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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

Dont know if I'm paranoid or not (long, sorry)

52 replies

izzymom · 18/04/2009 20:22

Okay, I'm going to start at the beginning but try not to waffle on to long.

Last October I got a bit concerned about the amount of time my DH was spending on facebook. Basically was on it 2-3 hours every night, and if I came into the room he would hide the screen. Eventually on my birthday I discovered my DH had been arranging a surprise party so thought that was the explanation.

A couple of weeks later, I went away for the half term holiday with my sister, her DC's, my DC's and my 2 DSS's. My DH could not get the time off work and was ok with stayin at home. When I got home my DH was a bit offish, which I put down to being a bit jealous of us having a good time without him etc. However, the strange behaviour carried on, he was picking fights, being very critical of me. He was also still spending a lot of time on internet.

I decided to try to find out what was up and gained access to his facebook and email account (I know, I know, total invasion of privacy, the wrong thing to do). I found that he was sending flirty, sexy messages to a woman we both know (she works at a creche my DC's go to couple of times a week), and that she had been round to her house for dinner while I was on holiday. So confronted DH, he denied any wrong doing, said they were just friends, and I went to stay at my mums. The same weekend I discovered I was pg with 3rd DC (unplanned and not a pleasant surprise TBH).

Basically the upshot in October was that I came home, he agreed not to contact her privately again and we did our best to make a go of things.

My DH was made redundant shortly after, and he decided to take a change of career direction. He decided he wanted to do a Childcare course, and took on a job managing a pub while he did this so that he could do placement in the morning. So since January, he has lived at pub, I stay at w'ends with DC's and DSC's, and he has been doing placement at the creche where this woman works (again, I can see this seems strange but it just fitted in easily with the hours, + he knows all the staff there).

So, he has had last 2 wks off placement as it is shut for Easter. Last Thursday I asked if he had heard from anyone at creche, as one of the girls who works there recently had baby and wondered how she was getting on. He said he had not heard from any of them. Over the weekend I borrowed DH mobile as I had run out of credit. While I was trying to make call a text came through from the woman he was messaging last October. Text asked if I was going home this week, and if he was free to meet Monday.

Basically, I went through his phone, and found text messages which confirm they had met 3 mornings last week at my DH pub (I was at home all week). Txts were quite flirty, calling each other 'babe' and ending with xx's. I confronted DH after pub closed last Saturday, he said she had been for coffee and that he had 'chosen not to tell me' as he knew I would create issues from it. I pointed out that he had actually lied as I had asked if he had spoken to her, but he insists did not lie, just chose not to tell me.

This week things have rumbled on between us, him saying I am paranoid and making something from nothing. Also says pg is making me behae like a 'freak'. Thursday nite I said to him that either he chooses to stop contacting this woman and does not meet with her again privately, or I do not want to be married to him any more. His answer is that he will not be dictated to who he is friends with so basically fine our marriage is over.

I have only spoken to him on phone since then except for brief face to face chat this morning when I dropped DSS's off to him. He just keeps repeating that I am trying to run his life, and that there's no wonder he likes spending time with other people cos all I do is nag, moan and cry. I am suffering from antenatal depression, my mw has referred me to psychiatrist and I'm waiting for apptmnt.

I am now beginning to question myself. Do I sound to others like I'm being paranoid? Am I being unreasonable in asking him not to see this woman ? Or am I just chickening out of standing by my decision because I'm scared of being single mum (DS is 3, DD 2 and am 33 wks pg)? Please can someone offer me advice,as I feel like my heads going to pop with going round and round in circles.

OP posts:
Dior · 18/04/2009 20:32

YANBU. Dinner a deux is not acceptable, unless you are aware it is happening and of the friendship. He chose not to tell you anything.

This is not a friendship - he would not be afraid to talk about that. Sorry

procrastinatingparent · 18/04/2009 20:34

No, you don't sound paranoid. And no, YANBU in asking him not to see this woman.

Sparkletastic · 18/04/2009 20:36

YANBU - he has betrayed your trust. Might not be physical affair yet but is certainly emotional.

losingtheplotthisweek · 18/04/2009 20:37

It's OP, have name changed as just realised how recognisable would be to anyone who knows us (doh!)

Do I stick to my guns then, the 'her or me' thing is bit dramatic but dont know what else to say to him.

NakedInnocence · 18/04/2009 20:37

YANBU - even if it just a friendship, he is deceiving his wife - the woman who should mean more to him than anyone else.

I'm sorry you're going through this, have you got anyone you can talk to as dealing with pregnancy, AND and a jerk of a husband must be having a toll on you.

beanieb · 18/04/2009 20:38

this bit - "Text asked if I was going home this week, and if he was free to meet Monday" sounds awfully suspicious to me

they are both hiding something from you.

Do you see this woman often? If you could pluck up the courage perhaps you could ask her about it?

Devendra · 18/04/2009 20:38

YOU ARE NOT PARANOID!! The evidence is all there before you.. he is being a complete twat and it sounds like he just does not care that you have found out. He has and is continuing to cheat on you. My ex did exactly the same and when I confronted him he would just shrug and say yeah yeah whatever.. You need to get rid for your own sanity... what a cock.. so sorry you are going through this xx

Doha · 18/04/2009 20:39

Agree with above posts.

something very fishy here--sorry

losingtheplotthisweek · 18/04/2009 20:39

See her couple of times a week, she looks after my kids...thats what makes it worse. Dont know if would be able to say anything w/o getting upset/angry and my kids would be there.

Hassled · 18/04/2009 20:40

"Am I being unreasonable in asking him not to see this woman?" Absolutely not. It is not normal behaviour to secretly text, flirt with, call "babe" etc a woman who you know your wife has issues with. And yes, he did lie re the contact with the nursery staff, of course he did.

It's not a case of chickening out - it doesn't sound like he has any intention of changing his behaviour. Possibly it is just a flirtation with this woman, possibly it's something more.

So your choices are: put up with it, tolerate the endless doubt and worry for the sake of your family. Some women are able to do that (I couldn't). Or move on, and hope that you will find happiness either on your own or with someone else further down the line. Neither is an easy option - I'm sorry.

Sparkletastic · 18/04/2009 20:40

If you want to try to continue your relationship with DH then absolutely he has to cease all contact with this woman (including moving work placement) and get some Relate support. Can you forgive him / trust him after this though?

beanieb · 18/04/2009 20:42

how about if you invited her round for dinner with you and your OH? I assume from her text to him that she knows you don't like him being friends with her. Perhaps if you ask her round for a meal it will make her act in a certain way which would reveal much more than she wants to?

If it were me I think I would be trying to catch him out by turning up unannounced at the pub.

On the other hand.... could they actually just be very good friends? I assume he's not changed his whole career just to make an affair easier to have.

losingtheplotthisweek · 18/04/2009 20:48

It's such a relief to have other people say ANBU, he really convinces me I am...have discussed with my sis, but obviously she is my sister so bound to take my side. My friends are either other mums who know this woman or our friends as a couple so I feel very out on a limb.

Also, what do I do about my kids, stop taking them to creche? My DS starts school in October so dont really want to move him now but dont know if can face seeing her 2 or 3 times a week. Even if they're not having an affair I feel like she's taking the p*ss out of me.

losingtheplotthisweek · 18/04/2009 20:49

beanieb - that's what I dont know, but if they are just friends, why does he only see her w/o me there? My friends would pop round for coffee/come for dinner if my DH was going to be there.

beanieb · 18/04/2009 20:53

maybe you need to say to him that you would rather he not keep it a secret because it just feels wrong to you and so can he please tell you from now on if they are meeting up?

Sorry - don't know what else to suggest except maybe do a bit more snooping.

I think it's reasonable of you to go back to your husband and tell him that even if he thinks you are being paranoid, the way he is behaving is not making you happy and that you need his support as a husband. Can you sit down and have a reasonable conversation with him about the way you feel? will he do that? he should be prepared to IMO.

beanieb · 18/04/2009 20:54

what I mean is, tell him it's the secrets which are upsetting you the most?

YanknCock · 18/04/2009 21:07

I read your first post out to my DH, and he said, FWIW, he has never/would never call any of his female friends 'babe' or end texts with kisses. And he's got loads of female friends. He's met with them alone, but would never feel the need to lie or 'choose not to tell' me.

You are NOT being paranoid. He agreed in October not to contact her privately, and then kept on doing it. You're living apart during the week and he's taking advantage of it.

beanieb · 18/04/2009 21:10

but - you see, my OH has lots of female friends who he knew before I met him. He calls them babe and he puts X on the end of texts.

the difference is that I know all these women and I am now a part of their social circle. I don't think the babe and the xxx alone are always an issue, but the keeping it a secret, agreeing not to see her and then carrying on - That's just not on IMO.

YanknCock · 18/04/2009 21:12

fair enough, beanie. Agree it is really the secret aspect of it that is concerning.

beanieb · 18/04/2009 21:15

BTW - I wasn't disagreeing with you YanknCock, I just happen to be with someone who has loads of female friends (And his ex now lives with his brother!!) so for me it's maybe a bit different.

YanknCock · 18/04/2009 21:15

And the fact that the OW is keeping it secret as well is concerning.

I mean, wouldn't you think if it was just an innocent friendship, the OW would not have to make sure the OP wasn't around before visiting? Or that the OW would at least somehow acknowledge the friendship to the OP since she sees the OP 2-3 times a week?

YanknCock · 18/04/2009 21:18

No worries, beanie, I accept people can have different experiences with this. I've got lots of male friends too, and none of them have ever called me endearing names or signed with kisses either, so I guess it struck DH and I both as really odd.

beanieb · 18/04/2009 21:18

exactly.

I wish I had some better advice.

howtotellmum · 18/04/2009 21:52

In your guts you know if he is being honest with you.

There could be a plausible explantion f or all of this, but n the surface it looks a bit odd to say the least.

If you "ban" him from seeing her, it might not work- they will just be sneakier than ever.
Forbidden fruit and all that.

I think your best bet is to really talk to him about the state of your relaitonship and trust- get the old violins out if necessary, and try to make him feel a sod if he is up to anything.

I would sit tight and see what happens. You can only make threats- ie I will leave you if you are having an affair- if you mean it and are willing to go ahead with that.

I'd makemy feelings felt over it, but ultiamtely you cannot control his behaviour.

howtotellmum · 18/04/2009 21:54

p.s.- he is either very dim, or possibly totally innocent- if he knows you can get into his mobile, why did he not delete the texts and calls etc etc?