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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

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over reacting?

351 replies

dancingwiththedevilonmyback · 06/09/2012 18:11

so for the last few months my rather antisocial hubby has started going out with a group of mates, im really happy about this as i think friendships outside the marraige are really important and healthy.
his best mate is a girl who is into the stuff he likes, wrestling, computer games ect. he goes out to watch films with her a lot and they socialise with others regualy, i have no issue with this, my best mate is a bloke (although he is gay) she has even kipped on our sofa when they went out so she didnt have to drive home. i have had no suspicions that anything other than friendship has occurred.
she is in a bad relationship, talks about it to him all the time, and seems to say lots of leading things like "my bf doesnt like my breasts, what do you think?" and that suggests to me she may be having thoughts towards him in a romantic way... i have told him that platonic friendships are great but its important not to give the wrong idea...
he assured me she didnt have thoughts like that.
i have become aware that his workmates have been gossiping about them, and that makes me uncomfortable, he assuered me it was one comment from someone really stupid and to take no notice.
well today he left his facebook open and thier messages were there, hundreds of messages, really really flirty.
he calls her sugar tits, says he needs to clear his mind of dirty thoughts of her, many messages of sexual teasing, nothing hardcore, all wink winky, things like, i'll let you dominate me, i'll lie there and take it, he replies i am dripping with antisipation (this is in reference to being beaten in the computer game, but its suggestive and sexual.)
he says, if we carry on going to see films together, people will be even more suspicious, more than normal" which means lots of people at thier work are already suss...
i text him and said, u left your fb open, and i read your msgs, sorry for invading your privacy but i am glad i did,
the level of flirting is unacceptable, and really dismissive of your wife. i feel humiliated after all the bending over backwards i did to accommadate your new mates.
i want this flirting to stop, i am not asking you to end your friendship, or cancel saturday (she is kipping on the sofa again) or to cancel the wrestling (they are going with 2 others to wales to watch the wrestling, him and her are sharing a twin room) i just want you to know the boundries and not overstep them.

he phoned and said nothing was going on, i said it doesnt matter if his penis stayed in his pants, the fact he has been texting her this means he has at least had an emotional or sextual affair. he said nothing had happened, and he was sorry for upsetting me, (sounding irritated now) i said i didnt need him to be sorry for upsetting me, that meant nothing to me, he needs to be sorry for doing it. he doesnt talk to me like that, so he needs to talk like that to someone else.
i said, if you want out of our marraige, tell me, i want to know, dont string me along, and drag it out, if you want out, just go. i wont stop you.
he said he loved being married to me and he loves our children, i said well that wouldnt change would it?
then i said i had to go and get kids ready for bed, and hung up.
was i overreacting?

OP posts:
Pancakeflipper · 06/09/2012 19:17

Crikes OP, that's a lot to absorb And a right kick in the teeth. Get support for you - friend's, Dr's etc so you are in the best of physical and mental health for whatever happens next.

You are not over-reacting. Is he coming home tonight? Lots of luck OP.

JeuxDEnfants · 06/09/2012 19:18

No it can't stay like this, I agree with your sentiments dancing.

SmellsLikeTeenStrop · 06/09/2012 19:20

I'm sorry to say this OP but your husband sounds absolutely awful. I agree with what others have said, this guy is more than likely the root cause behind your depression.

The way you've been treated by your husband and his 'best friend' is awful, completely disrespectful. You deserve better than this, you really do.

dancingwiththedevilonmyback · 06/09/2012 19:20

i think he loves me, i know he does, he does show it, really he does. but its not enough. i think the way i have been, im not the woman he married and i think if we didnt have the kids he might have already left me, i would have bloody left me!!
i hate to think he is staying for the kids, but he is the best dad, they adore him and he is fully hands on, does the school run every morning, and is a proper full on daddy. it would break his heart to not live with them, it would, to not see them every morning would kill him. i think thats whats keeping him with me.
that makes me sad.

OP posts:
Knobbers · 06/09/2012 19:24

Do you know for certain the other friends are going on this trip?
Can you find out if the hotel booking I'd for a twin room?

I suspect its a double.

JeuxDEnfants · 06/09/2012 19:25

You could be right. Ask him to give your marriage one last go. He stops all this ridiculousness and you both work on your relationship issues. If he can't do that, you can't stay with him. He married you, he has a commitment to YOU if he wants to stay married. He will always have a commitment to his kids and I'm sure you could work something out. You don't give up the right to be treated with respect when you have someone's babies.

SmellsLikeTeenStrop · 06/09/2012 19:25

yeah, i can see i have been far to placid, so not to appear crazy, and overpossesive

I bet it's your DH who has been making you feel that way if it even looks like you're going to object to something he wants to do.

It's not crazy or over-possessive to expect your other half to treat you with respect and to not carry on with other women in front of your face let alone behind your back.

OliviaLMumsnet · 06/09/2012 19:25

Yikes! Guidelines are just up there for those who need them....

dancingwiththedevilonmyback · 06/09/2012 19:26

olivia? is that something i said?

OP posts:
mcmooncup · 06/09/2012 19:28

You say you are not the woman he married? What were you like before?

JeuxDEnfants · 06/09/2012 19:29

Dancing, I don't think Olivia was addressing you, just the people who have chosen to be insulting.

OliviaLMumsnet · 06/09/2012 19:30

@dancingwiththedevilonmyback

olivia? is that something i said?

No. just reminding folk of them. Sorry. Don't mean to intrude. As you were.
Grin

ChitchatAtHome · 06/09/2012 19:36

Op, something is really screwy here. How the hell can he afford to go to Wales to watch the wrestling, go out socialising lots, seeing all those movies, yet you can't afford counselling?

You sound like you're in a really bad place, and yet he's not doing what he can to make sure you get the help you need. Counselling really needs to be a priority here.

And I do agree with the others, he has stepped massively over the line in his 'friendship' with this woman. How dare he flaunt this outrageous behaviour in front of you???!!!!

2girls2dogs · 06/09/2012 19:39

"i am anti d's because i had a breakdown in dec last year after having councelling for my childhood. i had two sessions and was told that was my quouta on the nhs and that i could go private (couldnt afford that) or be reffered to a phychologist but would take six months.
i found it raked up all my hidden feelings about my childhood and i had no way of dealing with it, and was effectively dumped my the nhs. so i crumbled in dec, and was on citalapram by jan. been on them since... "

Go back to your doctor - you are entitled to more than two sessions of counselling on the NHS. I don't know what your childhood issues are, and they are not relevant to this thread but just wanted to say that i have been on citalopram and whilst they are ok they don't get rid of the problem, which could be just a "mindset" or way of thinking that you have allowed yourself to get into - its very hard to break that cycle and your self esteem is clearly at rock bottom. I have just started a course of CBT that i have ON THE NHS, i don't have issues with my past so felt this was right for me because it focuses on how i react to things NOW and how to deal with my anxiety - so maybe, if it is too painful for you to adress what has happened in the past CBT might be a better form of therapy for you.

Once you have adressed your issues with your self esteem you will be able to make a rational decision about whether your DH is taking the piss, he is, it needs to stop, i would have to insist that the friendship is dissolved or at least scaled right back and hopefully your DH will realise what an arse he is being - hes probaby enjoying her massaging his ego, she is probably desperate and hoping to jump into your shoes, you say he love you, fine - he has to show it.

Inertia · 06/09/2012 19:41

Dancing, I think he has done a real number on you here. He has played the 'you're paranoid' card, using your mental health issues to explain his sordid behaviour.

You're not over reacting, not by a long chalk. This isn't an innocent friendship. After that FB discovery, he should be grovelling his apologies to you, and there would be no question of going to wrestling or her sleeping on your sofa.

anairofhope · 06/09/2012 19:59

Op i hope your talk goes well.

Maybe seperating is a good idea for a bit. You might find that you get more self esteem without him around you.

Go back to the dr you need more counciling and reviews by the mental health nurse.

Its time to fouse on you. Get yourself to a good place and i think you need to do that alone without him bringing you down.

Good luck OP

Happylander · 06/09/2012 20:06

My ex became friends with a woman and used to go out with her and he also attended functions with her at his Army base. I like you didn't want to appear the jealous partner and as I had male friends I thought I couldn't complain that I was uncomfortable with it.

He left me for her and has moved in with her. This is not an innocent friendship your husband is having. I do not speak or flirt with my straight male friends the way they are and I certainly would not dream of doing it with a married man. Sorry but he is having an affair IMO

AnyFucker · 06/09/2012 20:25

glad you are still here on your thread, OP

this is your thread...take from it what you need

carlywurly · 06/09/2012 20:33

Same experience as happylander. Playing the cool wife definitely doesn't work.
You need to redraw your boundaries and his behaviour at the moment should be way over the border of healthy ones. I think your self esteem sounds to have been whittled away until this seems normal to you - and it might be worth seeking counselling to help you build it back up again.

What would you tell a friend in this position?

Back2Two · 06/09/2012 20:36

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn due to privacy concerns

HiHowAreYou · 06/09/2012 20:50

I don't think they can stay as friends if he wants to stay married to you. He has been totally disrespectful of your relationship and it has to stop.

I hope you can prioritise counselling for yourself. It is so hard to push for help when you are down or depressed or struggling. :(
But really, your health and happiness is so important. Surely there is something your family can cut back on?

AnyFucker · 06/09/2012 21:07

tickets for wrestling are very pricey, I believe

Houseofplain · 06/09/2012 21:10

Yes they are.

bumhead · 06/09/2012 21:12

What Back2Two said.
I'm on Citalopram and it kills my libido stone dead!

SorryMyLollipop · 06/09/2012 21:32

I also think that, whatever has been going on with your DH and his friend, it is clear that counselling may be useful to you, as your self esteem seems very low.

If you are struggling with a specific issue then there may be voluntary organisations that can offer you counselling e.g. CRUSE can offer counselling where bereavement is an issue, even if it was many years ago (my friend had some counselling from them recently, more than 20yrs after a significant unresolved bereavement)

I hope you find some help and support.