Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

My wife moved out 6 weeks ago with our kids and I genuinely don't know what she's trying to do

273 replies

henryic · 27/07/2026 09:51

About 6 weeks ago me and my wife had one of the biggest fights we've ever had. It wasn't over one thing. It was months of frustration finally coming out.

I told her I felt like I wasn't a priority anymore. She always seemed to have time for her friends but whenever I wanted us to spend time together there was always something else. I also told her I wasn't comfortable with how close she is to her male best friend. I never accused her of cheating. I just said their closeness made me uncomfortable and asked if she could create some distance.

She told me no. She said her friends are her support system and she isn't going to change those friendships because I'm uncomfortable. She also said I'm only jealous because I don't have friends of my own which isn't even true.

The thing that hurt me before all this was her birthday. I'd been planning something special for months. Then she told me she was going away with her friends instead. I cancelled everything I'd planned and honestly that stayed with me.

After her birthday things just got worse between us. We almost never fought before that. We had disagreements like any couple but never anything major. I love my wife so much and that's probably why this has hit me so hard.

That night our argument got really ugly. We both said things we shouldn't have. Some of the things she said genuinely broke my heart.

I left the house because I just couldn't stay there. She called me three times during the night but I ignored the calls because I needed space. I came home the next morning and she was furious.

She packed some bags, took our three teenage kids and left. She stayed with her sister for about two weeks and then rented an apartment in the same city. Since then I've only been seeing my kids on weekends.

The financial side is another mess. My salary has always gone into her account because she's always managed our finances. We both have well paying jobs and normally we split the mortgage 50/50.

Since she moved out she says she shouldn't have to pay the mortgage because she isn't living here anymore. Instead she's taking what would have been her half of the mortgage from my salary and using it to pay the rent for her apartment because, in her words, she's only renting it because of me.

Sometimes I feel like that's too much. Other times I honestly just laugh because the whole situation feels so unreal.

She is still paying equally towards the kids, insurance and other shared expenses, so she's not refusing to contribute. But if I want my own monthly spending money I actually have to text my own wife and ask her to transfer it to me.

The hardest part though is how she's acting.
She barely speaks to me but she still visits my parents like normal. She checks on them, spends time with them and everything seems completely fine.

At the same time she's constantly posting photos from clubs, restaurants, weekends away and nights out with her friends. Maybe I'm reading too much into it but it honestly feels like she's trying to make me jealous or show me she's happy without me while I'm sitting alone in our house missing my family.

It's like she acts married with everyone else but divorced when it comes to me.

I honestly don't know what she wants anymore. If she wants a divorce I'd rather she just tell me instead of leaving me in this weird limbo where we're separated but nobody is saying what the future is supposed to be.

OP posts:
Duvetdayneeded · 27/07/2026 14:21

Stop paying your salary into joint acciunt!!!

Duvetdayneeded · 27/07/2026 14:22

See a solicitor and see your wife for what she is …. Bit of a cow tbh

PrettyPickle · 27/07/2026 14:37

toottoot3 · 27/07/2026 14:13

Your wife isn't having an affair that you know of, but your treating her like she is having one, can you see why, on her birthday she decided to go out with friends? Iv had my birthday ignored, and I spoke up and said how it made me feel and it's not been ignored again. To get to the evening of your birthday to be told surprise, without any illusion you have to be dressed, hair/make up done isn't a surprise it's a last minute decision, non priority. why should she feel ignored all day and suddenly happy with a dinner reservation? Had you sorted anything for kids to give her earlier? So she knew/felt acknowledged?
Woke up with a cup of tea, breakfast in bed, cards whatever your family does (what happens around your birthday? The kids?) makes you feel that your family appreciate you and think of you. Silence around birthdays are weird, even if your skint, you discuss what film and dinner to have in front of TV, walks. You can surprise someone with a necklace and still discuss plans for their birthday. Did your wife receive the necklace? See a picture of it? Cause it's coming across as lots of planning/surprise but she's still left without any acknowledgement it's her birthday, no present or plans until she's told you she is going out with others.
Stop accusing her if things you think are happening, and deal with actual events that are real. Non discussion of life events, how you feel about her friendships and why is she getting her emotional needs met by others rather than her husband?

I admit the OP didn't present his situation well initially but are your seriously making out that its all him? His wife has a male friend she sees twice a week for a meal and she lied to her husband and this male friend went with her when she worked away from home twice and you think the problems are all his? That he shouldn't but boundaries in place or question the relationship? Get real, he has every right to be concerned.

Happyjoe · 27/07/2026 14:43

This reply has been deleted

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Thanks for answering, that was kind of you. However, I would disagree. To cheat, or act on a spark means something is missing. Respect for your partner? Excitement? Bored? I do think something is wrong when we cheat and no, I don't blame the person who is being cheated on necessarily.

Anyway, am glad you all ended up happy regardless.

marcopront · 27/07/2026 14:47

user1471600850 · 27/07/2026 14:18

God some of these messages are awful! If this was the other way round no way would the Op be getting such a hard time! Actually read what he says rather than making up your own versions! She obviously checked out of the marriage and prioritised her friends whether male or female over her husband but could at least have the decency to tell him rather than take his money and ignore him. Does no-one else honestly think it is weird to arrange a birthday lunch with all your friends but not your family and not even tell them? Your kids and your husband???

But it isn’t weird to organise a birthday meal for your wife and not tell her?
It isn’t weird to not tell your wife you have plans for her birthday and leave her thinking she needs to make her own plans.

They are both at fault.

CatLandOffTheA3 · 27/07/2026 14:47

ShetlandishMum · 27/07/2026 10:23

Sort your banking.
Seek legal advice.
Find peace with your children.
Move on.

This. I would move on to divorcing her and getting everything straight.

It sounds like she is keeping stuff from you if you genuinely have no idea why your marriage is so bad.

Are you sure you have no idea why she checked out and the whole thing has fallen apart? Has she given you no clue at all as to why she has done this?

Campervanadventures · 27/07/2026 14:57

Notmycircusnotmyotter · 27/07/2026 13:48

You sound very controlling. Why can't she go to an event you're not invited to? Why must you be included in everything? That's not healthy. Why don't you have your own friends?

Neither is it healthy for her to spend her bd with a group of M/F friends who don’t even ask her OH to come. I can’t imagine a world in which I would actually prefer to spend important time with my husband and family.

Lunde · 27/07/2026 14:59

The marriage is over and you need to take control of how you want things going forward

  • set up a time for mediation
  • see a lawyer regarding the separation and custody etc
  • make sure you speak to the kids often
  • change your bank account details - is there a reason you haven't?

There also seems to be a fair amount of drip feeding and shifting stories

We have gone from her going out with a group of friends including this guy - to her meeting this guy twice a week (alone or with the group?) to you "know" she is having an affair

Mapletree1985 · 27/07/2026 15:02

henryic · 27/07/2026 13:01

Yes! (Now some people will say no, anyway)

I did my best, it's hurts she might Divorce me for someone!! It's okay

At some my tolerance ended, that's on her birthday

We can't hang on to people who don't want us. You need to divorce her and move on. Of course she was having an affair. Naturally you want to punish her for it. But that won't do you any good, and it won't your children any good either. You should be focused right now on building a better future life for yourself, not on revenge.

MyNeedyLilacBird · 27/07/2026 15:03

I'm not sure why op is getting such a hard time here. If he were a woman he'd be getting a lot more sympathy

Look op your wife probably is having an affair and has jumped on this argument to justify the end and make herself the 'victim'. However you just seem a come across a tad pathetic if im being honest- a bit of a wet lettuce! Your not going to win her back by moping around (and you shouldn't want to). Accept the marriage is over, get you salary paid into your account, fight for your kids and divorce this woman. Take back bloody control, get a solicitor ASAP and get the ball moving. Your concerning yourself with all the wrong things here. You tell her what you expect re your kids! If everything you say is true I'd also be concerned about what's she saying to your kids about you as you seem to be having such little contact with them

Mapletree1985 · 27/07/2026 15:06

Happyjoe · 27/07/2026 14:43

Thanks for answering, that was kind of you. However, I would disagree. To cheat, or act on a spark means something is missing. Respect for your partner? Excitement? Bored? I do think something is wrong when we cheat and no, I don't blame the person who is being cheated on necessarily.

Anyway, am glad you all ended up happy regardless.

"Something" is always missing, in the sense that no one person can be everything to someone else. In a marriage of any length, something that is always missing is the thrill of novelty and the adrenaline rush of forbidden passion.

momtoboys · 27/07/2026 15:11

I haven't read all of the responses but here is my take:

  1. You need to do the incredibly easy task of changing the account for your paycheck.
  2. You wife is done with your marriage.
  3. She is more than likely having an affair with her male "friend".
Ladyfromthehill · 27/07/2026 15:18

Op you are in a board where women excuse other women's affairs like of there was no tomorrow, the hypocrisy is rampant, and your wife's behaviour was really shitty (you didn't have to ask for her plans, in any normal couple she would have told you she is going out with mates if she had any consideration for you). The fact you are accused of poor communication where she clearly doesnt make any effort is so sad...
Anyway, dunt waste time, transfer salary to your account and contact a divorce lawyer asap!!!!

Change2banon · 27/07/2026 15:41

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

RedToothBrush · 27/07/2026 15:57

PrettyPickle · 27/07/2026 14:14

You wouldn't be saying that if it was a woman saying this about her husband.

I would.

The original post had a bunch of problems that stand out.

In a situation where the original poster had been left by her husband and he was renting somewhere else this soon (note not moved in with someone else) but still had the house but six weeks later was still going 'I don't understand whats going on' I'd be giving a strong reply saying stop being in denial.

If you have the occupancy of the house, you are in a position of control however you cut it. If its your salary, you have control of which bank it goes into. The fact that after 6 weeks you are still dithering is not of the partners making.

The OP tried to lead replies quite deliberately. When we didn't take the bait, the tone really changed and accused us of being x, y and z.

The whole thing sounds massively off. From the first post.

GiffGaffClapTrap · 27/07/2026 16:05

PrettyPickle · 27/07/2026 14:37

I admit the OP didn't present his situation well initially but are your seriously making out that its all him? His wife has a male friend she sees twice a week for a meal and she lied to her husband and this male friend went with her when she worked away from home twice and you think the problems are all his? That he shouldn't but boundaries in place or question the relationship? Get real, he has every right to be concerned.

Yep. Only on MN. If the roles were reserved...

nc42day · 27/07/2026 16:06

ColourThief · 27/07/2026 13:07

Absolutely.

The replies on this thread are absolutely hilarious and would definitely not be the same had a woman posted this and the roles been reversed.

Welcome to sexist Mumsnet, OP.
Unfortunately, you won’t get any real help on here.

For what it’s worth, I think your wife sounds self centred and selfish, and you could do much better.

Focus on your kids, it will get easier.

Nice one, but I'll bet that never has there ever been a (real) post where a man disappeared taking his three teenagers willingly with him, because he was having an affair.

Did not happen.

desperatemum1234 · 27/07/2026 16:16

How old are your 3 teenage children? You mention 11 and 13. I am unclear how she could get 3 teens to move out of their home like that.

0Thatsplenty0 · 27/07/2026 16:17

marcopront · 27/07/2026 14:47

But it isn’t weird to organise a birthday meal for your wife and not tell her?
It isn’t weird to not tell your wife you have plans for her birthday and leave her thinking she needs to make her own plans.

They are both at fault.

Every year on her birthday, I take her out for dinner or sometimes on a short trip
That's why I was so shocked. She left me out completely....... I wasn't invited to anything and neither were our kids On her own birthday, her friends were included but her own family wasn't....

No not weird, it was their normal.

SylvanMoon · 27/07/2026 16:41

I'm not sure what you're asking of MN @henryic. None of us know why your wife has left, nor why your teenaged children seem to have also cut (or restricted) contact with you. So we can't confirm or refute your assertions that she's left you for another man or that the children are somehow too afraid of her to make more contact with you than she's specified.

You say that you feel "stuck in limbo", but it's unclear what you're doing to clarify what your situation exactly is or even what you're hoping it will become. It seems you are convinced that your wife is a no-good cheater who has left you for someone else and is deliberately torturing you by taking your money and not letting you have access to your children. And it sounds as if you are simply accepting that this is the situation and all you can do is cry about it.

PP here have given you advice about taking some control of your finances, and contacting your teenaged children. They've also told you to seek out legal advice and perhaps, if you feel this is the end of your marriage, start divorce proceedings. It's up to you to decide what to do. But, honestly, there's no point in spending more time on MN arguing with us that you are absolutely blameless in all this and can do completely nothing to make it better. So unless you have a specific question that we can help you with, I'd advise you to leave this thread for a while and sort out your life.

Good luck.

toottoot3 · 27/07/2026 17:03

PrettyPickle · 27/07/2026 14:37

I admit the OP didn't present his situation well initially but are your seriously making out that its all him? His wife has a male friend she sees twice a week for a meal and she lied to her husband and this male friend went with her when she worked away from home twice and you think the problems are all his? That he shouldn't but boundaries in place or question the relationship? Get real, he has every right to be concerned.

No, but only communicating with him, so talking about him. We are only getting his escalating side, he's went from she has male friends to she's having an affair pretty adamantly and quickly. Obviously problems with communication within relationship and this is what I was leaning into, your not discussing or acknowledging birthdays it's weird, wife spending time with other guys doesn't sound good at all either, behaviour towards each other sounds very passive aggressive, ignoring/ showing preferences for others company that needs dealt with

TrishM80 · 27/07/2026 17:09

Some absolute cunts on this forum. If the OP came home to find his wife being pumped by her male "friend", they'd still probably blame him for it!

GreyBeeplus3 · 27/07/2026 17:38

@henryic

  1. Set up your own separate account; why you didn't in the first instance befuddles me
  2. He's not her "best friend" he's someone she's had her eye on, believe me
And I bet she laughs at you behind your back as she plays you for an idiot she can totally take advantage of to both him AND her friends I personally think that mediation won't work she's made her mind up and is telling/showing you that online isn't she? So get yourself financially sorted You'll still have to pay mortgage but don't be paying her rent for her And Don't bother with her if her grass lawn isn't as green as she thought it would be so she tries to get back with you Kids not their mother.
Campervanadventures · 27/07/2026 18:05

henryic · 27/07/2026 12:38

The issue was lies and secrecy!!

They work in different fields, there nothing loop then into discuss important work thing's at dinner in restaurant

She lied and told there was nothing, if there was nothing then why lie? You knows what I tried do everything keep this marriage

Everyone telling me it was my fault that my wife interested in another guy!!

Why has your written English deteriorated so much since your original post????? It makes following this thread so difficult

PrettyPickle · 27/07/2026 18:44

toottoot3 · 27/07/2026 17:03

No, but only communicating with him, so talking about him. We are only getting his escalating side, he's went from she has male friends to she's having an affair pretty adamantly and quickly. Obviously problems with communication within relationship and this is what I was leaning into, your not discussing or acknowledging birthdays it's weird, wife spending time with other guys doesn't sound good at all either, behaviour towards each other sounds very passive aggressive, ignoring/ showing preferences for others company that needs dealt with

But this is Mumsnet, you are only ever going to get one side, that is the point surely - getting an outsiders viewpoint?

Swipe left for the next trending thread