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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

Hell in paradise - what the f... would you do? Bit long.

92 replies

melonsmaygotobed · 07/04/2012 11:56

I brief, married to DH for 5 years, together for 7. 2 DC 3 and 4 YO. DH has had 'dalliances' in the past - 5 that I know of that range from joining inappropriate dating sites, porn use and snogging two women whilst drunk when out. He got a contract to work in Oz for 12 months so we decided I would leave my demanding job and we would take this amazing opportunity to live overseas and focus on the kids, the marriage and having a great time as a family.

Now I am not proud of this but I do snoop when his behaviour concerns me. For the last number of weeks he has been going for drinks after work - his job is extremely stressful here - and coming home at 8 ish 2 or 3 times a week. Drunk. He says he talks to clients and has to 'network'. I look at his work phone, to put my mind at rest, and each time there has been nothing to worry about (you can prob tell what's coming). But last Wednesday I found he had text a woman at work saying how he felt so relaxed in her company, had never felt this way before and that there was more than friendship. Ended with a X.

I confronted him immediately. He said that yes, it was was becoming more than a working relationship, and that's why he wanted to go back to the uk in May (sooner than I want but he said the job was really stressing him out).

So, despite doing all the cooking, cleaning, looking after the DC and having sex as much as his heart desires, he still lets this happen.

So my next move is... Stay here with him despite there being no trust for the sake of the 'family' (and I do love it here), or go back to the uk, house is still empty ready to move straight back in but kill him in the process as the kids are his life.

Oh bollocks.

OP posts:
Dozer · 16/04/2012 21:20

Why are you staying with him OP? he is a serial adulterer and not good to you. Who cares why he does it, you cannot fix him, he clearly doesn't want to change, the counselling sounds like bullshit.

And using things like liking Oz,and the DC,as an excuse?

Madness.

Dozer · 16/04/2012 21:21

He knows you will put up with it every time, and move across the world for him. Why would he change?

melonsmaygotobed · 17/04/2012 04:29

Interesting about the sex therapist. Have found an Australian escort agency website on his work phone. He has also disclosed that he and this ow had 'two kisses'. Feeling completely exhausted with all this crap at the moment. I think I've run out of emotion. Will go to counselling on thu again but, like last time, I will probably end up listening to DH and therapist talking about DH... I need to find some spark from somewhere, I feel like my face will crack if I smile. Any suggestions? X

OP posts:
WinkyWinkola · 17/04/2012 07:08

If he reads your thread on here or your emails then that's a deal breaker?

Op, this man is going to put you through the wringer again and again.

You've let him back far too easily anyway. It doesn't sound like to me he will ever put you or even your children first.

WinkyWinkola · 17/04/2012 07:13

Two kisses. Right. Hmm

You need to bin him.

whitelillies · 17/04/2012 08:18

Hi melons
I don't usually post on relationships but I couldn't read and not post.
What about getting some Individual councilling for you? While you come across as being strong and level headed and knowing what you 'should' do there s something stopping you making the big decisions. I understand it s a process and takes time and it s easier to read about a situation than to 'live' it but I wonder if you getting some individual counselling from a separate councillor might give you some space to sort your own head out and strength to think through what you really want. Especially as you re away from family and friends at the moment. Going to counselling sessions where dh takes over and it s all about him admitting indiscretions and that he s emotionally damaged and needs support- well whAt about you ..... What in you feels you can fix him? You mentioned in your first post about coming across the world and doing what he wanted and giving him as much sex as he wanted... Or something to that effect .... Why did you think that would work to fix your relationship?
I lived in aus for a few years - all you say about sunshine and attitude to life is true but you re also in the honeymoon period of it all Smile (Melbourne winters are no picnic). But it is a great place. Remember too you can go home when you want and from there sort your visas and work out and go back with the dc s sans dh - he doesn't have to be your ticket to paradise - you might pay a very high emotional price for your current one. I suppose there s always options and I m just trying to let you see that there s a possibility that with less interaction with friends that know you and family etc and your main interaction being with dh and in counselling you might not get to see it all.
Sorry I m not very good at this but hope what s right for you works out

melonsmaygotobed · 17/04/2012 08:49

Thanks whitelillies. That's really interesting. I always think I'm strong enough to deal with things on my own, but I think you're right - maybe if I was 'stronger', I would have stopped this marriage some time ago. Which is a very different kind of strength to dealing with stuff after it's happened.

And yes Winky. That and the reason for having the website on his phone... Someone must have borrowed it (I laugh), or maybe he logged on when on the train after a night out. (laugh again) and he has never even met an escort.

All very vague and completely straw-clutching. Oh I forgot, the straws went years ago.

Enough of the metaphors. I need a Wine

OP posts:
melonsmaygotobed · 17/04/2012 08:58

I do find it difficult to deal with, not being able to talk to friends who know him. We communicate via email / facebook but it's not the same.

OP posts:
Mindy99 · 17/04/2012 11:07

There's a song for men like DH "Jar of hearts". I know you said you were married before. Was he?

melonsmaygotobed · 17/04/2012 14:21

I am no longer posting on this thread. Changing to Separated/Divorced one. 100% there. And I feel Smile for doing it. Thank you all for all your messages. I know the journey will be hard, but damn less difficult than staying with my prick of a husband.

God I feel liberated!

Here's to the future Wine

X

OP posts:
Mindy99 · 17/04/2012 18:20

Sorry to hear that. The counsellor was good then! :(

AnyFucker · 17/04/2012 19:30

Good luck, melons. I think you are making the right decision. A serial adulterer who can't even be bovved to cover his tracks will destroy you in the end. Save yourself. x

Dozer · 17/04/2012 19:33

Am glad Wine

melonsmaygotobed · 18/04/2012 05:49

Mindy, it wasn't the counsellor. We may still see her separately. God knows he could do with some, and it will help him to be a better father and exh in the future. I've never had counselling but it may help me resolve issues around why I hadn't the courage or conviction to end it sooner.

OP posts:
melonsmaygotobed · 18/04/2012 05:57

Ha ha just remembering what she said in the meeting, when DH was talking about his 'dalliances'...

'Five indiscretions. Wow. That's quite a lot....'

Grin
OP posts:
Mindy99 · 18/04/2012 08:18

Hello Mrs Melons,

Hence the reason to a sex therapist. People can be addicted to all sorts, drink, drugs, cigarettes, sex, anything that blocks out what's really bothering them. I know I have been out with men like that. Maybe he's depressed? Just don't blame yourself x

Mindy99 · 18/04/2012 13:28

oh I forgot to say... we are supposed to go with our 'gut feel'. I'm sure I've ignored mine a few times in the past feeling sorry for these men who have 'issues' with women or themselves only for it to smack me right in the face at some point..... So do what's right for you and your DC. There's only so much help and advice you give people if they don't want to listen/change. According to the book I have just read 'troubled souls' will be 'judged' on how they have treated people in their life and will get sent back to 'learn their lessons' all over again if they don't learn any in this lifetime. All the best x

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