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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

Husband having relationship?

109 replies

shelley72 · 26/08/2012 04:57

Can't believe I'm posting this but don't know what to do. think dh is having an online relationship. hour ago got up to see to dc and his phone beeped. He has been messaging a woman / girl. Apparently met on a game thing. He didn't want me to read messages but I made him show me what was there. Loads of stuff about day to day life, our kids, nothing about me. Nothing overtly sexual, but got undertones of a friendship/relationship.he says thy just chat about the game but clearly not.

I feel completely stupid, betrayed. No wonder he's permanently attached to his phone. Have been saying to him for a whilre that his game is becoming an addiction. Now I know why. I thought that everything was ok, even been talking about another baby. Has up til now been good husband works hard etc, good daddy. Didn't think he would have an affair.

I really am stupid aren't i. Don't know what to do next. Could it be innocent enough? Do I ask him ti stop ? Though he probably won't anyway. feel like he has a whole secret life. Not sure what to do

Sory for typing, on phone, up ages and havent stopped shaking yet

OP posts:
shelley72 · 26/08/2012 10:50

Posted too soon. Want him to stop the texts though, not sure how I would ensure that happened? I know he would just say can't I have female friends? Still can't get over that if ds hadn't woken up I still wouldn't know and would be carrying on regardless

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DontstepontheMomeRaths · 26/08/2012 10:55

I think perhaps a period of him letting you check his phone and showing you texts if they arrive, or switching it off overnight might help.

There are a lot of ideas in that book similar to the above.

And yes Countingto10's advice is spot on. starting to sound like a Sycophant Wink

Guiltypleasures001 · 26/08/2012 12:05

Hi Shelley

I know your post is essentualy about his gaming. phone friend etc, but to be honest reading between the lines, I think you have far bigger problems with him than that. You mention he talks to her more kindly than he does to you, that says a lot to me than the rest of your post.

The fact you have such low confidence and self esteem is also a factor, I wonder just how he really is in the relationship, regardless of what a fab father he appears to be. Take a breath love and then maybe you might want to post about what is really going on for you deep down.

all the best x

shelley72 · 26/08/2012 12:44

Well he has been good husband - provides, doesn't go out drinking etc, does fair share round house etc. I think its because he doesn't really talk to me like that , if I talk I'm going on or at work he doesn't have time. I don't feel equal anymore - that's me, not him. I am now at home with dcs so not working and that has been hard for me - even though I love the time with the children. He says I'm doing a valuable job. Just feel crap today tbh

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shelley72 · 26/08/2012 17:13

spent the day thinking about this, driving myself mad. What if the other messages had been worse, think its been going on a while. Not sure if I can trust him again so he can't want relationship with me still or he wouldn't have done this surely? How can he not see that's its wrong? I don't think I want to spilt, but I don't want him to ' get away with it' so he thinks that its ok to carry on. Because I don't think it is.

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theDudesmummy · 26/08/2012 17:18

I hate to say it, but besides everything else...a grown man playing computer games...I can't understand it and would never stay in a relationship with someone who did....
I would give him an ultimatum to stop the gaming.

LoveHandles88 · 26/08/2012 17:19

My h also plays some 'take over the world' game, on the iPad. I hadn't realised that it would involve chatting to/becoming friends with other people really. He left me a couple of weeks ago. My head is now whirring.
I hope that you're dh realises he's in the wrong (especially for trying to keep it secret from you) and that he suitably grovels.

clam · 26/08/2012 17:22

I'd lay bets on the fact that the other messages will have been deleted by the time you ask to see them.

Looksgoodingravy · 26/08/2012 17:26

Dp's texts to ow resulted in meet ups and more, the problem with texting or 'chatting' is that you can be whoever you want to be, there's almost a thrill to it and in dp case lots of ego massaging! We're still together after months of talking through it.

I think you've probably caught this in time, I do think however that your dh doesn't fully understand that he's crossed boundaries and this shows in his attitude towards you regardless of how you're feeling. Yes he hasn't met up with this person but it was something he kept hidden away from you. Maybe the Shirley Glass book Not 'Just Friends' could be something you'd consider reading with your dh, she discusses the crossing boundary issues.

Hope you can sort this out x

shelley72 · 26/08/2012 17:35

clam I have a feeling about that too. Love handles sorry to hear that. I didn't realise it would involve chatting either, have long said men his age shouldn't be playing games. I think there was more to the message I didn't get to see.

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therewearethen · 26/08/2012 17:39

Not kingdoms of bloody camelot is it!? My DP is obsessed with it! Started on the the computer, and we both played it and it had a chat thing on it, but now it's on the iphone and my DP is glued to it. I left for a weekend a while back because he'd get in from work, look at his phone, not speak to me for hours, have a bath, go back on phone and I felt like a single parent.

After I left he said he'd go on there less, it wasn't the game I had a problem with it was the fact he was talking to people in god knows where whilst I was sat in the same room just wanting some adult company after a day with DD.

Were the messages via the game or has he given her his number? I think giving his number is over stepping the mark by quite a bit, but even if he hasn't, the fact he was secretive means he's said stuff he doesn't want you to see or knew that you'd be upset with him talking to another woman. Either way he knew you wouldn't be happy and shouldn't be doing it.

I'd try the old 'it's her or me' and maybe if his excuse is you mumsnet, maybe you should both agree not to use phones/laptops on an evening or after a certain time?

shelley72 · 26/08/2012 17:47

Yes that's one of them! There is another too but can't remember. Its on I phone. the chat he said was on messenger - its there an I phone instant messenger? Even so he would have to give his number out? And that's it, after I've had day at home there its hardly a word for me - yet loads for others it seems.

I usually don't mumsnet at night, only if I'm being ignored. But no phones is a good rule to start. he was sending messages at 3 this morning though - no wonder he is always up in middle of night

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therewearethen · 26/08/2012 18:03

I'm not sure, DP has iphone (which I bought him Hmm) so not sure how they work to be honest. I do know that there's a messaging thing they use aside from the game but can't remember what it's called, I'll try and get info out of DP and let you know if it's of any help. If the messenger is the same as msn messenger on the computer then you just give your e-mail address, and if he gets rid of her off there, she'll still be ale to send messages via the game itself as far as I'm aware.

Maybe they find it more interesting to find out about people they don't know, after 8 yrs with DP there cant be many interesting conversations left to have but after a day of constant talking and questions from a 4 yr old I need a bit of adult conversation!

shelley72 · 26/08/2012 18:06

thank you, that will be helpful - going out of mind here

OP posts:
OneMoreChap · 26/08/2012 20:44

theDudesmummy Sun 26-Aug-12 17:18:19
I hate to say it, but besides everything else...a grown man playing computer games...I can't understand it and would never stay in a relationship with someone who did....

As you say, you can't understand it.
I play computer games (well, console games). I do it while DW is crafting of chatting to family, in the same room.

She doesn't seem too unhappy with that.

DontstepontheMomeRaths Sun 26-Aug-12 10:55:10
I think perhaps a period of him letting you check his phone and showing you texts if they arrive, or switching it off overnight might help.

It might. It might also emphasise how little she trusts him and lead to an unwanted denouement?

shelley72 · 26/08/2012 20:52

Well, at the moment I don't trust him. He has been texting another woman, in secret and keeping it all from me. Does he deserve my trust do you think? He's broken it. Not me.

OP posts:
DontstepontheMomeRaths · 26/08/2012 20:59

What is a denouement?

OneMoreChap · 26/08/2012 21:04

shelley72 Sun 26-Aug-12 20:52:11
Well, at the moment I don't trust him.

Fair go.
So where do you go next? Will he be able to do anything to regain your trust, permanently, or are you going to always having that nagging "I wonder if he..."

You saw what he said:
Loads of stuff about day to day life, our kids, nothing about me. Nothing overtly sexual, but got undertones of a friendship/relationship.

If you don't trust him despite all the other stuff:

provides, doesn't go out drinking etc, does fair share round house
says I'm doing a valuable job
works hard etc, good daddy

you don't have much real choice, do you?

When you say
He has been texting another woman, in secret and keeping it all from me. Does he deserve my trust do you think? He's broken it. Not me.

I think you have answered your own question.
When you get rid of him, I'm sure he'll continue to support the children appropriately.

I hope you find someone that you can trust eventually.

OneMoreChap · 26/08/2012 21:07

DontstepontheMomeRaths Sun 26-Aug-12 20:59:15
What is a denouement?
bit.ly/NPJyQ2

misscomanche · 26/08/2012 21:10

Sound to me like he's texting a friend. A lot of people have friends of the opposite sex, doesn't mean there's anything in it. Still, there are always people who will comment on it so maybe that's why he kept it quiet? All sounds good if you were considering another DC, OP.

shelley72 · 26/08/2012 21:19

Think that just makes me feel even worse tbh. How could he consider it with all this going on? I can't begin to say how stupid I feel. Have been up 18 hrs so I think tiredness isn't helping.
not sure how trust can be regained. an apology would be a start. got few things to get through in next week or so, will try and sort something after that.

OP posts:
OneMoreChap · 26/08/2012 21:25

You don't see how he could talk to another woman, you've been up for 18 hours...

Perhaps a reason why he didn't tell you, because you would react as you have?

Cut your - and his - losses.

DontstepontheMomeRaths · 26/08/2012 21:29

Can you order that book onto a kindle app on your iphone to read, or your kindle if you have one and start reading it tonight? It answers all these questions and is so helpful.

I think full transparency is the only way you'll begin to feel comfortable and start to trust him again at the moment.

If he helps you to feel more secure, then trust will grow again. He will need to show you evidence to begin with, this will help you to let go of this pervading sense of: is this just a friend or more, has he been unfaithful, has he been sending her texts that are more intimate? It won't be possible to take his word alone at this stage, as you already feel betrayed and that he wasn't being honest, so you now need evidence. Otherwise every time he stays up late or is on his computer, all you will think is: is he talking to her again?

These concerns of yours will not go away, if he tries to brush it all under the carpet. You won't forget them, unless he resolves to start acting differently.

When I was trying to work through things with my ExH after his affair, I honestly felt like I'd morphed from a relaxed trusting person, into a paranoid maniac. He actually added to my anxiety by not reassuring me. I couldn't let down my guard, until I felt safe from further betrayal. And it will probably be the same for you. Every time he behaves furtively with his phone or similar, any new found security you have will be shaken loose again. Unless he is prepared to be transparent and change his behaviour.

Trust has to be earned again, safety has to be established. This is not an overnight process. You cannot shift from betrayal to unquestioning trust in an instant. He needs to understand that. Also apologies and promises are not enough to rebuild trust; reassurance comes from observable change. He may think that you have a neurotic need to control his every move, which isn't true. Rather knowing what is really going on, is the only way you can begin to re-establish trust. Such as sharing his text messages, e-mail correspondence etc. Only after you maintain a pattern of accountability and safety for a number of months will you begin to relax again I suspect.

My ExH was very ambivalent to this idea and he also had great difficulty cutting off all contact with her. I ultimately discovered the affair had never ended in my case. He was very reluctant to expose secrets and reveal continuing contact, he also only provided piecemeal staggered disclosure of basic information, which really impaired the recovery process. I think he put off sharing everything with me as he thought the truth would only make things worse. Yes the distress caused by sharing would be painful but it would have been a short term reaction but the long term effect is that it would have healed the wounds. Perhaps he was afraid if he truly told me everything, there would have been this atmosphere of nasty accusations and emotional storms, I would have stayed calm. I needed to hear how the affair began, how it ended, what was said, the lies he told etc. So I could make sense of what had happened. But he kept giving me everything piecemeal, which was far harder; every time I thought I'd heard it all, I was retraumatized with additional horror stories. Hearing the whole truth earlier in this process would have helped the recovery and given me more peace. Until I took steps to grapple with shattered assumptions and construct a story about the affair that made sense to me, I was prone to obsessing until healing was complete.

If Your H is wise he will listen to you and be honest. It will help you move forward. If he doesn't, he will only fuel your anxieties and make things worse. He needs to realise that.

I know the above is heavily biased due to my experience from my ExH's infidelity and I know in your case it sounds like an emotional affair at most. But perhaps it will help you a little?

DontstepontheMomeRaths · 26/08/2012 21:31

I did google it but I still didn't quite grasp what you were saying. I think I'm too literal for my own good Smile

Sorry my post is massive. I didn't quite realise the size of it at posting.

shelley72 · 26/08/2012 21:31

Of course he talks to other women, our friends, colleagues. He doesn't see the need to keep that secret though...
And I know exactly how he would feel / what he would say if it was the other way round.

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