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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

So, my 100% reliable, trustworthy, devoted DP has been having an affair....

428 replies

BornToFolk · 15/05/2012 21:54

I've been with my partner for 12 years. We have a 4.5 year old son. We both work full time and DS is at nursery. I had a call from nursery today to say that DS was unwell and could I pick him up. I phoned DP, got his voicemail and left a message to say I was leaving work to collect DS (he normally does it). Picked a slighly poorly DS up from nursery, got the bus home and walking down the road, spotted DP's car in the drive. Very odd, as he hadn't told me he was working from home/unwell. He'd gone to work as normal in the am and we'd been emailing about various domestic things all day.

The front door was locked, with the key inside so couldn't open it. This was very weird as DP doesn't leave his key in the door. I knocked and then went in the side way. Came through the kitchen to find DP coming down the stairs saying X (friend from work) was there "helping him" as he had a back back Hmm I get the feeling that this was more for DS's benefit than mine as I immediately clocked what was going on from the look on DP's face. He told DS that she was in the bathroom but going in a minute and then said to me "we'll talk when she's gone". I took DS into the living room to read a book and she came down and left without me or DS seeing her. We set DS up watching TV and went to another room to talk.

DP immediately owned up to having "an affair" - his words. However, it had only been the second time. First time about a month ago apparently. He said he was sorry but didn't seem particularly apologetic. In face he almost seemed angry with me. He didn't seem surprised or upset weirdly. We had a chat which got quite heated (mainly on my part, DP just took what I dished out) and then I told DP to leave, which he did.

As background, our relationship has not been the same since DS was born. Our sex life in particular has taken a back seat to everything else and our communication got really bad a few months ago. We had a big row a couple of months ago, followed by a big, honest conversation about how things weren't going as well as we'd like and agreed that we'd like to make the effort to make things work. Since then I've been happier. Actually, really quite happy. We've been making plans for the future, holidays and days out etc, all happy family stuff. It was my birthday last week and DP bought me some lovely presents and took me out for a nice dinner where we had lots of fun and conversation about things other than DS. Admittedly, our sex life still isn't great but it's been better and something that I thought we were both working on.

But apparently it's not been enough for DP. He admits he's been stupid and selfish and went looking for what he was not getting at home. He's been exactly the kind of man I thought he wasn't. I had no clue this had been going on. I would not have thought he could ever do this. I feel utterly betrayed, humilated, violated (in my own fucking bed, for fuck's sake! Practically in front of our child!), disgusted and basically like a total fucking mug

What makes me feel most mug-like is that I miss him! I still want this relationship to work. I love him, even though I am utterly furious with him.

The plan is that he's staying with a friend. He's going to pick DS up from nursery as usual, bring him back here and then we'll talk more once DS is in bed. We've spoken on the phone tonight and he agrees he's been a utter shit. He doesn't want a relationship with OW (FFS, I never thought I'd use the term "OW" about my DP, or my relationship Sad) but is not sure about a relationship with me. He loves me, loves DS beyond anything and loves our family and our home. But somehow he's scared of talking to me and telling me how he feels Hmm I laid my cards on the table and said that I was prepared to try and make things work but only if he really wanted to, was prepared to try as hard as I was, we'd get some couples counselling and he was to cut all contact with OW.

Am I being a total doormat? I am so furious with him and not ready to forgive yet but I do WANT to forgive. I don't want to break up my family over this. Can a relationship survive something like this?

I am doing OK, in general. My sister came over for moral support and to help with DS (who has been told that we've had a row and daddy has gone away for a few days, which has made me sad, hence the tears Sad) I am just wiped out emotionally now. DS is fine, recovered from whatever was wrong with him at nursery and has gone happily to bed without asking for daddy, which is a relief.

I just need some wise MNer advice. What the actual fuck do I do now?

OP posts:
ShowOfHands · 15/05/2012 22:00

I really don't know but I'm so, so sorry.

FatherDougalMcGuire · 15/05/2012 22:01

He doesn't want a relationship with OW (FFS, I never thought I'd use the term "OW" about my DP, or my relationship ) but is not sure about a relationship with me. He loves me, loves DS beyond anything and loves our family and our home. But somehow he's scared of talking to me and telling me how he feels.

Big red flag there, huge! You need to text him, tell him you don't want to talk tomorrow, that he has f*cked up hugely amd that now you need some time to think about what you want and what is best for you and your ds. If you make this too easy for him I get the feeling he'll walk all over you.

fuckingfuckingbastard · 15/05/2012 22:09

I'm so sorry you're going through this. In a similar situation myself. It's not going to work out for me, much as it breaks my heart to say. Every relationship is different though, only you can decide what you feel.

Do give yourself some time though to think about it (and make him sweat). A lot will depend on your dp's actions now, whether he can prove himself sorry. Mine didn't really bother which is a shame.

Also, I really hate to say but maybe make him get a sexual health check too? Hopefully it will hurt.

Xx

struwelpeter · 15/05/2012 22:11

Don't talk to him about anything until you've had time to digest all this shit. You need space, he can stew.
From what you said, he wants to behave like a naughty boy and have you forgive him like you would DS when he has been naughty.
It's not about punishment or forgiveness until you have had time and space to go through at least one cycle of grief for what he has destroyed.
Get him to do the childcare but not in the house.

1andAhalfWines · 15/05/2012 22:15

Huge hugs, what a horrible thing to happen. Could you still be in shock from this? I think you need to give yourself some space to think about what he has done and how you feel about it. I had no idea my STBExH was unhappy with me or was having an affair. He just came home one night and asked for a divorce. I loved him and didn?t want the relationship to end and sort of blocked out how hurtful he had been rather then looking at what he had done.

You need to ask can you trust this man? Is he acting as if he?s sorry? You guys were talking about making it work but he still went out and did this. It may work out for you two in the end but do give yourself some time.

BelieveInPink · 15/05/2012 22:16

I wouldn't like to say what to do either way, but I would suggest not meeting him tomorrow and instead having some space to get some clarity. You need to digest what's happened first, I think you're in shock TBH.

Awful for you, I'm really sorry is has happened to you.

ledkr · 15/05/2012 22:19

op your story is so like mine,he didnt seem to care much either,even seemed relieved to get caught. I was initially like you angry but then desperate to save things but after some time and thought decided that i was in fact better than that and ended it.I felt very good about it all and very relieved.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 15/05/2012 22:25

You've had a terrible shock and you need to take some time to work out how you really feel. Alone. Right now, for example, you're angry but prepared to forgive for the sake of keeping the ship afloat, maintaining what you thought you had, keeping your family together. He's sorry he's been found out and willing to make amends. So far so good but the harsh reality of practical forgiveness and taking a relationship forward from a crisis like this is incredibly difficult to achieve. You can't trust a word he says now and every time you look at him you'll feel slight revulsion. Whatever anyone says, that rarely goes away. So don't rush into anything or feel you have to decide quickly. Good luck and sorry this has happened to you.

tallwivglasses · 15/05/2012 22:30

However you feel, I think you need to thank God/the gods/fate that you found out now.

Do you wonder how long he would have deceived you? Lied? Made you feel like you were being paranoid?

My heart goes out to you. Even though you want this so desperately to work I would say back off. Give yourself space to digest this.

bibbitybobbitybunny · 15/05/2012 22:30

I am very sorry you are going through this Sad.

Wouldn't you say that you gave your relationship a bit of a shake up and put it in special measures after the big row a few months ago?

If so, your dh has not been making the sort of effort required to get over a seriously rough patch in a marriage (to say the least).

I would say if you decide to stay with him now then he is on his third chance, rather than his second chance, iyswim.

Lovingfreedom · 15/05/2012 22:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

rightchoice · 15/05/2012 22:33

He is 'not sure' about a relationship with you? Trust me he is sure, but hasn't got the nerve to just say what he really means. The OW in your own bed, in the daytime OMG he was taking some mighty leaps of faith that he would not get caught, or, perhaps he actually did want to get caught so that he could be 'thrown out' which is seemingly just what he wants. OW was a convenient exit route, he is no doubt somewhat relieved at some level as he does not have to agonise over how to tell you. He planned this.

PLEASE take control of your situation, don't beg him. You deserve much more that this. He has been planning this a long time and you have only just found out so you have to catch up and let this shock and its ripples settle whilst you decide on your options. The option to have back what you thought you had is non existant if he is 'not sure'. He is sure alright, very sure.

You need friends, kindness and comfort, shout, scream and yell all you like because you have just had the shock of your life. I am so sorry you had to experience this, in your own bed FFS. Hugs xx

tallwivglasses · 15/05/2012 22:36

I could never forgive that. Never.

I could try - but I'd never forget.

AnyFucker · 15/05/2012 22:40

I couldn't get past this, and tbh, I think you are making your mind up to forgive far too soon

if you go along this path, it will come back to bite you on the arse (in several different ways probably) a few weeks or months down the line

PooPooInMyToes · 15/05/2012 22:40

In your own bed!? Oh my god! How disrespectful! Would he have even washed the sheets? How disgusting! Angry

I think you are being way too forgiving way too soon. Especially as he has said that he's not sure he want a relationship with you. He'll have you begging next!

Im guessing its shock. So sorry this has happened to you.

thunksheadontable · 15/05/2012 22:41

Yesterday you thought everything was fine. Today your world has fallen apart. Take the advice on here, take time to digest.

Seeing him will be like a NEED, a compulsion, an itch you feel you have to scratch... but he has slept with another woman in your bed when you thought you were working on your marriage, and nothing is going to change that. Talking isn't the thing right now. Take the time. Don't give away your power or yourself.

PorkyandBess · 15/05/2012 22:44

I am sorry for you but why on earth would you even consider forgiving this?

I simply could not get past it - it would be the death knell for us.

AnyFucker · 15/05/2012 22:44

< quick hijack >

for the lurkers ... this is how the fella who "never gets the chance to cheat" manages to do it

and a myriad of other sneaky, underhand ways that you had never even thought of

MoaningMinnieRisesAgain · 15/05/2012 22:45

Oh god I'm so sorry.

Take some time to work out how you feel, let the shock wear off a bit before you make any decisions. The shock will be masking the anger and massive disappointment to start with I suspect.

I wouldn't be able to get past it I don't think. And how disrespectful to bring her into your home Sad

happyAvocado · 15/05/2012 22:46

I feel for you - but in a way at least you know most of the facts (well I assume as one would that it wasn't only twice...)

whatever happens - you need some counseling to understand what had happened that you stopped desiring him, be it broken nights, feeling of resentment him helping you or hormonal changes
I would not let him your life until you worked out why you don't feel the same about him as you used to

once you get that answer - and you are honest with yourself you will know what you want to do with your life

ask friends for help, take time off - now is the time to reflect what is it really you want

seeingstars · 15/05/2012 22:47

I'm so sorry Op, I really feel for you. This just shows this can happy to anyone. Sad I think you are being far too nice to the twunt. I would txt and say you'll be in touch, let him suffer and think about what you really want -- not just knee jerk reaction.

ivykaty44 · 15/05/2012 22:50

sorry but the nice birthday was through guilt - it was guilt presents, you are living a lie with this man.

If he isn't sure whether he wants to be with you - then do you really want to be with a man that isn't sure about you?

take you time and keep your mouth shut-let him do the talking.

he wants you to decide what happens - as most men don't like having to make a dessision

CogitoErgoSometimes · 15/05/2012 22:52

"you need some counseling to understand what had happened that you stopped desiring him"

Bollocks to that. He's the cheating shit and she's a faithful partner and mother of his child. The OP doesn't need to 'understand' herself in the slightest.

AnyFucker · 15/05/2012 22:58

yes, that was quite some victim-blaming going on there by happyAvacado

FashionEaster · 15/05/2012 22:58

The pit in stomach shock/disbelief is terrible. That feeling feels like it is going to last forever (it doesn't, it does fade). Am so sorry this has happened. You don't deserve it. [[[[[[[hugs]]]]]]]

I think intially survival mode kicks in and you reassure yourself it can all be salvaged, we can work it out, go back to how it was, we love each other enough, we have a little boy and our home and our lives...it's a terrible blip, but it will be testament to how strong our relationship is really if we can get over this...

But this isn't likely where your H's head is. In fact his reaction suggests not. And you can't save a marriage on your willpower alone, immense as it is. He has disengaged sufficiently from you, retold his life in his head, that has allowed him to form another relationship with someone else. And no, this isn't some grand noble love affair if it's been in your marital bed - she's an itch, to put it crudely, however H might gone on to dress it up. And yes, that certainly isn't right, and yes he's a twat for not realising what he has and jeopardising all that you hold dear. And he's not thinking 'oh shit I've been caught,' and throwing himself at your feet prostrate. There has to be a fair amount of selfish 'I have a right to do this' thinking for him to get this far.

Plus your other emotions are going to kick in soon - rage, bewilderment, and a realisation of how far he must have betrayed you. And you are already questioning do you even know this man?

Personally, I'd get as much RL support as you can. Tell people who you think ought to know (don't be embarrassed, he's the twat, not you) who are going to help you or take the shine off his affair.

There are practical things you can do, if it helps, but at the beginning, it so overwhelming, just try to eat, get support in RL if available, and post on MN. MN were a tower of strength.

xx

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