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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

Am I being unreasonable?

62 replies

Secondchancesally · 23/10/2021 12:38

Hi, I’m a long time lurker of mumsnet but never posted before. I would love some advice on my situation, please be honest but not brutal.

I am recently divorced (2 years ago) and decided to dip my toe in the dating area. I met a lovely guy (also divorced) who has two kids. We have been dating for 6 months and I have recently met his kids. I get on well with the kids and things were going good.

The only problem I his ex wife. She is still very involved in his life, texting him every day with seemingly random questions and unnecessary phone calls etc. I find it hard and have tried to discuss it with him but he always says it’s stuff about the kids and is necessary.

Last night, we were about to go to bed after putting my LG down (3 year old). We usually would watch TV and snuggle, I know we sound like exciting people (LOL!). Anyway, he goes downstairs to get something and was gone a while. Then I can hear him talking very quietly to someone.

I came down the stairs to hear him saying “right OK, right OK” and then bye. I asked who he was on the phone to and he said his ex name. I was shocked. He had been talking in a hushed voice clearly trying to hide the fact he was on the phone. I asked him why he had called her and he said he had a missed call and had called her back.

I said to him surely he could have just text to ask if all was OK, after all it was only one missed call and if it was something urgent surely she would have called more times and or text saying call me urgently?

He instantly got angry and said I was being unreasonable. Then said what was wrong with calling his children back, to which I pointed out it was his ex wife he was calling not his kids (both of whom have their own phones!).

Anyway, I said I didn’t want to argue so went up to bed. He came up but then sat on the bed not getting in. I asked him if he was getting in and he said I was out of order for questioning him and he was p**sed off with me?! 🤷‍♀️

I repeated that I don’t want to argue and it’s our weekend together (he has his kids alternate weekends) so just leave it.

He said he was too annoyed so was going home. He then got dressed and left with me asking him not to and saying he was ruining our weekend time together. He left anyway.

I spoke to a friend after he left and also reflected myself and it now seems he was deliberately keeping the argument going so he could leave and I’m now questioning if it was something to do with the call from the ex.

I feel really left down and like I mean nothing due to the fact he could just walk out and leave me.

What I really want to know is was I unreasonable to expect him to text the ex rather than make a secret hushed phone call? Also, is it likely he could be up to something or am I overthinking?

Sorry for the long post and thank you if you’ve read this far.

OP posts:
Secondchancesally · 23/10/2021 14:19

@Pinkbonbon

So no, you aren't overthinking.

Hushed phonecall always means they are doing the dirty elsewhere (or trying to). I wouldn't actually be surprised if he engeneered that argument in order to go see that person. Maybe she is sick of him spending all that time messaging his 'ex wife' too.

That is something my friend said last night. She actually thought he had been "given his orders" by the ex wife that he needed to have the kids this weekend and that's why he engineered the argument.

The ex wife has changed weekends before, been late collecting the kids from him, made him take holiday to cover he being away with her boyfriend and not getting back in time to take the kids to school.

So, my friend thought she called last night to tell him he needed to have the kids and with it being our weekend he didn't want to tell me he'd had orders from her and was following them. So he engineered the argument and went home to wait for the kids to be dropped off today. 🤷‍♀️

Who knows, either of you could be right. I think he definitely wanted to leave here for some reason related to that phone call.

OP posts:
Violet869 · 23/10/2021 14:25

There will always be a connection to his ex-wife because they have children together. I know somebody who speaks to the father of their children most days, mostly about illness, school, behaviour, things they need for school, going to a friends house, missing jumpers etc. You either trust him or you don’t.

I have since read that he cheated on her and she kicked him out, based on that alone, I would avoid him like the plague.

vajingleberry · 23/10/2021 14:27

Hushed phonecall always means they are doing the dirty elsewhere (or trying to).

Always? Every single time?

Maybe he was just trying not to disturb OP who was already upstairs and headed for bed.

If either of us get a call or need to make a call when my the other one has gone to bed/is still in bed/having a nap then we would speak quietly from another room. Are we "doing the dirty elsewhere" or just being considerate?

HollowTalk · 23/10/2021 14:28

I think if you'd been able to drive to his ex's house you would've seen his car there.

He set up that argument, putting you firmly in the wrong so that he could storm out.

I hope you don't carry on seeing him.

Pinkbonbon · 23/10/2021 14:31

Yeah your friend has a fair argument too.
Either way it's a pile of shite you don't need from a partner. It's a shame but better to realise what's what now than further down the line i suppose.

I'm betting he won't appologise either. He'll be expecting you to. So that he can see he has you well trained. Hense the radio silence.

Secondchancesally · 23/10/2021 14:39

@Pinkbonbon

Yeah your friend has a fair argument too. Either way it's a pile of shite you don't need from a partner. It's a shame but better to realise what's what now than further down the line i suppose.

I'm betting he won't appologise either. He'll be expecting you to. So that he can see he has you well trained. Hense the radio silence.

This is my thoughts too. If he wasn't bothered last night and I've heard nothing today then I'm assuming he's not sorry and waiting for me to contact him.

I was hoping I was wrong but everything that others have said has crossed my mind. Perhaps I was over reacting to the call and perhaps I am over sensitive like others have said due to the fact I know he cheated on his wife. But something in my gut is telling me he kept the argument going on purpose and whatever the reason it's not something good for me.

OP posts:
HollowTalk · 23/10/2021 14:42

@vajingleberry

Hushed phonecall always means they are doing the dirty elsewhere (or trying to).

Always? Every single time?

Maybe he was just trying not to disturb OP who was already upstairs and headed for bed.

If either of us get a call or need to make a call when my the other one has gone to bed/is still in bed/having a nap then we would speak quietly from another room. Are we "doing the dirty elsewhere" or just being considerate?

But it was early - her 3 year old had gone to bed.
Pinkbonbon · 23/10/2021 14:44

@vajingleberry

Hushed phonecall always means they are doing the dirty elsewhere (or trying to).

Always? Every single time?

Maybe he was just trying not to disturb OP who was already upstairs and headed for bed.

If either of us get a call or need to make a call when my the other one has gone to bed/is still in bed/having a nap then we would speak quietly from another room. Are we "doing the dirty elsewhere" or just being considerate?

She was waiting on him to watch movies upstairs. Why would he need to be hushed? He knew she wasn't asleep. Unless maybe the kids were? But then surely they would both have to have been hushed the whole evening.

Amd yup, generally, always. Not that there can't be the odd other shady exception. Like a drug deal or something. Or the idea ops friend has. But either way, they're up to nothing good. Ooh ....unless they're planning a surprise birthday party? But I'm guessing thats another no in this scenario.

vajingleberry · 23/10/2021 14:49

Ooh ....unless they're planning a surprise birthday party? But I'm guessing thats another no in this scenario.

I wasn't talking about specifically this scenario, just commenting on the blanket statement that a hushed phone call is always because someone is "doing the dirty". It just isn't.

Pinkbonbon · 23/10/2021 14:53

@vajingleberry

Ooh ....unless they're planning a surprise birthday party? But I'm guessing thats another no in this scenario.

I wasn't talking about specifically this scenario, just commenting on the blanket statement that a hushed phone call is always because someone is "doing the dirty". It just isn't.

OK, I'll conceed that 'always' is a bit too severe. And reduce to around hmmm..90% of the time (for cheating OR looking to cheat).
Notaroadrunner · 23/10/2021 14:56

I couldn't be doing with this so I'd dump him. After 7 years he doesn't need to be in daily contact with his ex, especially as his kids have their own phones.

vajingleberry · 23/10/2021 14:56

OK, I'll conceed that 'always' is a bit too severe

Thank you Grin

FWIW I think it all sounds extremely dodgy too.

CoffeeBeansGalore · 23/10/2021 15:04

Op, it's only been 6 months and it's already hassle. He's not willing to prioritise you even during your time together. It is not going to improve. Text him today & end it.

BananaBlue · 23/10/2021 18:31

I’d be wondering if it was his ex wife he was speaking to or another woman.

Either way it’s a stupid amount of drama for 6 (post?) pandemic months so I’d knock this on the head if he hasn’t already.

Frigginintheriggin · 23/10/2021 19:25

I had an ex with an ex wife like this. Our relationship didn't survive it because he was still at her beck and call.
This man sounds like he's still attached. If both of his kids have phones and there's regular contact in place then surely there isn't a need for daily contact unless the kids have additional needs you have forgotten to mention? 7 years apart is long enough to cut the apron strings.
Do yourself a favour and let him go, you'll be happier in the long run.

sammylady37 · 23/10/2021 19:26

He mentioned her too much. They text and I never see the messages. She's possessive

You think she’s possessive?

Morechocmorechoc · 23/10/2021 21:03

Did he call OP?

Munchkinpumpkin · 23/10/2021 21:09

Oh no...dont buy a word of it.. he wanted to continue the conversation with her at the least.. sneaky snake.. dump him

Bananarama21 · 23/10/2021 21:12

What is alarming is he's staying over 6 months in and you have a 3 year old awake. I also think it's crazy you've meet his dc in a short space of time.

Secondchancesally · 23/10/2021 21:16

@Morechocmorechoc

Did he call OP?
Do you mean did he call her yesterday or do you mean did he call me today?

Yesterday he was returning her call.

I have heard nothing from him since he left last night.

OP posts:
Secondchancesally · 23/10/2021 21:18

@Munchkinpumpkin

Oh no...dont buy a word of it.. he wanted to continue the conversation with her at the least.. sneaky snake.. dump him
This is what I think. He seems to like the contact as he makes no effort to cut it down. He constantly says "she's too much", "I've told her to text me rather than call". Then calls her back last night.

His actions don't match his words.

OP posts:
Ohpulltheotherone · 23/10/2021 21:23

The thing is OP it doesn’t matter if 100% of people agree that you’re not unreasonable to not like him taking calls from his ex and her being slightly too much in the picture - the fact is HE does think you’re being unreasonable.

If your partner has no issue with the dynamic with his ex and he does not wish to adapt or change it in any way then it really doesn’t matter if the whole world and their dog think he’s in the wrong - HE doesn’t believe he is, he is happy, the ex is happy and the kids are happy. Rightly or wrongly he’s made his position known and it doesn’t look like he’s particularly open to changing it for you.

For me I’d be having one last conversation- not trying to persuade him of anything, he doesn’t agree with your perspective so no point trying to make him, but I’d be explaining what I need from the relationship and what I do / don’t accept in terms of ex’s.
that’s all you can do - if he refuses to give you what you need or at least find a compromise that you can both work towards then the relationship is over.
I don’t actually think he’s wrong or you’re wrong - just that you don’t agree on a very important issue.

Secondchancesally · 24/10/2021 07:52

Thanks for all of the advice. I haven't heard anything from him since he walked out on Friday night, so that's a pretty clear message that he doesn't give a sh*t about me.

Feeling quite low today but I will be fine. I have gotten through worse in the last few years. Just not nice to realise that someone isn't who they claimed to be and doesn't feel the way they made out about you.

For those of you who say I could have contacted him. I feel that as he's the one who walked out, it would be a bad message for me to be chasing after him. It was his place to come to me to talk and he hasn't so that tells me I mean nothing to him and he's happy to lose me.

OP posts:
ParmigianoReggiano · 24/10/2021 09:51

Sorry to hear this OP - it's probably for the best that this happened now, when it's a relatively new relationship, but still not nice. Hope you are ok Brew

Secondchancesally · 24/10/2021 10:10

@ParmigianoReggiano

Sorry to hear this OP - it's probably for the best that this happened now, when it's a relatively new relationship, but still not nice. Hope you are ok Brew
Thanks for taking the time to reply and send a kind message. I will be OK. Like you said it's better to happen now than further down the line. We were just dating, no lifestyle or financial links so very easy to end.

Just a shame he asked me to meet his kids when he clearly wasn't serious about me. Definitely a steep learning curve for me.

OP posts:
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