Where does the love go?

[debtherat]

20 years of marriage, two DS and a Xmas revelation! My OH behaved badly at Xmas and NY - shouting at them, snapping at me and constantly wanting to be away from us; also like an addict with his mobile.

Anyway told me that he has met and developed a relationship over the past few months with work colleague - just strong emotional and spiritual not physical but they are/were both sexually interested. She called a stop to it because he is married with kids (so he says) - she has left his workplace but he still has number .. not sure about level of contact.

Says he would have left if she had not ended it (for reasons above).

He wants to take stock and consider options and nurse his lost love (seems genuinely upset). Options might be trial separation (being a single man again), living together separately and maybe working on relationship with me. He is very keen to minimise impact on DS.

I haven't slept properly for 3 nights, feel (emotionally) sick and weepy.

Feel like I am waiting for a) a change of heart from OW, b) OH to decide how to move forward...feels like I have no option but to wait and see - uncertainty is making me sick.

Anyone been here? What did you do? What was the outcome?

[Ledkr]

Oh come on deb! Get a grip. Sorry but would you advise a friend to carry on like this? You are wasting your life and setting a terrible example to your kids (they will know)
Can you seriously say you are happier like this than making a clean break and giving happiness a chance.
I was in a similar situation and for the few days I thought it might work I felt dreadful. As soon as I decided enough was enough I felt bloody terrific.
NB If you'd have kicked him out when all this began you'd be feeling much better now and been on the way to making your new life.
I met the love if my life less than two years after I'd got rid of the cheater I was 39 with 4 kids.
Never say never op.
take some control find your dignity, got to be better than this limbo surely?

[CleopatrasAsp]

Seriously, why have you got such low self-esteem? This is the most depressing thread I've ever read on Mumsnet. You could have chucked this loser out and lost a stone or two in the time that's passed since his revelation. Instead you've mooned around after this fuckwit, washing his pants and letting him have pity sex with you or worse use you for sex because he has no other options. Have some self-respect! What example are you setting your two sons about women and relationships?

[JustinBsMum]

Just want to say (and possibly add to your worries OP) that I came from a dysfunctional family and, really, DCs are aware things aren't right. They know DM is unhappy, they probably worry in bed at night about the future, but until the adults in their lives open up they are alone with their fears.
Imo explain to DCs 'mummy and daddy don't love each other any more and ......' whatever ' but we both will always love you and look after you' .'If you have any questions you want to ask feel free to ask and we will answer as we don't want you to worry'. 'Daddy and mummy are working on sorting out their disagreement and will let you know what we decide'.

I also have to say that your DH sounds hard-hearted and cruel to stand by whilst his DW loses sleep, weight and now hair due to the stress he is causing whilst he leads his selfish life.

And the DCs won't be taken in by being bought stuff - they will be suspicious and more confused.

Sorry, meant to be reasonable and helpful but I am getting so angry at how he behaves, messing up you and dcs.

[JustinBsMum]

Can I also say that you should look into what life would be like on your own by speaking to a solicitor. The fear of life on your own is probably much worse than the reality. Once you know the reality you can make sensible decisions.
I went through a bad patch with DH but after finding on mn that I was entitled to half of everything if we split, despite DCs left home, it changed me from angry and helpless (as I felt I was trapped) to confident and able, cos I knew if the worst happened I'd survive.

We are still together and ok.

[sassy34264]

Just read this thread in it's entirity for the 1 st time.

God, it was emotional. Mostly anger (at him) and disbelief (at you)

No valentines, no easter egg- and you seem shocked.

I don't like to be blunt, but i think you need it.

He doesn't love you. He doesn't even like you. He doesn't even bother to go through the motions with no meaning attached to placate you.

He just doesn't give 2 shits about you. AT. ALL.

When is your birthday? Don't expect anything.

He's probably majorally depressed that he's still stuck with you, when he wanted the excitement of affairs, 1st sex etc.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

Wasting your life?
Hoping he will love you again?

Where are you? Can someone not pick your self esteem up and give you a bit of dignity back?

I can't believe you are letting him treat you this way?

WHY? WHY? WHY?

It's madness.

[sassy34264]

Sorry it reads back quite cruel, and i hate that.

But it is meant as a short sharp shock to get you to do something......anything, than just passively go through life.

You are worth more and deserve more. We think so and we don't even know you.

[Dahlen]

I think you're making a huge mistake allowing him to stay. It's entirely up to you and your H whether or not you move past this and save your marriage. But it will never happen if you allow him to stay. He has to face consequences so that the next time he is 'tempted' he immediately considers what he has to lose and stops in his tracks.

As an aside, rapid weight loss and hair loss are fairly indicative of a thyroid problem, as well as stress (although stress can trigger a thyroid problem too), so please get yourself checked out by a Dr as well.

[goodenuffmum]

Deb I didn't post when you started your thread because I was so sure you would kick him out..

I am so sad that a few months down the line you seem stuck physically and emotionally.

My H advised me in October that he didn't love me anymore. I was paralysed and couldn't gather the courage together to kick him out. At that time the only shred of respect I had left prevented me from begging him to stay.

Christmas and New Year was horrendous

But something changed in me in January. I don't know if it was the counselling or that I kept reminding myself that he didnt love me (and deep down I knew you can't go back from that)... So at the start of February I gave him to the end of the month to go.

And he did.

It took 4 months, but I got there

I had all the fears that you have and do you know what, not 1 of them came true.

It is now 6 weeks since he left and I am on the road to recovery. So are my DC.

I an getting some self respect and learning about boundaries

He meanwhile is living with his elderly parents and looks miserable!

99% of my mn replies at the time advised me to kick him out. I know that I would be further on in my recovery if I had done it then, but I had to work with the courage I had at the time and that only ran as far has giving me the dignity to let him go.

Good luck deb

[debtherat]

Time for an update from me probably. The best of all this is that I am now functioning well mainly (although sleep is still often a problem). We are having relationship counselling which is going ok but still feel lot of focus on me - what I was doing wrong in the relationship but time will allow us to explore all of the issues I hope. Had an interesting one to one with relate last week when I raised some other issues noticed more or found out since - my OH's checking out other women in front of me (always younger) and a cheat book friend from overseas who messaged him in our shared email at bank holiday asking about how things were with OW and if he still liked "messing around" with her as well?!!! Had massive argument - he refused to show me any text messages "just chatting, nothing in it" but showed me email to her saying goodbye/unfriended. Says there is nothing else and he wants to behave properly but I need to help him... Basically means be nice to him, don't make him feel too bad - could be code for forgiveness which is hard when I received so much personal criticism from him (messy house, don't spend enough on self, too kind/left wing) - all said in anger and backtracked mainly since but hard to forget such character assassination from someone who was your best friend. And it hurts that this follows the "script".

[Bowlersarm]

Hey deb I wasn't on MN when you originally posted.

My main thoughts are that it is all about him and nothing about you. Don't play second fiddle in all this, and let him run rings around you.

Fight by all means but not at your own expense.

[Jengnr]

Six months Deb. this has been going on for six months.

It's not working, you tried.

Kick him out.

[TheOwlService]

Sounds a bit like flogging a dead horse (sorry).

[SnookyPooky]

Dear God. Depressing reading. So nearly six months on and no better. Deb, if I lived in UK I would be coming round to your house to boot him out myself.

[BonaDrag]

He's fucking you up.

[Clayhanger]

Deb, sorry but this is what the rest of your life will be like. I read this thread through just now in one go and I'm not sure why you are still posting. He won't change, and your passivity and misplaced hopefulness will never force the situation.

I wish you well but you have clearly not listened to anyone on this thread- so please don't be surprised that your H hasn't miraculously changed. This is the way it will be.