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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:
PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 22:40

PennyLaneisinmyheartandmysoul · 03/01/2026 22:38

When did you last work?

2024 I got fired when I was pregnant due to medical neglect I was left struggling to function during pregnancy and my mental health was terrible due to past trauma

OP posts:
PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 22:41

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 ?

Yes they all know but they’ll say nothing to mine or DH’s family

OP posts:
MNLurker1345 · 03/01/2026 22:41

Do you have someone you can talk to? This is not going to end well and you know it.

You have children with your husband, you feel
you are in love with your ex, but for their safety and well being you must put your DC first.

The way you speak of the affair and your ex,
is like an obsession, like an addiction. The reason I say this is because you seem to be putting the affair above the wellbeing of all of
the others involved.

You don’t really talk about your marriage. Your MIL may know something is up, not about the affair but this must be effecting your behaviour. This is so complex.

Affair or not, if your marriage is not working,
you do not need to stay. Is your ex in a relationship? Does he have DC.

I have not been in this situation but the weight
of your post is evident.

What is your marriage like?

Hiptothisjive · 03/01/2026 22:42

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

No OP he wants to control you. You are seeing this through such rose tinted glasses and being a fool.

LadyTable · 03/01/2026 22:43

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.

If you're taking accountability then you'll be telling your husband you've been cheating on him, and allowing him to make the decision whether to stay with you or not.

Except I expect you won't, because you 'don't do well on your own' Hmm

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 22:43

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.

It would destroy him if he ever found out and I don’t want that for him. I should never had the stupid affair. My ex was distant during most of our relationship because he was depressed and it broke my heart that he was like that because he knew I was always there for him.

OP posts:
PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 22:44

PennyLaneisinmyheartandmysoul · 03/01/2026 22:39

How old are dc?

4, 3 and 1

OP posts:
hoodiemassive · 03/01/2026 22:45

This is a disaster waiting to happen…you don’t sound very well and are making some really damaging decisions, for you, your DH and your kids.

The ex sounds unhinged and not safe to be around. Stop imagining creating another child to join you in this mess.

blooooooor · 03/01/2026 22:45

I think you posted this before?
There was definitely a post about inviting ex round when drunk…. People gave you advice back then, I don’t think anyone’s views changed.

FranklyAnd · 03/01/2026 22:46

blooooooor · 03/01/2026 22:45

I think you posted this before?
There was definitely a post about inviting ex round when drunk…. People gave you advice back then, I don’t think anyone’s views changed.

Yes, I remember the bit about the OP inviting her ex around when she was home alone because she thought her drink had been spiked... Which sounded like one of the odder excuses I've ever heard for smooching with your ex.

LadyTable · 03/01/2026 22:47

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 22:43

It would destroy him if he ever found out and I don’t want that for him. I should never had the stupid affair. My ex was distant during most of our relationship because he was depressed and it broke my heart that he was like that because he knew I was always there for him.

It would destroy him if he ever found out and I don’t want that for him.

Oh now you're bothered?

How convenient considering you don't want your husband to dump you.

There are plenty ways he could find out - the major two being through your ex or his family.

Imagine how devastated he'll be then?

MCF86 · 03/01/2026 22:48

Are you getting any support with your mental health OP?

There are very few scenarios I would ever condone cheating, and nothing you have said suggests your husband deserves any of this. But it also comes through quite clearly that you are not in a good place (Edit for clarity- That looks like I am saying I don't normally condone "but..". What I actually mean that not being in a good place does not make this excusable, but shouldn't be ignored either). Your ex is not the answer to that. He has already shown that if he can't use a baby to gain control over you, he will use cruelty to bring you down even more. He is not a good man, and he does not love you. That is not what love looks like.

If you are unhappy in your marriage that is something you should either work on, or walk from, way before getting involved with anyone else. Does your husband know how unhappy you have been? Have you talked to him about what you need? If yes, and nothing has changed, then he still doesn't deserve this, you should end the marriage and work on coparenting. And that should still be way before you should entertain the idea of involving someone else.
And then when you are in a place that you can be happy alone, it would be ok to start dating.

At NONE of those points in time would I ever recommend being with someone that would use your disability against you to be cruel.

StrawberryJangle · 03/01/2026 22:48

Your ex is a coercive controlling, gaslighting pig! Keep away from him!

Try and discover what makes YOU happy. No man need be involved. Get counselling.

StrawberryJangle · 03/01/2026 22:49

MCF86 · 03/01/2026 22:48

Are you getting any support with your mental health OP?

There are very few scenarios I would ever condone cheating, and nothing you have said suggests your husband deserves any of this. But it also comes through quite clearly that you are not in a good place (Edit for clarity- That looks like I am saying I don't normally condone "but..". What I actually mean that not being in a good place does not make this excusable, but shouldn't be ignored either). Your ex is not the answer to that. He has already shown that if he can't use a baby to gain control over you, he will use cruelty to bring you down even more. He is not a good man, and he does not love you. That is not what love looks like.

If you are unhappy in your marriage that is something you should either work on, or walk from, way before getting involved with anyone else. Does your husband know how unhappy you have been? Have you talked to him about what you need? If yes, and nothing has changed, then he still doesn't deserve this, you should end the marriage and work on coparenting. And that should still be way before you should entertain the idea of involving someone else.
And then when you are in a place that you can be happy alone, it would be ok to start dating.

At NONE of those points in time would I ever recommend being with someone that would use your disability against you to be cruel.

Edited

This. Perfectly worded.

Starlight7080 · 03/01/2026 22:50

4,3 and 1 and you have been actively trying for another with another man?!
You need help . You are not fit to have more children when you dont put the ones you do have above your own wants and needs.
You obviously need therapy not another man.
Block him and seek help!

3luckystars · 03/01/2026 22:52

Stay away from your ex. Your plate is full.

Cut all contact. What is missing in your marriage that you went elsewhere for it? You can give that to yourself.

also, can you get an std check? I feel a bit sorry for your husband if you were having unprotected sex with two men at the same time, only 2 of the 3 were aware of this. That’s lousy.

Cut all contact with your ex. Give your marriage an honest go, if it’s not for you then it’s not but don’t make it any worse by involving this head in the clouds old ex that is rotten to you.

Betty1625 · 03/01/2026 22:52

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 22:44

4, 3 and 1

You are mad to be messing around with an ex, trying to get pregnant when you have 4 kids already, youngest only 1 year old! Get a grip of your emotions!
Where do you even find time to have an affair?? You should be looking after your little kids

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 22:53

MNLurker1345 · 03/01/2026 22:41

Do you have someone you can talk to? This is not going to end well and you know it.

You have children with your husband, you feel
you are in love with your ex, but for their safety and well being you must put your DC first.

The way you speak of the affair and your ex,
is like an obsession, like an addiction. The reason I say this is because you seem to be putting the affair above the wellbeing of all of
the others involved.

You don’t really talk about your marriage. Your MIL may know something is up, not about the affair but this must be effecting your behaviour. This is so complex.

Affair or not, if your marriage is not working,
you do not need to stay. Is your ex in a relationship? Does he have DC.

I have not been in this situation but the weight
of your post is evident.

What is your marriage like?

It literally is you’re right. I have some friends I can talk to. I’m also friends with ex’s sister. She warned me that he’ll never change and that he’s just saying all these promises to reel me in because he can’t look after himself. My in laws and my own family have said horrible things to me throughout the years. They had a huge fight before the wedding and we rarely got a break from it for years. Since I got PND a few months after DS was born they have said some nasty things to me and hubby has joined in at times. Our marriage was good before DC but I detached sometime last year after some nasty things he said to me. Once when I was in a bad mood because I was struggling with things I have been put through he said he’ll divorce me and take full custody of DC. He’s said that on a number of occasions. He since apologised. At the moment I do want to give it one last try to rebuild things and to get my head sorted out, another thing I’ve been struggling with is that my BIL is under our house so it isn’t even ours so I’ll have no stable home if I leave

OP posts:
whiteumbrella · 03/01/2026 22:54

What you feel for the ex feels very real to you, but it’s not love. It’s excitement and connection. Love makes you a better version of yourself amidst stability and the boring everyday.

LadyTable · 03/01/2026 22:55

I agree

Your husband needs an STI check pronto.

You need to tell him what you've done.

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 22:55

Hiptothisjive · 03/01/2026 22:42

No OP he wants to control you. You are seeing this through such rose tinted glasses and being a fool.

I know I am and I should stop missing him because the affair is over. Do you think if I made the decision to leave it would lead to abuse

OP posts:
PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 22:56

hoodiemassive · 03/01/2026 22:45

This is a disaster waiting to happen…you don’t sound very well and are making some really damaging decisions, for you, your DH and your kids.

The ex sounds unhinged and not safe to be around. Stop imagining creating another child to join you in this mess.

You’re right. The affair is over and I’m not going to upend my kids life when I’m not in the right place mentally to start with

OP posts:
MCF86 · 03/01/2026 22:56

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 22:55

I know I am and I should stop missing him because the affair is over. Do you think if I made the decision to leave it would lead to abuse

If you left to be with your ex? 100% it would be.

FranklyAnd · 03/01/2026 22:58

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 22:55

I know I am and I should stop missing him because the affair is over. Do you think if I made the decision to leave it would lead to abuse

OP, you need therapy. Read back over your description of this man. He's unpleasant and disablist to you, thinks you'll never make anything of yourself, and wanted to get you pregnant during your affair so you would have to leave your DH. Why would it occur to you for a single second to contemplate leaving your marriage for him? Grow up. You're old enough to be married with children. Start behaving like it.

3luckystars · 03/01/2026 23:01

He is abusing you already? Be careful what feels normal, what feels like home to you.

That’s not love. It’s just what you know and are familiar with from past hurts, when he treats you badly and insults you, and tries to get you pregnant despite having 3 toddlers, he does not have your best interests at heart. .

He is not a nice man but that abuse feels like home cooking to you.

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