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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

MAJOR wobble - please come and hold my hand, or slap me...

89 replies

kathrynthegreat · 23/03/2012 11:53

I am in urgent need of the collective wisdom on MN. I have been with my partner now for 4 years and he has never left me in any doubt what so ever that he would be unfaithful. He is completely open about his phone being out on show, his email being left open etc. He does delete all his texts but I put that down to him being a bit OCD on the organisation front rather than anything more sinister.
However, of the last three relationships I have had (the only three relationships I have had) all of them have resulted in me being cheated on. Most recently five years ago when the father of my DD cheated with a colleague whilst away with work when DD was a year old.
I have really worked on my insecurity and this has been greatly helped by the fact that my DP isn?t suspicious in any way. I thought I was in a good place and that I was okay now.
However, I have just been flung back down in to the pit of insecurity and despair.
DP recently started a new job (coincided with me putting on a bit of weight because of a bit of a saga with my contraceptives so my self-image is a little low at the moment any way) and mentioned the people on his new team. He ran through the names (male and female) and then he said one name (we?ll say ?Katie?) and I just knew that he fancied her.
Now, I may be mad (happy to admit it) but on every other occasion with previous partners I have known when something was going on. There is something in the air when the name is mentioned. I have never been wrong. I?ve never confronted it ? because how can you accuse someone of saying someone?s name strangely!? But somewhere along the line, my ssuspicion has always been confirmed.
So, I know that even if he does fancy her, that doesn?t mean he will cheat. But based on probability, he pretty much will.
I tried to put it to the back of my mind but a few days ago we were talking about me giving him a lift to work one day and he said ?Oh it?s okay, I?m getting a lift? and in the way he said it I just knew it was her from the way he said it/ the way his eyes moved etc. (even though he works with around 50 other people) I asked who he was getting a lift from and yes, it is her.
So naturally (Hmm) I?ve found her photo online today and FUCKING HELL - worst case. She is beautiful. Not as in leggy and blonde and obvious but worse - as in, very young, trendy, slim, tall, elfin hair, cute face, gorgeous make up, quirky dress sense which I just know he loves? And basically I?ve just had to go and be sick.
He?s been going on recently about being bored with his wardrobe and has bought some new stuff that makes him every inch the attractive, successful, intriguing older man that I would have gone all predatory on at her age.
In my mind he has cheated already. I can?t get the thought of it out of my head. I have already mentally caught them at it and left him, packed up my DD and left. In fact I am actually crying and shaking as I write.

I can?t tell him how I feel. It?s ridiculous.

I?m so damn ANGRY at the men who have made me like this.

I hope that someone out there has some wise words for me? something sage and meaningful please? (or a slap round the face?!)

OP posts:
kathrynthegreat · 29/03/2012 15:36

But it depends what you mean by fancying... I fancy other men.. In my job I often meet new people and some of them are very tasty indeed. I might flirt a little and enjoy speaking with them. But that is as far as it goes. They aren't a patch on my partner, no one comes close to him by a long stretch.

I think that's normal. Just becuase you are married or partnered up doesn't stop you finding people attractive.

But what I worry about is him having a crush on her, being more excited about seeing her than he is about seeing me. Thinking she's funnier, prettier, more interesting, more stylish, more fun and generally thinking of me as a poor comparrisson. If that were the case, it wouldn't matter to me if anything happens between them or not. It's bad enough on it's own.

OP posts:
Proudnscary · 29/03/2012 15:44

I think you have quite an odd way of looking at things and expressing things.

You seem to think of things in way of competition and status (who is or isn't better looking - whether it's you compared to other women, or other men compared to him, plus you talk about him not needing to be criticised by his boss because he is so senior!).

I can't quite put my finger on it but you seem to have a rather warped view of other people and possibly even what is and isn't important.

Also you seem to say you only wouldn't cheat with the other 'tasty' men at your work because 'they aren't a patch on your partner'. Which is great. But isn't the real reason because you are in a committed relationship to him so whether or not someone is better looking or better dressed as you put it, shouldn't be a primary reason for not cheating.

kathrynthegreat · 29/03/2012 15:51

I don't mean that's why I wouldn't cheat. I'm just saying that I don't think anyone is a patch on my partner... If I started to think that there were men out there that were then I would leave him.

The thing with his boss, I don't think I put that across properly. Of course his boss could criticise him. But I wanted to split the two of them up in his mind as I don't like to imagine the two of them as comrades. (I am mad, as I said in my OP)

In all of my life expereince (I am in my late 30's) people have cheated. The reasons have varied. But being in a committed relationship hasn't detered anyone before so although I agree with you, and my love for my partner is certainly why I wouldn't cheat... I'm never goign to be 100% certain of anyone else's motives for resisting or not resisting temptation.

I do have a warped view of things.

OP posts:
kathrynthegreat · 29/03/2012 15:54

So is it okay for your partner to "being more excited about seeing her than he is about seeing me. Thinking she's funnier, prettier, more interesting, more stylish, more fun and generally thinking of me as a poor comparrisson" All because it is you who he loves?

F**k if so I'm screwed, I couldn't live with that. What is left..? Surely you would just be like a comfortable old shoe?

OP posts:
bookishandblondish · 29/03/2012 16:04

From a different perspective, I'm the work colleague who is friends with a male colleague.

He may have fancied me - and we were good friends but actually I didn't fancy him so nothing was ever going to happen. I was and still consider him to be a friend but his wife is so jealous about me, he isn't allowed to talk to me even when in a group (not even when I'm describing going on a date with a new man and knew he was desperate for details).

kathrynthegreat · 29/03/2012 16:05

Maybe a comfortable old shoe is what you have to settle with being after a while. And just hope that your partner's love for you is strong enough that he is one of the few who can resist cheating even though he has more fun in the company of other women than you.

Is that how it is?

I don't even know if that is me.. maybe I'm just scared of that happening one day and this "katie" person has just reminded me about my insecurities. He seems to have fun with me.. he definitely fancies me. He definitely loves me.

I probably just don't want to lose what I have so badly that I'm imagining things.

OP posts:
kathrynthegreat · 29/03/2012 16:08

Thanks for your take bookish but are you saying that your perception was that nothing happened because you didn't fancy him... as in, if you did fancy him he would have cheated?

I don't want to be that wife. I would never be that wife.

But in her defense if her instints were strong, she probably knew he did fancy you and knew that if on any given day you decided that you fancied him back - he would cheat.

I wouldn't blame you, I've nothing against "other women" actually. Men have their own minds and make their own choices.

OP posts:
DinahMoHum · 29/03/2012 16:10

he probably doesnt think that of her. All the things you think about him, chances are he thinks about you. The way you talk about him it sounds like you have a strong relationship and its unlikely to be all one sided. I think youre obviously damaged by your past, and its not surprising. Youre having a wobble and its good that you can talk about it on here.
So what if shes more stylish? Is that what its all about? More fun? well shes got no kids. Are you sure more fun and stylish is what he wants out of a relationship?

There will always be people prettier and uglier than you. You cant compare yourself to others, or youre always going to be in a state of anxiety and its just not necessary.

I could meet the most handsome man in the world with a much more exciting life but it wouldnt tempt me away from my partner for even a moment. Fun for an afternoon, but its no comparison to a loving relationship. Thats much more fun in different ways.
If someone better looking came along would you leave your husband? Give him the same credit. He isnt your exes.

Proudnscary · 29/03/2012 16:10

Oh for gawd's sake, OP! I have been with my dh for 17 and I am a stone heavier, a lot wrinklier but in no WAY do I think of myself as a bloody comfortable old shoe!! I am proud of myself, make the most of myself and enjoy life without worrying myself to smithereens.

I have a fantastic, well paid career, two fabulous children, a dh who I love to bits (are we running through meadows? no! but we have a laugh, accept each other, have the same values). Yes we are very 'comfortable' with each other and not as fiery as we used to be but that's good, not depressing.

Proudnscary · 29/03/2012 16:11

17 years I mean

DinahMoHum · 29/03/2012 16:12

can you tell him aghhh i feel all insecure, tell me nice things and give me a hug!!!

catsrus · 29/03/2012 16:33

"I don't mean that's why I wouldn't cheat. I'm just saying that I don't think anyone is a patch on my partner... If I started to think that there were men out there that were then I would leave him. "

really Confused so you don't actually love him then? you're just with him because you think he's some way superior to other men, and if another, more superior man came along you would leave him?

When you love someone it's warts and all, no-one is perfect and superior to everyone else. To be honest it looks like the root of your insecurity might be that you know you would leave him for a better deal (?)

kathrynthegreat · 29/03/2012 16:33

I wish I could be like that proud - somedays I am.

Thnaks dinah I wouldn't leave him for someone better looking but I would leave him if I found someone else, smarter, funnier, cleverer, more exciting, better looking etc etc.. I think.. Maybe I wouldn't. Maybe I'd see that it was all just the first flush of excitment and that my releationship was worth more than that.. I'd like to think I would but who knows. And like I say, I don't actually know any men (not just my ex parenters) who wouldn't A, leave, or B, cheat if what they perceived to be a better option came along.

These men who love and adore their wives and remain faithful even if they get boring and naggy and fat don't exist in my world sadly.

OP posts:
kathrynthegreat · 29/03/2012 16:35

cats you miss understand what I mean by "a patch on" I don't mean just the obvious stuff... I mean if I prefered someone else... as in, prefered their warts Grin

OP posts:
kathrynthegreat · 29/03/2012 16:36

He is superior to other men in my eyes.. doesn't everyone think their husband/ partner is?

OP posts:
kathrynthegreat · 29/03/2012 16:45

can you tell him aghhh i feel all insecure, tell me nice things and give me a hug!!!

That would be nice but no, I can't.

OP posts:
mummytime · 29/03/2012 16:51

Nope not everyone thinks their partner is Mr Wonderful. My DH (married 21 year) is great, but not irresistible, I 'ver always told him he is lucky to have me. I also joked when he was emailing a female colleague (University research proposal) in the middle of the night that she is "out of his league".
I'm not Julia Roberts either, so we fit just fine. I have my strengths and weaknesses, and so does he, but we're happy, and have a good relationship/friendship.

DinahMoHum · 29/03/2012 17:06

love is about a lot more than someone being the best of/at everything

kathrynthegreat · 29/03/2012 17:23

But the best in your eyes is important, surely? Not in terms of looks - I mean, I think most of us can agree that there is someone out there who is technically better looking than our partner Grin

But surely you have to prefer your partner to every one else?

OP posts:
kathrynthegreat · 29/03/2012 17:25

My insecurity is that one day he will prefer someone else to me - and the profile of "katie" makes her a likely candidate.

Katie is a red herring anyway, I can see that. She has just highlighted that I am by no means over what has happened to me and i am actually not secure in my relationship AT ALL despite my DH being loving and kind and clealry inlove with me and us having a strong relationship.

There will always be another Katie.

OP posts:
Proudnscary · 29/03/2012 17:33

As I said, that seems to be partly because you see everything competitively. You have bagged yourself the 'best catch'. Other women might be 'prettier' than you and that rattles you because...what? A 'better' woman could steal your 'best possible' man? It's quite an alarming take on the world.

Your partner may well be better looking and cooler, more successful, maybe even better in bed than my husband, but I couldn't give a shit, because I'm happy with my choices and with him (not saying we have a perfect relationship obviously).

DinahMoHum · 29/03/2012 17:44

^what proudnscary said ^

if youre not looking for something better, then nothing better comes along, and if you are, youre screwed anyway

kathrynthegreat · 29/03/2012 17:49

I'm clearly screwed. I'll just keep plowing on and enjoy what we have and pray that he turns out to be one of the few.

OP posts:
DinahMoHum · 29/03/2012 17:55

dont pray, just relax and try and trust him.
I think you need some counselling though maybe

Ahhhtetley · 29/03/2012 18:48

Even of Katie is younger, prettier, slimmer and more attractive than you, it doesn't mean he's going to leave you!! It just means she's all those things.. It YOU he loves right??

He might enjoy her company and think she's nice and funny, but again that doesn't mean he'll leave you, as it's YOU he loves!

I'd suggest you need further counciling and you need to sit down and explain this to your dh. Chances are he'll give you a hug and tell you to stop being daft as he loves you..

Believe it or not there are fellas out there who put love above looks and youth.

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