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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

Should I be worried?

18 replies

TriggerHippy · 15/07/2014 08:38

I've been married for six years. Prior to marriage, DH and I had been seeing each other on and off for four years (I had had other partners in between, I couldn't make up my mind on what I really wanted). Basically DH was my best friend but couldn't cope with me being with anyone else so I had to make a choice: either be with him as his partner, or stop seeing him altogether. It's a weird relationship by most people's standards, but it works.

Earlier this year, I massively messed up and had an affair (first time since we've been married). I asked for advice on here and realised just how stupid I'd been, so I stopped all contact with the OM.

A few months later DH went through my MN history and found the thread in question. He was devastated. We talked a lot and he came to the conclusion that he was willing to forgive me, if not forget it.

Things have been ok since then, from time to time he is grumpy because he's thinking about it, but he reassures me that he hasn't changed his mind.

Now, on to the issues I seem to be having. DH fancies a woman we work with (we work at the same place), I know this because we talk about our fantasies to each other, well, he talk about his fantasies with other women.

Next year, they (DH and OW) are going on a work trip together, with two other colleagues, but DH and the OW are the ones organising it.

We're on holiday at the moment but he has been very absorbed in planning this trip and sending lots of emails and a few texts to OW (and the two others involved, I assume).

He knows I'm a bit jealous, but says he'd never do something like that to me. He also said it just wouldn't happen as she's happily married (although she flirts with everyone, including DH), and anyway he wouldn't have the faintest idea how to go about it as he has no self confidence.

He's never been with another woman (never even kissed another woman), and if I hadn't jumped on him, he would probably still be single apparently.

He has very little self confidence, whereas I used to have plenty. I say used to, as since the affair I've put on a lot of weight and don't feel comfortable in my skin anymore. DH had also put on weight since we'd been married, but I didn't mind at all.

He's suddenly started dieting (first time since we've been together), and I now feel even less confident in my appearance (we were both chubby, I suppose it was reassuring not be be the only chubby one in the relationship). I asked him last night why he wanted to lose weight, he replied that it was to try and gain self confidence.

I have no idea what I'm hoping to achieve by posting this, maybe just some outside perspective.

OP posts:
FatalCabbage · 15/07/2014 08:43

It's an unusual relationship dynamic so it's hard for me to get my head round.

But what sticks out is that for a person who "would never" he's given it an awful lot of thought. Is there a chance he's doing it to punish you?

TriggerHippy · 15/07/2014 08:49

I really don't know. I don't think he'd want to hurt me.

The fact that he's never been with anyone else actually annoys me, and I sometimes wish he'd go out and have sex with someone else, then when I think about it for a second, I realise I don't want him to do that at all!

OP posts:
FatalCabbage · 15/07/2014 08:55

Grin yes, be careful what you wish for...

CogitoErgoSometimes · 15/07/2014 09:10

"It's a weird relationship by most people's standards, but it works. "

Clearly it doesn't Hmm.

ApplebyMennym · 15/07/2014 09:19

I think the dynamic has been wrong from the beginning tbh. You got with him because he didn't want you to be with anyone else, not because he especially wanted you. You got with him because you didn't want him out of your life. I'm actually not surprised you had an affair. It's not justified but certainly understandable. I think he's sucked your confidence away - you used to be confident but now you sit and listen while he talks about his fantasies of other people?! He's definitely planning something with this woman, and even if nothing happens he's going to torture you about it, to keep you in your place.

I think he's punishing you for your past, and your affair. I notice you said he wouldn't do anything with this woman, not because he loves you and is with you, but because she's married and he wouldn't know how to approach her. And you just accept this?

I think you'd both be better off apart to be honest.

JohnFarleysRuskin · 15/07/2014 09:24

Oh rats, Cogito, I was about to say the same thing.

How is this working?

What kind of trip is this that needs planning a year in advance with loads of texting and emailing? That seems very ott.

I think you have deep 'issues' - sorry. This might be wrong but it sounds like you would like him to have the similar attitude as you have sexually - ie. lots of partners/fun approach, but actually, he is the kind who only wants to have sex in love. He clearly is into this woman at work.

I don't think he would consciously want to hurt you. Subconsciously though...

ParadoxicalUndressing · 15/07/2014 09:25

It seems obvious to me: He isn't over the affair and he's using this woman as ammunition to punish you with.

Have you considered counselling?

JohnFarleysRuskin · 15/07/2014 09:28

Why did he go through your MN history?

since the affair I've put on a lot of weight and don't feel comfortable in my skin anymore. - something isn't working, is it? :(

olderguy · 15/07/2014 09:30

I agree with the above. I sounds like he's trying to make you have have suspicions as a punishment then when nothing happens he can throw it back and say look I can be faithful.
It's a hard situation to deal with, can you not sit down and talk it through? Tell him you love him and explain how he is making you feel and ask him if he is punishing you?

mammadiggingdeep · 15/07/2014 09:32

It all seems very tit for tat in my mind. I agree that he seems to have given it an awful lot of thought! Also- there's very little trust.

What actually works in this dynamic?

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 15/07/2014 10:11

Was sharing fantasies supposed to be some kind of bonding exercise in being frank and open? Because that seems to have backfired if it was pretty one-sided and the idea he fancies a colleague was planted in your head.

upupupandaway · 15/07/2014 11:27

Talk about double standards!

You say he'd still be alone if not for the fact you "rescued" him?

I think you've controlled and manipulated him and he's woken up to the fact he doesn't need you to validate his existence.

He's grown in confidence and taken pride in his appearance and I expect this has not gone unnoticed by his colleagues.

He doesn't have you to thank for this, he's chosen to invest in his own happiness for a change.

You come across as very possessive and needy. I think you really need to deal with the "issues" you have as I don't think you are capable of having a happy ,fulfilling relationship with anyone at the moment.

Jan45 · 15/07/2014 11:35

Sounds like both, or esp you are just settling until someone comes along again and flatters your ego, then you will be off again without a thought for your DH, you are married, being married, or in fact, being in a long term committed relationship is meant to mean that, you stay committed to that one person, it sounds like you are not really that fussed, you can't really expect him to behave any better than what you have, in fact, from the history, I think you'd both be better off with more suitable life partners.

TriggerHippy · 15/07/2014 11:47

It was working up until now, obviously. We love each other, otherwise we wouldn't still be together.

Not sure why someone thought I was saying I'd "rescued him", he's the one saying he'd still be alone, not me, fwiw I find him very attractive and don't doubt he'd be able to find someone if we weren't together.

The fantasies thing is one sided because he isn't turned on by the idea of my fucking another man.

He's not putting me down at all, just the opposite, he tries to reassure me by telling me I'm beautiful even when I'm chubby.

I just voiced my concern to him, the conversation went like this: "I am worried you're trying to lose weight and gain self confidence so you can ..." I couldn't finish the sentence. He said "Go on, say it. You can't even say it because you know it's ridiculous".

Needy and possessive? Probably, but I always have been and he knew this when we first got together.

OP posts:
DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 15/07/2014 12:13

The fantasies thing is one sided because he isn't turned on by the idea of my fucking another man.

Fancy that Yes I guessed as much, I thought it was a risky exercise. Now he is assuring you that he won't act on it. You say you are annoyed by him being comparatively inexperienced. If you let that show he will resort to making you jealous to convince himself you care.

In a normal healthy relationship you'd be supportive of your partner seeking to get fitter and grow in confidence.

Somehow in your world it's still all about you and your control.

Try telling him that work is work but the holiday was meant to build bridges not so he can be in perpetual contact with the colleague.

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 15/07/2014 12:14

Forgot to ask but do you have children together?

TriggerHippy · 15/07/2014 14:14

We have two DCs (DS 12 from a previous relationship, but DH treats him as his own, and DD, 4).

I know I should support him in wanting to lose weight. He's not overweight, just more enveloped than when we met. I'm the one who needs to lose weight.

OP posts:
DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 15/07/2014 14:17

Maybe that's something you could work on together. With and without the DCs.

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