blood boil, and is also very upsetting as it seems so unnecessarily vindictive on her part.

It doesn't sit right with me that people can behave like this without any comeback, but I just can't think how to deal with it without creating the confrontation I've tried to avoid all along. I also don't actually want a hostile relationship with her and H if it can be avoided, but I'm not sure what choice I have given the situation. Can anyone offer any advice please??

OP posts:
AnyFawker · 01/11/2010 17:19

yay !

me likey

LittleMissHissingFirecracker · 01/11/2010 17:28

Fruitshoot, your dignity is truly inspirational! You are a woman to be truly admired!

What was that Roosevelt quote?

?Women are like teabags. We don't know our true strength until we are in hot water!? It could have been written about you!

Everyone here is bang on about how there must be trouble in paradise if she has the need to bitch about you. Sounds like the relationship is in a pretty poor shape.

Perhaps this is why DH is reluctant for you to sell the house, as he feels it'd totally end any chance of a way back for him? If he were convinced that it was all done and dusted, surely he'd agree?

I'm delighted to hear that his large family are treating her with the disdain she deserves. WHERE do OW get off thinking they can come in, be hugely instrumental in the devastation of a family, bitch about people and STILL be welcomed with open arms. Never going to be appropriate.

I swear I don't think I could keep my gloves on if my DS was brought into slanging matches, but the girls are right and she is only doing this for effect.

This too shall pass.

Raise it with your XH and tell him her comments are inappropriate and untrue and that you will take legal advice if she continues.

ellenjames · 01/11/2010 17:29

havent read responses but ignore her my only concern would be if she is saying anything infront of your dc's. If so thats a whole different position, if not then i wouldnt waste my time .xx

valiumskeleton · 01/11/2010 17:35

I'd say that this means you've won the 'dignity comptetition'.

It sounds like she's trying to provoke your male mutual friend into taking her side, or agreeing with her that you are x, y or z, and it's not working.

carryin on being dignified because I think it's worked. She has your husband but she realises you're superior. Far from feeling smug, you make her feel bad about herself and she doesn't know how to deal with that...

thatsnotmyfruitshoot · 01/11/2010 19:01

Aw, thanks firecracker. I don't feel like anyone to be admired, I felt wobbly as hell this morning. I've written countless emails to her but always deleted before sending - very therapeutic just to let it out!

I really don't think he wants me back, but for some reason he's delaying all the official bits.

And valium, the one I thing I know about her is that she's very insecure. The reaction of his family will have stung (but firecracker is right, what else should people expect in that situation??)and I do wonder if she's now feeling a little bit unsettled now the shine is off.

OP posts:
EternalCynic · 01/11/2010 19:45

She sounds as though she is fully aware of the devastation she has caused along with your ex, and is trying to justify her behaviour to anyone who'll listen or knows you both. She's trying to rationalise it. I'd imagine she's thinking that, the worse picture she paints of you, the more innocent she and her relationship with your ex will look. She sounds like a total bitch, well done for maintaining a dignified silence...it will drive her mad i'm sure, which must be extremely satisfying :)

Eurostar · 01/11/2010 20:29

This is getting a bit "group think" about the OW. You said yourself that your H might be using you as an excuse for keeping up these work interests you mention. So, when she is asking for more time from him, he might be saying, "sorry, no can do, Fruitshoot is really pressurising me for money, I'm worried she'll get difficult about the DC if I don't give in etc. etc."

Would he really choose someone so mean and cruel as to complain about you with no reason put in her head by him? I don't know your back story but I presume he was having an affair therefore practising deceit? Why should he not be continuing this behaviour in his dealings with current woman?

quizling · 01/11/2010 20:32

Some people just like bitching. It's quite cathartic. Think you're overthinking it. Sounds like she's pissed off about the money. Should have gone after someone richer!

LittleMissHissingFirecracker · 01/11/2010 20:48

Oh the rows I have had with all sorts of people, out loud too! The emails I have written and filed in Drafts only to delete them later... it helps. It all helps.

Your XH letting you go is a whole other kettle of fish to not wanting you back. He can't sever ties with the past, cos it would prove he failed.

You know what fragile egos these kind of men are, it's the reason why his head turned in the first place. He didn't have the strength to say I'm Married and this is not going to happen. He doesn't have the strength to say, 'That's it, it's over'.

Do you have to have his agreement to sell the house? Is the house transferred into your sole name?

This is your life now, if you want to move, go ahead.

Mind you, my dad left my mum after 22 years of marriage. I was 16. He gave her the house, paid all her bills for 18m. She kept the house on, is still there.

She always said that it was, for her, the best thing she did. She faced the memories and made new ones. The house is hers. On the rare occasions Dad has been there, it's him that feels uncomfortable there, not her. It's her house, 100%. Much to the chagrin of her new H, together for 18 years, married for 5.

The OW in my Dad's story is utterly insecure, we were banned from the home in 95. Dad tried to reunite us all last Christmas, but when I heard that he'd have to negotiate with her, i told him to stick it. After all this time, all the years she has been married that she can't open her arms and welcome his flesh and blood FOR HIM, then she clearly doesn't love him enough then does she. Or, I said, that he isn't Man enough, Dad enough to stand up to her in the house HE bought and say they are my kids, I'll invite them if I want.

Don't think I'll be getting an invite anytime soon.

I can't forgive her for the stuff she has personally done to try to sabotage our relationship with Dad, and no amount of grey hair or wrinkles will make me think that it's OK now.

As I asked him, What IS the statute of limitation for WRECKING a family? When IS what they did OK? When the answer to that is found, then I'll accept them.

Well Weebles Wobble but they don't fall down! You won't fall down, not ever, cos we won't let you.

The OW has NOTHING on you! she can't come on here and cry on our shoulders, cos she'd get roasted.

You have dignity, which she'll never ever have. She can't hold her head high, she won't occupy any position of respect, because OW don't deserve it. She will only have guilt, insecurity, and fear that one day SHE'LL get traded in for a newer model.

She'll be looking over her shoulder for a good few years yet. You only need look toward the future!

I know who I'D rather be!

LittleMissHissingFirecracker · 01/11/2010 20:49

Oh lummy.... essay Blush

thatsnotmyfruitshoot · 01/11/2010 20:49

Eurostar, that's a fair point. It's certainly not one-sided, H is one of the most selfish people I've ever met, and will do what it takes to pursue his own interests. It will suit his agenda to paint me this way too, I guess it was inevitable really. I just don't like being used in their games.

Quizling, she thought she had gone for somebody rich. She didn't factor in the huge whack the divorce would cost him. Not much left when it's split two ways and you're living in an expensive area. It's quite funny really Grin

OP posts:
thatsnotmyfruitshoot · 01/11/2010 20:57

No, firecracker, a lovely post. Thanks for sharing all of that! What a rough ride, but your mum sounds inspirational in the way she coped. There is a similar story in my in-law family, and it's left rifts which will never be mended. People move on, but they never really forget and I think once your integrity is gone, that's it.

I think I will move, will probably need to when I'm able to go back to work. The house is in joint names but he might buy me out or we could let it until the market recovers a bit. Really bad time to be going through any of this..!

OP posts:
quizling · 01/11/2010 21:01

No, it really needs to be someone who is on so much that even half of it is more than comfortable. Enough to live on the interest of the interest should be enough, and so that if they leave you as well you still get lots, so it's no matter ...silly her.

I would imagine that she is getting it from your ex though. He will have been the first to paint you in a certain light, and she will have just followed on. It is childish to bitch to mutual friends though.

LittleMissHissingFirecracker · 01/11/2010 21:15

If values are depressed, get him to sign it over as part of a settlement.. then when the market picks up again YOU reap all the benefit!

TBH, the H doesn't have to paint her in a light for the OW to bitch about the W. By getting involved with a man that is married she automatically pits herself against the W, whether the W knows it or not.

Even when she has her 'prize' knob she will still want to twist the knife, one because it maintains her position and two because she thinks it'll stop him changing his mind and going back or leaving her.

It might suit him to let her carry on, it may be the easier path to take as setting her straight will be construed as disloyalty to her the OW. Blokes, especially ones like this guy, usually look for the easiest path. For themselves.

FakePlasticTrees · 01/11/2010 21:20

Just to add, i'd thought your ex-H might be treating her badly and using you as an excuse - he lied to you, why not her? I wouldn't be surprised if the delay in getting divorced has a lot to do with not being able to marry her. You said he might be using your maintenance as an excuse for his work hours, it might also be lying about the amount he's giving you.

Re your male friend - i'd just say you don't want to hear about it as what she thinks about you doesn't matter.

Maybee · 01/11/2010 21:38

Thatsnotmyfruitshoot you are getting some great advice on here. I think there is a delightful karmic twist working here for you. I hope you feel better already.
I am fighting the temptation to send thank you cards to both my soon to be ex dh and his fancy woman at their work address. They are colleagues. I know this would not be dignified but it might be priceless. Its not entirely cynical as one day when the sadness and scorn goes my discovery of them will be a gift to me. Anyway I digress not!
Littlemisshissing your posts are hilarious and wise.

AnyFawker · 01/11/2010 21:46

hissy is fab, and spot-on

LittleMissHissingFirecracker · 01/11/2010 21:47

Ooh,

LittleMissHissingFirecracker · 01/11/2010 21:53

Maybee, do they not know you KNOW?

As lovely an idea as sending thank you cards is, you know you won't do it, it'll come across as Maybee's unhinged....

But in the realms of our imagination such priceless ideas gains maximum kudos (and that idea is a CORKER)

Now you did that without really trying, I bet if you put your mind to it, you could come up with something utterly dastardly!

LittleMissHissingFirecracker · 01/11/2010 21:55

OK, have now used the words Chagrin, and Dastardly...

perhaps this D&V bug has affected my brain? Confused

Daren't risk alcohol

Maybee · 01/11/2010 22:02

Well an envelope full of dead wasps might send a good message but I only found one today so its not a good season! They know I know alright. I also know it is entirely his responsibility and not hers he is the married one with the 3 kids. However I would just like to let her know how much hurt their carelessness is causing to so many people. Anyway in her text she said she was swimming with the fishes (on hols) so maybe a horses head? Not real though. To hell with them I'll have a hot choc and go to bed. sorry for the hijack thatsnot
Keep your head high.

LittleMissHissingFirecracker · 01/11/2010 22:09

Oh yes maybee, I recall your thread now... there are not enough wasps for that one.

tillywee · 11/11/2010 14:26

I agree with not saying anything....but also agree with anyfawker that if she badmouths you to the dc's then all bets are off

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