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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I have no idea what to do? DH or OM?

331 replies

CheshireCat · 20/01/2011 22:45

I really am in a mess.. I've been married 10 years, to a very good man. But have been having an affair for a year and a half.. He is single and wants to take on my 2 children, etc.. My husband wants to try and make a go of things.. but I just don't know what to do. He has a very high profile job, always, busy working away..and in the zone, I felt so so lonely..I have no family around..I feel I spent my 10 years being at home etc.

Am currently going to relate to sort my head out.. DH is waiting for me to sort myself out, and the OM is also waiting as well. :(

OP posts:
CheshireCat · 21/01/2011 00:29

bubblewrapped,

how would I feel, of course, I would not like it. I would be furious.

OP posts:
pombear · 21/01/2011 00:30

Sounds like you've fallen out of love with your DH. Late arrival from work, whatever the focus to blame it on, lots of people fall out of love. It's sad, but happens. It may help to acknowledge this falling-out-of-love, and accept it as hard as it is, and then move on to whatever happens next, however scary. Would help your DH too, as whoever's on the other side of this type of dilemma deserves to be respected unless they've done something heinous?

It's not admirable or 'moral', but the OM exists, and you have to deal with it. He may be a 'bridge' out of your relationship, or something longer term. You'll need space to work it out, as others have said. It's sad that people think because he took on another child,then separated, that makes him odd and deserving of a Hmm. Long term relationship from the sound of it, where he took responsibility for being in another child's life. And still is.

Life is never black and white, nor feelings. I'm a very, very long-term lurker, occasional poster, but felt I had to reply, as you've been judged very harshly when you're using an anonymous site to voice the tensions in your head you're obviously facing. There's probably other reasons your relationship has broken down, in terms of communication and love, which you can rationalise into blaming 'his work'. I was in your place a long time ago, without the distraction of an OM. But I do wonder if an OM had been put in my sightline, whether I'd have seen it as an escape pod. The escape finally occured without the need for an OM, and life is much sweeter years on (though it's been years to get there!).

And I'm wondering if we refer everyone to Riven's difficulties every time someone posts a 'trivial' post, then there would be no more 'plate stuck down the back of the toilet' threads, would there? Surely the site reflects all aspects of life.

Essay over!

Loveitalia · 21/01/2011 00:30

OM defo has to go while you give 110% to your marriage but as ihavebeencreditcunched has said, you have to want to try.
What is there to lose? At least you can say you tried your best. And while OM not in the picture your H may feel your efforts and see a different you.
Do you speak every day when he is away? You both need to give it everything you've got - you have to be strong till you make a decision and not see OM

Thecatshatonthemat · 21/01/2011 00:33

I feel sorry for your children and DH tbh, you come across as very spoiled and very selfish. Its all about you, your feelings. What about the feelings of your children. Your children and DH deserve better. Shock at letting your children meet your shag piece because that is all he is if you think otherwise then your clearly deluded.

CheshireCat · 21/01/2011 00:34

oh blimey! ouch, of course I don't meet up with OM in a romantic sense with my children there. They have met him casually, ie, park for 30 mins thats all.

brightlightsandpromises

Yes I would say all your comments have helped a little.. I find other peoples points of views on marriage and husbands interesting.. Although maybe I am in the minortiy in feeling lonely.

OP posts:
pombear · 21/01/2011 00:39

Once again, life is not black and white. And for those of you who think this is 'backing' someone who is letting their DH down - I was the one on the other side, who had to deal with an OW in the end. It is only with long-term hindsight that I think that this type of thing is indicative, usually, of a partner looking for an escape route from a relationship that may have run its course. Spoiled and selfish would be 'having it all' and enjoying the excitement of an extra-marital relationship, and relishing it, without looking to leave the marriage. The OP sounds like she's struggling with feelings of loyalty to her children and her DH, but actually knows that it's not going to be happy husband and wife for the rest of her life.

bubblewrapped · 21/01/2011 00:40

You are lonely because your husband is working and busy.. but seeing someone else isnt the solution.

How do you think women who are married to husbands in the forces go on? Their husbands are away for months on end, not long hours.

What you need to ask yourself is do you love your husband? If the answer is yes, then ask yourself could you live without him in your life at all... maybe you think you could.. but running into the arms of another man is not going to fix it.

You either have a trial separation, where there is nobody else involved, or you work at it with your husband for 6 months maybe. But to leave the poor bloke coming home to a wife who doesnt know what she wants isnt fair on anyone.

notmyproblem · 21/01/2011 00:40

Unbelievable, the responses to this thread. Are you people for real?

"Stay with this man you don't love, you owe it to your children"

"You bitch, you whore, how dare you leave such an obviously wonderful man"

"Put everyone else's happiness in front of your own for the rest of your life"

About sums it up. God, women are absolute cunts to each other. It's all about one-upmanship isn't it? This is why the Riven thread became such a train wreck -- because a bunch of nosy know-it-all, solve-the-worlds-problems types like you decided to run with what was essentially a plea for understanding, and now she's got the fucking Daily Mail at her doorstep.

But hey, don't let that stop you from judging someone else you don't even know on how lazy, useless, selfish and clearly a bad mother she is based on a single post. I'm sure some of you would get a hold of her DH if you could and tell him the whole story too. Personally. Just because she deserves it or some such twisted logic.

OP get some real opinions and counselling from people who know you and who don't have an axe to grind. AIBU is not that place.

CheshireCat · 21/01/2011 00:44

Pombear

yes I absolutley do not want to continue this situation. Even if I wanted to try with my husband now, I don't want to become intimate with him,at all, not even kiss him.. How do I get that back? Is that possbile, once lost?

Yes I knew I'd get huge amounts of abuse, I understand that.

OP posts:
cantspel · 21/01/2011 00:44

notmyproblem but no where has the op stated she doesn't love her husband. She has had an affair for no other reason than she is bored and lonely.

BelleBelicious · 21/01/2011 00:44

I have a lot of sympathy for the situation that you are in - but not for your actions, CC.

All those women going on about him being a 'provider' - that's not really what it's about. It's about the fact that work comes first - ALWAYS. It is incredibly lonely to be married to a man like that - and we're not talking for 6 months or a year - this is it, for life. You might as well be a single parent (a well off one, but emotionally its the same).

If he's a workaholic, is that OK? Is it OK to put your work before your marriage, wife, kids, health? Because that's what some men (and probably women) do. It's not about providing, it's about some desperate need to achieve at whatever cost and make themselves feel better, and basically they don't give a shit about anything else.

That said though CC, what you've done is truly shite. And if you had any respect for you DH (and it doesn't look like you have much respect for anyone) you would tell him the truth. I'm guessing he might make a decision for you.

Not sure what to make of the OM. Some relationships do work after affairs, but not many. I think you need to put him out of your head and think about what you want in life. Cheating on people just leads to despair and misery mostly. Time to drag yourself out the wallowing pit and dredge up some self respect. A bit of honesty and courage might not go amiss

Appletrees · 21/01/2011 00:47

Not a choice between men, you have to choose your children. I reckon. Which means sticking with husband. You can't trade their happiness for yours, it's not fair.

Only read op, sorry.

Appletrees · 21/01/2011 00:49

Oh, yes, it is possible Cheshire, yes it is. If you believe it's possible and have confidence it's possible you make it so. Sounds sappy but yes, truly, it is.

pombear · 21/01/2011 00:49

Only CheshireCat knows what the 'bored and lonely' definition means to her. For some that may mean, 'what shall I do today, I'm a bit bored and haven't seen anyone today'. For others, it means a gnawing, sad, desolation, when they feel that their partner just isn't as involved in the relationship as they'd like/hoped.

Children, work, life gets in the way of what we all once had. Some of our relationships work round this, evolve, and are happy/put up with it/work around it. Some of us don't manage that. Some of us (men and women) find a route out, or something that will force the relationship to crack/face up to things.

CheshireCat - I don't know whether it's possible. I know that some people have managed it. But if you have distraction of OM, you won't have a chance to see. You probably have to work out in your head whether OM is a catalyst or a potential future.

It's not easy. For those with a definite answer, I feel envious of them that life runs such a straight course for them.

bubblewrapped · 21/01/2011 00:50

Even if I wanted to try with my husband now, I don't want to become intimate with him,at all, not even kiss him.. How do I get that back? Is that possbile, once lost?

Yes it is possible, but not while you are sleeping with someone else.

Put the affair on hold, if you really really want to at least try and make your marriage work, you cant carry on an affair.

If this other bloke loves you as much as he says, he will respect that and will back off.

Appletrees · 21/01/2011 00:50

Never mind relate, what about a bit of CBT? To help you be happy and content with your choice.

Doing the right thing brings so much happiness and contentment.

Appletrees · 21/01/2011 00:53

Sorry if I sound moralistic, my life's course has had its challenges too, I don't want to make things sound easy and tra la la. I'm not writing as if from on high, honest.

Loveitalia · 21/01/2011 00:53

You say you want no intimacy at all, but as I've said previously, you can but try by getting together alone. Talk, watch a funny DVD, it doesn't have to involve sex straight away. OM can't be in the picture. You can get it back, even though you may not be able to see it. Hopefully you will get back what you had, and you'll thank God you didn't leave.
If nothing comes of trying at least you and H will know you both did your best and you can both move on....how sad

lifeinlimbo · 21/01/2011 00:54

Have you talked to your husband about your loneliness? Is it possible for him to reduce his hours at work? Can you move closer to your family together?

When did you last go out together, without the kids, just to enjoy each others company?

CheshireCat · 21/01/2011 01:03

pombear, yes sad desperate loneliness, no family around.. for 10 years, its just hard.

OP posts:
CheshireCat · 21/01/2011 01:04

lifeinlimbo

yes I have talked to DH and he has agreed to relocate, however, I wonder if too late now, because I don't feel close to him at all.

OP posts:
monkey9237 · 21/01/2011 01:09

While the OM is there in the background, of course you will not feel like kissing your husband, or making a go of it, and of course will be saying you feel its "too late" for you and your DH.

You have lined up someone else secretly, who promises the world, so of course your DH seems like the duff option, no matter what he does. And he doesnt even know it. Your DH is always going to be in the wrong because that is how you are justifying your affair (stealing this from what i read in one of WWIFN's many posts, she is great). Introducing him to your kids is another way of letting the OM in by the back door and smootjing the transition to you leaving your DH. Not nice.

Have you spoken to your DH about his working hours and whatever else makes you unhappy? My husband is also a workaholic, he has barely been around recently. But we talk about it, he will take time off when the busy period lets up a bit, and I work too so I am occupied. My DH had an affair two years ago, it was awful. But we stayed together - I could not take my child away from their father, and I wanted to make a go of it as did he, and we are now happy and on the way to a much better place. So i guess I would say all of this.

I dont know if you are in the UK but in this climate things are tough and money is tight so your DH may not be able to just get another job. I'd be glad he had good money coming in.

Leave the OM and give your marriage a REAL go. At the moment your DH doesnt seem to stand a chance. Maybe that is adding to why he isnt around much and waiting since July must be like torture.

CheshireCat · 21/01/2011 01:14

notmyproblem

Yes some women are absolutely awful to each other, and say some truly hateful things.

Obviously the worst thing you can say to any mother is in fact that, you are a bad mother.. This situation aside, my children are very happy smiley, healthy children, I feed, clothe, love and cuddle them. Tell them I love them everyday, read to them every night, make them home cooked nice food, do their homework with them, and have their friends round. I try to do my very best..

Yes I've been very very lonely as well.

OP posts:
CheshireCat · 21/01/2011 01:18

DH doesn't feel like the duff option, just because of our continued time apart I don't miss him when he's away, because I'm used to doing it all by myself..and the intimate distance between us.

OP posts:
pombear · 21/01/2011 01:20

CheshireCat, you've posted in AIBU. Can I ask - what response would make you feel good? That may be a good guide as to where you are.

If it is 'yes, you are being U, you should get back on track with your relationship and ditch OM', then you may be seeking a resolution within your marriage.

If it was 'no, your marriage is obviously over, get it done and be off with your OM' then you may be seeking approval for finishing the relationship.

Can I suggest if you're looking for a more reasoned (!! maybe, though it is Mumsnet, not a Relate session!!) discussion, that you post again in Relationships section.