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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

I’m doing the right thing but sometimes it feels so hard

30 replies

Sickandtiredofthisshit · 16/09/2018 13:24

Feeling a little lost. I’ll try to keep it brief.

I posted earlier in the year about messages I’d found that my husband had posted to one of his female work mates. It ended in a blazing row and I told him to leave. He did. We agreed it was over and the good folks of MN agreed he was a bit of an arse. He only came back when I asked him to because I’d had a health scare and was terrified to face that by myself.

We resumed our relationship. He said he loved him, he was very sorry for hurting me etc etc. Six weeks late I found more messages but that time they were to a mutual friend of ours. He denied everything, called me controlling for not allowing him female friends, punched a hole in our bedroom door, threw his wedding ring at me and stormed off. He said it was over. I got the ‘truth’ from my ‘friend’ and he’d kissed her. They’d almost slept together but stopped. She was sorry 😐

When confronted with the ‘truth’ he admitted to kissing her. That was all that had happened and they were over. It was a lie. They were still messaging each other, it was explicit, photos etc. I saw all of that it it was heartbreaking and sickening.

It’s been tough but not impossible. I work full time, look after two children, had an operation, and in truth had one of the toughest years of my life. But I’ve coped. The bills have been paid, I’ve went on some dates (kept it away from the children) etc etc.

My husband is re writing the narrative of what happened earlier in the year. I realise this is part of the script. He now claims that he left because ‘he knew he was going to get thrown out anyways’. He claims because he wants to come back that he is working on our marriage. He has lost almost everything- his home, his job, my extended family, his step child, his car and probably his driving license soon all as a direct result of his actions. He was also dumped by a new girlfriend when she found out he’d cheated on his wife as he ‘couldn’t be trusted’ (good for you lady, you’re right, he’s a liar)

Anyways I don’t even know the point of my post. I’m rambling. He wants to come back. And is blaming me for not allowing it. But he has told so many lies that there’s no trust there. He even lied about going to the STI clinic and getting the same result as me just because he was sick of me asking about it. That particular lie caused a lot of issues for me at the clinic as I struggled to get a conclusive answer as to whether I had gonnorhea or not. He has treat me appallingly this year and yet I am still treating him with kindness (I bought him some food to see him through as he waits for his universal credit to go through).

I am currently doing the Freedom Project course because I’m obviously my own worst enemy when it comes to men 😢

OP posts:
sparklepops123 · 16/09/2018 13:27

Don't you dare take him back ! He's realised what he's lost, tough for him! He's put you through hell, don't let him do it again

Sickandtiredofthisshit · 16/09/2018 13:28

I should add it ‘was only a kiss’ for many months. Then he admitted to feeling her breasts. Then he had his dick out in her company. I’ll never know the whole truth as to what went on between them. I only find stuff out because he forgets his story and an new painful truth is revealed.

OP posts:
sparklepops123 · 16/09/2018 13:30

He can't remember because he's lied so much to try and cover his tracks

Sickandtiredofthisshit · 16/09/2018 13:35

Sparklepops - thanks. Yes, he gets caught out by his own lies. He forgets what he’s told me. But he is gaslighting me now as to what happened on the day we broke up. He was horrible to me and was so self righteous in his anger that absolutely nothing had happened and that it was my own mental health at fault making me imagine things were going on. Even when the WhatsApp messages were tight in front of me as evidence.

OP posts:
sparklepops123 · 16/09/2018 13:53

It doesn't matter what he chooses to remember, you know what happened. Don't even entertain him he's a idiot. Move upwards and onwards

AnyFucker · 16/09/2018 13:55

What is it you are questioning yourself about ?

FuckItPassMeTheWine · 16/09/2018 14:07

He cheats on you multiple times, even with your friends , lies to your face , shouts at you and you’re questioning yourself? Don’t. This man will not change .

Make a list of all the bad shit he has done , store it in your Phone or something, and whenever you feel self doubt re-read that list !

You deserve to be happy not shit on by this defective spineless peace of shit. And fuck taking him food . Block the prick ! Flowers x

Sickandtiredofthisshit · 16/09/2018 14:08

AnyFucker - I guess I have mixed emotions

I know I am doing the right thing in not letting him come back. Things have gotten tough for him since he left and coming back is the best option for him. Not for me.

I know I can do the single parent thing because I did it with my son before I met him. I need to show my son and our daughter that men can’t treat you that way. That I’m worth more than lies.

We did have good times. We were together 11 years. I miss the good times. I miss the sex. I miss the snuggling up together. My anger has subsided and now I feel a bit sorry for him.

I know that all of what he is going through now is a consequence of his selfish actions. All of it!

I suppose this is just the natural process to go through when a relationship dies.

Or perhaps it’s not. Hence doing the Freedom course with Women’s Aid.

He treat me better than my first partner but I think my expectations and boundaries in a relationship are lower than they should be.

OP posts:
FuckItPassMeTheWine · 16/09/2018 14:12

He is wasting literally years of your life !

IloveJudgeJudy · 16/09/2018 14:14

I hardly ever comment on relationships threads, but I felt I had to comment to support you. You've done exactly the right thing in chucking him out.

Anytime you feel yourself wavering, come on here and post. Don't answer the phone to him or any messages from him until you're ready. What I mean is, don't answer the phone to him when you're in the middle of doing something else or before you know it you might agree to something you didn't want to.

Sending you strength.

Sickandtiredofthisshit · 16/09/2018 14:23

Fuckit - it wasn’t all bad but it was bad in the end. I can’t get those 11 years back but I’ve got plenty of time left to enjoy single life or life as part of a couple in the future.

This weekend was a significant birthday for one of my children and it’s brought it home how fragmented my family had become. I’m pretty sure my MIL hadn’t been in touch with my child (certainly not with me). I’m probably just on a downer after the high of the birthday.

One of the messages between the pair of them I read said she didn’t want to leave her husband because she didn’t want her children coming from a broken home.

And although my home is not broken(!) it still hurts to remember her justification and how the pair of them never thought through their actions and I’m left picking up the pieces.

I didn’t tell her husband she’d been cheating so as far as I know they’re still together and he’s living in blissful ignorance

OP posts:
Sickandtiredofthisshit · 16/09/2018 14:25

Thank you Judge Judy.

OP posts:
FuckItPassMeTheWine · 16/09/2018 14:35

OP have you read any books by Lundy Bancroft? I think you’d find them really useful. Keep strong. You deserve happiness with someone who will not treat you in the way he has done , his behaviour isn’t normal and he is trying to manipulate you by trying to make you feel sorry for him . X

Isitovernow · 16/09/2018 14:44

Both your H and 'friend' sound like horrible people with no sense of class or loyalty. I wouldn't wirry if you're being kind. It just shows you have class & aren't too badly affected. But I hope for your sake that that kindness will never extend to taking him back. You don't necessarily need this man in your life at all, do you?

This paragraph hit me in the face. I just thought 'what an absolute scumbag.'

Six weeks late I found more messages but that time they were to a mutual friend of ours. He denied everything, called me controlling for not allowing him female friends, punched a hole in our bedroom door, threw his wedding ring at me and stormed off. He said it was over. I got the ‘truth’ from my ‘friend’ and he’d kissed her. They’d almost slept together but stopped. She was sorry

Sickandtiredofthisshit · 16/09/2018 14:44

No I’ve not read any of them FuckIt. I will check them out when I get paid.

I got him to go to the doctors has he’d mentioned suicidal thoughts and the doctor said he was depressed.

But day 1 on my course the lovely women at Women’s Aid said that alcohol, drugs, mental illness etc were NEVER a reason for abusive behaviour just commonly used as an excuse.

I probably am being manipulated aren’t I?

OP posts:
Sickandtiredofthisshit · 16/09/2018 14:48

Isitovernow - I no longer have anything to do with this woman. She had the decency to tell me she’d done something, so I decided not to meddle in her marriage. But the double betrayal by the pair of them hurt.
I’m hoping I’m the better person by not telling her husband out of spite.

Fuck it, I am a better person than the pair of them. I wouldn’t shag a married person and betray a friendship for a start.

OP posts:
Waddsup12 · 16/09/2018 14:53

Write everything down at the time it happens, from now on and refer to it if needed. People rewrite history.

Sickandtiredofthisshit · 16/09/2018 14:58

Waddsup - I’ve kept all text messages from him since we split. Including where he called me a slut who was only after dick 😲 and also when he was trying to come over for sex whilst in his new relationship.

I can write everything down but it won’t convince him as he’s got his own narrative now.

OP posts:
Isitovernow · 16/09/2018 14:59

Oh rotten rotten man ... clean break possible ?

FuckItPassMeTheWine · 16/09/2018 15:01

He definately is trying to manipulate you. The woman at woman’s aid is totally correct. My ex was emotionally abusive and at the time I found it so confusing because he would do the loviest things so became difficult for me to consolidate the two differing behaviours , the other type of behaviours being shouty and controlling , for example shouting at me (reducing me to tears) simply because I changed my Facebook profile picture and accusing me of “messing with his head & cheating on him” , stonewalling me for three days at a time. It happens in cycles. It’s all about trying to control you and manipulate your thinking. X

Sickandtiredofthisshit · 16/09/2018 15:01

Not with a child together.

Blocked him on social media so it’s just face to face and texts.

OP posts:
Sickandtiredofthisshit · 16/09/2018 15:04

Fuckit - are you over him now and happy? How long did it take?

OP posts:
FuckItPassMeTheWine · 16/09/2018 15:05

I would keep the texts strictly about child care arrangements. Anything else don’t engage with. He has known you for a very long time op and therefore knows how to push your buttons x

Isitovernow · 16/09/2018 15:06

well keep communication to an absolute minimum and always in writing. Honestly, he sounds so horrible. Flowers

I think you were right re friend. No point taking all that crap on. That's all on her head anyhow.

FuckItPassMeTheWine · 16/09/2018 15:09

It’s been 3 months , i later found out he was cheating on me whilst I was pregnant , I had a missed miscarriage and he refused to even be there for the procedure.

I’m getting there , I was only with my ex for over a year so nothing like the amount of time you have been with your ex . I have my days when I’m filled with anger and just want to punch his lights out and then other days when I’m meh I don’t care about him and feel indifferent about it all. I’m much better then I was but I think another 3 months is required in order for me to feel totally normal again

Really sorry you’re going through this Flowers it’s really shit but you will cope , you sound kind hearted and strong Smile x

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