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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

My sister is dating a married man

10 replies

Meadowdog · 24/08/2023 18:36

My sister met a man on a dating app and has been seeing him for nearly a year. He claimed to be separated and living in an annex of the family home for financial reasons, but just about to move out and file for divorce. Over time his story has changed - there's no annex, not even a spare bedroom for one thing (he and his wife have 2 teenage children who live at home).

It turns out he and his wife have been allegedly separated but living this way for the past 6 years after they both cheated on each other. He let it slip that his wife despises him. Yet he says he's going to live there for another 2 years to help his wife because then she'll be able to start claiming a pension (even though they're only in their 50s and she's never worked much this is his current story).

My sister is vulnerable she suffers from mental illness including depression. She is really into this guy and it's got to the point where she's afraid to ask him too many questions. Our parents are worried but they actually don't dislike the guy and I also must admit in some ways he's very good for her. He's encouraging her to take evening classes and to work on her art and music and to get therapy, for example.

He spends every weekend at my sister's flat and they also go on mini breaks together. He even mentioned they're thinking about getting a cat! They act like theyre in a normal relationship. She has of course never been to his house or met his wife and children.

I'm not sure how to respond when for example they ask if my husband and I want to have dinner with them, etc. I don't want to enable this relationship but at the same time I don't want to alienate my sister. Also how on earth is he doing this - what could he be telling his wife? The whole situation is bizarre, isn't it, or is this quite common?

OP posts:
Meadowdog · 24/08/2023 19:00

Do I just go along with this and act normal around them or refuse to spend time with them together and be clear with my sister why?

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Meadowdog · 24/08/2023 19:24

Has anyone had any experience with anything like this, please?

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SnackQueen · 24/08/2023 20:21

FFS. Tell your sister to grow up, stop being such a gullible doormat and stop facilitating this scumbag's adultery. This happens all too often on OLD. What's the bet the wife has absolutely no idea her marriage is apparently on the rocks and headed towards divorce.

Meadowdog · 24/08/2023 20:26

I figure you're probably right @SnackQueen but then how is he spending every weekend with my sister and getting away with it? His job is office based so he can't exactly say he's working away I don't think? And yes I have told my sister all that but she won't listen to me!

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MrsMagistrate · 24/08/2023 20:57

Ask him for his wives number, tell him you're concerned that your sister is being fed a lie.

She should be able to reasure you that he is indeed separated.

Meadowdog · 25/08/2023 05:55

Agreed @MrsMagistrate if this were all above board my sister should even be able to meet his wife, go to his house, etc. Unfortunately he always has excuses I think for this one it's that his wife refuses to have anything to do with anyone else he dates.

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CozyCamper · 25/08/2023 06:06

I do actually know people in a similar position.

The wife is reclusive, husband is not. I'm not sure if his wife knows or if they are separated and just live together still.

He lives there during the week and weekends with another woman. I'm friends with the man's son, have seen his Dad and this lady many a times. To the outside eye, they appear like any other couple. It isn't hidden away.

PermanentTemporary · 25/08/2023 06:10

My view is that it's better to keep the relationship with your sister going, so yes I suppose I would go to dinner there whatever I thought of the guy. Not doing so just pushes her away and makes her more reliant on him. It is just possible that he's telling the truth, though not likely. Even if he is, I'm afraid almost certainly your sister is going to end up alone one of these days. So I would stay close.

WandaWonder · 25/08/2023 06:14

I would keep civil with him and treat them like normal and hope one day she wakes up to herself, but people need to own their actions so as it is nothing to do with you I would leave them to it

There is no need for you to contact the wife or anything as no one in this is a child that needs people taking over things for

Meadowdog · 25/08/2023 08:53

Thanks, all. I think you're right about not distancing my sister so I'll play nice. But I'll keep telling my sister this isn't OK so she doesn't think I accept it as normal.

She isn't a child but she does have serious mental health issues. Last time she had a breakdown she lost her home and moved in with us for a year. Just when she was stabilised this manipulative jerk comes along...

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