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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 boyfriends behaviour normal

62 replies

Itsmytimetoshine · 29/02/2020 21:40

My boyfriend (of two years) and I are both 37. We live together with my two children.

I’m really curious what others opinions and reactions would be...

His work mates (all men) and him planned a night out a couple of weeks ago. I told him I’d make plans to go out with my friend too as my kids were with their dad.

The day he was due to go out, he made the effort to go get his hair cut (he doesn’t bother that often), bought new aftershave, new shoes and a new shirt. When we got home, he got in the shower, cut his finger nails and dressed (including new boxer shorts). He really went all out on looking good.

I dropped him to the pub (to meet his mates for an early session) and went home to start getting myself ready. I didn’t hear anything from him for the rest of the evening or night despite me sending him a message asking if he was having a good night and if he wanted to share a taxi home. I was walking past a bar on the way home and happened to see him through the window. When I walked in (he didn’t see me) he was flirting with a woman, smiling at her, following her as she walked towards the toilets. I followed him and asked him what he was doing. He immediately denied doing anything wrong and asked why I was out. I told him I had told him I was going out and he said that I hadn’t told him and that I was being sneaky. He then kept smiling at the woman in front of me (he was drunk). We had a massive argument with him telling me I was overreacting. The next day, he said he couldn’t remember any of it. I took that as the truth and we’ve carried on.

A couple of days ago, I received a message from him saying he had finished work early and that he was going to see a friend for an hour (not unusual). What was unusual was the fact that he’d showered and changed. I tried phoning him to ask if he wanted dinner but he didn’t answer, I sent him a message, it went unread. Three hours later, he called and said he was going to the shop and would be home. Four hours after that, he came home (drunk) and said he hadn’t received my message or seen my call.

Yesterday, I was telling him about my friends boyfriend who had cheated on her because she had lost her second drive (due to being on anti depressants). He told me that everyone needs sex and that she should have just done it to keep him happy and that he’d cheat on me if I stopped giving him sex. I got really upset and he said he was only messing around and that he loves me too much to cheat on me.

Then today, he was on his phone and he left it open on his photo album, I saw a picture of a female bum in a thong (it wasn’t mine). When I asked him what it was, he said it had come off WhatsApp from the work group and that it was just lads stuff. I said I understood lads banter but I can’t understand why he wouldn’t delete photos like that and would choose to keep them along side photos of me (I send him naughty photos). He said it was a bloke thing and that it’s only photos of models and that it wasn’t like he was going to ever see the woman in person. I got really upset again and he said I was being silly. He’s since apologised and is telling me that he loves and he’d never hurt me.

Sorry for the massive post but I feel so hurt

OP posts:
LovingLola · 29/02/2020 23:32

Hopefully it’s your house and you can tell him to leave.

Pandamoore · 29/02/2020 23:40

I dunno if he is cheating but he certainly sounds like he would without a second thought,given the opportunity. And probably blame it on drinking...or you.

He's a bit of a gaslighting wee fuckwit either way though - so I'd be off.

PickAChew · 29/02/2020 23:42

normal for a twat.

Techway · 01/03/2020 04:14

Loads of red flags..I hope he doesn't share your "naughty" pictures with his friends.

He sounds like someone who has to chase other women, it probably feels normal to him but he knows he has to hide it from you.

2 years is just the time when the mask slips and you see the real person. If he is upsetting you now it will just get worse.

GrockleRock · 01/03/2020 04:21

Delete your pics from his phone.

Delete him.

LittleWing80 · 01/03/2020 08:11

He didn’t see your messages that night? He didn’t have his phone for 7 hours?! That’s the worst lie ever. What did he say he was doing for 7 hours after work?
He doesn’t sound like he Respects you or women for that matter.
Do you own your house? I would ask him to leave.

CalleighDoodle · 01/03/2020 08:15

Yeah this guy is no good. Should not be living with your children.

MrsAJ27 · 01/03/2020 08:21

You know this isn't normal, you have 2 choices end the relationship or put up with his bullshit!

Knewyou · 01/03/2020 08:25

You caught him on a night out with another woman. What more evidence do you need that he is up to no good? Who was she anyway?

Rainbowqueeen · 01/03/2020 08:29

Sorry OP but I agree with the others. He is cheating and he has no respect for you. Time to ditch.

MisschanandelerBong · 01/03/2020 08:42

When you found him that time with that girl in the pub and he was all drunk. Then he's said he didn't remember it. That would turn me off pretty quickly. Hate it when men can't handle their booze and use 'forgetfulness' to get away with all sorts of shit.
Stand back and think about your worth... men who expect sex like it's their right in a relationship also make my skin crawl and should make yours too. Even if that was a joke, it probably wasn't and you know it.
Whatever you decide... stop doubting yourself and wondering if you're being unreasonable. Chin up, heels on, perfume on and kick him to the kerb.

happycamper11 · 01/03/2020 08:47

I don't know if he's cheated yet but I'm guessing he will do or would have done that night if you haven't seen him. Lots of red flags. The 'do it anyway to keep him happy' comment was vile and I doubt it was a joke

CallmeAngelina · 01/03/2020 08:54

Does he have an iPhone, OP?
If so, and you can get hold of it,
Click on Photos. At the bottom of the screen it will say Albums. Scroll across all albums until you get to WhatsApp. That folder will show you all pix sent to him by others (although of course it won't show you who sent it - could be his mates). You could always go one step further and check his messages from said mates and see if such photos are there.
Secondly, whilst you're there, delete ALL those photos you have sent him of yourself!!!

MimiLaRue · 01/03/2020 08:58

He told me that everyone needs sex and that she should have just done it to keep him happy

I'm sorry but I dont get why you want to keep this man. Look at what he said above. He's a disgusting sexist pig who is either cheating on you now or will do in the very near future. You are being taken for a fool by this twat. Stop your loss now and dump him. This is only going to get worse. When someone shows you who they are, believe them.

MimiLaRue · 01/03/2020 08:59

oh I agree with deleting your pics from his phone- he sounds the type to blackmail you with them

Hippychickster · 01/03/2020 09:04

Even if he isn't cheating, the relationship is making you unhappy.

That's no way to live. You deserve much better.

Chinks123 · 01/03/2020 09:05

Sorry op but he sounds like a cheat to me, and not a nice person. As soon as you caught him with that woman it was fairly obvious. It’s convenient that he keeps forgetting things though isn’t it.
Please delete your photos off his phone!! They’re probably already in his ‘banter’ WhatsApp group.

Also I don’t buy that the woman’s photo is of a model, and he just kept it saved in his photos. If he wanted photos of models/celebs you could google them. I’d say, from experience, it’s an actual woman’s arse he’s been sent from a woman he’s seeing/speaking to.

kingkuta · 01/03/2020 09:06

Why on earth are you with this horrible man - and no, of course it's not normal

SinkGirl · 01/03/2020 09:07

He told me that everyone needs sex and that she should have just done it to keep him happy and that he’d cheat on me if I stopped giving him sex.

Did you literally hear a siren when he said this? Because I did when I read it. He’s disgusting, cheating or not. And he was not joking.

ByGrabtharsHammerWhatASavings · 01/03/2020 09:12

It sounds like he is cheating, but even if he isn't he sounds utterly vile. Should have just had sex to keep him happy? Lads banter? He's a misogynist OP. Does it really matter if he's also a cheating misogynist? Do you really want a man like this around your kids?

Poorolddaddypig · 01/03/2020 09:18

Sorry OP but if his friends had gone when you caught him chatting up a random woman I’d suspect that 1) his friends were never there in the first place or 2) their night had ended but he stayed on in the hope of going home with a woman

fedup21 · 01/03/2020 09:22

Did this woman not ask who you were? Did he come home with you?

MrHaroldFry · 01/03/2020 09:38

When the universe is trying to give you a message, listen.
You need to remove yourself from this man and his boys club attitude. You need to remove your children from It to.
No need for drama. Find a new house or flat, or get him out of where you are and stay there in peace and harmony.
Do t do the 'pick me' dance.

anotherdisaster · 01/03/2020 09:40

If not for your sake, get shot of him for your kids' sake. Do you want them growing up thinking this is how women should be treated? He is taking the piss out of you here. If he hasn't cheated then its not for want of trying. He sounds thoroughly unpleasant and not sure what you see in him. He has zero respect for you and probably no respect for women in general.

Babooshkar · 01/03/2020 09:43

He sounds vile... What would you tell a friend in the same situation?