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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

Advice please if anyone's up

705 replies

losttheflickumdickumagain · 26/02/2012 05:31

Cant believe I'm asking this, I think I know I'm clutching at straws.

Yesterday I found an old mobile in my husbands van (I never usually go I there). There were literally loads of calls made, as many as 10 a day up until 5:20 (he gets home around 5:45) I rang the number and a woman answered.

We have 3 dc's aged 5 and under. My world has just dropped from under my feet.

He's smashed the phone in temper, and he's saying someone at works been using it for the last couple if weeks. He swears he's not been having an affair.

I am clutching at straws aren't I?

OP posts:
twolittlebundles · 07/03/2012 02:27

dammit! I always forget the ruddy time difference! I meant today, not tonight obv.

fiventhree · 07/03/2012 10:39

Lost, Izzy is right re :

"what To date, all he's learned is the need for taking greater care to keep his future infidelities under wraps. "

That is what my h did, every time. I was having to behave like Poirot by the end, and evidence became hard to find.

Also, I do agree with PP/A re withdrawing. I did exactly this, which had always been his forte. I took my clothes to the spare room (which he had often used, against my wishes) and it really freaked him out. He started paying me compliments on my clothes etc for the first time in years, followed by angry raving emails when I didnt bite. I didnt ignore him completely, but I told him nothing of what I was thinking or doing, and said I would save it for Relate.

I actually found out afterwards that he continued sex chatting new women all that week and a half, right up to the night before we went to Relate.

I also kept an online yournal of all kinds of nonsense eg I recorded everything he told me about the infidelity, and was able to add to and refer back to it, every time he contradicted himself, and denied contradicting himself. I had a section for my current feelings. I had lists within it about my options, and made sure I looked at the advantages of difficult option such as leaving, as well as the advantages of staying. I kept lists of what I needed to do right then. And even during the Realte stage, I arranged a weekend away, leaving him with the kids, a few unusual nights out, and lots of phone chats with friends.

Meanwhile, he sat in his office, sex chatted, obsessed and stewed. For all the good it did him. And he lied to the kids, telling them I had invented everything, for which they were later furious.

losttheflickumdickumagain · 07/03/2012 11:04

Thank you everyone.

Pp, I know, I was angry at myself for telling him. I know I only did it to let him see where this is going, I'm still being petty.

Withdrawing is so hard. I can't help talking about the children. Although on Monday night he kept trying to chat about normal stuff (not dc related), and he just got short snippy answers, then when he carried on after the dc's had gone to bed, I lost it and asked him what the hell he thought he was doing talking to me like everything was normal.

The strange thing is, he's always been a fantastic husband and father. Yes, he's had faults, but he's always been there for us, been supportive, caring, loving (more than me). Why would someone work so hard at building a life and a family, just to ruin it? When I see him with the dc's, I could honestly kill him. It's not just me he's done this to, it affects them deeply too.

He's going away for a few days this weekend to the caravan. (we were planning on him going a couple of weeks ago to get it ready after winter). The dozy mare has actually asked if me and the bairns will come when he's sorted it!!! Yes, the boys would love it, but I may push him off a cliff!

OP posts:
losttheflickumdickumagain · 07/03/2012 11:07

My friend asked me this morning what I'd do if I was financially stable on my own, I know I'd have chucked him out by now. How mercenary is that?

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losttheflickumdickumagain · 07/03/2012 11:23

Sorry bundles, I meant to ask, where are you? Just curious with the time difference, hope you don't mind me asking Smile.

OP posts:
fiventhree · 07/03/2012 11:36

Lost, I did talk to him about the children during this stage, but in a practical way. No cozy chats. Just practical stuff.

losttheflickumdickumagain · 07/03/2012 12:45

Did you find that hard five? One of the bairns will do something, we'll laugh, and then he'll start chatting away as normal.

Ds1 spent the best part of this morning lecturing ds2 about how naughty running off with his toys was, because it was making ds1 sad, and you're not supposed to make your family sad, because families love each other, don't we mummy?! I swear I'm not making this up. I had to laugh at the irony.

OP posts:
fiventhree · 07/03/2012 12:58

I didnt find it that hard (may a bit) , as I was remembering the fact that I knew he was lying. That he was lying to save his skin, and causing me untold misery, and willing to carry on doing so. And when I did find out, and the timescale involved, it was very telling to look back at the timeframe when I had apparently become critical and sufficiently unsupportive, apparently.

Even this week, I worked out that he must have started this game very soon after I told him I did not want to talk about his job every night, as it was not helping him to solve certain problems, and meant we never talked about anything else (eg me). He was responding to all work problems with trying to control others or situations, and it wasnt working for him. I have done some career mentoring officially, so saw this.

And soon after, because he still carried around the stress, he started with the OW. And I now remember that he told me during a weekend away during that year - 2006- about a month after he must have started- that we were drifting apart, going in different directions, and that he wasnt sure what love was etc etc.

If you reread what you just wrote, you will see that he is using the conversations about the kids to send you subliminal messages, and on purpose. He was crying last week, wasnt he? He is saying oh look, what a fool daddy has been to mummy. Please stop being cross and and making me account for myself.

fiventhree · 07/03/2012 12:59

Actually, now, I wish I had been even harder.

fiventhree · 07/03/2012 13:05

Also, think about his general attitudes in life- eg about his work, control issues, how he deals with problems.

You see, I just told you how my h was controlling at work, and I recognied this in 2006. It was late 2011 before he admitted that he had been trying to control me. And that the conversations with OW were about power and control. And that he had lied to me for 20 years, whilst making me feel like crap every time I suspected it.

Do you see? If you life you head above the current affair, you may be able to work out for yourself what is really going on, or has been.

My h was still talking to those women during the very week he was trying to talk me round. Three new ones at least, he now admits. Because " he was stressed".

losttheflickumdickumagain · 07/03/2012 14:45

That's the thing that confuses me. His general attitude is fine. Apart from having a bit of a temper (usually shown behind the wheel). He's been pretty much a perfect husband and father.

Something seems to have changed today. I rang him earlier questioning a few things (silly I know, but stupid questions keep coming into my head, and I know I shouldn't, but I can't always stop my big mouth, even though I know I wouldn't get a straight answer from him anyway). Anyway, he hung up on me (for asking said stupid questions) and something seemed to click with me (if that makes sense). I give up now. I'm done trying to get the truth or understand it. I sent him a text telling him, not snippy or sarky or anything, I can't remember exactly what I said, but it was just that I'd done now. And he hasn't stopped texting me all day. I don't know what that's all about. He's telling me about his day, a silly game he's been playing in his phone, and now long apologetic ones, and also telling me he'll never agree to a divorce if I decide that's what I want. I haven't replied to any, I don't intend to. Sorry if that makes me sound like a cow, I'm really not. But I am done now. I can't be bothered anymore. I'm going round in circles with him and getting nowhere. If he can be arsed, he can fix it now. I give up.

Sound a right bitch don't I? Sad

OP posts:
losttheflickumdickumagain · 07/03/2012 14:46

I have replied to texts asking if the children are okay obviously.

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fiventhree · 07/03/2012 14:56

I think you know you are not a bitch.

He is playing a control game with you, isnt he? He hangs up when he thinks he can get away with it (ie he sees that you are still pursuing him) , and then he chases when you change tack.

It is because he is controlling, and childish.

ifeelloved · 07/03/2012 16:39

Nope not at all, just some one who is sick and tired of all the lies and games.

losttheflickumdickumagain · 07/03/2012 17:20

The more I think about all this, the more I think he's protecting her. I've a horrible feeling I know who it is Sad.

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fiventhree · 07/03/2012 17:30

Well, it does seem odd that she wont speak to you, so it would explain why.

I imagine he is protecting himself first, and her second. Whilst telling himself that he is protecting you.

Also, what is in it for him is that you are unable to verify whether they have slept together, although she may not tell you anyway. But he is afraid she might. Why would anyone at all call anyone up to 10 times a day, if just friends? Why hide it from you, and take such drastic steps to stop you getting the evidence, in all sorts of ways eg

  • hiding the phone
  • smashing the phone
  • getting angry
  • crying
  • threatening suicide.

It just doesnt add up, does it? And believe me, I can be naive.

Its going to come out. It always does. But liars never see this, they think they are invincible.

He may even have a madonna/whore thing going on. eg his mum/you, versus OW

AnyFucker · 07/03/2012 18:06

lost, read back your posts

everytime you mention responding in a positive, assertive way (completely appropriate in the circumstances), you pull back and say "sound like a bitch, don't I?"

you don't, you are not

every time you follow some advice that the brilliant women on this thread are giving you, you think you are being "horrible"

are we bitches, are we horrible ?

was five horrible to force her H to face the consequences of his actions ?

you can do this too, and you would be nothing like a bitch, nor would you be horrible

losttheflickumdickumagain · 07/03/2012 21:00

You're right, thank you. I know I'm not being a bitch. I'm just not used to feeling so , venomous , I suppose is the right word. Don't get me wrong, I have tons of faults (no, I'm not telling you them all Grin), but I am feeling nasty towards him, and I'm not used to feeling like this.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 07/03/2012 21:02

he deserves venom, he deserves anger

you would be a robot not to feel those things

you don't need to whack him round the head with a frying pan to express them

but please, stop denying yourself those natural, appropriate and righteous reactions

silvereyes · 07/03/2012 21:08

you are so not a bitch

you sound to me like good woman, striving to be strong, well done.

losttheflickumdickumagain · 07/03/2012 22:31

Oh my god, I have to share this. He's just forwarded an email to me that he's sent to a problem page in the newspaper!!!!! My life has gone completely bonkers.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 07/03/2012 22:34
Hmm

is this what you signed up for, lost ?

losttheflickumdickumagain · 07/03/2012 22:39

God no. He'll be asking me to go on Jeremy Kyle next. (see, sparkling wit returning Grin)

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 07/03/2012 22:41
Smile Sad
mummytime · 07/03/2012 22:42

Have you seen a solicitor yet? Even if you haven't I'd be tempted to email the editor of the paper, letting him know you know your ex has sent this letter in and you are going to consult your lawyer about it. (That will either make then ensure it is very anonymous or more probably put off printing it). BTW the last person I knew do something like that was a 14 year old girl.

Also I don't think he can stop you getting a divorce if you have enough proof of either "Adultery" or "Unreasonable behaviour"; a decent solicitor would probably advise him to not even try and oppose it.