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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

After the infidelity - a new threat, or AIBU?

12 replies

DottyMonster · 04/11/2011 11:56

This is my changed name for posting in relationships. I last posted here about 5 months ago when I found out that DP had cheated - a one night stand, then she was here on business and they met up again. I told him we were over at that point, he asked me to think about it and give it time, and made a load of promises (some of which haven't been fulfilled, some have, some are getting there). As we have DS, I agreed to give it until Christmas.

The past 5 months have been very up and down. I haven't regained any kind of trust in him. But we have talked more, and we've had a bit of a laugh a few times, and even had a few attempts to resurrect our sex life. He is making an effort, although I think he could try harder. TBH I know that if it wasn't for DS, I'd be off.

Now, a new thing has cropped up. Recently an old girlfriend got in touch with DP. We're talking from around 30 years ago, when they had a relationship that lasted a few months. Apparently after they'd gone their separate ways they wrote to each other for a while, but then it died out until she turned up out of the blue via Friends Reunited. At first it was all fine, updating each other etc - she actually seems ok, and happily married. However, the emails have got more and more intense, and, I feel, inappropriate. I don't know why they're both spending so much time and energy on this weird online relationship - I suppose they're both remembering when they were young, indulging themselves, I don't know. I've asked DP to cool it - not to end contact completely, we both have a past, and I wouldn't ask him to stop seeing/being in touch with friends. But because of the fragile state of our relationship, I feel he could be using the emotional energy he's spending on this woman (and the emails are really quite intense, long, and frequent) on trying to mend the mess he's made.

He didn't mention she'd got in touch. I have access to his email, so that's how I found out (he knows I have the password). However, since I first asked him about it, they've both started using their work emails to keep in touch - her email address is shared with her husband. I've waited until DP has gone out so I can access recent items on his computer, and that's how I've seen the most recent emails.

He tells me she's not a threat. Ok, she's probably not, in the sense that he's not going to go off and shag her. Am I over-reacting here? I have never felt more paranoid than in the past months, so I'm not sure I trust my own judgement. I think he should be doing everything he can to help me get over his betrayal. He agreed he'd write to her and tell her that they should pull it back a bit, but of course he hasn't. I'm tempted to write to her myself. Sorry for a long ramble, but I'd like an outside view on it IYSWIM (if anyone has been arsed to read this far, and has time to reply!).

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WardrobeYeti · 04/11/2011 12:07

You are not being unreasonable. He sounds like he's entered a completely inappropriate relationship with her, online or not. You're five months on from an extremely damaging incident and, like you say, he's diverting his emotional energy and intense feelings into this woman he was once in a relationship with. You've asked him to do a number or things and he hasn't done any of them- not withdrawn in the slightest. That's completely disrespectful considering he is supposed to be making amends for being unfaithful and to me makes it sound like he isn't all that concerned about your feelings and perspective on this friendship. And that he prioritises it over you, the partner who he has a child with. And I think that's why you're so unhappy with it- because it shows just how little effort he's putting into saving your relationship and how he'd rather share himself with this woman rather than you. And your requests and what you want don't seem to register with him.

This is just my opinion, but I'd say that if they were able to meet up in real life they'd probably be taking it a lot further.

QuintessentialShadow · 04/11/2011 12:11

You are right on both accounts. It is inappropriate behaviour. His energies should be spent on rebuilding your relationship.

It would seem like he does not want to. You say you would be off like a shot if it wasnt for your child. Maybe he feels the same way?

Milehighprivateeye · 04/11/2011 12:14

I've been reading Not 'just friends' by Shirley Glass. It's recommended a lot on MN for those either in or affected by affairs and infidelity, including emotional/online. Even if you don't feel that your H has crossed the line (yet) this time, there are warning signs that he as well as you should deal with if either of you want to protect your marriage. I'd recommend reading the book to help you understand about where the line is with friendships and what are the danger signs as well as how/when to deal with it. I wish I'd read this book years ago then I wouldn't be in the mess I'm in at the moment!

tigermoll · 04/11/2011 12:20

I don't think you're overreacting at all. I think that, at a time when your dh should be doing everything he can to rebuild your trust and enjoyment in the r/ship, he is devoting time and energy to another woman. That is not ok.

It sounds like this online affair is intense and emotional for them both, and its V unreasonable of your partner to expect you to just be ok with it. Time to put your foot down.

DottyMonster · 04/11/2011 12:28

Thanks for the quick responses - all of you. WardrobeYeti - he has done some of the things he promised, he is doing some of them, some of them he isn't. (I'm not making excuses for him BTW - he is number one twunt in my eyes still!). Quint, this is the thing. I've told him we can split up, I've told him if he wants to screw around and pursue inappropriate friendships, then he can, but he's adamant he wants us to stay together. So you'd think he'd be doing everything he could to make that happen. Milehigh, I've been thinking about getting the Shirley Glass book. I think I will now.

Would it be unreasonable to email the exgf and tell her to back off? He hasn't told her about what a total shit he was the infidelity, I guess he wants her to see him in the best light.

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izzywhizzysgunpowderplot · 04/11/2011 12:38

IMO emailing the now allegedly happily married exgf smacks of desperation and will inevitably result in you losing your dignity which is never a good look to exhibit to strangers, even those you're unlikely to meet in person.

Tell him this new emotional involvement with another woman is a dealbreaker. Either he tones it down and invests his energies in repairing your relatonship or he moves out. No ifs, no buts.

QuintessentialShadow · 04/11/2011 13:02

Actions speaks loader than words, Dotty.

DottyMonster · 04/11/2011 13:15

Izzy, I think I want her to know that I know what's been going on, and, I don't know, maybe shame her a bit. That's a shit thing to do isn't it? Oh, and I wouldn't mind if her husband saw it as well. Indeed Quint - so perhaps I need to carry out some of the actions myself.

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notanotherstatistic · 04/11/2011 13:16

Sorry, too busy for longer reply, but no, you're not being unreasonable given your DPs recent history: sounds like the beginning of an EA. I'm surprised that he isn't being more understanding, frankly. I agree with Milehigh: read Not 'Just Friends', and like her also wish that I had read it years ago.

Milehighprivateeye · 04/11/2011 13:24

Izzy is right. Don't contact OW. It's degrading for you and gives your H something to use against you in arguments. If she's involved with him then she'll cover for him and make sure that they are both more secretive from now on. If she's not involved then she'll think the two of you are screwed up and your H will resent you for messing up his " innocent friendship".

ItsMeAndMyPuppyNow · 04/11/2011 13:42

The only person who should be asking exgf to back off is your husband.

DottyMonster · 04/11/2011 13:45

Milehigh, we ARE screwed up! I'm going to download Not Just Friends - that's my weekend reading sorted! Thanks again for the replies - good to know that I'm not BU/ totally paranoid x

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