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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

New member with unusual lifestyle.

275 replies

Secondwife · 24/08/2011 11:29

I joined up yesterday but I have lurked on here for some time now. I've not found a sub forum for introductions so I'm using this post here to introduce myself and my somewhat unusual life, and living arrangements.

As my username suggests I am a Second wife to my OH, but not in the conventional sense as we are not married and can never be. Most of you will find this very hard to understand and accept as it breaks the 'norm' with regards to relationships but we are in a Polygamous relationship. He is early 40's and is married to his wife who is the same age, and they live together without children as that is their wish. I am early 50's and live 40 miles away from them in my own home. I have three teenage children from a previous marriage and support myself and my children with the bare minimum of financial help from their Father, to which they do not see and do not recognise as a 'Father'. He left when they were all still very young, the youngest was only months old as he suddenly decided being married and a parent was not for him.

My OH was a very distant friend for many years although I was well aware that his wife did not have a huge sexual appetite. He struggled with the not wanting to cheat on her, but really needing a sexual outlet. I was celibate but frustrated and some how we became for want of a better word 'Fuckbuddies'. There was strictly no emotion between us and sex was good but that was all it was. Over the years it seems the OH began to fall in love with me and my children without my knowledge, and it was a huge shock years ago when he finally confessed he loved me/us. Over the years of us being fuckbuddies his wife grew to understand what was happening between us and she was relieved that she did not have to have sex when she did not want it and that he would not be leaving her for us, merely we would share him. And so it began... I am called his secondwife in gest by her and he spends some of each week at each home. He makes no financial contribution to my household other than paying for the odd take-away to cover food that he does consume at my house,. We go on family outings together as a proper family and my kids call him 'Dad'. That is their choice, it has never been pushed onto them, they realise which man in their life loves them and has time for them, and which does not.

The only downside we have so far discovered is that we can never 'out' ourselves to family and friends. As far as they all know we are all just good friends such is the social frowning that happens to people who wish to live a polygamous life. It is not something that any of us set out to do, it just sort of happened and it works for us.

OP posts:
jumpingjackhash · 24/08/2011 12:06

I have to agree with the other posters who say you're more of a mistress, really. If you were a 'second wife' (however 'legal' the arrangement), surely you'd all live together as one big family?

Sounds more to me like he's having his cake and eating it. Having said that though, if you're happy with the arrangement then... meh.

Not sure why you've bothered to start this post, really.

Cheria · 24/08/2011 12:07

Agree, you are nothing more in anyone's eyes, and in the eyes of the law, thatn his mistress.

Been there, done that. Have nothing against polyamourous relationships, where each partner is equal and respectful of each other.

In this case he seems pretty disrespectful of both of you. And the poor wife has no self respect otherwise she'd have kicked him out rather than be relieved he wasn't going to leave her. She had no choice in the matter, in her eyes.

Not sure what the point of this thread was other than to stir people up.

SingOut · 24/08/2011 12:09

I'm at a loss as to why you are posting..

In other news, it's v sunny here today Grin Hopefully the washing I left out overnight in the rain will dry again. How is everyone else today?

bibbitybobbityhat · 24/08/2011 12:10

Very odd choice of username. Are you married?

Why not longtermlover or bitontheside or otherwoman?

Bizarre thread.

AuntieMonica · 24/08/2011 12:11

i've just let DD facepaint me Grin

glastocat · 24/08/2011 12:14

Honestly, who cares? If you're happy with the situation, then work away. It all sounds a bit grim and second best to me though. And I knew this was going to be about polyamory before I even clicked on the link, so its not even that unusual really.

Malificence · 24/08/2011 12:17

什么是负载的废话

Malificence · 24/08/2011 12:19

kaj obremenitev sranje

beatenbyayellowteacup · 24/08/2011 12:20
Biscuit
TobyLeWolef · 24/08/2011 12:20

You are not 'polygamous'. You are not married. You are, at best, polyamorous.

I know a lot of poly people and not one of them would confuse the two Hmm

I'm just saying.

HairyGrotter · 24/08/2011 12:21

This sounds like a perfect set up for me lol however, I wouldn't be involving my child, she will be raised alone by myself unless I happen to meet the man I wish to spend the rest of my life with monogamously. Otherwise, they are two seperate entities.

Do what suits you, both women are aware of each other and happy with the arrangement, when one becomes unhappy then the situation needs to be re-adressed.

GypsyMoth · 24/08/2011 12:22

Do you wash his socks op??

Malificence · 24/08/2011 12:23

I'm partial to a bit of Balamory myself.

SaulGood · 24/08/2011 12:23

I've said it before, I'll say it again. [email protected]

But I do like your tone very much. It's like you're trying to educate me. I like that.

Malificence · 24/08/2011 12:25

At least sisterwife was faintly interesting, you know shagging in the sheepshed and all that, this is just, dull.

beatenbyayellowteacup · 24/08/2011 12:26

It's quite sunny today here too, SingOut. Hope your washing dried.

CognitiveDissident · 24/08/2011 12:26

"I joined up yesterday but I have lurked on here for some time now. I've not found a sub forum for introductions so I'm using this post here to introduce myself and my somewhat unusual life, and living arrangements"

OP, that's not how it works round here... the done thing on MN is to lurk a little, get a feel for the flavour and then post, preferably something germane to the forum.

Relationships is used for advice/help on...well...relationships; be they with partners, friends, family. If you are happy with your set-up, then good for you. You don't get a shiney for posting about it though.

ChickensHaveNoEyebrows · 24/08/2011 12:27

Meh. You say it works for you, and then in the next breath say you wish you could walk down the street and be in a monogamous relationship. So it actually doesn't work for you. But ultimately, I can't say as I care much about other people's set ups. Not really sure what you've posted all this for tbh. Are we supposed to be shocked? Fascinated? Swooning?

SaulGood · 24/08/2011 12:29

Do you know in 6/7 years I've never felt the need to introduce myself on MN. Might do it on here if PolyPolly doesn't mind...

Hello fellow mummies and lurkers....

I sometimes touch myself when nobody's looking. I eat chocolate in the same way. Sometimes I talk to the cat. He never talks back. Last week I made gingerbread women and gave them all breasts because I was bored.

There. Feel better now.

TheRealMBJ · 24/08/2011 12:30

As others have said, you are his mistress and all you get out if the arrangement is an occasional fuck (don't jump on me - your own words, essentially) and a 'family outing' every now and again. IMO there is much more to being spouses that just a screw.

Who would he choose if he had to, do you think?

ChickensHaveNoEyebrows · 24/08/2011 12:30

Saul! Shock You beast!

TheRealMBJ · 24/08/2011 12:31

Me neither Saul.

Have I inadvertently broken some rule about sharing my vanilla weird lifestyle with every one?

TheRealMBJ · 24/08/2011 12:32

I like the breasted gingerbreadwomen btw.might do them for next NCT meet.

ChickensHaveNoEyebrows · 24/08/2011 12:32

He doesn't need to choose, MBJ. That's the beauty of it for him.

loopylou6 · 24/08/2011 12:32

Grin Can you imagine the conversations?

Man to wife one - I'm feeling horny darling, I'm just going to pop to w2 for a quick shag. W1 - ok sweetheart, make sure you've washed your Dick and say hello to her for me...

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