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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

DH has had his girlfriend round, I know it

308 replies

Mantua · 22/11/2021 21:19

Been away for a few weeks helping family out and DH stayed due to work commitments/ to look after the dogs. We’ve been in an open relationship for a few years now (his instigation, all one sided, I can live with it). I did have a thread about it some time back but won’t link to that as I came across as ridiculously blinkered then. I am more realistic about things now .

Anyway, I think he brought his current partner here whilst I was away. I don’t have any hard evidence but I overheard something that suggests she was here. Am I being paranoid? I’m not ready to ask him outright.

I did agree to an open relationship but not in my home.

OP posts:
ChargingBuck · 23/11/2021 14:36

@Mantua

It is completely one sided but it is a compromise we both came to and it worked well until he met this particular OW a few months ago.
Sweetheart, not only are you NOT in an "open relationship", but this is NOT a "compromise".

A compromise is where both parties agree to share potential losses & gains equally.

Your DH's interpretation of "compromise" is that he gets what he wants, & you don't. He gains, you lose.

Are you just staying 'cos you think you can't afford to leave?

coconuthead · 23/11/2021 14:44

This is just so sad to read, OP where is your self esteem? Your pride? Your anger?

MollysDolly · 23/11/2021 15:19

The more you mull it over, the more you realise the bones of this.

DH checked out long ago. When OP checked out physically, wanting intimacy with him that little, she'd rather have him sleep with other people than stoop to being intimate with him herself. Imagine how that would feel if your partner said that to you.

I imagine (as I would) DH spoke to her then, in a "well, I want a partner, not a buddy, so this marriage is over" and OP then starts agreeing to anything and everything in order to keep up the married façade.

He's got a new girlfriend, and OP is still trying to dress this up as "my husband loves me and we're in a open relationship"

Whether he's just paying lip service to try and get a better divorce settlement, or whether he's just waiting for the nod from his girlfriend, OP hasn't cottoned on that she's already been phased out and she's no longer in a relationship. He has a girlfriend. His father's met her. His friends have met her. She's been staying over while OPs been away. No one is viewing OP as his partner any more. She's now seen as his ex wife who can't let go and still staying in the house.

OP, people will be looking at you with pity, and disbelief. Please get some dignity.

MaeveDidIt · 23/11/2021 15:37

I remember your previous thread.

You CAN stop putting yourself through this.

In time you will be so cross with yourself that you did.

I don’t think your paranoid, I think she was there. Women can always tell.

He can’t truly love or even respect you to do that. It’s disgraceful.

fournonblondes · 23/11/2021 15:51

In an open relationship he should not get closer or attach to the person. It would be sex in a hotel and move on. He has a girlfriend. Sorry op not sure if he wants to stay but this is obviously not making you happy. You deserve better.

Flixon · 23/11/2021 15:51

Im so sorry for you. I can see you love the life you have had, and you love your husband, but you are just not seeing what's so very clear. If he is taking his new girlfriend to see his FATHER he no longer sees her as the OTHER woman, she is THE woman ...
pay attention to what he DOES , not what he says. Like many men he's pathetically unable to say the works that will cause you pain / create a scene..., so he SAYS 'I don't want to end our marriage' but actions - having her at your home, introducing her to friends and family clearly say that he has already checked out of the marriage completely. He cant even treat you with a modicom of respect any longer ...

Please, for your own self respect, wake up ....

Malibuismysecrethome · 23/11/2021 16:32

I would suggest you meet up with her. Either ask your husband or accidentally bump into her. You will then know what you are dealing with. If you see them together you will know how strong his feelings are, after all you have been together years.
Don’t just be passive and accepting, take the fight to them. I would also tell your husband you are aware she has met his father, don’t go quietly and fade away. She’s a cheeky baitch for coming to your home, he’s to blame but she could have refused. Good luck Flowers

AgentJohnson · 23/11/2021 17:15

The genie you thought you had control of by agreeing to your so called open relationship, is a myth. Your H isn’t interested in any of your boundaries and you’re far too passive/ scared to call him out.

You can continue living this half until the other shoe drops or you can stand up for yourself.

Dancingonmoonlight · 23/11/2021 17:19

No one is viewing OP as his partner any more. She's now seen as his ex wife who can't let go and still staying in the house

I worked with a lady once who sounds as if she was in a similar position to the OP's husband. She wanted to separate from her husband and he didn't want that. She was a very outgoing person, lots of fun and had many boyfriends. She openly talked about her boyfriends at work. She had no time for her husband and told everyone they were separated. In the end, her husband told her he'd move into the garden house if she remained married to him and she could do as she wished.

We were all agog really and veered between pitying him for not being able to stand on his own two feet and pitying her because she really wanted to move on and felt stuck. She was beyond frustrated but they had teenage kids which made things harder.

In the end, she insisted they sold the house and she got her own place. It was harder for her financially and she returned to full time work (which she didn't want to do) but she was happier.

CtrlU · 23/11/2021 17:24

This is embarrassing and his obviously lost your respect from the moment you agreed to let him walk all over you and be be adulterous right in front of your face.

Either divorce him and save yourself a speck of dignity, or put up and shut up and continue to be a doormat.

Sorry if I sound blunt, but I thing you need a dose of reality if your ‘grateful’ for him for ‘saving’ the marriage he already walked out on years ago.

Ridiculous

CinstonWhurchill · 23/11/2021 17:49

"I assume he is still with me for the same reason I am still with him- we love each other and enjoy our life together. He just needs sex whereas I do not."

I disagree. You are both not together because you both still love each other. You are together because it is comfortable and largely cheap in terms of housing and living. I suspect if you told yr DH today that you were no longer happy with this arrangement and he must stop immediately, a divorce/separation/division of assets would be imminent. So often people confuse lack of funds/choice with loving someone. If you love someone this does not happen. If you loved him and do not want sex you would let him go. If he loved you he would go or let you go. This whole open relationship/ we love each other is bullcrap.

Clymene · 23/11/2021 18:13

@MollysDolly

The more you mull it over, the more you realise the bones of this.

DH checked out long ago. When OP checked out physically, wanting intimacy with him that little, she'd rather have him sleep with other people than stoop to being intimate with him herself. Imagine how that would feel if your partner said that to you.

I imagine (as I would) DH spoke to her then, in a "well, I want a partner, not a buddy, so this marriage is over" and OP then starts agreeing to anything and everything in order to keep up the married façade.

He's got a new girlfriend, and OP is still trying to dress this up as "my husband loves me and we're in a open relationship"

Whether he's just paying lip service to try and get a better divorce settlement, or whether he's just waiting for the nod from his girlfriend, OP hasn't cottoned on that she's already been phased out and she's no longer in a relationship. He has a girlfriend. His father's met her. His friends have met her. She's been staying over while OPs been away. No one is viewing OP as his partner any more. She's now seen as his ex wife who can't let go and still staying in the house.

OP, people will be looking at you with pity, and disbelief. Please get some dignity.

He, I have to say I agree with every word of this.

He's not trying to pretend either. He's left his girlfriend's teabags in the house deliberately.

I'm sorry he's such a bloody coward. You need to wrest back control of this situation and leave with a shred of dignity.

TheWildRumpyPumpus · 23/11/2021 18:18

OP, there’s no way his father and friends are not aware of the situation. What will he have told them about your relationship to justify him introducing them to a new girlfriend?

Practicebeingpatient · 23/11/2021 18:24

@Mantua

He has assured me several times since I became aware of this woman, that he does not want to leave our marriage and he has no plans to change anything.

I don’t want to drip feed so I’ll basically lay it out here. I agreed to an open marriage because we hadn’t, at my preference, been intimate for years. It was DHs way of saving our relationship and I am grateful to him for that. I knew him falling for someone else would be a risk and I put it out of my mind for a long time and thought he/we had avoided than happening but then he met OW and fell for her. But he has said he doesn’t want to leave our marriage, even now, and I believe him.

He will leave when she is ready for it. Or more likely, move her into your home. Your only hope of him staying with you is if she dumps him.

I assume you are comfortably off and the reasons for clinging to this dead relationship are financial. I don't think you'd tolerate this if the two, of you were hard up.

videobaby123 · 23/11/2021 18:26

@Mantua

Had I known people would remember my previous thread, I would have just continued that. I thought a name change would help but no. I was very stubborn and blinkered on that thread and I know that now, so I thought fresh thread, new start. I’m naive.

We do share a bed but it is a very large one and I cannot remember the last time either of us went to the other side for any reason.

I assume he is still with me for the same reason I am still with him- we love each other and enjoy our life together. He just needs sex whereas I do not.

You're saying he just needs sex but this isn't the case where he's just going off for casual sex. He's introducing this woman to friends and even his dad, he clearly needed more than sex. I feel so sorry for you OP I remember your old thread where you said you wouldn't leave simply because you like your life and you love him.

This man has suggested an open relationship but is literally having another relationship alongside the one with you. I really don't know why you're tolerating this when you've given him an inch and he's taken a mile.

Oh OP, you sound so sad. Do you really want to continue with this ?

In a year's time you're going to make a thread saying he's left you for the OW and you're heartbroken. Please open your eyes

Sleepyhungryfattyanddoc · 23/11/2021 18:28

He instigated something you arent 100% enthusiastically consenting to
And he’s doing it anyway

Surely the point of an open relationship, and the only way it can work is that you can discuss anything you need to and be totally open honest with each other and that you both are completely sure of the ‘rules’
Sounds like you aren’t sure of the rules, and you can’t discuss anything and your husband is shagging other people whilst you’re unhappy about it?
Not really sure if it matters she was in your house or not, the situation is a mess regardless

videobaby123 · 23/11/2021 18:29

He's got a new girlfriend, and OP is still trying to dress this up as "my husband loves me and we're in a open relationship"

!!!

doodleygirl · 23/11/2021 18:31

I remember your other thread, I didn’t post as I thought you had some great advice.

I think you know this OW is not just sex, she is his girlfriend and they are emotionally attached. No matter what he says you are the one who is going to be hurt in this. I would strongly advise you start planning your future without him.

Sleepyhungryfattyanddoc · 23/11/2021 18:31

@Mantua

He has assured me several times since I became aware of this woman, that he does not want to leave our marriage and he has no plans to change anything.

I don’t want to drip feed so I’ll basically lay it out here. I agreed to an open marriage because we hadn’t, at my preference, been intimate for years. It was DHs way of saving our relationship and I am grateful to him for that. I knew him falling for someone else would be a risk and I put it out of my mind for a long time and thought he/we had avoided than happening but then he met OW and fell for her. But he has said he doesn’t want to leave our marriage, even now, and I believe him.

I’m sure he doesn’t! Why would he? Right now he’s got his cake and he’s eating it. Whilst you can be grateful he’s not asking for a divorce Unbelievable
Thewookiemustgo · 23/11/2021 18:32

I’m very worried for you OP. Whatever kind of relationship you wish to pursue is your right entirely, of course, but you do not sound at all happy or ok with this.
He seems to have all the power and control here, and can move the goalposts whenever he wishes. To bring her to your home is not what you agreed.
She was in your place, OP, literally and figuratively. It sounds to me as if she is being integrated into his life and by default into your life whether you like it or not.
Decide where your boundaries are here. If he can have a mistress, hotels only and no overnights, never allowed in your home, and you are ok with that, then nobody has the right to judge.
However if those boundaries are already in place, he has flagrantly overstepped them, doesn’t seem to care that he has, and at some point in the future may well fall seriously for one of these women (sounds like he already has) and decide that being married to you is no longer working for him.
The longer the affair goes on, (for that is what this sounds like) the less satisfied the OW is likely to be with being treated as such, and she might put pressure on him to leave you.
Whatever you decide, you need to protect yourself and set non-negotiable boundaries. There are cake-eaters and cake-eaters and then there is your DH. Enough is enough now OP. Protect your interests because I don’t think that your DH can or wants to see beyond his own needs.
Take care, remember that what you allow will continue and what continues will escalate. X

Puzzledandpissedoff · 23/11/2021 18:42

In a year's time you're going to make a thread saying he's left you for the OW and you're heartbroken

Such a thread could also easily include OP being done up like a kipper financially

After a fairly long marriage she'll obviously have rights, but seeing they're honoured can be something else again - especially when the DH has had so much time to plan, and when there's clearly no respect left

FallonCarringtonWannabe · 23/11/2021 18:43

I think i commented on your last thread too. You need to prepare yourself for him leaving. At some point the ow will want more from him.

reasysteady · 23/11/2021 18:53

From the other thread I understand the ow is also married?

In your position I would want to meet the ow and her dh together with your dh and discuss what is happening here as clearly your dh has moved the goalposts (which I understand was supposed to be sex only).

Is your life so damn amazing you are ok with him doing this? My fear is that you will compromise and compromise and still he will leave you. I hope you're ok.

KurtWildesChristmasNamechange · 23/11/2021 19:00

He has assured me several times since I became aware of this woman, that he does not want to leave our marriage and he has no plans to change anything.

But he's already changed something. It's NOT just sex anymore, and she's likely been in your home - which you agree wouldn't happen as you had explicitly said hotels only.

He clearly mentally added a 'yet' to the end of your statement there.

CinstonWhurchill · 23/11/2021 19:34

This is up there with we are separated but going to live in the same hse, albeit in separate rooms.. but wholly for the betterment of our children. This is another load of old pony. Dad then has a partner, mum then has a partner, we all live in the same hse. Mum and Dad rotate bedrooms ( when their lovers are here) and everything is tickety boo! Hugely dysfunctional and poor modelling, damaging for children. Or, neither adult conducts a normal relationship as they can't as their ex is at home. Would i start a relationship with someone living in this dynamic? Hell no! I have too much respect for myself.

What you really mean is , we are not suitable for other but we love our house and the money and our lifestyles will be negatively affected if we split. So, we will just stay put and live this farce until one of us finally has enough money to leave or we win the lottery, or one of us finds the deep love we crave and walks out despite being financially tied.

Op, life is too short. Your DH has seen this. You cannot inflict no sex on him, no more than he can on you. You are not compatible. You agreed to this for reasons known only to you. The relationship has ended. He is done. He may love you but he is not in love with you. He has brought his new love interest to his home. It also happens to be your home also. You share a home but nothing else. That is where you are.

You need yr own homes now. Pls do not confuse the financial upset separation involves with love. You do not want to have sex with your husband, that is ok. Separate and allow him the freedom to have a sex life. If he "loves" you as you say, he will still then pop around every night to your new home for cuddles on the same side of the bed. Really??? I guarantee this will not happen when he is financially separated from you.

With kindness and respect Op, you are fooling yourself. You want to believe this. You are hanging onto to this Op with bare finger nails. He is in the bed because it is comfy and you allow it. He is in the bed because it is comfy and he allows it. It most likely is the only bed available in yr shared house? Have you moved into the spare room? Has he moved into the spare room? Do you even have a spare room? Have you moved out of the marital bed in a show of distain and disagreement of his actions? Has either of you blown up a temporary bed? Who even sleeps that uncomfortable temporary bed ? You do not want sex,he does. So who sleeps on the temp bed?

It is his bed as much as it is yours. It is his hse as much as it is yours. You have allowed this. Why? He cuddles you, you cuddle him. Why?

This whole we love each other is total nonsense. You are there by default not design. Get your own houses, live your own lives. Accept both of you will accept any financial penalties this may incur.

I have always believed no one should stay in an unhappy relationship due to finances. He has clearly met someone, let him go and rebuild his life Op. Go rebuild yours also, as you wish.

You are clinging onto something here that is dead and gone. I am sure he does love you and wants the best for you but he is not in love with you, nor you him.

This whole arrangement makes you look desperate . You have decided you no longer want sex in yr marriage. That is fine, leave your marriage and support yourself. Your stbex can then support himself and be free to embark on his own sexual life.

Op, with respect,you cannot be in life long legal commitment with someone and then move the goal posts. I wish you well but you cannot reasonably expect yr husband to remain financially and emotionally in a sexless marriage, indefinitely.

You have chosen a new sexless life , your husband has not. It is time for you leave.

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