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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

I think my husband has left me.

393 replies

Ohbyethen · 31/12/2013 00:44

But I don't actually officially know. How pathetic does that sound?

I've nc for this and I don't know why, possibly because it makes it a little bit less real, less connected to me.

I have no one I'm able to talk to about this now and anyway sometimes you just need MN advice don't you? All the way up to starting the thread I just wanted you lot to tell me what to do, now I don't know what to write. Because I don't know what the fuck is going on.

A couple of things have made sense in retrospect but at the time (and we're talking this week, not months or years) I just thought it was work and christmas/family stress. He's been quiet a bit, not had a great appetite and not slept well, been perfectly polite but exactly that, polite, distant although not cold while I tried really hard to get talking - and I have wracked my brains trying to see what else I missed but I'm coming up with nothing.
He's been at his mother's a lot over Christmas for various reasons (and yes I know he was there, he's got no other indicators pointing to affairsville really, although nothing could surprise me anymore) only dropping into the house to get ready to go to work and lunch. I was worried and tried to get him to talk to me but he wouldn't. Friday he said he needed to clear his head and went for a drive, he was reasonable but not normal when he got back. I asked if he would take a break or at least go to the doctor, I thought his problems were down to exhaustion and told him I was really worried he was heading for bigger issues.
Yesterday he's at work all night, he gets home today and tells me he's got to go and see his mother but he's seeing a Dr in the evening - his friend, actually a Dr but a friend none the less, for a 'chat'- I backed off, just said if he wouldn't talk to me please talk to his mum, she loves him yadda yadda, I'm glad he's talking to his friend and I hope it will be helpful.
Hear nothing, text for news, he'll let me know.
Get a text ' x has said go back to mum's, chill out there away from work area and see how things are in the morning. Sorry.'
I was sceptical of the exact advice being reported but thought fuck it, if he has a break we can sort things out when he's got his head back.

So it should have ended there. This is the pathetic part, we share a computer, I went to log in to facebook and his sign in details were in the box, I always forget to check, looked back across and it said password incorrect. Thought balls I only changed it last week, saw it was his and the auto fill had put the usual one in - his password was changed at 9.15 this morning. Was a bit eh? but logged in to mine to see I have been unfriended. Now I don't set much store by fb but this is so random. He never uses the fucking thing, why go to the bother of that mid breakdown (which I had attributed this to initially)? If it was a friend I wouldn't think anything of it but unfriending your wife (not deactivating the account) when you don't use it seems a random point to make. I checked email accounts - we have our own but often share for stuff- all the passwords have been changed. Today.
I spent the day trying to work out all the things I could do to take the load off for him, try to help without really knowing the problem from him, concerned he's on the brink of working himself to death and I was in a bit of denial. Then that; it confirmed my gut feeling so I decided to pack a bag, send him to his mother's more permanently while we sort things out properly and try and shield the kids from any of this uncertainty with a work trip.
Text to tell him this, non-confrontationally, no reply. Found his wedding ring left in the bathroom and he doesn't take it off normally. Had a cry while packing his bag and now I'm just - ? -

Not 24 hours ago I would have said he is a decent, kind man, excellent father and we had a solid marriage. We discussed separation when we had pfb and we both said as amicably as possible - no mess, grown ups, with mediators if necessary. Even if he left me I would have laughed in the face of anyone that said he would leave the dc like that...which brings me back to him just having reached the end of his tether.
I'm sad, alone, am desperately worried about him and want to be with him but also have no idea if he has actually had a crisis and wasn't in fact a massive bastard that was too chicken shit to tell me to my face, I'm angry at him, furious really. And then just distraught because I love him and can't believe he would do this if he had a choice. Except he has, hasn't he?

OP posts:
HOMEQCRICH · 31/12/2013 08:36

The lack of contact unanswered calls etc is absolute torture. It happened to my friend and was far far worse than any break up that she had been through. I feel for you. X

HOMEQCRICH · 31/12/2013 08:39

Ooh bored what a terrible thing to suggest.
Inserts big grin smiley here (can't figure out from phone!)

nomorebooze · 31/12/2013 08:39

hope your doing ok OP? so sorry your going through this alone! just 1 question do you know for definite he's at his mums now ?????

Boredandfridgegazing · 31/12/2013 08:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

dramajustfollowsme · 31/12/2013 08:55

Hope you get some answers this morning.

ItsBiggerOnTheInside · 31/12/2013 09:05

More hugs from me. I remember very well how it feels when your DH starts behaving in a way that just does not make any sense. Like a stranger in a very familiar body Sad.

I'm sorry but the Facebook thing says to me that he is communicating with someone or people and he doesn't want you to know what it is (tagged into photos etc). That suggests an affair to me.

The practical advice here is good. Get some real life support ASAP to stop you thinking you are going bonkers. Keep posting here. We are always here and lots of us have been through this.

EirikurNoromaour · 31/12/2013 09:34

I'm sorry this is happening to you. What a coward he is being. I'm very sorry to say that it sounds like classic affair behaviour. He is using Facebook to communicate with her hence changing the email passwords. He has probably been at his mums but using that as an opportunity to communicate with her without you around. The distance, physically and emotionally, that he has created all yell cheating. I'm very sorry, he's behaving so badly. I hope it's not cheating but in any case his coldness and disappearing on you are barely forgiveable.

50shadesofmeh · 31/12/2013 10:31

I think its possible he isn't at his mums but has warned her he has left so she is feeling awkward and avoiding you. It all sounds too premeditated to be a mental health crisis and I think if you keep digging you will find evidence of another woman.
Hope you can stay strong during this it sounds like a living nightmare

Fairenuff · 31/12/2013 10:48

If he is not at his mum's and she doesn't know where he is, I agree with others who suggest reporting him as a missing, vulnerable adult. The police will speak to his mum too and she might be more forthcoming with them. If she genuinely doesn't know, they will look for him.

ohfourfoxache · 31/12/2013 11:06

Thinking of you x

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 31/12/2013 11:58

I'm so sorry, ohbyethen. What a cowardly and deceitful way for your husband to behave. I think that your MIL is not being very fair either; she could at least ring to you say, "He's here, he's ok but doesn't want to come how for now". That's not being disloyal to him but is at least being decent to you.

I know it probably doesn't feel like it right now but you do sound very strong from your posts, even with this tempest blowing your life in bits right now. Get your support from wherever you can. Your children are very lucky to have you as their mum.

MadAboutHotChoc · 31/12/2013 12:17

Agree he is showing all the classic signs of having an affair Sad

How awful to have left you hanging on like this. This man is not your friend anymore and will be so enthralled to OW that I would start taking control by taking steps to protect your finances.

pumpkinsweetie · 31/12/2013 12:31

So sorry for what you are going through op, hope you get some answers soon.

Shame your mil cannot have some decancy by atleast telling you he is there.

mumandboys123 · 31/12/2013 12:41

Just wanted to comment although I'm afraid I'm not going to give you much hope.

My ex walked out on me just over 5 years ago and sent me an e-mail to let me know he wouldn't be coming home. One of the first things he then did was block me on Facebook and change his passwords - like you, we knew each other's passwords and could access each other's accounts. His family never contacted me - and still haven't. I found out a couple of years in that he had told them that I was physically and mentally abusive to the point of actually raping him on a regular basis. So, I guess from their point of view, they have nothing to say to me! I only found out because my sister-in-law split up with my ex's brother so she suddenly had no loyalty to their family - it was an eye-opener, believe me! (And just to be clear, none of that is true!).

He denied he was having an affair for over 6 months. This was despite the fact he had moved in with her on day one and introduced the children at day eight and introduced his family within the first week (if sister in law is to be believed.) And frankly, things haven't improved over time. He still lies constantly to the point where I now generally get things right only by believing the opposite of what he says! He was a decent guy - and would today I am sure very much pride himself on being a 'nice guy' and a 'family man' and a 'good catch'. He has paid no maintenance at all (self employed), the other woman was hideous (used to slap our eldest child across the face) and he dragged me through court for residence of the children (he didn't win). At one point, he disappeared for about 18 months entirely. I have learnt to live with and so have the children and at some level, I just pity him 'cos he's made such a mess.

Assuming you are dealing with similar and not a genuine breakdown, I wish I could be more positive for you other than to say that you will get through this and you will come out the other end a better person for it. I have achieved a lot in the last few years - moved house, decorated, retrained as a teacher and now work full time. Our children have struggled and it's heartbreaking thinking about what should have been but it gets easier and you learn to live with the positives and deal with the negatives.

I will keep checking back at your thread and I have my fingers crossed that you have a positive outcome. Know that even if it is that he's left for someone else, you are not alone. Take care of yourself as best you can and be strong for your children. xxx

Iworrymyselftosleep · 31/12/2013 12:43

I hope you're getting some answers.

I'm thinking of you - good luck

AntoinetteCosway · 31/12/2013 12:53

God OP this is devastating. I hope you're finding some answers today.

citruslemon · 31/12/2013 13:17

I think it's highly immature of him and the MiL not to let you know where he is as you have kids. God forbid if the kids were ill or something happened they'd want/need to know. Obviously, he's not in the headspace to deal with that or think about it, but still....
Hope you're ok babe x

FloraSpreadableMacDonald · 31/12/2013 13:27

I oncereported my ex as missing to the police when he disappered 3 days. We had argued and he stormed out. He wasnt answering his phone and no friends or family knew where he was. The police were really helpful. He turned up, had stayed in a B&B but thought it ok not to contact us. He got reprimanded by the police!

FunnyFestiveTableRunner · 31/12/2013 14:42

How are you OP? Just read this and am Sad for you. I hope things are clearer for you today and you are getting answers.

Its0kToBeMe · 31/12/2013 14:47

I have been in your situation and my DH acted much the same. Appeared depressed, quiet,emotionally checked out of the relationship even withdrew affection from the children. He was having an affair of course. I made every excuse under the sun for him. Still do Sad

Hope you find some answers.

Josie314 · 31/12/2013 15:29

I don't have anything useful to say, but I am thinking of you, OP.

mammadiggingdeep · 31/12/2013 15:50

Just read the thread.

Op really hope you're ok. I agree this could be affair behaviour. If it is, protect yourself and try to keep your dignity.

Holding your hand and hoping for the best
X

LiesDamnLiesandSoggybiscuits · 31/12/2013 17:29

Thinking of you OP. Hope you at least have some answers today.

SugarMiceInTheRain · 31/12/2013 17:39

Thinking of you OP, and hope you will be able to get some answers very soon x

Buzzardbird · 31/12/2013 17:55

De-lurking just to say I hope you are ok Op.Thanks