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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:
grinchmcgrinchface · 03/01/2026 23:01

You need to tell your husband so he can get a STI check, get on some form birth control then you need to go to talking therapy. This is more complicated than a mumsnet thread and you won’t get the help you need here.

how do you have time to an affair with 4 kids in toe? Something doesn’t add up here.

Cookingupmyfirstbornson · 03/01/2026 23:01

FranklyAnd · 03/01/2026 22:46

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.

Yeah it's the cuddly girly failed content creator/youtuber who's a Christian but doesn't act it in any way

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 23:02

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

Thanks so much for this comment you’re right. My actions aren’t excusable. I’ve talked to my husband and some things are changing so I’ll see how this goes. My ex really hurt me by what he said when I was really struggling mentally. Him and my mother in law almost had me take an overdose that day

OP posts:
CotswoldsCamilla · 03/01/2026 23:03

Lose the victim mentality.
You need therapy.
Perhaps think about putting your extremely young children first.

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 23:03

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.

Thanks so much. Yes my focus is to rebuild myself. I’m going to start counselling too because that will help

OP posts:
grinchmcgrinchface · 03/01/2026 23:04

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 23:02

Thanks so much for this comment you’re right. My actions aren’t excusable. I’ve talked to my husband and some things are changing so I’ll see how this goes. My ex really hurt me by what he said when I was really struggling mentally. Him and my mother in law almost had me take an overdose that day

What about your children in this situation? It doesn’t seem like your giving them any thought in this.

MynameisJune · 03/01/2026 23:04

You posted about this before, everyone said not to see him again after that initial incident when your drink was ‘spiked’.

As people told you back then, get therapy for yourself, tell your husband what you have done and take responsibility for your poor life choices.

But you won’t and in 3-6 months you’ll be back pregnant with ex’s baby.

MNLurker1345 · 03/01/2026 23:07

Dear OP, the affair is over. Please don’t even think it can be any other way.

What is going on with DHs family? The way they treat you and the things they say to/about you are paramount in your experience.

So let’s talk about that. There is so
much going on here. Everything is
jumbled which is a clear reflection of
mind.

3 children under 5! I would struggle with that. Please make an appointment with the doctor. First step. Also tell your husband that you are seriously struggling. Talk to him! You are carrying a heavy load of baggage, whilst being a wife and mother. Something has to give.

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 23:08

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.

I think what was missing in my marriage to having someone who sees my point of view. I feel like DH is married to his parents over me and their word is final a lot of the time. Also while my DH is decent in bed my ex can really bang me hard and is more experienced. My ex doesn’t have any STD’s I asked. It’s a shitty thing that I have done it really is. I just think I need a good sex toy instead.

OP posts:
apeaceful2026 · 03/01/2026 23:09

I don't know if you have any nice female friends around you OP.....it doesn't sound like you have the nicest bunch of people around you with what you've said about your husband's comments, in laws', family's, exs'.........I'm guessing you met all these people when you were younger and probably conditioned to think you didn't deserve better but you do......it sounds like you're slowly waking up to the reality that you need better and figuring it all out ...imo you can only do better in life and make better decisions if you're surrounded by good positive kind people who have your best interests at heart.

Maybe there's some nice support groups out there which, although they can't fix things for you, can give you a positive place to go which will.give you a boost. Mind might be a good place to start, they do in person and online groups.

Helplessandheartbroke · 03/01/2026 23:09

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 23:08

I think what was missing in my marriage to having someone who sees my point of view. I feel like DH is married to his parents over me and their word is final a lot of the time. Also while my DH is decent in bed my ex can really bang me hard and is more experienced. My ex doesn’t have any STD’s I asked. It’s a shitty thing that I have done it really is. I just think I need a good sex toy instead.

This post doesn't feel real any more

Cookingupmyfirstbornson · 03/01/2026 23:09

Your ex can really bang you hard???
He is sti free cos I asked and he couldn't possibly lie??

Girl are you hard of thinking here? Bin them both

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 23:09

MCF86 · 03/01/2026 22:56

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

He was never abusive to me when we were together though. Although sometimes we’d argue when he was drunk

OP posts:
3luckystars · 03/01/2026 23:11

How have you the time for all the sex? Im
amazed.

3luckystars · 03/01/2026 23:11

Please tell me your house is really messy at least

MCF86 · 03/01/2026 23:12

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 23:09

He was never abusive to me when we were together though. Although sometimes we’d argue when he was drunk

He's already been abusive to you this time. If you leave, it should be to give yourself time and space to work on yourself, and be the best you can for your children.

grinchmcgrinchface · 03/01/2026 23:12

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 23:08

I think what was missing in my marriage to having someone who sees my point of view. I feel like DH is married to his parents over me and their word is final a lot of the time. Also while my DH is decent in bed my ex can really bang me hard and is more experienced. My ex doesn’t have any STD’s I asked. It’s a shitty thing that I have done it really is. I just think I need a good sex toy instead.

Wtf did I just read. Your not acting like a mother at all, you sound like a 16 year old. Maybe your mother in law has a point.

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 23:13

grinchmcgrinchface · 03/01/2026 23:01

You need to tell your husband so he can get a STI check, get on some form birth control then you need to go to talking therapy. This is more complicated than a mumsnet thread and you won’t get the help you need here.

how do you have time to an affair with 4 kids in toe? Something doesn’t add up here.

I understand your point but ex doesn’t have sti. I have 3 kids not 4. I do need to grow up and that’s what I’m doing but I’m really struggling with missing my ex and wanting to be in his arms. I know I’m a stupid woman

OP posts:
MNLurker1345 · 03/01/2026 23:13

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 23:08

I think what was missing in my marriage to having someone who sees my point of view. I feel like DH is married to his parents over me and their word is final a lot of the time. Also while my DH is decent in bed my ex can really bang me hard and is more experienced. My ex doesn’t have any STD’s I asked. It’s a shitty thing that I have done it really is. I just think I need a good sex toy instead.

I am sorry if this is real, but I am
struggling with this. Where are we going here?

TryingAgainAgainAgain · 03/01/2026 23:13

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

This is one of the creepiest things I've ever read on here.

Your ex is abusive and he will abuse you again (verbally, via coercion of pregnancy, whichever way he chooses) if you continue to have any contact with him.

Block him on every platform and try to find some additional stable support - not always an easy thing to do I appreciate. You need ongoing help to bring you down to earth. Refocus on your children. And start looking for a therapist.

RamALamADingDong2 · 03/01/2026 23:14

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

What the actual f am I reading. This is the worst fucking idea I've ever heard. And you're relaying it like it's normal! Wake up OP, it's unhinged.

LadyTable · 03/01/2026 23:14

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 23:08

I think what was missing in my marriage to having someone who sees my point of view. I feel like DH is married to his parents over me and their word is final a lot of the time. Also while my DH is decent in bed my ex can really bang me hard and is more experienced. My ex doesn’t have any STD’s I asked. It’s a shitty thing that I have done it really is. I just think I need a good sex toy instead.

Also while my DH is decent in bed my ex can really bang me hard and is more experienced. My ex doesn’t have any STD’s I asked.

Right, now I'm going to assume you're on a wind up.

grinchmcgrinchface · 03/01/2026 23:15

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 23:13

I understand your point but ex doesn’t have sti. I have 3 kids not 4. I do need to grow up and that’s what I’m doing but I’m really struggling with missing my ex and wanting to be in his arms. I know I’m a stupid woman

Yes you are. This post can’t possibly be real.

LadyTable · 03/01/2026 23:16

TryingAgainAgainAgain · 03/01/2026 23:13

This is one of the creepiest things I've ever read on here.

Your ex is abusive and he will abuse you again (verbally, via coercion of pregnancy, whichever way he chooses) if you continue to have any contact with him.

Block him on every platform and try to find some additional stable support - not always an easy thing to do I appreciate. You need ongoing help to bring you down to earth. Refocus on your children. And start looking for a therapist.

This is one of the creepiest things I've ever read on here.

Wait till you read how hard she's being banged...

Helplessandheartbroke · 03/01/2026 23:17

LadyTable · 03/01/2026 23:16

This is one of the creepiest things I've ever read on here.

Wait till you read how hard she's being banged...

Where the hell is the laughing emoji!!!