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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:
NewGirlInTown · 05/01/2026 03:32

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.

You lost me with this stupid post. I think you are just attention seeking.
Your behaviour is just ridiculous for a grown woman. I feel so sorry for your children.

Dorosomethingbeautiful · 05/01/2026 03:34

I thought I had seen it all but this is the most bizarre post I have ever read on Mumsnet

Blondeshavemorefun · 05/01/2026 03:34

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

Controlling

he’s an ex for a reason

don’t go down this rabbit hole of grass is greener

it’s not

NewGirlInTown · 05/01/2026 03:34

Milosc · 04/01/2026 19:54

I have never encountered a more self-absorbed, vapid, vain, narcissistic, delusional, envious, me me me poster in my life. So many of us have had unbelievably worse things happen to us, so horrible I won't even post. But we manage to not fuck other men and put our kids in harms way. You are breaking down over being jealous about others on social media. You are completely self absorbed. You lack a conscience or the ability to have any sympathy or empathy for anyone. The guilt is not yours to carry because you don't know what that is. You are a true narcissist through and through.

Your inlaws dislike you because they know their son made a horrible choice for a wife. They see you for who you are and good for them. The only one wrong here is you. Hopefully your DH finds out soon and gets your kids away from you to a safe environment. You deserve nothing from him but his contempt and anger.

OP will never take blame for anything. Every post is the same blah blah I am do disgusting. But it only gives her the validation she is craving so desperately. Posting anymore is just feeding her ego.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

NewGirlInTown · 05/01/2026 03:51

One final thing; get yourself some birth control. Don’t bring another poor child into this mess.

MoFadaCromulent · 05/01/2026 04:18

PinkHyperQueen · 03/01/2026 22:25

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

Gotta love the old "the guilt of my misdeed is punishment enough".

The cheaters self-awarded get out of jail free card

Bankiebabe · 05/01/2026 06:30

Own your shit as we say in Glasgow. You have cheated on your husband. Tell him so he can decide if he wants to stay in a relationship with someone who wants “Banged Hard” by another man. Tbh you sound like a 16 year old I feel very sorry for your DH and kids. You sound revolting.

PinkHyperQueen · 06/01/2026 17:27

Hey. I’m on and off struggling today. I can’t get what my ex said about I’ll never be successful as I’m disabled out of my head. I keep looking at how gorgeous the girl he prioritised over me back when we were together is. I can’t help thinking it’s just me. I was at a mums group and I had two coffees which kicked off my ADHD causing me to be really loud and hyper. It’s clear I annoyed some people. Maybe it’s just me. That I need to change. Maybe I’m just not good enough. That’s what triggered it today. My husband was lovely this morning and brought us all a Starbucks. His kindness is what made me fall in love with him at the start. The guilt hits from time to time but then I catch myself fantasising about my ex. wtf is wrong with me?

OP posts:
PinkHyperQueen · 06/01/2026 17:39

Bump

OP posts:
notcomfortable · 06/01/2026 17:50

Your ex is an escape from reality and problems, it would realistically never work out.
Block all contact with him and focus on your husband and making that relationship more positive

Duckiewasthefirstniceguy · 06/01/2026 17:52

PinkHyperQueen · 06/01/2026 17:27

Hey. I’m on and off struggling today. I can’t get what my ex said about I’ll never be successful as I’m disabled out of my head. I keep looking at how gorgeous the girl he prioritised over me back when we were together is. I can’t help thinking it’s just me. I was at a mums group and I had two coffees which kicked off my ADHD causing me to be really loud and hyper. It’s clear I annoyed some people. Maybe it’s just me. That I need to change. Maybe I’m just not good enough. That’s what triggered it today. My husband was lovely this morning and brought us all a Starbucks. His kindness is what made me fall in love with him at the start. The guilt hits from time to time but then I catch myself fantasising about my ex. wtf is wrong with me?

What are you actually doing to sort yourself out? As opposed to obsessing about men, wallowing and then posting on here about ‘wake up calls’ and ‘needing to change’, what specific steps are you taking?

Cookingupmyfirstbornson · 06/01/2026 17:54

.....don't have 2 coffees???

Sofamonkey2day · 06/01/2026 19:29

PinkHyperQueen · 06/01/2026 17:27

Hey. I’m on and off struggling today. I can’t get what my ex said about I’ll never be successful as I’m disabled out of my head. I keep looking at how gorgeous the girl he prioritised over me back when we were together is. I can’t help thinking it’s just me. I was at a mums group and I had two coffees which kicked off my ADHD causing me to be really loud and hyper. It’s clear I annoyed some people. Maybe it’s just me. That I need to change. Maybe I’m just not good enough. That’s what triggered it today. My husband was lovely this morning and brought us all a Starbucks. His kindness is what made me fall in love with him at the start. The guilt hits from time to time but then I catch myself fantasising about my ex. wtf is wrong with me?

Whats wrong with you? Look up personality disorders and different types of narcissism.
You asked 🤷‍♀️

Passingthrough123 · 06/01/2026 19:59

I think it speaks volumes that you're having to bump the thread to get attention – people are tired of offering up the same advice over and over again. Based on this thread and your previous one, it seems you have no intention of seeking help or sorting your marriage out, you just want to keep going over the same old ground about your ex.

fraughtcouture · 06/01/2026 21:42

Passingthrough123 · 06/01/2026 19:59

I think it speaks volumes that you're having to bump the thread to get attention – people are tired of offering up the same advice over and over again. Based on this thread and your previous one, it seems you have no intention of seeking help or sorting your marriage out, you just want to keep going over the same old ground about your ex.

This! If you really wanted to make meaningful changes you would start by confessing to your poor husband so he can get an STI check. Then book some therapy. Honestly you are just an awful, awful person.

McSpoot · 06/01/2026 21:51

Yes, you are the problem.

Blondeshavemorefun · 06/01/2026 21:56

My ex can bang me hard

and you miss him

what do you want us to say and advise ?

leave dh and get back with ex

hes an ex for a reason

nam3c4ang3 · 06/01/2026 22:07

Either you’re a very patient troll (two threads about this) OR you’re a pretty horrific person to actually do this. I’ve read some absolute howlers on MN but yours - is the worst. Your poor kids.

Milosc · 07/01/2026 05:41

Please OP, go back to your ex. You deserve each other and would make the perfect couple. They will forever write ballads and love songs about your great true love of the ages being banged hard and acting hyper.

Please actually do so you DH and kids can be free of your toxicity. Your posts are just absurd now and completely disingenuous.

PennyLaneisinmyheartandmysoul · 07/01/2026 07:13

Sofamonkey2day · 06/01/2026 19:29

Whats wrong with you? Look up personality disorders and different types of narcissism.
You asked 🤷‍♀️

This, the bump of the thread is the “hellllloo?!! Attention!!! Hello me me me me me!”

Bankiebabe · 07/01/2026 07:18

people are bored of your post now….Next

mylittledoggie · 07/01/2026 09:15

I think you need to go cold turkey with the ex. He doesn’t sound like a good guy OP. If you cut him off completely you will be surprised how quickly the pain fades and you can refocus on your family.

FourLeggedPenguin · 07/01/2026 10:29

PinkHyperQueen · 06/01/2026 17:27

Hey. I’m on and off struggling today. I can’t get what my ex said about I’ll never be successful as I’m disabled out of my head. I keep looking at how gorgeous the girl he prioritised over me back when we were together is. I can’t help thinking it’s just me. I was at a mums group and I had two coffees which kicked off my ADHD causing me to be really loud and hyper. It’s clear I annoyed some people. Maybe it’s just me. That I need to change. Maybe I’m just not good enough. That’s what triggered it today. My husband was lovely this morning and brought us all a Starbucks. His kindness is what made me fall in love with him at the start. The guilt hits from time to time but then I catch myself fantasising about my ex. wtf is wrong with me?

My husband was lovely this morning and brought us all a Starbucks. His kindness is what made me fall in love with him at the start.
You’re doing the same to your husband as your ex did to you, when he prioritised someone over you and made you feel like you weren’t good enough. Your lovely, kind husband chose you and continues to choose you, but you’re choosing to obsess over your ex. You can either get some therapy to address this nonsense, stop being a dick to your husband and commit fully to him…or you can continue fantasising about your ex and leave your husband so he can offer his kindness to someone who deserves it. It’s your choice.

I had two coffees which kicked off my ADHD causing me to be really loud and hyper. It’s clear I annoyed some people.
That’s an unusual reaction to coffee for someone with ADHD, but if it affects you like this you should probably avoid it.

pocketpairs · 07/01/2026 10:52

Having read this, I hope your husband finds out the truth, so he can decide the best course of action for himself and the kids

SomethingImaginative · 07/01/2026 12:37

Hi, I’ve just come across your post today and read through your updates not the whole thread so I might be way off or missing some info but here’s my take. I also have adhd mines more a very active mind rather than body but I think your obsession with your ex is just a hyper focus because your unhappy.

If you’re like me I can have an encounter and in my head basically make an entire movie of what happens next and I think this is what you’ve done with your ex. In all honesty he sounds like a complete dick and in reality would make you just as miserable but you had a good encounter with him so now you’ve made your ‘movie’ and it’s a happily ever after all your problems solved.

Unfortunately life rarely works out that way but I understand why you would fixate on it when you’re so unhappy. Sometimes we can be a bit much for people but we just have to accept they’re either just not the right people for us or yes we annoy them sometimes but they accept that’s part of us and love us anyway. Hopefully your husband is the latter and we have to accept that their feelings are valid because when you take a step back, yes we are being super annoying and can you honestly say you’ve never found anyone annoying? I have a very hyper adhd child and yes i do sometimes find them VERY annoying lol but i love them more than anything.

Practical side I think you need a new focus as well as trying to rebuild your marriage (if that’s what you want) you said you’re trained in beauty therapy and very active on social media. Could you try and start a home business? I know it’s competitive and it might not start out as a big money maker but you could build your brand up and I’m sure you would make some money. It might not be a lot at first but it’ll be more than the zero you’re getting now and it will help you feel that sense of achievement and give you a nice dopamine hit when you see that money you’ve earnt. People always want lashes and waxing. My lash lady just has a bed in her dining room and she’s always fully booked up the 4 days a week she works every month so you don’t need to spend loads on a big spa room or anything. I came across her randomly on Instagram and that’s the only way she advertises and then it spreads through word of mouth.

If that’s not for you try a beauty counter in boots or something. It’s not exactly your field but it’s still working with things you enjoy and getting that money in your pocket, socialising and giving you a sense of purpose outside the home.

try not to take the in-laws comments to heart. They don’t sound like they’re your people and that’s unfortunate but that’s their problem not yours. You were hyper on Christmas having fun with your children. You weren’t doing anything dangerous and I’m sure your children were having a great time and they’re the most important ones. Anyway I’m rambling now as usual but that’s my take. Good luck 😊

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