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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

Are we kidding ourselves to think we can fix this?

134 replies

Cheryberys · 21/10/2019 19:30

My expartner and I were together, mostly happily, for a long time. I was devoted to him, and would do anything for him, and always felt it was reciprocated. Whilst no relationship is perfect, there was a lot of mutual support, meeting of minds etc. He wasn't entirely happy with our sex life (in retrospect nor was I), but we struggled to discuss these problems (although we'd resolved other issues as they arose this one was one we found hard to discuss) and eventually we split up. For the last few months of the relationship he began fucking someone else, a woman he met online where he went looking for sex (at this point we had effectively stopped having sex). This carried on for a few months after our split but he refused to commit to a relationship with her (because in his words he just saw her as someone to have sex with), and eventually contacted me to ask if we could try again.

As of yet, a few months on, I haven't agreed so whilst we are in contact we are not in a relationship. I have a LOT of concerns. As does he. I wasn't always particularly kind or nice, and in the process of us splitting up I sent some very negative and quite personal messages. That said had I known he was fucking someone else I would have said worse.

My view is that we both behaved badly and that whilst 2 wrongs don't make a right of we want to start again we wipe the slate clean.

However he wants to analyse all my comments while dismissing his infidelity on the basis we weren't having sex. He is also still in contact with the woman he was fucking and I know she is dripping poison in his ear about me (as she has told me directly that she thinks she should be with him as she is better in bed than me - but because I am significantly more attractive in all respects he doesn't want her if he can have me) He says she means nothing to him and I do believe it but she is a shit stirrer and for that reason I think he needs to cut contact.

I don't fall into that trap of just blaming her. I know both are at fault. But she is the one who has repeatedly contacted me to 'put me in the picture' and make a number of spiteful and hurtful comments like telling me I'm shit in bed, or how they used to laugh at me and take the piss behind my back. She knew of my existence all along and even after he contacted me to try and get me back, she called me to tell me everything and then immediately after called him and offered him sex. She is jealous of me clearly; I try to just think she is pathetic and no threat but frankly I would prefer her to be out of the way entirely rather than sending him messages like how if he stays with me I'll never give him sex and nothing will change and he'll regret it!

I do think things can change and she clearly is no oracle. I've suggested seeing a counsellor which he is willing to do. I think he also should cut this woman out as she has an agenda which is deeply anti me.

OP posts:
Oliversmumsarmy · 22/10/2019 10:05

On the surface if this was just a blip and your dh has decided he wants you back then he would be doing everything to get you back. He would already have NC with the OW and he would have apologised and begged you to start again.

The big red flags that say this is never going to work are the fact he is still in contact with her and it is you who is saying if he wants you back he has to go NC.

At best he isn’t really committed in trying to get you back as he is keeping his options open.

Secondly the comment that he wants to go over all the horrible things you said to him.

For that I would be running in the opposite direction.
Why are you even entertaining thoughts of happy ever after with someone who having had an affair wants to blame it all on you.

This marriage is over. You had a few good years and now it is time to move on.

If you do try again you are just storing up trouble for the future.

If you have great self esteem and you consider yourself attractive then go and get someone else who will appreciate you for you and wants only you.

Play this out like a film in your head.

Another 10 years of a relatively sexless marriage only for him to go off with another “minger” but this time he doesnt want to come back.

You are left 10 years older and maybe not so attractive and your self esteem has taken a knocking.

Or you end it because your sex life is non existent.
How many years do you envision can you go without sex before pulling the plug.

As he gets older he will want sex less and less

Couples can live together without sex but for it to work it has to be by mutual agreement

yellowallpaper · 22/10/2019 10:47

Why is all your focus on the OW? The real issue is your relationship with your ex. Look back or discuss this with a counsellor because it doesn't sound particularly satisfying or supportive on any level. If it hasn't worked for many years why on earth should it work now?

category12 · 22/10/2019 10:51

Really your title is misleading - it should be "Am I kidding myself to think I can fix this?"

Because I'm not seeing anything he's doing to make things better between you.

yousawthewholeofthemoon · 22/10/2019 11:43

Didn't you do this same thread a few weeks ago? It was unanimous that you and him were a disaster of a relationships.

Cheryberys · 22/10/2019 12:24

I've not posted about this before.

He doesn't want to blame it on me. He does want to speak about some of the communications we exchanged in the lead up to our relationship ending and some fairly spiteful and cutting comments I made. I own that those comments were not kind or fair, nor entirely justified. There was some elements of truth to some of them. But they were at a point when I was frustrated and angry our relationship was failing. I accept I should have communicated better. We have both behaved badly. I think my suggestion that we accept there is fault on both sides and move forward isn't unreasonable.

I do accept we can't move forward unless he is prepared to cut any contact with her. I've not insisted he do so. I intend to now.

OP posts:
Oliversmumsarmy · 22/10/2019 15:47

You still don’t get it.

If he truly wanted to get back with you then you shouldn’t need to tell him to go NC with this woman.

If you are starting again then you shouldn’t have to go through communications sent in anger.

He really has done a number on you.

SurfingGiantess · 22/10/2019 15:54

Unfortunately you seem to have made up your mind to try again.
From what you said here it'll end in hurt again.
If he truly wanted you back he wouldn't keep going on about what you said to him. He would be so sorry for cheating!!! And he would have cut contact with the other woman.
You deserve better. But by all means try again if you really want to but be prepared to be hurt.

Cheryberys · 22/10/2019 16:14

He clearly does want to re-establish our relationship. Why bother to contact me, to make considerable effort to visit me and spend time with me. Put bluntly he's not getting anything from that.

So I'm not sure what there is for me to get that I'm not getting. If he won't go NC with her we won't continue speaking much less get back together.

As to the matters he wants to discuss, I think it's sensible to do a certain amount of air clearing. I don't think we should dissect the minutiae of past correspondence but I can see the benefits of covering off specific points of concern, which is something my counsellor advised before we re establish a relationship (IF indeed that's what we decide to do).

OP posts:
SpookilyBadOooooooh · 22/10/2019 16:33

Ducking hell YOU have grown kids? I was imagining you no more than 25.

You need a different counsellor - you need to be helped through this because nothing you are saying makes sense. Especially not for someone our age.

🌷

Cheryberys · 22/10/2019 16:40

Why do I need a different counsellor?

OP posts:
Cheryberys · 22/10/2019 22:47

By way of update, I told him he needed to cut contact with her.

He said he won't be given ultimatums. I said that I can't see him any more unless and until it stops.

So that is that apparently. I feel absolutely bereft, more than the first time we ended.

OP posts:
Elieza · 22/10/2019 23:10

Pick yourself off, dust yourself down and walk away from all the shit with your head held high. You have given him every chance. He is an untrustworthy ass.

I’m sorry you are hurting but he’s not the same guy you fell in love with. He’s changed into a total prick and you can do better. You don’t need his worthless cheating ass.

Get the ice cream and chocolate out, have a good cry, and move on. There are nice guys out there. All will be well.

category12 · 22/10/2019 23:17

Well, he'd made his choice, OP. What you were asking was perfectly reasonable in the circumstances. I'm sorry you're hurting. But it wouldn't be a happy life, living with that constantly in the background.

Lweji · 22/10/2019 23:18

Considering your update, well done on establishing your boundary.
Still, what if he says he's stopped contact with her? Will you believe him?

I'd just properly end it now and leave no door open.

Cheryberys · 22/10/2019 23:22

I am just devastated. Some hurtful thngs were said. He accused me of being manipulative and spiteful, of not having changed (when I KNOW I have). I did tell him he was behaving like someone having a breakdown or some kind of crisis which he took strong objection to.

I cant believe he didn't ask me to reconsider. Not once. I don't believe he loves me at all, not any more.

OP posts:
Whatwouldbigfatfannydo · 22/10/2019 23:23

Honestly she isn't attractive. Not just physically but personality too. And she's not that bright. My friends are baffled as to why he would even go near her other than the fact she has literally zero self respect so is constantly available for sex.

Neither of you sound like particularly kind people to be honest...

Dogladyxo · 22/10/2019 23:24

I agree also shocked that your older then 25 Shock

Cheryberys · 22/10/2019 23:24

He just said clearly I'd made my mind up. And that was that. I cried a lot. Literally no emotion from him.

OP posts:
Interestedwoman · 23/10/2019 00:01

He's a cunt OP, glad if you're starting to realise it more. Don't go back on what you've said. He's made his position clear, that he still wants to keep her around. There is only one reason for that.

Move on and have a more pleasant future without him. xxx

Cheryberys · 23/10/2019 00:19

I can't believe how hurt I feel. And so completely alone. We had our future planned.

He said sex with me was never any good, that I never enjoyed it (not true) and avoided it (ditto). I've never had any issues with sex with previous partners. He has said that sex in his past relationships has never been saitsfactory. The only women he's ever had good sex with apparently is this one who he admits he doesn't respect or find attractive or think is worthy of a relationship.

I guess that says it all really.

OP posts:
Lweji · 23/10/2019 01:06

Ignore anything he says at this stage. He's probably trying to regain his self esteem by putting you down.

Hidingtonothing · 23/10/2019 02:06

Even if what he said about sex is true from his perspective, your previous sexual relationships have been satisfying and his have not, so the problem is clearly his rather than yours. I would wonder if he has some kind of messed up madonna/whore complex going on, it would explain why he can only have 'satisfactory' sex with a woman he has no respect for. Not that he's treating you with any either, whether he thinks of you as madonna-like or not.

His refusal to cut contact with her would be the end for me though, it really is the very least he could do if he wanted to fight for you. I agree with PP's, it's time to close the door and take the decision out of his hands. Your self respect is going to take a massive hit if you don't and what's left of your relationship will be like death by a thousand cuts. Don't put yourself through that OP, enough now Flowers

andrea11745 · 23/10/2019 04:54

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Cheryberys · 23/10/2019 07:41

I can't believe how sad and empty I feel. Partly relieved too because at least now I am not worrying about him still being in contact with her.

Oh and thry were also still having sex. Bit he thinks that's ok because he and I weren't back together and weren't having sex. And that when we did start he would have stopped with her apparently. Because that's all she's good for.

OP posts:
SurfingGiantess · 23/10/2019 07:44

Don't take what he says to heart. I know from experience he's just trying to hurt you.
Now ask yourself what kind of life do you want? ...
Get some counselling and start being happy again without him. Then you can find someone nice to be with.

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