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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

Heartbroken again (hand holding req)

4 replies

Buggerthis · 05/09/2015 13:28

Ok it's a long one (sorry). 3 years ago after 10 years my husband left me for another woman when I was 8 months pregnant. Our eldest was just 5 at the time and his pain plus mine was unbearable. Fast forward a few months and I was starting to get my ducks in a row, getting my independence, going on dates and starting to like my life again after being unhappily married for so long, when my best friend introduced me to her Bil. He was wonderful kind, loving and considerate everything my ex was lacking I couldn't believe my luck he was besotted with me and my children and we threw ourselves into building a family together.
One sticking point was an ex gf of his who wasn't happy with him settling down as they had split due to his lack of commitment. She would regularly text saying she wanted him back, he was always very open and would show me the messages and his replies but in the end I had enough of his pussyfooting around and gave him the option to leave and reconcile with ex or go non contact - at this point I wasn't overly invested and was quite calm. He said he wanted us to be a family and was just trying to be kind to his ex. Everyone that knew him said what an honest guy he was that he was in love with me and his ex was long gone blah blah so we got on with life until after the birth of our daughter when I discovered messages between them initiated by her nothing too incriminating but a trip down memory lane. This was too much for me with my past and the fact I'd just given birth so I packed his bags and off he went. A week of grovelling about what a stupid mistake it was and there was nothing in it I decided to let him back home for the sake of the children but my self esteem has been on the floor ever since I have been having cbt , enrolled in college and on anti depressants basically trying to be proactive however we have just had the holiday from hell with my mum where after a family row bf stormed off and proceeded to get storming drunk rolling in about 11pm, he shortly went out and made a phone call returning half an hour later in a foul mood, he woke in the morning in much the same state and didn't apologise until I burst into tears.
I knew in my gut something was off and checked his call log and the call had been deleted. I confronted him and he denied all knowledge. The next day back home I tried to put it out of my mind but ended up searching his phone and sure enough I found emails between him and the ex all relating to a joint debt until one at half 11 on 'drunk night' saying ring me. I kicked him out last night and he was indignant that I should break up the family over a drunken mistake but STILL insisted he never spoke to her on the phone! I genuinely don't think there is an affair but he has crossed a very clear line as he knows I have no tolerance for cheating and he continues to lie. He has sent a message saying he knows there's no coming back but he loves me and all the children very much!! He has just been to collect dd and ds are with my ex and I am just reeling that I have to deal with all this again. In a strong woman who stands no bs but watching my one year old run round the house calling for daddy just crushed me. But there isn't another option is there?

OP posts:
holeinmyheart · 05/09/2015 21:23

I know a lot of Mumsnetters will say ' kick him out' but I think you should get some couple counselling, as you are undecided as what to do. He has some unresolved issues but then who doesn't. He is not your first DH though.

What you need to do and ( so does he) is sit down and discuss what you want out of this relationship in a calm manner.
There are children involved and although you do have a right to a trusting relationship you also have them to consider as well.
He needs to grow up. It is almost as though he is using his ex as a crutch in case things don't work out between you two.
So consider whether your relationship is worth saving and then put a plan into place. Ie Relate.

Buggerthis · 06/09/2015 08:00

Thank you for replying it really has helped, I haven't told anyone in rl yet and was struggling to make sense of everything. I think you are right about his ex being a safety catch I don't truly think he wants to be back in that relationship I'm just not convinced he truly wants to be with me either and yy to the growing up part, he's a great dad - lots of fun and reliable but in all other areas he's a bit of a man child. However I can't move forward at all until he admits what he did.

OP posts:
holeinmyheart · 06/09/2015 08:44

He does seem a bit childlike. To respond to a row by clearing off and getting drunk, leaving you with the responsibility of looking after the DCs, and then rolling up at 11am at night, seems extremely immature.
When something happens in a relationship ( because it always does) that you don't like, he aught to be able to discuss it rationally otherwise it just descends into a
'You said' ! ' No I didn't' , ' You did' etc , sort of escalating row.

To be honest because you have been so badly hurt by your past, you may feel more insecure than average. Maybe he gets the message that you might dump him and he keeps her as a safety net, just in case. ( I am not condoning this behaviour by the way)

You do say that you are a strong woman and you have done well to get back on your feet. Perhaps that is why he chose you. There seems a lot to sort out. But with some help, ( as he hasn't actually murdered anyone) and you do speak lovingly about him, your relationship could go forward.
All good people do bad things and are allowed mistakes.

Both of you do love the children after all, so you have something to go on for.

Buggerthis · 06/09/2015 08:55

Yes I think you are right, maybe when the dust has settled I will suggest going to relate if only for the children's sake. I am aware that I have an extreme emotional response due to my past but he's also aware of how much this would of affected me I guess that's what is hurting most. Thank you so much for replying kindly, I was expecting some harsh home truths but what you have said has been sensible and moderate.

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