My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

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

Relationships

Wife is having an affair and doesn't love me anymore

37 replies

alias71 · 11/01/2013 12:00

After being together for 18 years in England my wife and I plucked up the courage to move our family (3 children - 10, 8 and 5 at the time) to her native country 3 years ago this Summer.

Things went fine for the 1st year but I struggled with the language and because of that I became very isolated. My wife has always been a gregarious person (and I a loner) and as time progressed she became friendly with a number of people and although we still went out together she would spend more time talking to others than before (Not very surprising).

I don't really know why but during that 2nd year I started to lose the plot basically and would give her hassle when she spoke to other guys and resented the fact that the children and I didn't have her sole attention. (Writing this makes me feel very embarrassed) This continued for some time and getting progressively worse. I had become increasingly volatile.

Eventually things came to a head and I admitted that I needed a break to get my head together and I so I went for a break alone for a month in England. It was exactly what I needed. I was able to relax and get my head back into shape (I took some tablets which did me the world of good. I've always had depressive tendencies.). For the first few days I was there I wrote and received emails from my wife but as time went on she became more and more distant. Eventually the day before I was to leave England to go back to my family I received an email from her stating that she didn't love me, didn't want me back and that she had been completely faithful to me until this break of mine but had the slept with a guy on 3 occasions. I was devastated.

Obviously I wasn't going to give up on my wife (and children) that easily so I still went back the next day. The transformation in her was massive. She was very cold and distant and wore quite provocative clothing.

That was 5 months and although she isn't too cold and distant these days we have no life together. She goes out twice a week and only on 2 occasions have we gone together and each time she was miserable.

She has gone from being a sweet, cheerful person who put her family first to someone who is only happy when she is out or texting or on facebook. She admits that she finds it boring at home with us. She admitted, under questioning, that she is continuing with the affair.

My wife announced that when I got back from England that she had lost the job that she loved (she was on a 2 year contract that wasn't renewed) and hasn't had a proper one since. And I because I don't speak my wife's language have struggled to find permanent work and only teach individuals.

I just don't know what to do. I regret so much. I try so hard and read so much but nothing works. I know that she doesn't respect or love me and I'm trying to remedy it to a certain extent by looking intensively for work and have concluded that I would almost certainly have to move away from my wife and children in order to have a chance of a job and the thought scares me.

I feel so guilty and alone. I try to stay strong and positive but, at times, it is so hard (and at other times so, so easy). I love my wife but I don't like her most of the time. I prefer it when I am alone but then I miss her. I want her to go out at night enjoying herself but then I worry and fret and I struggle to sleep. I just wish I had a consistency of feeling.

Any comments would be grateful. I have left so much out otherwise it would be a novel.

OP posts:
Report
GregBishopsBottomBitch · 11/01/2013 12:26

Im sorry Op that you are going through this, for your own sanity, you should move back to England, you have made alot of effort and sacrifices for her and she doesnt seem to be grateful at all, and shes continuing the affair, you sound like a nice person, one she isnt appreciating by carrying on her affair,

Report
olgaga · 11/01/2013 12:41

It sounds like the damage was done long before you came back and the affair started. As you say, you are embarrassed by your behaviour now - but she had to put up with your "increasingly volatile" behaviour it for a year. I don't suppose she expected you to return.

Come back to England, find work, get back on your feet, keep in touch with your children - letters, cards, emails, skype. Visit in the school holidays, bring them here for a holiday.

Your relationship with your wife is over, but you can still have a good relationship with your children if you make the effort. It will certainly be worthwhile - this country has a lot to offer in cultural terms and educational opportunities. Get your act together, be a good loving dad and you may find them living with you one day.

Report
Dottiespots · 11/01/2013 12:43

Hi, sorry your going through this horrible time. You say you have done alot of reading...have you tried "Divorce Busting" by Michele Weiner Davis"? There is also an online forum which you might find helpful. It shows you how to turn your marriage around but there is alot of work involved. She says that if you were in love once then you can be again. Its a case of learning where it went wrong and you working on changing things. She doesnt need to know your doing it . Good Luck .

Report
CogitoErgoSometimes · 11/01/2013 12:49

Is she planning to stay in her home country and keep the children with her there?

Report
Patotin · 11/01/2013 12:51

I am sorry that you are experiencing such an awful time but since I have first hand experience on this sort of thing about relocating to your partner´s country etc. I think I could give you a piece of advice.
My husband, who is English, reluctantly agreed to relocate with me to my country, that was two years ago, and so we went with our children. Unfortunately, after only ten months, we had to come back, because he did not settle at all! It was either that or a divorce!
One of the main reasons was that he did not learn the language and consequently he grew very isolated, he wouldn´t even have a proper chat with my family because he felt that his language skills were not good enough. He could not even apply for a job, not even at a local cafe, because he only spoke English. He wouldn´t be interested in teaching English either. I did try to get him involved in things and to make him appreciate my country but he was always thinking of England! And to be honest, I did lose some respect for my husband, because I always thought that he´d be more persistant, instead of sulking and hiding in his own world while we were there.
Now, I am not suggesting for a moment that the fact that your wife is having an affair is your fault. Not at all! It is her own fault, and she´s not just failing you but your children too. If you really love her and think that this is just a phase in your marriage, then have a proper conversation with her, find some help from marriage counsellors, but if you withdraw even more, it will be worse not only for you but for everybody.
Do not despair, learn the language!!!! that is a main issue, so you can also go out, meet other people, interact and be yourself the same way you are when in England. I am not sure what your professional background is, or whereabouts in the world you are, but do not give up! if you really think that the move to that country is definite and your children will be living there, then I am sure you will want to be part of their lives there too and for that you need to speak the local language.
Unlike the previous message, I don´t think the solution is to return to England, this is not just about your marriage, it is also about your children, and I am sure you know that they are worth trying a bit more. Good luck!

Report
CogitoErgoSometimes · 11/01/2013 12:51

" I received an email from her stating that she didn't love me, didn't want me back "

I think you should take her on face value rather than trying to flog a dead horse of a marriage. She's clearly not interested in trying to make a go of it. Get some legal advice about finances & access to your children if there are different nationalities involved.

Report
dequoisagitil · 11/01/2013 12:54

So you left and she moved on with her life while you were gone. You can't make her love you or turn back time, you just have to work with what you have.

If she doesn't want to continue the marriage and it sounds like she doesn't, then you need to accept that and decide where you as an individual go from there. I think you should think about moving back to the UK or finding yourself a place locally. But living together making each other miserable doesn't sound like the right answer for anybody.

Report
alias71 · 11/01/2013 13:33

Thank you all for your comments.

awsangel : strangely enough I was trying to buy the book you recommended yesterday.

Olgaga : That is certainly an option and sometimes I do feel it would be the best one.

CogitoErgoSometimes : Yes, she is planning on staying here with our 3 children. I discussed the possibility of us splitting the children so we could each have at least 1 but she was completely against it (and now I'm not sure if I'm in favour of it anymore)

Patotin : I'm so glad that you made the decision when you did to go back to England. I regret not going back after the first year just for a holiday. I think if I had done things would have probably been different. Oh well.
Thank you also for your comments about the language. I will continue to try and learn! It is a huge struggle but it'll help me to concentrate on something positive.

dequoisagitil: "But living together making each other miserable doesn't sound like the right answer for anybody." Absolutely. I'm not prepared to allow my children to suffer because their parents are struggling together.

About 3 months ago, for about a month, I was in favour of moving back to England. That, however, would mean the complete end of my marriage and also I would be unable to see my children as much as possible. So, for now, my favoured scenario would be to get a job and flat here, if possible. As time increases without that happening the more likely it is that I will end back in England. We'll see.

OP posts:
Report
juneau · 11/01/2013 13:46

I agree totally with dequoisagitil. Your wife has moved on - which is a sure sign that, for her, at least, this marriage is well and truly over. And it takes two to make a marriage work, so if she's checked out I'm afraid you have to accept that your marriage is over.

So, the question is: what are you going to do? Is there a language course you can take to get you to a decent level quickly? Because without the language it sounds like you're going to be confined to a little bit of language teaching and that's not to pay the rent on your family home, a place for you, and feed you all. Your wife should, of course, be prepared to contribute too. I suggest you both sit down and thrash out what you're going to do - with both of you pulling your weight to keep your family afloat.

Report
GregBishopsBottomBitch · 11/01/2013 14:13

Alias How old are your children?

Report
alias71 · 11/01/2013 14:15

12, 10 and 7

OP posts:
Report
GregBishopsBottomBitch · 11/01/2013 14:21

Then you can chat to them and tell them you might go back to England, and if they want to join you they are welcome, be delicate, and leave that option open, even if they dont want to take it for a while.

Report
badinage · 11/01/2013 14:28

Harsh as this is on you, if you want to be a good father to your children your best bet is to find work and accommodation near to the family home until your children are old enough to make their own decisions about where they want to live. I assume too that if your wife has been working, you have been their manin carer so if you up sticks and move countries, the loss to them will be enormous and significant.

Why though are you assuming a default of your wife having full residence? What is the default family law option in your host country?

As your wife's working opportunities sound greater than yours, why is it not possible for her to move out and for you to be the primary carer that she has to support?

Report
alias71 · 11/01/2013 15:26

juneau: You may be right. You probably are. My marriage probably is over. However, when I last asked her if she wanted to separate she said no. Perhaps she thinks that we haven't given it enough time. It's so confusing. It's hard to think straight.

G.B.B.B: I did that a while ago. The problem is that I would need their Mother's permission (something she would never give) otherwise I could be arrested for kidnapping!! The second problem is that the children can't decide. It's hard to them to decide between us. Neither of us are perfect parents but nor are we terrible.

badinage: You are right about me being the main carer. Because of their ages the loss would be less than perhaps a couple of years ago but it would still be significant. It is so hard to think of only seeing them every few months especially if there is a possible alternative.
The option of her moving out and for me being the primary carer is possible. I need a job for my mind let alone for the money and there aren't many jobs I'm able to do in this area. It's very dispiriting.

The "easiest" option would be to move back to England but that would surely mean the definite end of my marriage and I just don't want to give up on it quite yet. It's hard to give up 20 years of my life most of which has been very, very happy. The thought of it brings me to tears.

OP posts:
Report
GregBishopsBottomBitch · 11/01/2013 15:40

Alias Its a shame that they arent able to choose, they are old enough to know what they want, im sure both of your a good parents, but it should be the children who decide now they are older.

On the marriage side, i think you need to let it go, it sounds like she already has, i know its hard to let go after such a long time, but you cant give more than you already are.

Report
alias71 · 11/01/2013 15:58

It's not even that easy! The only one I think would move with me would be my 10 year old but could I ask her to go with me and leave her siblings behind both of which she gets on really well. I'm not sure I could do that to her. She probably needs her Mum, brother and sister around her more than her Dad.

You are probably right about letting go. I just wish I had something to go to. If I could get a job and flat here and was able to see the children every other weekend it would be better than moving back to England, I think.

It's just so hard. I just wish I knew what to do for the best.

OP posts:
Report
GregBishopsBottomBitch · 11/01/2013 16:05

Have you tried to learn the language, or found place that you can speak english, before taking the leap back to England, i would understand why you wouldnt leave your children, maybe explore, learning the language or finding english speaking employers. Work out what you can do first, you might find a good solution, you just need to find it.

Report
juneau · 11/01/2013 16:12

However, when I last asked her if she wanted to separate she said no.

Then you need to find out exactly what she does want/mean. She's messing you around rather at the moment - saying she doesn't want you to come back, having a (continuing), affair. You still sound depressed to me actually - the way you're being so passive about all this, knowing she's shagging another bloke, yet 'wanting her to go out and have a good time', even if it means she's with another man. Not normal, I'm afraid.

I do understand you desire to not throw away 20 years of your life, but you need to decide on a positive course of action. You're just drifting at the moment and she's messing you around.

Report
GregBishopsBottomBitch · 11/01/2013 16:29

I agree about the depression, you seem to be more concerned with pleasing her and not you, im sure your a great person, you need to know where you stand, if she doesnt want to separate, then shes gotta stop the self gratifying affair.

Report
Narked · 11/01/2013 16:39

So for five months she hasn't worked, you've worked but aren't earning a lot and you're living together whilst she carries on the affair.

What do you want to happen? Accepting that she doesn't want to stop sleeping with another man and doesn't want a relationship with you?

Report
badinage · 11/01/2013 16:58

This situation is no different to a woman who's been the SAHP whose husband is having an affair, but doesn't want to lose his home comforts and move out. In those circumstances no-one would suggest that the woman abandoned her kids and left the country.

She would be advised to separate and live apart from her husband immediately and insist that he did his fair share of having the kids so that she could re-start her single life.

This is no different just because you're a man.

Stop trying to save the relationship and put your relationship with yourself and your kids first. They need you just as much as they need their mother and other siblings. Forget about moving back to England and separating the kids. It's a terrible idea.

Get some legal advice, separate from your wife and agree an arrangement where you can co-parent, live and work separately.

Report
Narked · 11/01/2013 17:05

If she hasn't worked for 5 months and he left the country and his DC for a month before that, I doubt he'd be regarded as the main carer anymore. I think people were responding to the fact that the OP seems to have been deeply unhappy living in this country - 'I started to lose the plot basically and would give her hassle when she spoke to other guys and resented the fact that the children and I didn't have her sole attention.' And he can't speak the language after 3 years of trying, so has limited work opportunities.

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

alias71 · 11/01/2013 17:11

GBBB, I have spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to learn the language. I can read a little, I can speak a little but, for whatever reason, understanding is a real bugger.
I've always got a lot more pleasure from helping than being helped (I'm finding this very difficult. It's very uncomfortable for me to ask for help). I've always done it for my wife and it's very difficult to stop now. I know I need to pull away and I do but it is so hard to be consistent. (Unfortunately I am not a great person. I've done things I'm thoroughly ashamed of.) I can't stop her having the affair. If she won't stop the affair but doesn't want to separate then I'd have to initiate the separation but I'm not able to at present.

juneau, I don't think that she knows what she wants. She's not consistent, at all, towards me. You could well be right about her messing me around. She could be sitting on the fence, having her cake and all. All I know is despite her assertions that she's "happier than she's ever been", she's thoroughly unhappy at home and admits that that wouldn't change even if I left. It's all very, very confusing.
Depression is something I've had to cope with my whole adult life. I don't think that I am depressed just very mixed up, confused and sad.
You get me wrong about her having a good time and being with another guy. The last thing I want is for her to be with another guy but if she wants to go down the pub for a few drinks with friends then that's not only ok with me but I would want it because of the tension that exists between us. (Which would probably exist anyway because of our employment situation.)
I absolutely agree about the positive course of action and that I'm drifting. I have plans for next weekend which'll enable me to chat to English speaking people. It's only a step. I just need to get out my slumber. (It's not so easy here with minus temperatures and snow on the ground!!)

Narked: She has said that she's given up the affair. Do I believe her? No, of course not. I don't trust her and she makes no attempt to get my trust.
What do I want to happen? In the long run I'd like her and I to be together in a monogamous and happy relationship. In the short term I have to be realistic and move on. I need a new job and a new home. Maybe I'm deluding myself. I just don't know.

OP posts:
Report
Dottiespots · 11/01/2013 17:13

Hi Alias.....please try and get that book. Its well worth reading for the situation you find yourself in nowand it helps you to see and understand why you are in this situation now. It also offers solutions that require a lot of work but as you might see from the forums, alot of people have turned their marriages around. It sounds that your wife doesnt really know what she wants or who she is at the moment. You are both in the middle of a difficult but not unusual situation and no one really knows the outcome yet. You could both come through this with an even better relationship and lessons learned but it will be a long process and maybe moving away at this point would not benefit your cause....which seems to win back your wife. Nothing is over till its over and it is admirable that you are still trying to sort through this.

Report
badinage · 11/01/2013 17:18

Yes all of that is true. But I honestly don't think posters would advise a woman to leave her kids behind just because she was unhappy in her host country. More likely, she would be advised to bring the kids back home with her.

I think we've got to challenge this acceptance that it's okay for fathers to move 100s or 1000s of miles away from their children. Or that mothers by default should always get full residence with their kids.

The kids have had enough upheaval moving countries and settling in to new schools. The best thing for them would be for their parents to be happy either together or apart - but not thousands of miles apart.

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.