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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

I need to get my head around this.

382 replies

Likesugarandcyanide · 07/11/2017 09:06

I had a thread a few months ago about his affair with a woman he met at sports club. I dont know how to link, sorry.

Sorry if this is long and disjointed but I found out last night that OW works in my ds 2’s school. He never told me who she was, when I asked he said “just someone I met at * club, its not important”.

Over the last few months we have worked out how to keep things amicable, sort of settled into a routine where he comes here Sat/Sun and looks after them during the day to give me a break. Dd and ds 2 both have significant disabilities and health issues so it is the only break I get as dd is unable to attend school and tutored at home.

Yesterday evening ds 1 had a careers talk at school that I took him to. He was here looking after dd and ds 2. When we got back dd was very quiet and anxious, he left immediately saying very little.

As soon as he left dd broke down and said OW had been here, she needed his keys apparently and he let her come in and got them for her. Dd recognised her immediately as did ds2 because she works in the special school he attends. He told her not to mention anything to me but I think he left so quickly because he knew she would.

This woman sees me regularly, she’s chatted to me at school events over the last few months and all the time I had no idea that she is the OW. We went to a fundraising event in September and she was chatting away to my children while the family support worker was with us asking me how I was feeling. School have been very supportive, ds 2 reacted very badly to us separating and his behaviour deteriorated significantly.

I feel totally betrayed, I don’t know how either of them felt it was ok for me not to know. She has been so sweet and friendly, asking about me and all the children when I see her and all the time I didn’t know. She even knows where we live and came when she knew I wasn’t there. I’m wondering if lots of people in school know and I’m the idiot that has been in the dark. I walk into that building three afternoons a week to pick up ds and had no idea.

I had been adamant that they were not to be introduced to the OW yet, he has been pushing for it and kept saying things like “I’m hoping we can all be friends, you’ll like her”. When all the time he was hiding this.

I don't want her in my house, I don't want her near my children yet. Its only been a few months since they screwed up our lives. I want to ring the school and tell them to keep her to hell away from my son. There are pictures on the school website of them together doing a sports activity a few weeks ago and all the time she knew and he knew that they were making a fucking fool of me.

I've tried to be fair, I didn’t stop him taking lots of stuff from here to set up his new place. I haven’t argued when he pays less money for his children as he says his flat is too expensive. I feel like he has been playing me the whole time. He didnt want me seeing a solicitor, said we could arrange things ourselves to keep things amicable and all the time he’s been hiding this. I am such a fool 😞

OP posts:
Gemini69 · 25/11/2017 13:34

Wonderful news about the Care Package Assistance.. take all the help you can get.. that will allow you to all to function as a family unit.... and you do need to respite Lady... Flowers

Likesugarandcyanide · 30/11/2017 10:34

I keep meaning to update but to be honest every time I sit down I just vegetate.

I have had an assessment for help with caring, it now goes to her manager and will be put to panel in January or February. They will decide if we need help. The social worker wasn’t half as nice as the emergency worker, she seemed to spend half her time assuring me that there are lots of people worse off. Of course I know that but it doesn’t help me!

The only contact I have had with ex was to tell me he read the solicitor’s letter and “you should have told me I was supposed to pay more, if you had asked I would have sorted it out”. This is the same man who has been constantly claiming he couldn’t afford to support his children.

He also wants to know what arrangements I am making for xmas as he is not sure whether he needs to get them presents or if I am doing it. 😐

He has paid nearly £1k “extra” into my bank account, I am assuming he is scared he will get hammered by cms so wants a record of payment. According to him that makes us even and his solicitor has told him how much he should pay for his children but he wants proof it is spent on them. Dickhead.

Apparently he is going away for xmas as “its too painful to be here but not with my kids”. I did snort at that one because when he was here he barely interacted with them and spent most of his xmas break out of the house - probably with her but I didn’t know at the time.

I am feeling better, the fluoxetine must be working because I actually sat and laughed at his messages and they didn’t upset me. They also didn’t make me feel sorry for him as he probably intended.

I’m feeling quite strong actually, I think I am just taking it as it comes and not allowing him to get to me. I can afford to pay for some help now so things are looking positive. I refuse to let him destroy any more of our lives. I am sort of in a fuck it all mood, I have been chilling with the children and just enjoying being with them.

OP posts:
Gemini69 · 30/11/2017 12:18

brilliant.. I'm glad your mood has lifted where you can laugh again.... let him sweat... his Lawyer can say what he likes.. the CMS will calculate what he OWES and will TAKE it... from source..

p.s. he's still a Dick Flowers

Thebluedog · 30/11/2017 16:35
Flowers
nadinexo1 · 01/12/2017 20:30

stay strong Flowers

magoria · 01/12/2017 22:18

You are not his secretary (slave) any more, he made you redundant from that role. If he wants to get his DC presents he has to get off his arse, buy and pay for them.

He chose not to support his DC for 6 weeks whilst lying to you. He knew full well how much he had to pay. He chose to lie to you and say his expenses were much higher knowing you are a decent person. He chose to let his DC go without so that he could spend more on himself and OW.

You don't have to give any proof that the maintenance is is spent 'on them'. That isn't possible. Rent (mortgage), food, gas, electricity, petrol, water, new shoes for you to walk with them in the park all of this is spending on them.

He is trying to control you just ignore him.

Arf at the too painful without his DC. You yourself have pointed out these are the DC he is punishing for your actions and really not fucking interested in.

It sounds better that he is spending money on himself and OW to go away because he is so, so hurt rather than to admit it is because he is really just such a shallow, selfish bastard.

You are doing amazingly well.

Keep going.

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 02/12/2017 00:07

ARF at the Christmas presents, idiot. Glad you’re feeling a bit better.

Daisymay2 · 02/12/2017 13:50

I would send him the list of presents they would like- and ask him to let you know which ones he is getting them so you can then choose something else. No joint presents.
Let him make a bit of effort.

ohfourfoxache · 02/12/2017 14:07

I’m not sure I’d even bother sending a list tbh - just tell him to let you know what he’s got so you don’t duplicate.

And give him a deadline so that you’re not hanging around until Christmas Eve

coffeecow · 02/12/2017 17:45

Wow OP - just read through this post. You're incredible! You should be so proud of yourself!

SockUnicorn · 10/12/2017 00:42

hope you and the DC are ok @Likesugarandcyanide and getting ready for Christmas. keep finding myself thinking about you all xxx

AmeliaFlashtart · 10/12/2017 08:50

Good for you. Claim through cms, of course he knew he was underpaying. Don't facilitate an easier life for him under the guise of 'keeping it amicable'. Tell him its his personal responsibility to buy presents for the kids. You no longer share his life so won't be his support system.

Likesugarandcyanide · 20/12/2017 16:02

Thank you to all of you who have given me fantastic advice and support. We have all had a horrible virus, dd and ds2 both ended up in hospital for a few days so it’s been quite busy here.

I have had a visit from ex, last Saturday he came over to give the children presents. Ds1 wouldn’t stay in for him coming and I didn’t force him.

Dd was quite off with him. He arrived and asked her how she was and got told “what do you care, you knew i was admitted again and you didn’t even bother to come and see if I was alive or dead”. She is very resentful and feels like he has just wiped them out of his life.

Ds2 wouldn’t go to him when he came in. I tried to stay in the other room but he was very clingy to me, every time his Dad tried to engage him he put his hands over his ears and turned his face into my shoulder.

Ex got quite upset, I sat him down and very calmly told him that I will never come between him and the children but neither am i going to defend his behaviour to them. He needs to do a lot of work to repair the damage he has caused to them and he needs to organise himself so that he puts them first.

He actually apologised to me, said he knows he has made “a monumental fuck up” of things and that we didn’t deserve any of it. I told him i will accept his apology when he proves he means it and that it isn’t just another tactic to get what he wants.

I am hoping he is finally realising that he can’t continue to treat us like this. I have agreed to meet him after xmas to sort out regular visits to the children. He agreed to my solicitor being present, I don’t want to get forced into accepting what’s best for him.

For now I am getting ready for xmas, I have spoiled the three of them. I have bought them all significantly more than they usually get. I have told them we are making this year a new start and making new traditions. I want to look forward because if I look back I will be miserable.

OP posts:
katmarie · 20/12/2017 16:18

I've followed your thread for a while, I'm de-lurking to say that New traditions and a new start sounds brilliant, and it sounds like you've really found your inner strength in dealing with him, you've got a dignity and composure I'm not sure I'd be able to have, in similar circumstances. I hope you and the kids have a lovely Christmas.

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 20/12/2017 19:55

Like you are so the boss of him now! And achieved with such dignity and strength.

When you’re discussing access make sure he agrees that the children will meet OW when they want to probably never not when it suits him.

Have a wonderful Christmas with your children, and let us fervently hope that ex-H’s is lonely and miserable.

NameWithChange · 20/12/2017 20:07

Well done! All sounds so positive and clear headed thinking.

I know it is best to accept apologies and move forward but his deception previously makes me suspect there are only selfish motives. Best to focus on you and the children for Christmas and get as much agreed in writing etc with him as soon as possible.

Have a lovely Christmas OP, the first of many happier ones. Xmas Wink

SandyY2K · 20/12/2017 23:05

You're doing great. Keep it up and have a fabulous Christmas.

Weezol · 20/12/2017 23:18

Another de-lurker here to say that you have done so bloody well with all this. Have a great Christmas Xmas Smile

juneisthemonth · 20/12/2017 23:55

So been following this post from the beginning! I'm so happy everything's getting a little better for you. Merry Christmas to you and your children, I hope you have the most amazing time. You all deserve it!!!! Xxxx

Leslieknope123 · 21/12/2017 11:15

You are so bad ass! So glad things are on the up! X

revengeongc · 21/12/2017 11:36

You are so mighty. Your children are so, so lucky to have you.

Make sure you take care of yourself as well.

Wishing you the happiest Christmas possible x

magoria · 21/12/2017 15:56

Don't let his getting upset soften you up.

He wasn't upset until pulled up on his actions. If you did nothing he would still be screwing you over.

His actions say a lot more than his sniffling and making you feel sorry for him.

He is only sorry for himself.

Likesugarandcyanide · 24/12/2017 10:10

Thank you all for your kind words, I laughed at “you are so the boss of him” 😂

I have discovered he has lied to me about going away for xmas. He said he would be away from 21-30th. I still have a couple of mutual friends on facebook and lo and behold there are pictures of him and her in a nightclub with one of these friends last night. In one of the comments ex says “looking forward to a repeat on boxing night”. The club is about a mile from my house.

The man who is sorry has obviously decided to prioritise partying over his children. Every time i think he is realising he needs to change he proves he is still a selfish twat.

I am not going to do anything about it, the way he is going he will cause his own downfall.

We are all set for xmas and doing lots of nice things to make it relaxing and special. I’m quite glad the plans don’t involve any of his bullshit.

Hope you all have a fabulous xmas. 🙂

OP posts:
Tentomidnight · 24/12/2017 10:17

You are well rid of the selfish, lying twat.
Your future is on YOUR terms!
Enjoy spoiling your DC over Christmas and starting those new traditions. You are a fantastic role model for your DC Smile

SandyY2K · 24/12/2017 10:27

Here's the thread I mentioned.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/3080448-I-need-to-get-my-head-around-this

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