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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

DH has done something stupid

19 replies

BeckyBendyLegs · 10/09/2012 06:58

I'm sure this subject has been covered loads of times and I feel such a cliche, the whole thing is such a cliche. Thanks for reading! I tried to change my name but I don't know how to do it so I hope nobody recognises me because stupidly I want to protect DH. We have a mutual friend, who is a cousin of my niece, she has mental health problems, fairly huge ones. She's in her twenties (I am 40). I have been helping her via facebook messanging a lot because I've had some mental health issues too after DS3 was born, and as a result we became quite good friends. She wanted to move to our town (she lives 15 mins away) and I was going to help her. I found out last night that she has been messanging DH a lot. DH had left his iPad in the children's bedroom and it pinged and her name came up. So I looked, and I looked, and looked back and back. They had obviously become friends too, he had been 'helping' her too, and by the content of the messagers they had become more than good friends. I felt utterly sick of course. So last night we had a hellish evening. I've hardly slept. Basically, they've only met up once, when I was camping three weeks ago with our three children. They didn't do the deed but bad enough and he stayed the night. DH is utterly remorseful and says he was just flattered and doesn't fancy her at all. He says he doesn't understand what has happened, claiming he's never done anything like this before (I do believe him - out of the two of us if anyone was likely to do something like this I would have put my money on me, not him). He won't leave the house because he says if he does he is terrified I won't want him back. I am utterly confused. I want him to go, at least for a few days so I can think. He's gone to work now. He's never done this before. Our twelve year anniversary is next week. We were supposed to be going abroad. I can't tell my friends, as they all know him too and I don't know what to do. I feel pressured into forgiving him for the sake of the three children. I come from a broken family, it was hell. But equally, I feel utterly betrayed. I have no experience of this sort of thing, except seeing it happen on Eastenders and Jeremy Kyle.

OP posts:
MadAboutHotChoc · 10/09/2012 07:05

So sorry - what a huge shock it must be realising that the man you married has targeted a very vulnerable young woman in this way.

He needs to go to give you the space you are asking for. Refusal to do so is very selfish.

Of course he is remorseful - because he got caught and no doubt things would have continued if he hadn't been caught.

Please remember that none of this is your fault - he made these choices and he is the one who has put his own needs before those of his children.

mummytime · 10/09/2012 07:07

Okay two issues:
He has had at least an emotional affair.
He has done this with a vulnerable woman.

Personally I would tell him if he doesn't go and give you space to think, he is destroying what is left of your feelings for him. Also make it clear to him that he needs to win you back, not expect to sweep this under the carpet. (And let him work out how to do that?)

SavoyCabbage · 10/09/2012 07:11

So he has taken advantage of someone with mental health issues and he won't let you have time alone to come to terms with it.

Salbertina · 10/09/2012 07:12

Really sorry to hear this Sad feel for you.
Was in similar situation a few months ago tho (I believe) it hadn't gone as far.
Right, in my view YOU need him out for a few days at least- if he won't go then you go?? Hotel? Friends?
Dont worry about what people think, this happens all the time. Can you deejay your anniversary for 6 months? I can't imagine celebrating it right now! And counselling - for you- right now nay help you

Jemma1111 · 10/09/2012 07:14

If it were me I would probably call this so called 'friend' and see what she admits to .
You may be able to get a lot more out of her than your H is telling you, providing he hasn't warned her you know something first .

Salbertina · 10/09/2012 07:16

And just to reassure him moving out now is not next stop divorce courts, broken home!
As you say, you need him to go fir a few
Days so insist in it of go of change locks. Seriously, IMHO he will respect you more for it also and us therefore less likely to do this again. He needs to be shocked into realisation at what he's done, you need a break! Kids will be ok just try to keep it as low key as possible

Ohhelpohnoitsa · 10/09/2012 07:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Salbertina · 10/09/2012 07:17

Sorry meant to reassure YOU! Sod him right now!

cupcake78 · 10/09/2012 07:27

I'm really sorry you must be very confused and shocked. He's done a bad thing. It doesn't need to mean the end of everything if that's not what you want, from what youve said its a one off and he doesnt have form. But it does mean there is need for a change.

You need time and then you both need to communicate and he needs to be completely honest with you. It will take a lot of time, be kind to yourself and get the time you need to think about it as calmly as possible.

BeckyBendyLegs · 10/09/2012 07:29

Thanks everyone, wise words. I needed that. He's emailed me from the train and I've replied and explained that I need the space, so hopefully he will go for a few days today. This friend is not blameless by the way, her mental health issues are important but not an excuse for her behaviour. I've defriended her and just told her that she has betrayed my friendship and has hurt a lot of people and that this is it, no more contact. I wasn't too mean because I know she is vulnerable. I need to get the children up for school now, dry the tears.

OP posts:
Alurkatsoftplay · 10/09/2012 07:35

Sorry but how do you know they didn't have sex? You believe him?

EggInABap · 10/09/2012 07:53

Agree with Alurk 'we never slept together' hmmm that old chestnut! Why would he have stayed the night?

Salbertina · 10/09/2012 07:56

Well done so far. I think you should insist he goes though - not " hopefully" ie if he decides. You take control for all your sakes!

clam · 10/09/2012 08:06

Two adults slept in the same bed all night but didn't 'do the deed?' Hmm
Come on!

BeckyBendyLegs · 10/09/2012 08:07

I do believe him. He told me in fairly graphic detail what they did, because I asked. And I read the messages. I did say to him that sex is just sex in the end and that it was the emotional betrayal and the lying that was worse.

OP posts:
daiseehope · 10/09/2012 08:18

i'm really sorry but to be honest if my husband was cynical enough to do this with my "vulnerable friend" and attempt not to tell I think he would probably be capable about lying about the "deed".

Salbertina · 10/09/2012 08:25

I think Op needs to decide ...perfectly possible. But get some space from him so u can think- and he can also

Salbertina · 10/09/2012 19:05

How are u doing, Op? Must be v tricky right now. Hope u have some support? If not, MN here

BlackTieNTails · 10/09/2012 19:16

we all do out of character silly things from time to time and deeply regret them

i know i have, luckily my OH was strong enough to see through the stupidity :)

one mistake shouldnt be the end of an otherwise good and loving relationship

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