Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

Partner cheated and is unsupportive

21 replies

newmomma1 · 15/07/2018 20:16

I found out, on my 1st day of maternity leave, that my partner (we're not married) had been sexting a work colleague over the course of my pregnancy. I was literally on his computer looking for a document and noticed pictures of him and his colleague in all files. I found the root folder and then noticed semi naked pictures of another girl too.

Having been cheated on by previous boyfriends I knew that the only thing I could do was confront him, so I drove to his work and did this. The colleague who he had been sexting was also there and they denied anything was going on until I decided to show them the pictures I had downloaded to my phone. He said they hadn't slept together, which I believe. Funnily enough the only reason I believe this is because she's a muslim and he said that he knew it wouldn't go that far due to this. Anyway, cue tears and anger and confusion and discussions about what to do...I told him he had one chance to prove himself. Our LO was born three days later and we have been attempting to get through it. Anyway, over the course of recovering from this, I realised that before I found out about his emotional affair, I have been the one who gave everything to the relationship and made a vow that I will not be going out of my way to do that again. He needs to put the effort in, which he has been doing to an extent.

As I said, there were pictures of another girl who I asked him about. He said he got them of the internet. Total BS I know. I asked him to swear on our babies life and he did. 4 months down the line, I noticed a hard drive on his desk so I snooped and found texts messages from the other girl and his work colleague, so I totally let rip telling him that as far as I was concerned it was over. His lies disgusted me, especially as he swore on our LO's life. He said it was because he thought that there was no point in me being hurt further. Once the dust settled, I had a change of heart as I know that he had been the one to end it with both girls - I knew this from the texts I saw. Roll on till now and again, I'm questioning leaving him. Basically we've had discussions about him omitting the truth and we were talking about meeting new people etc. He asked if I would be upset with him meeting new friends who were girls. I told him that i was under no illusion that he could do the same thing again and that i don't trust him because he omits the truth (and has been caught doing this since I found out about his sexting.) I'm living by the motto, forgive but don't forget. He turned round and said that he wouldn't want to know if I was flirting with someone else so he wouldn't tell me. He does't seem to get that he should be working hard to to be as open as possible considering the past. I've realised now that not only can I not trust him he is totally unsupportive. He has recently had a lot of anxiety about work, which he has complained about on a daily basis for the past 3 weeks. If that were me he would shut me down (which he has done.) I'm now thinking that aside from the emotional affair, he just isn't a trustworthy, positive or supportive person.

On top of that he is suppose to stick to a schedule looking after our the LO and at times he says he's too drained or has something to do, which frustrates the hell out of me but only after I have agreed to cover for him. My bad I know. I know that if it were me asking, I'd have to explain quite throughly why I need him to look after the LO. The schedule was out in place so he has an idea of what it's like to look after our LO so that when I go back to work, which is really soon, he will be at ease with it. He's still not at ease with it and everything seems like so much effort. I know I need to to learn to say no and not explain why and I'm working on it. I'm at a cross roads now. He won't go to counselling but I think I might need to. He is naturally critical, so this grates on me and this is one of the things I have brought up, as well as the fact that he has never given me a proper reason to why he began sexting others. The only thing he came up with was that he was curious, which is just eye roll inducing and quite frankly, disrespectful. Am I better of out? Are there any of you who have through something similar? I feel like I'm living with an immature twat who has no idea how to get in touch with his feelings and just be vulnerable for once. When we first met (we've been together for 8 years) he seemed so confident, supportive and trustworthy but obviously that has changed and he won't think or talk about why. Any one got any advice? Sorry if this message is so long. I just needed to get everything off my chest.

OP posts:
Attic14 · 15/07/2018 20:23

You ARE living with an immature twat

He won’t go to counselling
He doesn’t show remorse
He hasn’t told all
He hasn’t been transparent
He doesn’t look willing to put the effort into your relationship
He isn’t willing to work hard at being a father
He basically is trying to convince you it’s okay to flirt and hide it

Sisterlove · 15/07/2018 22:33

Expect nothing and you won't be disappointed. He's a waste of time. While you carry on accepting his poor behaviour, he will continue to do it.

He'll just hide it better.

bethy15 · 16/07/2018 10:13

I wouldn't assume that there was no relationship merely because she's a Muslim. I have many Muslim friends who have active sex lives, if she's sending him photos too, then she's maybe up for a sexual relationship too. They're in close proximity too, so I wouldn't believe nothing physical has happened between them and only photos.

He's also asking permission to meet other women? I'm sorry, but he's really playing you at the minute.

AngelsSins · 16/07/2018 13:44

So he’s cheated on you with at least two women, one at least whilst you were pregnant, he shirks his responsibilities as a father, he tries to convince you that what he was doing was harmless flirting, he won’t work on your relationship and he lies?

Why are you with him? He has no respect for you, he’s a selfish immature bellend.

Gemini69 · 16/07/2018 15:12

OMG .. find your self respect and dignity and walk .... Flowers

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 16/07/2018 15:29

Jeez. Enough already, boot him out. He's an untrustworthy little shit, crap parent and yes, an immature twat.

magoria · 16/07/2018 16:15

I also have to agree that the not had sex because of religion is complete bull shit.

This isn't gong to improve. You deserve way better.

Arum51 · 16/07/2018 16:21

Have my very first ltb Flowers

newmomma1 · 17/07/2018 19:06

She's a married mother of 2, so I wasn't implying that just because she's a muslim doesn't mean she wouldn't have sex with him. I do believe that they were both basically too chicken shit to do the deed. I honestly think they convinced themselves that their sexting was ok and didn't take it t the next level. Apparently she has since visited Mecca to 'wash away her sins'...ha ha yeah right, good luck in hell is all I'll say. Anyway, I finally got him to agree to counselling so I'm giving it that last chance and if things don't improve then it's bye from me.

OP posts:
bethy15 · 17/07/2018 20:28

Actually, you was. Well, you wasn't implying it, you said it was the only reason you believed they didn't sleep together.

Funnily enough the only reason I believe this is because she's a muslim and he said that he knew it wouldn't go that far due to this.

Being a married mother is no different either, many married people with children have affairs every day of the week.

I personally don't believe any counselling here will do anything, perhaps he has agreed to keep you on the hook, but it's clear he wants other women, even asking you if he can still chat up other women despite you being upset about what you've found. I also very much doubt he's not gone further with these women then he says. You already said he lies, even swearing on your poor children's lives to cover up his sordid lies.

All the best though, if I were you I would be preparing a safety net.

Bellends · 17/07/2018 20:42

You got him to agree to councelling? When he is the cheating twat who is now a shit parent. Honestly, cut your losses. Establish contact when your lo is old enough and move on. Make sure you get some self respect for the next time.....have your limits, please.
Congratulations on your baby btw. Xx

Bellends · 17/07/2018 20:43

Counselling.

newmomma1 · 18/07/2018 07:51

What do you mean establish contact when lo is old enough? Do you mean cut him out of her life for a few years. Sorry, but that's not on. He is good with her but takes advantage of my kind nature. That's not a good reason for me to stop him seeing her, bloody hell, I won't be taking that advice if that's what you meant...

OP posts:
AgentJohnson · 18/07/2018 08:06

Oh dear, if you have to try this hard to get this man to stop lying and cheating then it isn’t worth it. You haven’t been giving him chances, you’ve been making excuses not to leave. It’s ok not to want to leave but you need to stop deluding yourself that this man gives a shit.

bethy15 · 18/07/2018 09:06

I mean, I don't advocate cutting him out of her life entirely, but he can't be that great or love her that much as he swore on the poor little girls life but was lying.

I can't imagine doing that to my dog, let alone my own child.

newmomma1 · 18/07/2018 12:47

You're right, I don't just want to just up and leave and I have been making excuses. We brought a house together before LO was born and I'm finding that after trying to recover from his emotional affair and having a baby, the thought of going through all the bs of separating is too much. I know that he's disrespected me and our LO, which is why I asked if anyone else has gone through something similar. No one has said so far and it seems that everyone is quick to say 'get rid' but unless you've been through it, it's easy to judge as a black and white situation. That's not to say that I'm not taking your thoughts into consideration, I've thought all of the above myself. I do believe that people make mistakes and I actually think it's a lot harder to stay then just up and leave. I'm not reliant on him and I know I have the confidence to leave but at the moment, I literally don't have the energy. We're sleeping in separate rooms, which has been initiated by me. I just feel that if I don't give the counselling a go, I'll never forgive myself for leaving without attempting one final push...I don't know if that's understandable but it's my last hope...

OP posts:
twinky06 · 18/07/2018 13:02

I really feel for you as I'm in the same situation myself at the moment. You're right, people always just say 'ditch them' but it's never that easy when you're in the situation yourself.

My husband cheated on me and I hate him for it, but... the love you feel doesn't just switch off. Especially when you've been together a really long time like we have.

I wanted to make things work and thought I could, many people do. However my husband wasn't remorseful either, he didn't really seem to understand what he had done or the hurt it caused. I think that's a huge red flag.

Long story short, he didn't make the effort to make it up to me or earn my trust so I had to make a tough decision. We've split up and we're now moving on with our lives separately. To this day he still hasn't tried to make amends so I guess I wasn't that important to him.

Apologies if this post sounds all me me me. My point is, it can work for some people. But if your husband isn't remorseful, he probably won't ever change. You can either decide to accept that and be ok with it, or decide you deserve better.

Good luck either way. From one woman to another, I'm so sorry this has happened to you.

newmomma1 · 18/07/2018 17:45

Thank you for sharing and for being so supportive. I'm really sorry that you have been through the this too, you didn't deserve it either. I just wanted to say that my partner has shown remorse, but it comes and goes. I think he is so ashamed about it that he is trying to avoid fully acknowledging the amount of hurt he has caused and is burying his head in the sand - sounds like another excuse I know, which is why I think going to counselling might just provide him with the insight he needs. If he tries to wriggle out of it, then thats my cue to do one.

Can I ask how long it took you to decide on leaving your husband after you found out?

OP posts:
bethy15 · 18/07/2018 19:14

I think he is so ashamed about it that he is trying to avoid fully acknowledging the amount of hurt he has caused and is burying his head in the sand

I'm sorry, but it appears to me as if you are the one burying your head in the sand, not him.
He asking you if he can still chat up and flirt with other women is not him not facing up to the hurt he has caused, it's him making sure he's further hurt you and wanting an OK for his awful behaviour.

In one breath you say you haven't the energy to leave, or to face the BS, and then you also say that staying is the hardest option.

If I may, can I suggest therapy for you alone. Go to couples if you want, but you need to work on you and why you don't value yourself enough to acknowledge just how awful he is and that you're worth a lot more than him.

twinky06 · 18/07/2018 19:39

It's been about 5 months now.

My husband too buried his head in the sand and I think that's half the problem. Rather than deal with problems, he pretended there was nothing wrong and continued to do that after the affair. He carried on like nothing happened and would get annoyed that I couldn't do the same.

It really is up to you what you choose to do, no one can make that decision for you. However I think you need to look at the bigger picture. Is he trying to make it up to you? Is he willing to reassure you and take actions to help you regain trust? Is he willing to do relationship counselling? Is he willing to be open and not keep things from you?

Maybe start doing a journal and working through what's happened, what is happening and you might find it helps make the situation clearer. It worked for me.

newmomma1 · 18/07/2018 20:07

I apologise, I realise that when I said that he said he would flirt with women, I misled you and I wrote it down wrong. What was actually said was that if he met new friends that included women, if he realised that they were in to him, he would stop seeing them, but he wouldn't bother telling me this because there would be no point. What I didn't actually get the chance to ask him was if he fancied them, then what would he do? I will broach that though because I need that answer.

Twinky06 - Thats really good advice. He doesn't get annoyed but your "is he willing to be open and not keep things from you?" question is the stickler for me ...this is where I honestly don't know if I can be sure there are things he would keep from me in the future. Everything I found out was from my own snooping and piecing things together and presenting them to him. I could tell by his reactions when I asked him particular questions if he was lying or not, so I know that I have good sense when he is.The only thing is, is that I don't want to be snooping for the rest of my life. This is one of the main reasons I think going to a couples counsellor would help as they may be able to enlighten him how damaging this is...on the other hand though, will it make a difference? I have obviously lost a lot of respect for him and I do talk to him and treat him like shit now, which I know is not good for our LO to be around. I have also thought about going to a counsellor on my own so I'm still thinking about that as an option too.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page