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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to struggle to get over him when I brought this all on myself?

227 replies

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 22:12

hey so I’ll try and keep this as brief as I can. basically I made a really stupid decision and I had an affair with my ex during autumn winter of this year after struggling with life for a while now, dealing with trauma, feeling stuck and losing hope. I know this is not an excuse for what I did. I’m a married woman with kids so I should know better. I know I’ve been unhappy with my life for so long and I think this whole thing was to get a break from it all. When I reconnected with my ex in the summer I never set out to have an affair and I’m disgusted in myself for doing so. I do love my husband and kids. I know he would be devastated if he ever were to find out.
The crossing of the line started late October. i invited him round to my house very late at night when my husband and kids were at in laws. I was drunk and had been struggling badly that week. I thought my drink was spiked and I needed someone to look after me to make sure I was ok. We cuddled and talked. Instantly I was brought back to my younger carefree days and I really felt at ease with him like it was the most natural thing in the world. We both realised the connection was still there. At this point I should have cooled off. We started talking every day then a couple weeks later we met up again and it crossed over to a full blown affair. We‘d sneak around several times a week. atrong feelings were involved on both sides. We realised we still loved each other. I wasn’t in the right place to upend my life in case it went wrong because I’m not stable on my own. He wanted to get me pregnant so it would make it easier for me to leave.
a few weeks ago his family found out. He still lives with them and they overheard him on the phone to me and confronted him. We decided that it’s best to end it and to give me time to either rebuild my marriage or leave. I think that’s for the best but I’m really struggling with the whole thing because I miss him so much it hurts. I think about the child we could have had too. I picture a beautiful daughter with dark hair just like him. I picture us being a happy family but I know that can never happen because I don’t have rights to my own house and I’m not successful. My in laws were nasty to me at Christmas and I so badly wanted to see my ex but couldn’t. I keep looking at old photos of us and wishing he was as mature as he is now back then because we would have never broken up.
other stuff has happened lately. He was nasty to me when I was really struggling 2 weeks ago and told me that I’ll never go far in life. that same day my mother in law was nasty and implied that I wasn’t a good mom. After everything that happened I wanted to not be here anymore that day. He has since apologised and he said those things out of hurt and anger.
what do I do? On one hand I want to rebuild my marriage but on the other I want to leave to be with my ex.

OP posts:
PollyBell · 03/01/2026 22:13

What is best for your children do that

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 22:15

PollyBell · 03/01/2026 22:13

What is best for your children do that

Yes exactly as they will always come first. At the minute I’m trying to rebuild things but it’s so hard when I miss him so much

OP posts:
FranklyAnd · 03/01/2026 22:15

Who is the 'he' who was nasty to you? Your ex or your husband?

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 22:17

FranklyAnd · 03/01/2026 22:15

Who is the 'he' who was nasty to you? Your ex or your husband?

My ex. He said I’ll never go far in life due to my disability. He said this out of hurt and it was said after I told him I’m proud of how he rebuilt himself out of a dark depression and that I’ll do the same then he said that I can’t because unlike me he doesn’t have barriers. He said that he can get any job whereas I can’t

OP posts:
Helplessandheartbroke · 03/01/2026 22:22

Your ex sounds awful and if you love dh and hes willing to forgive you, that's the path I would take

Jugendstiel · 03/01/2026 22:23

What do you do now? You focus on getting well, strong, stable, being a great mother, developing a career and financial independence, and if you can, rebuilding your marriage.

The last thing you need is an affair. Tell yourself you haven't the energy for that because you need to put all your energy and focus into wellbeing and parenting.

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 22:25

Helplessandheartbroke · 03/01/2026 22:22

Your ex sounds awful and if you love dh and hes willing to forgive you, that's the path I would take

I was extremely hurt by what he said and he’s since apologised. My husband doesn’t know. I’m not going to tell him because it should be up to me to carry this guilt for this stupid decision I made

OP posts:
PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 22:26

Jugendstiel · 03/01/2026 22:23

What do you do now? You focus on getting well, strong, stable, being a great mother, developing a career and financial independence, and if you can, rebuilding your marriage.

The last thing you need is an affair. Tell yourself you haven't the energy for that because you need to put all your energy and focus into wellbeing and parenting.

Exactly that’s what I’m going to do. I’ve been in a dark hole for years now with anger and resentment building up. An affair only causes heartbreak

OP posts:
PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 22:28

Has anyone been through this before?

OP posts:
PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 22:29

My ex also wanted to get me pregnant during the affair to make it easier to leave my husband. He also told me to stop having sex with my husband so he could be sure that the child is his and to help me detach from my husband

OP posts:
Helplessandheartbroke · 03/01/2026 22:31

Ex also sounds unhinged. To purposely get pregnant from an affair?

Its your call whether to tell dh or not but I really think you'd be mad to leave dh for this man given 2 things you've mentioned on here

PinkLoveHearts · 03/01/2026 22:31

You need to get your head out the clouds. Focus on the children you do have and not what you haven’t got.

PennyLaneisinmyheartandmysoul · 03/01/2026 22:33

It’s all very self pity, lack of accountability isn’t it?
do you work and are ready to be financially independent?

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 22:34

Helplessandheartbroke · 03/01/2026 22:31

Ex also sounds unhinged. To purposely get pregnant from an affair?

Its your call whether to tell dh or not but I really think you'd be mad to leave dh for this man given 2 things you've mentioned on here

I see your point and I also saw that as a red flag tbh. I confided in a friend and they said that sounds like a red flag for control. I think my ex wants kids because all his friends are moving on and settling down and he just wanted that happy family with me

OP posts:
PennyLaneisinmyheartandmysoul · 03/01/2026 22:34

Helplessandheartbroke · 03/01/2026 22:31

Ex also sounds unhinged. To purposely get pregnant from an affair?

Its your call whether to tell dh or not but I really think you'd be mad to leave dh for this man given 2 things you've mentioned on here

Op should leave him, how shitty and disrespectful of her!

TheCosyViewer · 03/01/2026 22:35

So your ex’s family know he’s been having an affair with you. What’s to say they won’t tell your DH or gossip to others about it and word will trickle back to your DH ?

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 22:35

PinkLoveHearts · 03/01/2026 22:31

You need to get your head out the clouds. Focus on the children you do have and not what you haven’t got.

Exactly I do because my actions aren’t fair on them too

OP posts:
PennyLaneisinmyheartandmysoul · 03/01/2026 22:36

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 22:34

I see your point and I also saw that as a red flag tbh. I confided in a friend and they said that sounds like a red flag for control. I think my ex wants kids because all his friends are moving on and settling down and he just wanted that happy family with me

You’re cheating but see others as red flags!

Bestwishes23 · 03/01/2026 22:37

Instead of focusing on men, why don't you set some goals that will improve your happiness?

Also, remember that it's your children that will be truly impacted by the fallout of this mess that you're creating.

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 22:37

PennyLaneisinmyheartandmysoul · 03/01/2026 22:33

It’s all very self pity, lack of accountability isn’t it?
do you work and are ready to be financially independent?

I’m sorry that’s come across that way. I’m taking accountability for what I did because I’m totally in the wrong. I don’t work at the minute but I’ve been trying to get back into work over the past year and I still don’t have a job. That’s one of the major things getting me down.

OP posts:
PennyLaneisinmyheartandmysoul · 03/01/2026 22:38

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 22:37

I’m sorry that’s come across that way. I’m taking accountability for what I did because I’m totally in the wrong. I don’t work at the minute but I’ve been trying to get back into work over the past year and I still don’t have a job. That’s one of the major things getting me down.

When did you last work?

Smilesinthesunshine · 03/01/2026 22:38

Youe ex doesn't sound like a very nice person. It is dreadfully irresponsible to try and get you pregnant when you are still married and have children. How awful for them!
I would try to rebuild your marriage and cut all contact with your ex. It is not worth telling your husband as it would cause so much hurt and anguish for the whole family.

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 22:38

Bestwishes23 · 03/01/2026 22:37

Instead of focusing on men, why don't you set some goals that will improve your happiness?

Also, remember that it's your children that will be truly impacted by the fallout of this mess that you're creating.

Exactly that’s what I’m going to do. I think being stuck in the house has really got to me and I need to be working. Also the way I’m spoken to by in laws while hubby rarely intervenes and sticks up for me

OP posts:
PennyLaneisinmyheartandmysoul · 03/01/2026 22:39

How old are dc?

Helplessandheartbroke · 03/01/2026 22:40

PennyLaneisinmyheartandmysoul · 03/01/2026 22:34

Op should leave him, how shitty and disrespectful of her!

I dont disagree but she shouldn't leave for this controlling man is the point I meant