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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

I wish his ex would take him back, leopards and all

64 replies

cloudylemonade · 07/07/2010 11:57

I'm a regular, have name changed. For over 2 years that I've been on MN I have given advice, laughed and cried at your posts but now I only feel numb. I really don't know what hit me.

I have a toddler and am nearly full term pregnant, Dh has been distant, travelling loads for work and done his own thing when at home (gym, sleeping, ebaying, drawing, by himself).

I felt something wasn't right, espesh one evening when he was on his blackberry messenger and I asked him who was on the other line. I had a bad feeling and persisted I wanted to see it. He told me I was paranoid and it was work. At 11pm , making him smile

After the last biz trip I put his media card into my own bberry and have found a handful of pictures from 2 women. One is fully clothed and looks a bit like me, the other is a total pig but there are more of her, some taken by herself, some by another person. One is in a bar with her legs apart and no knicks, one only in underwear showing her tats. She's a fat dirty blonde and I am seriously as to why my H would keep pictures of her.

When he came back to the car I hit him in the face with my backhand and screeched at him, not my finest moment I admit.

He was married before, 2 kids he hardly ever sees. His ex (who I've met) prefers it that way as we live abroad and she's happy with a ew man (long term relationship, great guy from what I can see). He told me he had cheated on her twice in the marriage because she wasn't interested in him, preferred the kids, etc. She wasn't on his level he said, blah blah..they didn't want the same things.

So off he went. Moved out and started divorcing. Fast forward we meet at work. All going jolly well. Then we marry, move abroad, have a baby and now I'm here. IN EXACTLY THE SAME POSITION AS HIS EX, only one child is still a bump and I watch history repeating itself.

Are you still with me?

The blonde minger is a girl from work he says, he took me to his work place that night and I rifled through his emails. A few flirty ones but nothing outrageous, the other is a colleague abroad, engaged to someone else just sending pics of her on hols. Oh and emails trying to be on the same flight, same hotel as my H on his last biz trip.

I have half a mind of calling his ex and telling her that she's lucky to be rid of him and can she give me advice, but I feel too embarassed.

He's away again. Doesn't even think it's really his fault. Says I'm all mumsy, not paying him enough attention, I don't work with him anymore, our babies come first, he's sick of nappies, he's sick of the rut.

We have my mum who's looked after our child more than enough, we had at least 10 great WE's away since she was born: London, Hong Kong, Paris, Beirut, etc. I go to the spa 2x a week for mani pedis, blow dry, etc. I look after myself, I cook, put lingerie on, give head, etc. Though not much sex (2xmonth) as horrid pregnancy and now a huge bump.

I feel so and empty, I can't trust him anymore and I don't want to try and continue pleasing someone who obviously wants very different things from life.

I could rat him out to his boss over these two girls but I'm not sure. Please, what would you do? I cannot talk to anyone in RL for fear that if I end up staying with him they'll remind me of this constantly.

OP posts:
GroovyGretel · 07/07/2010 21:45

Are you coming back to the UK to have the baby? Anywhere in the Midlands/Oxon and I'll come and hold your hand/wipe your face/pass you tissues.

thumbwitch · 08/07/2010 00:01

CL - please don't call his boss. It really is not a good idea. Getting away from him, and in fact possibly losing contact with him, is probably going to be a good thing - but if you cause him to be deported or lose his job, he will turn VERY nasty and you really don't want that. Punishing him for being a knob is not worth the continuing aggravation, it really isn't. Let it go.

cloudylemonade · 08/07/2010 09:07

Thanks Gretel, I wish I were but will return to Switzerland. Thumbwitch, I know. Just harbouring phantasies of exacting revenge. Petty I know and as you say not worth the aggravation. Even though I know he will not pay a penny for the kids' upkeep. In fact I don't think I'll need that, got a good education, will work shifts or whatever. When my parents can look after the little ones I'll be more at peace.

I'm still baffled at how quickly my life has become such a spectacular mess. 4 years ago I was so very happy and it looked so solid. I am so very for my dc who'll grow up without a Daddy. I just don't know what to believe. He keeps saying he loves me, wants to do counselling, etc. I'm just heartbroken that he sent those texts, mails, asked for those pics, had that sort of relationship with them. I don't know if it got physical but even if it didn't...his excuses are so wrong, I cannot understand him at all. I feel I'm seeing a side of him that somehow I chose to overlook? I don't know.

OP posts:
thumbwitch · 08/07/2010 09:58

It's understandable - you can't tell a serial philanderer from one example (his first ex) - it's only when he's done it more than once it becomes apparent. Anyone who takes up with him now needs their head read, because he has demonstrable "form" for this kind of thing.

He's blaming you for being a mum. What are you going to do? Stop being one? No. He can't handle the competition for your attention. Anyone who feels the need to "compete" with their DC for your attention has got serious issues - have you the time and inclination to see whether or not he can "work them out"? He might never manage it.

cloudylemonade · 08/07/2010 10:37

Thumbwitch, thanks for putting my jumbled thoughts together in one straight paragraph. This seems the main issue, the lack of my attention. I once read on MN that "Adults have wants, children have needs. The latter being more urgent and thus requiring the adult to be, well and adult, the mature when, taking the long view.

Well, I guess he hasn't learnt to do that I can't be by his side anymore for the time being, I have a new baby to welcome and settle, my older dd who needs me to cuddle and assure her. I'm only one human being, with two hands and one head. I can't split up my loyalties.

I have to admit that happened what I never thought would happen to us as a couple. I love my children with all my heart and if push came to shove I'd always chose them, not him. So I'm a mother first. And made to feel guilty for it by my own husband. The irony, him convincing me we should have kids

OP posts:
cloudylemonade · 08/07/2010 10:38

sry, an adult, the mature one

OP posts:
snowdropz · 08/07/2010 10:47

Cloudylemonade - I am so sorry that you are going for this - but do not feel sorry for your children... you are a strong confident woman and you will get through this.

Thumbwitch makes sense - let him go. Your life will improve without measure once you get rid of him.

ChazsBarmyArmy · 08/07/2010 13:23

Cloudy - can you get any copies of emails / texts showing his behaviour to bring with you. Might be useful in the context of a divorce.

GroovyGretel · 08/07/2010 18:21

Are you a swiss national then, Cloudy?

You are the adult, the mature one in this relationship and I hope that when you are home with your mum in a couple of weeks you'll feel able to come to terms with this.

Just wondering, did your Mum and Dad like your husband? I found out long after a crap relationship finished that my parents had agonised about telling me their doubts, but had kept them quiet because they didn't want to upset me. Damn that hindsight

cloudylemonade · 08/07/2010 18:37

That's right Gretel.

When I mentioned it to my mum, just sort of saying I think I'm not the only girl he's on comms with she went really quietr and said: I didn't want to tell you while you're pregnant but I overheard a convo, I couldn't understand the actual words but it was very softly, softly and when he noticed my ears had pricked up he left the room.

My mum was here till last Saturday. I wish I had flown home with her then.

OP posts:
GroovyGretel · 08/07/2010 20:17

Oh fuck. You poor poor thing.

Sending you an enormous hug, and I don't care who knows it.

GG xxxx

BertieBasset · 08/07/2010 20:48

You poor thing, what an arse

On a practical level can you get access to joint bank accounts? If so get everything you can into your account, or withdrawn, as I'm betting he'll be awkward about finances

cloudylemonade · 10/07/2010 04:08

No Bertie, I have gotten a big fat 'no' from the bank. All the accounts here are in his name due to visa restrictions. Bloody great. Have hoovered the house for cash and turned up about £600. There's not that much to take, anyway. He had to pay a lot to his ex and she kept the house for the kids.

I don't mind though, I have a good education and will rather make my own money. He's the sort of type: if you take my money you have to roll over.

Don't think I will file before the baby arrives. Don't want it to be born with 'father unknown'.

OP posts:
GroovyGretel · 10/07/2010 20:51

Cloudy, I've been thinking about you and wondering if you were ok. Have you sorted all the paperwork out?

Please don't let him talk you round - you sound like such a wonderful and kind person - you deserve so much more.

Is it swiss law that father unknown must be on the birth certificate if the parents are divorced? I would have thought (and forgive me if I'm wrong) that it would take longer than 5 weeks before the swiss version of decree nisi comes through. Thereby allowing you to close that area off whilst still letting your new dc have a father on the cert.

For what it's worth, I think that you will be fine. But please don't take him back.

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