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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

Is it me or her?

12 replies

feistymama21 · 03/03/2019 19:39

After 6.5 years of being in this relationship/marriage I feel like I don't know if I am being unreasonable or she is.

Over the last 2 maybe 3 weeks my wife has started taking her phone with her everywhere, to the toilet, into the kitchen when she makes a cuppa, absolutely everywhere, every single time. She has always been very very attached to her phone but this is a change.

This morning we were sat on the sofa and I watched her delete two chat threads from Facebook. I confronted her about the change in her taking her phone everywhere with her and deleting the two threads. Her response was to lie and say she always deletes old messages now. I pointed out I had watched her delete them from the very top of the list and she then said it wasn't from Facebook but from WhatsApp and it was from her mum and her sister as she didn't want to see an article she had sent them. This is a blatant lie as those two threads were not at the top of the list. I point this out and she flips out saying our marriage is over.

About an hour later our 13 year old (she is my step daughter but we dont use that word and she calls us both mum) came to me randomly and said that when her and my wife stayed in the premier inn the other week she was constantly on her phone to one particular woman and that she didnt put her phone down the whole time they were there even at dinner. She also said she kept deleting the messages and when our daughter was doing her hair she could see she was talking to this woman as if they were "together". (we have a 10 month baby and my wife does not at all cope with anything less than 12 hours sleep at a minimum and normally naps for hours in the day too - so we paid for her to stay there for the night so she could sleep)

I have been ill today and last night and after I confronted her about these messages she just stormed off upstairs, tried to "turn" our daughter against me and left me with the baby all day. Again.

We were separated for 5 months in 2015 (not through choice) and within 9 days of that separation starting she was on numerous dating apps. She slept with her ex (our daughters very violent dad whom she isn't allowed to have contact with ) started an affair with a married man and slept with one other guy. She also added two women from the dating app to her facebook. When we got back together we talked and we agreed that because just before the separation began she was having an emotional affair with this married man (he is also an ex from years ago) that she would remove those two women. She never did and continues to talk to them today. One of them has a girlfriend too. I discussed this with my counsellor at the time and she agreed that because of the circumstances it was not unreasonable for me to ask my wife to do this. I felt unable to trust again without this.

Now this. I am just so lost in what to think. Am I an unreasonable a*hole or is she? I dont want to drip feed but there is so so so much more I could say. Our daughter saw her looking at 2 bedroom flats to rent that another friend had sent her and this really upset her.

OP posts:
category12 · 03/03/2019 19:47

Well, you set a boundary about the two women, but she ignored it, but you stuck around.

It sounds like she's having an affair and is at least considering leaving you. You might be better off.

Needtobuildabridge · 03/03/2019 19:56

Read your post over, and decide what you would advise a friend in the same position.
Tbh OP it sounds like hell, and you must be feeling pretty awful now, especially if you are doing all of the nights.
I think you need to have a big think and decide if this is what you really want in life 💐

AppleCrisps · 03/03/2019 20:05

It sounds like she's having an affair and is already halfway out the door. Sorry OP, but I think sooner or later you two will have to sit down and discuss what's next. All the best.

feistymama21 · 03/03/2019 20:06

No it isn't at all what I want in life. But, she has c-ptsd and borderline personality disorder. She stopped her anti-depressants cold turkey without talking to the GP about five weeks ago and her behaviour has just got worse and worse. We have a very complicated situation as our daughter is now awaiting an urgent mental health assessment with CAMHS to happen in the next few weeks at most.

My wife constantly tries to turn our daughter against me, telling her for example that I discipline her because I hate her and want her life to be miserable. I have parental responsibility for our daughter and know without a doubt that if we separated then she would want to live with me. I also know that children's social care would not let my wife have the baby live with her but I just dont know what would happen with our daughter. The thought of putting this poor child through yet more turmoil and trauma breaks me. I have a 21 year old son who lives with us too and he would be upset but possibly relieved as well. This is just all such a bloody mess.

OP posts:
feistymama21 · 03/03/2019 20:13

I should add that as we are both at home with the baby, I know it is an emotional affair again and not a physical one. She has deigned to come downstairs now I have got the baby to sleep and is still constantly messaging this woman even knowing I can see that she is using her phone. I cant see what she is saying as she chose not to sit on the sofa with me but in the chair.

OP posts:
Cornish83 · 03/03/2019 20:24

Would you treat her like this? No probably not and I’m guessing she wouldn’t allow you to and you know that so you respect those boundaries.
You need to decide weather you’re prepared to tolerate this or if you deserve better and hopefully you realise you don’t have to put up with this and tell her, she’ll change if she loves you and wants you to be happy.
She probably behaves like this because she always has and has got away with it.

It’s hard emotionally with a baby I know but you should be supporting each another.

It does all sound a bit one way but you need to sit down and have a chat and get some answers.

Closetbeanmuncher · 03/03/2019 20:26

Jesus Christ run for the hills op...She's a serial cheat.

She's been cheating of you for the entirety of your relationship and will continue to do so.

You know what you have to do.

poppingoff · 03/03/2019 20:28

What would you tell your kids if someone was treating them like this?

Gruzinkerbell1 · 03/03/2019 20:33

Find someone who makes you happy. You don't deserve to be treated like this.

Cornish83 · 03/03/2019 20:40

It also sounds a lot like emotional abuse, or at least manipulation, especially what she’s saying to your daughter.
I think you need to consider ending it as you have to put yourself and your family first she is not good for any of you this is toxic.

feistymama21 · 03/03/2019 21:00

I just don't even know where to start with separating. It's all such a mess. Not a single professional that has been involved with our family over the last 6.5 years has ever believed me. She manages to pull the wool over all their eyes and frame herself as the victims both with direct and indirect lies. Things had been so much better for quite a long time and now its just a big mess again.

OP posts:
Cornish83 · 03/03/2019 21:25

You don’t need to prove yourself to anyone about things at this stage, if you decide to separate then it’s because the relationship doesn’t work and you’re going to have to go your separate ways that’s all anyone needs to know.
Hopefully she is mature about it and you can remain amiable but if you think she will be difficult then I would plan everything before you tell her and get as much support as you can.
Whatever you decide to do make your mind up before you discuss it so you know it’s what you want and your not persuaded to do what she says.

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