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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:
ChickensHaveNoEyebrows · 24/08/2011 13:51

If you have brandy in your store cupboard, that can be good. It burns the tickle out.

SingOut · 24/08/2011 13:52

I have honey, forgot about that. Fanks.

TheRealMBJ · 24/08/2011 13:52

What sortof constancy are we looking at Saul? play dough?

SingOut are you in the right thread? Excellent cough/All round cold remedy is of course a good Hot Toddy.

Cinnamon stick, slice of lemon glug dash of whiskey and honey to taste (preferably Manuka, but any'll do)

SingOut · 24/08/2011 13:54

Yes yes, right thread. It's space to talk, innit? OP certainly isn't going to come back, and would many of us give a toss either way?
Intrigued about the lambing shed comments, but also - do I really want to know? Hmm.

BikingViking · 24/08/2011 13:56

Change that 'dash' to 'a bottle', forget the other ingredients, you're throat'll be fine (no comments on the head though),

speaking of which, thanks for the recipe...

TheRealMBJ · 24/08/2011 13:56

Sorry, all the talk about store cupboard ingredients had me thinking you thought you were on the thrifty cooling thread. Apologies.

BikingViking · 24/08/2011 13:56

arggghhhh, no no no, your not you're

TheRealMBJ · 24/08/2011 13:57

cooking

beatenbyayellowteacup · 24/08/2011 13:57

I find WW2 interesting too, and especially German 20th century history.

MN field trip to Berlin anyone? We can fit Norway in if you like.

TobyLeWolef · 24/08/2011 13:59

Thrifty cooling Grin

SaulGood · 24/08/2011 14:06

Can we combine WWI and WWII? I'm happy to go to Norway too.

Consistency? Um, dough. Not too dry, not stretchy. Bit drier than playdough.

GypsyMoth · 24/08/2011 14:07

Norway for northern lights!

suburbophobe · 24/08/2011 14:18

What a lot of bitchy comments.

Guess you feel threatened in your perfect suburban lifestyles....

ColdSancerre · 24/08/2011 14:20

My lifestyle isn't perfect and I don't live in the suburbs. I have been to Norway though but didn't see the Northern Lights.

lubeybooby · 24/08/2011 14:21

I don't have a perfect suburban lifestyle, I'm single and not threatened in any way. I just don't understand how anyone could so readily accept the dregs, crumbs, leftovers.... of a man instead of a proper relationship

TheRealMBJ · 24/08/2011 14:23

There is nothing to feel threatened by.

MrsPlesWearsAFez · 24/08/2011 14:26

My favourite foolproof gingerbread recipe is an Annabel Karmel one - you have to put the dough in the fridge for half an hour before rolling it out. It's never failed me (and does come up on google - can't link, sorry).

I don't think the thread has been bitchy. The OP is not in a poly marriage by the sheer definition of it - she is a long term OW, more commonly called a mistress.

It would all be fine and dandy if that suits all concerned, but given that the OP dreams of walking down the street hand in hand on a monogamous relationship, it would appear that all is not rosy.

I'd quite like two husbands.... They could both live together then just pop in as required.

TobyLeWolef · 24/08/2011 14:26

I have a perfect, suburban life.

I also used to be in a poly relationship. In fact, my current relationship started out as a poly relationship.

So I don't really understand what I'm supposed to be threatened by.

GypsyMoth · 24/08/2011 14:29

Don't understand what I'm meant to be threatened by either!!

AnyFucker · 24/08/2011 14:29

I think OP should have a Blue Peter badge

And get it's facts straight

lachesis · 24/08/2011 14:30

WB, Extended.

aliceliddell · 24/08/2011 14:30

PMSL @ Reality on page 1. Bolt gun! Ha!

GertieWooster · 24/08/2011 14:30

But the question is, how would the gingerbread penises stay at the right angle, without flopping, whilst baking?

dickiedavisthunderthighs · 24/08/2011 14:33

How is this an unusual lifestyle? Unfortunately men with a wife and a bit on the side are ten a penny :(

Thumbwitch · 24/08/2011 14:35

I had a poly relationship but then the poly became a University - does that count?
Wink

OP - you have probably gone back into hiding. You may have noticed that we don't tend to "do" introductions on MN, people just pile in and we only find out about their lives when they have problems they need help with; which is probably why people are all a bit Hmm about this (that and your misuse of the word "wife", I'm guessing). Up to you but you might want to consider namechanging and starting again but without the introduction. :)