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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

Relationship with Older man and the future nightmare ??

21 replies

headspin25 · 28/05/2014 13:27

Hi everyone,

I haven't been on this site in a while, but I have come here to not only vent and to make sense of the situation, but to also ask for some good, honest advice.

Ok, so here is a bit of background. I have been seeing an olderman since last June. We both met at work. We were both in unhappy relationships. I was in an emotionally abusive and controlling relationship (although not at all a justification for me going else where) for 6 years and I have a 5 year old son with my now ex. We ( as in my ex partner) have been separated for about 6 months now. The olderman was in his relationship for roughly 3 years. It was a long distance relationship. She lives in Paris with their daughter. That is where she works. She wanted him to relocate from Liverpool where he works to Paris and she also wanted another child with him. Apparently he was pushed into having his now daughter with her ( hmmm). He and his now ex have a 2 year old daughter together .He also has two children from an ex-marriage of his. Ok so yes I know it's not right. Affairs are wrong and I understand that if anything at all goes wrong, like he cheats, etc that I sort of deserve it. Karma and all that, etc. But I do love him very much and he helped me out of a bad relationship.

Ok, so OM ( who is 42 I am 28), was with this woman who he claimed selfish, never made any effort with his children. His children are young. He claimed that they never liked her,etc. She used to critisise him constantly, put him down and apparently he just never found her attractive ( how odd- they made a baby together). Anyways sorry for waffling on. She is this super successful career woman who has about 5 properties and a nanny, maid, etc. I am not. I am just a secretary for a law firm and a part time singer in a band ( pub gigs). We are completely different. Anyways, so I split with my ex because I finally got the courage to leave him and( that was as previously said 6 months ago). Quite an amicable split miraculously. I split with my ex because he was not right for me and I just wanted to be happy, so yes partly also for the OM. So olderman despite his threats to leave her, took a while longer. This was a painful process for me. I felt crappy for being the bit on the side and also because I hated the fact that we were both essentially taking the piss out of this woman. It does make me feel crap about myself and I hate that I have had an affair. So his ex found about about me about 2 monthe prior to their split. She found notes that the stupid donut forgot about in his work diary and went through his phone and saw numerous calls from my numer, but she didn't check texts. So obv at that point in time she is making more effort with him and his children. I don't get this, I would of gone mental at him. But she was so desparte to make it work, so she obviously swept that under the carpet. So he had been having chats with her constantly saying that he wanted to break up, they weren't right. He was sick of travelling to france, he was tired and that he didn't love her anymore. Apparently she just didn't listen. Then shite really hit the fan about 3 months ago when she found pictures of me on his laptop, she went mental as understandly you would but still begged for him to stay. He said no. So after numerous conversations she finally got it.

Ok so sorry after all that ....phew. We are now at the present. She has tried to be funy about access to his daughter, but he has been visiting her in Paris, so I believe it is amicable-ish. Right so here is the thing. She wants to come over in a few weeks time, sit down and have a chat with his children to explain why they split up. I think this is crazy. Am I being ridiculouis thinking that? He says that he doesn't mind, as she might be better with access, etc. I think its odd as she could say anything. I think she is just doing it to make herself look better, to make him appear more of the villan. It's mad. She wasnt even close with them. Also his step mother knows about me and says she really misses his ex and says how lovely she is and wants to visit Paris to see her. Despite how much I love him... will this be more difficult then it's worth?.. Also she does not want me anywhere near their daughter as she constantly stalks my twitter page and thinks I am bad example to her and his other kids, as I wear make up and look tarty ( haha- I do wear make up but I am not tarty looking) and that I am a low life secretary that has no money so I am a bad example to anyone's children. OOps! I am being a stupid naeive young woman that is gonna end up getting badly hurt? I need help! My head is a mess. Has anyone been through this and all worked out ok? I understand the cliche' of this situation

Sorry if some of this don't make sense, I am at work . :/

OP posts:
Fairylea · 28/05/2014 13:32

It all sounds like a massive big mess to be honest.

I'm not going to judge you on the affair but from what you've said this guys heart was never truly in it from the beginning. He's strung you both along quite a bit.

At 28 and your life ahead of you I think you can do much better. You want someone to sweep you off your feet and things to be right from the beginning. That should be the honeymoon period!

CogitoErgoSometimes · 28/05/2014 13:36

"he claimed selfish, never made any effort with his children. His children are young. He claimed that they never liked her,etc. She used to critisise him constantly, put him down and apparently he just never found her attractive "

If he told you all this then you should be very concerned and also suspicious. It is very poor behaviour for someone to badmouth their ex this way. He's also set the scene that she's some sort of vicious madwoman and whatever she tells you is just to make her look better and him a villain. Why would she do that on the one hand and stalk your twitter page on the other?

I don't think you're stupid or naïve but I think you should walk well away from this dishonest man and all his baggage because I think you are very much going to get hurt.

Caribeanlady84 · 28/05/2014 13:38

Fairylea thank you for your honesty. This is a mess and as much as I love him I do not want to have to go into another relationship where I am constantly facing a battle. It makes me sad, but I need to look at the bigger picture and all the stress that I am without doubt going to encounter .:(

VanitasVanitatum · 28/05/2014 13:46

He sounds like an idiot, to be honest. What kind of man insults and disrespects the mother of his child to anyone, let alone the woman he is cheating on her with. I wouldn't be so sure that he left her either, sounds like he got busted and she ditched him, otherwise why would he wait til he got caught to 'leave her'?

You need to stay out of their arrangements for the children and for access, and yes that includes her daughters step siblings. None of your business I'd say.

Obviously I'm also going to say don't waste your time on this man.

Caribeanlady84 · 28/05/2014 13:49

CogitoErgoSometimes You are right I know this. I always manage to get myself into crazy situations. Although I accept that this is no one's fault but my own. It is hard when I have fallen so deeply inlove with this older man. I can't help but think was she this bad? I am I going to be the next one he speaks badly of like this, etc? Arrrggghhhh wish I had a crystal ball!!

newstart15 · 28/05/2014 13:56

I don't think this man is a good bet, his past performance is an indicator of your future life.I would not believe what he says about his ex, its very tough being a stepmum and I think he has unrealistic ideas of what his life should be like.He seems to go from one woman to another.

I think he has helped by you to leave your ex but he isn't the man for you.At 28 you have the opportunity to have a fresh start, don't settle for this man who is not trustworthy.

BosieDufflecoat · 28/05/2014 14:13

Gosh what a lot of baggage. Sorry.

I used to get flirted with at work by a man in a similar marriage. His wife was uber-successful: three properties, glittering career, status, domestic staff, etc, and he had an ordinary job and an average salary and was basically a kept man.

Not all men enjoy this: he would have preferred to be the alpha in their relationship, and enjoyed forging friendships and flirtations with younger, needier women he could impress, to make up for not being worth much in his marriage. He wanted to be a big strong saviour and knight-in-armour to women, something his wife didn't need him to be. All I saw when I looked at him was a man who flirted with other women behind his wife's back.

Could there be an element of that with your guy?

Beyond your gratitude to him for getting you out of your last relationship, what do you feel for him?

CogitoErgoSometimes · 28/05/2014 14:18

"It is hard when I have fallen so deeply inlove with this older man"

OK now you really are being stupid and naïve if you're going to use excuses like 'in love' as a reason for not seeing what's going on here. Hmm No need for crystal balls, Karma or other woolly-headed rubbish either. You've jumped out of an abusive relationship into one that seems to have disaster written all over it. I feel very sorry for your little boy.

basgetti · 28/05/2014 14:27

Well it's strange that his ex was so unreasonable and awful and unpleasant to his other children, yet his own stepmother says how lovely she is and he is happy for her to see his children. I doubt anything he's told you about her is true and I would be very wary of any man who slags of his ex.

NewNameForSpring · 28/05/2014 14:46

You've given an awful lot of specific detail. I hope no one recognises these people.

Caribeanlady84 · 28/05/2014 16:17

NewNameForSpring I bloody hope not. Yikes!! Blush
Scared now!
Thaks for all the advice ladies I know what I need to do. This hurts so much. :( I needed clarification and you have certainly given me that and
CogitoErgoSometimes I am not dragging my boy into this. I wanted to be 100 per cent sure before he went anywhere near all of this. Your're harsh but fair .

yorkshirewoman · 28/05/2014 16:24

I heard the same message from my ex about his ex wife and I believed him. Now he is giving the same message to the woman he has left me for.
Don't believe him and don't waste your time with this person he is emotionally immature at best and a liar at worst.

oikopolis · 28/05/2014 16:39

You've been had OP. This is going to end badly. Please don't continue this relationship.

Part of being a grown up is realising that feelings are not the same thing as reality. You feel a certain way about him, but that doesn't mean he's a good man, or a good match.

Infinity8 · 28/05/2014 16:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Caribeanlady84 · 28/05/2014 17:11

So sorry to hear that yorkshirewoman. Thanks for your advice. You want to believe that things will be different with you don't you? :( Hope that you find true happiness for yourself.

Oikopolis you are exactly right. That is why I am ending it. The trouble with me is I have always wanted that amazing relationship. I see all my friends getting engagd/ married/ etc and although I am still fairly young I feel sad at times. Think this is why I jump into things. I need to walk before I can run. I know that sounds quite immature. I am so disappointed that me and my ex didn't work out. I tried so hard and it didn't matter how good I was to him he would be abusive towards me. He made me homeless several times for no reason. Then I met OM and I felt comforted by him. My family live in another country so I had no one around and this man comes along and makes me feel like I had somebody. Somebody that wanted to look after me. How ridiculous! Now I am here in this madness.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 28/05/2014 18:28

Maybe this is the wake-up call you need to stop living in some 'Pretty Woman' fantasy where some man comes along to look after you, and start living the reality of being the responsible, intelligent, resourceful independent woman and mother that you actually are? Perhaps you should call time on any kind of relationship now for a year... find your feet, build some confidence? There are lots of things you can do to genuinely boost your self-esteem that will have you feeling so good and so proud about yourself that you'll recoil at the idea of anyone 'looking after you' ever again.

The world is full of sad, messed up, middle-aged men who say what they think you want to hear.... Grow a little, value yourself a little more, and you'll be able to spot them a mile off.

Have a read of this article when you have a moment.... Are You Dating An Abuser. Your last boyfriend might not have been abusive but I bet you recognise some of the early warning signs.

RyvitaBerry · 28/05/2014 18:36

You're having a nightmare NOW.

I was in an abusive relationship once and I'd advise you to look after your self -esteem.

Just because he behaviour to you is not visibly aggressive, that doesn't mean that you are now able to pick the right man/relationship. A relationship worth having will make you feel better about yourself, make life easier, put a spring inn your step, your plans will be supported....

I agree with the pretty woman fantasy. You're still young but let it go and build yourself up. Look after your own needs and prioritise yourself for a while.

I read a really good book by Anne Dickson a while ago. A woman in your own right. It really helped make it obvious to me when I was giving to much. It's not that I'd never give anything in a relationship again but I'd be able to walk away from what wasn't right for me much more easily.

Rebecca2014 · 28/05/2014 18:38

He sounds like an idiot and he has so much baggage, 3 kids with 2 different women and your prepared to one day be the third with his FOURTH child?

You are only 28 years old, I am sure you can find an man with not so much shit going on in his life. Your ex was abusive, try being single for a while and find yourself without an man.

Pinkballoon · 28/05/2014 21:59

Well you've heard his version of events. I'd say that there are two other versions of events.

MistressDeeCee · 29/05/2014 00:12

I doubt it will all be worth it. I wouldn't be worrying so much about what his ex thinks...thats not the issue here. She can think what she likes. So...2 women that want him, huh? Nice for him. I reckon he has a foot in both camps. & sooner than you think, you will be the one being described to another woman as the Crazy Ex who "criticised him constantly, put him down and he never found attractive"

mimishimmi · 29/05/2014 04:56

Seems like he's a serial cheater ... his ex is well rid by the sound of it. I'd ask her out for coffee, just the two of you, and try to listen with open mind for her side of the story (and also ask her what he told her about the previous ex he had two kids with). No doubt she seemed exciting to him with her career and his first ex concentrated too much on the kids. You do realise that he will probably do the same to you when you hit your forties right?

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