Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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 says he will give up work so he gets custody of the children with his affair partner

391 replies

Onmyownwith4kids · 31/03/2014 17:10

I've posted on here at a time when my husband was trying to come back to me after I discovered his affair. He'd introduced his other woman to his mother and had also lived with her family while saying he loved me not her and wanted to come back. He then moved out of her family home and begged me to rebuild the marriage. He said I was the love of his life and he'd made a massive mistake. I agreed but something told me he was still seeing her. I didn't let him home he's been living with his mum so has had ample chance to carry on his affair. Today I discovered his affair has continued so told him there is no option now other than divorce. That's when it got nasty. He says he will stop working so I have to pay him maintenace and will also fight for custody of the children so he can bring them up with his other girlfriend. We had a legal deed of separation drawn up where he agreed how he would only take 10000 of the house as it had been me that paid for it all and mine when we met..I'm bewside myself. I'm seeing a solicitor tomorrow but so upset that someone who's already treated me so badly could now try and take my children and my home. Does he have any chance?

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 22/04/2014 06:30

LOL at the Celtic words in the tattoos. I speak Irish and if I had a farm I would bet it all on the 'Celtic words' being misspelled and nonsensical...

You are dealing with a narcissist.

Your only way forward is to completely ignore him.
He will go nuts from your indifference.
What he can't stand is for anyone to drop out of his orbit. All those texts, etc., are designed to provoke you, keep you dangling, and keep you as a satellite of him.
Ignore, ignore, ignore, ignore, ignore, and then ignore some more.

Proceed to court. You may even get costs awarded. He will not be allowed to thumb his nose at the judge.
He is acting right now as if he can make up the rules and you have to obey them. Going to court would be a fitting comeuppance. It is sometimes a real shock to a narcissist to find there is an authority higher than them.

If mediation is suggested, REFUSE. That would be the road to insanity.

Get him on an every other weekend schedule with the children.
Go through your calendar and for every single holiday, decide who will have the children those days -- Easter, Christmas, Christmas Eve to 6 pm, various Bank holidays, New Years Eve, New Years Day. You have them on Mother's Day always and he has them on Father's Day always.

What are you going to do on the DCs' birthdays (I recommend they have a celebration meal in a restaurant with only parents present, or have a birthday party with other children, at a venue, and whoever has them on that day pays for the event).

Events and activities the children do on weekends will both parents be equally obliged to facilitate the DCs' social life on weekends when they are at one or other home? For instance, DS gets invited to a party that will take place on a weekend when exH has the DCs you want DS to be able to go and you want exH to take him. You get the invitation at your home -- do you forward it to exH or rsvp yourself? I recommend forwarding it but I also recommend he being obliged in a parenting agreement to put the children's social lives and other weekend activities like ballet, football, etc., ahead of lazing in bed or anything else he may have planned even if that means he doesn't get to drool all over the GF all weekend every weekend.

What about school holidays? How will you divide up parenting time or childcare expenses for school holidays? What about a summer holiday time when each parent can take the children for a holiday and if you want this, how long? What about permission to take them abroad?

Grandparents are they ever to be in the sole charge of any grandparent? If yes, for how long? How about finding alternative caregivers when they are in your care or his do you want you or him to have 'first refusal' or could he, for instance, dump the DCs with the GF if and when her charms begin to fade and he starts another affair.... Think about this one (remember, sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander, sadly).

Medical care -- who can make a decision about emergency care that may be needed? What about routine care? Are the children to be packed off for a weekend or holiday if they are ill? What is the definition of 'ill'?

Are the children to have a set or two of clothes at the home of the non-res parent so that the other parent won't have to pack suitcases for 4 DCs every other weekend? The other parent should buy the clothing (underwear, change of clothes for Sat and Sun, pajamas, socks, etc) and be responsible for laundry and replacing when the clothes get too small.

Who will pay for items like dancewear, swim lesson suits, gymnastics wear, football kit, school uniform and school shoes? These can be expensive.

If he can't make it some weekends (you can expect this to happen as he will tire of the responsibility and the GF will also get fed up of childcare and having her weekends filled with cooking, etc.,and also because he will want to mess with your mind, see if he can get a rise out of you) -- are you supposed to rearrange and throw your plans out of whack? I recommend if he can't make a weekend or other arranged parenting time he forfeits. That way you avoid communication and the danger of being dragged into upsetting negotiations and tiresome back and forth with him.

Dispute resolution -- you need to name a mediator who will try to help resolve disputes that arise once the agreement is up and running. There needs to be a proper procedure, and if costs are involved, they need to be equally shared by both parties. This will discourage frivolous complaints. 'Family Mediation' can help. There is a UK association..

You need to also secure the right to move wherever you want with them within the UK.

mathanxiety · 22/04/2014 06:37

You are going through a grieving process here -- grieving for the dream you had and the life you hoped for both for yourself and for your children.

It is such a horrible thing to do, and there is all the sheer nastiness and the feeling you are being constantly kicked in the teeth, on top of the grief.

Just quietly file all the texts, ask him to put in writing his professions of undying love for you, and keep your eyes on the prize. The prize is children who know who they can rely on, who is truly there for them, who is the strong and brave one (and who is the pondscum). Children can see it all very clearly. Take heart.

Take it one day at a time. You will look around one day and their faces will be smiling back at you and it will be the best feeling in the world.

xxx

livingzuid · 22/04/2014 06:43

Wow OP I just read all of this and am in awe of your strength. Your X is delusional and you are so well out of it.

Kids are resilient and much more adaptable then we sometimes give them credit for. With love and support from you they will be fine and your 12 yo can decide already the type of relationship he wants with his father. The suggestion of counselling was a great one and more structured access agreed by court will provide them and you with greater stability.

If he persists in being such a dick - then let the courts sort it all out. You shouldn't have to engage in his manipulation any further.

I just had one thought on your worry over legal fees and going to court over all of this. I wish I had done so with my ex as it ended up costing so much more financially as I was so desperate to have him out of my life. I ended up taking on around 25k worth of debt just to be free of him. Not saying this will happen to you but in the interest of investing (and it is an investment in your future happiness!) a few thousand now on legal and court fees to sort the divorce, finances and access out once and for all provides you with the means to rebuild your life. CSA, house and any other maintenance he needs to provide you with the children will bring you great peace of mind. Money is not everything but financial security for you and your children will be one less stress for you :) and as for being divorced - it is the best feeling ever to get that decree absolute through the door. I actually did a little victory dance. Closure is a powerful thing.

I'm currently pg and have terrible hypermesis. There's a saying on our thread that seems apt here - 'this too shall pass'. And yes, I just compared your X to extreme vomiting and I make no apologies for it Grin You are doing an amazing and your children are blessed to have a supportive mother such as you.

DustBunnyFarmer · 22/04/2014 07:07

It's normal to grieve in these circumstances and the middle of the night is quiet time when the thoughts can really gain some traction. Just be kind to yourself and take it slowly.

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 22/04/2014 08:00

My 4 year old announced to his father 'you're not in our family anymore'

Out of the mouths of babes!

We have a twirly chair OP, all it needs is a white cat like Blofeld had in the James Bond films - we call it our chair of world domination. Very restful. Do get one.

As for the father of your DCs, well you are entitled to grieve, he has let you all down, how did he turn out to be such a treacherous windbag. Dear me.

Am envisaging a Freddie Mercury moustache and a ten-years-too-late celtic tattoo, what a sad creature. You otoh are to be applauded, you're doing fantastically.

Onmyownwith4kids · 24/04/2014 15:18

Some of your comments have made me laugh at a time when I'm so low so thankyou..I've just had an awful time with him..He came over as usual for the kids while I'm working today..Started off all mournful.."I miss you so much" says it's awful living at his mum's but he's not sure if he wants to move in with his girlfriend. Then he says he wants her to meet the children as soon as possible. I said that given he was begging to come back just a couple of weeks ago and telling me he doesn't love her I'd rather wait until their relationship is definitely going to last as it's going to be traumatic for the children and I'd rather they were only introduced when their relationship was definitely secure. He got REALLY nasty, "She's lovely, they'll love her, you're just jealous, she has a right to meet MY children, this is all about you. You're using the children to get at her. " Am I being unfair..I just want the children kept out of this awful and stressful situation as much as possible..Yes I am jealous, yes I hate the idea of her being anywhere near them. I admit that but I accept it will happen and I will have to deal with it. I just don't think it's appropriate at this stage when it's unclear to me if their relationship will even last.

OP posts:
DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 24/04/2014 15:30

Say you say no, absolutely no introduction to a gf!
What are the chances he will listen?

A MNer experienced in this will advise but I am guessing that if you prepare the DCs, in a sort of offhand, "Btw Dad has made some new friends, I don't know their names but if he lets you meet them then that's all right isn't it," if she is known to your MIL she may well 'drop by' any time he has the DCs.

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 24/04/2014 15:32

Just thinking if you make it sound very unremarkable and casual they won't be completely surprised to see their father with the OW.

PrincessBabyCat · 24/04/2014 16:02

I wouldn't worry. He had an affair and he's staying with his mom. That alone is going to hurt him. If he had a mental break down you could always use that in court against him as an unstable parent.

But really, you want to do what's best for your kids. Their father might be a jerk, but it's important to have both parents in their life.

Onmyownwith4kids · 24/04/2014 17:09

I know I'm going to have to let them get on with it. I just hope the children will deal with it OK..Last time he asked if they wanted to meet her the oldest burst into tears (youngest too young to really understand) I think what I'm struggling with is this woman who has wreaked such devastation has any kind of "rights" to see my children..It was hard as well listening to her being described as lovely, it just made me feel so inadequate as if she was in some way better than me. It's so difficult to accept that through the children she is going to have to be part of my life but I'll have to get on with it

OP posts:
DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 24/04/2014 17:19

The only possible thought that I can offer is the gf will have ex and all his repulsive habits so from the bottom of my heart I hope you find the strength to think after the way he's treated you, she's welcome to him.

tipsytrifle · 24/04/2014 18:24

You describe all those feelings but you know, they will fade. Jealousy, loss, fury, all of it will slip away from you with time. The gf is like a fly stuck to paper. She has no "rights" at all ... only consequences of action. Stick to the casual "btw you might meet ..." approach mentioned above and truly, try to let it go as much as you can.

You are fantastic!

mathanxiety · 24/04/2014 18:25

She doesn't have any 'right' to see your children.

Every decision made here has to be in the best interests of the children, and the 'rights' of adults (including the H and even you, but especially the girlfriend) are non-existent. In other words, she has as much right to see them as his old school friends or his drinking buddies.

Hold firm on the girlfriend thing. You can refuse to let him have the children outside the house for a visit. Make him fight you for this. There is no court order as yet that you are violating, everything is an ad hoc arrangement. Fold your arms and be prepared for him to fight. All you have to do is sit tight and insist he visits in the family home and without the GF. That way, you can't be accused of keeping the children from their father or using them to manipulate him in this new relationship (i.e. trying to break them up and get him back). Allowing visitation shows that you recognise and accept the separation and upcoming divorce and are easing the children into the new situation in good faith and working towards a future visitation schedule. You can tell him this and tell him you expect him to ease the children into the new arrangement too because it is in the best interests of the children to do this gradually.

If he fights hard, insists on the GF seeing them or refuses contact except on his own terms then you can portray him as unreasonable and only concerned with getting his own life on some sort of new track as fast as possible regardless of the impact of such a sudden change on the children. It is not unreasonable for you to think this is too much too fast wrt the GF, especially given the reaction of the oldest.

FoolishFay · 24/04/2014 18:48

I've said on another thread that my DH and I separated for a while last year but are now reconciled. We have a 6 year old DD. After getting a flat on his own for a few weeks, he moved in very suddenly, 4 days after a serious heart attack with someone he had only known a few weeks. She was a pleasant enough person but I was confident it would not be a long term situation. He saw our DD regularly but I wouldn't let her stay overnight for that reason. He was very cross but I felt it would be very unsettling for our child.

I took advice from the corams children's charity who said, whilst there was no court order in place, I, as resident parent controlled access. They advised me to be reasonable, which I was, and I said I would discuss it in mediation. This gave me a huge amount of confidence to do what I thought was right for our child.

In fact, we never got to the point of mediation as we were able to sort out our own relationship and he moved back in, in due course.

Now he's more stable, he agreed I did the right thing as our DD never got very involved in his domestic arrangements and it was much easier for her to accept his return.

You're doing an amazing job but I would re-iterate that you should be confident that you are making the right access arrangements for your children, it's not about what suits HIM. Initially, I felt I should do it all his way, as that's what he'd asked for but as long as you're confident you can justify you are making the right decision for them - stick to your guns.

Onmyownwith4kids · 24/04/2014 19:01

I've decided that if he's going to introduce them to her then at least I have to be involved so that I can help them talk about it and understand her role in their father's life..The problem is he has sole control of them while I'm at work so will take them to see her regardless so I need to ensure I have some sort of impact..have just sent him this

I’m sorry I upset you earlier..Of course you must introduce the children to OW

we need to prepare them for it..I know you think this is all about me.I'’m just worried about the impact this will have on them..You were telling me recently you didn’t want to be with her, didn’t love her and it was all a mistake but if things have changed in the last couple of weeks and you now view her as a lifetime partner we need to make the children aware of how important she is in your life and they have to have a relationship with her

.When do you want to take them to see her..obviously it can’t be in my house that would be too much..Now you have someone in your life important enough to introduce the kids to it’s more urgent that ever to get this divorce done as soon as possible..I f you get the paperwork signed tonight I’ll drop it at the solicitors tomorrow morning

OP posts:
Vivacia · 24/04/2014 19:26

I think that's a good message.

You really are an amazing mum.

imip · 24/04/2014 19:37

Brilliant tying it in to getting papers signed and v unemotional.... Well done...

I imagine he'll hate that you are not hanging onto him Grin

Chunderella · 24/04/2014 21:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AcrossthePond55 · 24/04/2014 23:10

Very good email. Short & to the point with the children's welfare put first.

I did have a laugh at his saying (in one of your prior posts & I'm paraphrasing) "I miss you, I hate living at mum's, do you think I should move in with OW?". He truly doesn't know his arse from a hole in the ground, does he?

Onmyownwith4kids · 25/04/2014 00:05

He's just had a complete breakdown. " I never wanted any of this but you were never going to forgive me so I've got to make the best of it with her. I've ruined my life I don't want a divorce. " I asked him why he just didn't spend some time on his own. Why he has to be with someone he feels is his only option. He didn't answer. So sad my children will be drawn into this sorry saga.. And he still won't sign the papers

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 25/04/2014 00:17

Do you have any option besides the H for childcare in the afternoons?

Walkacrossthesand · 25/04/2014 00:23

What he's saying would make a smidgin of sense if, when the affair came to light and he realised he stood to lose you, he had dropped the OW, apologised to you, and done whatever was necessary to make amends and rebuild your relationship - but that's not what happened, is it? This is all about twisting and turning to blame you.

He can refuse to sign divorce papers all he likes - it will happen eventually with or without his consent. Hopefully he'll realise that before the 5 years required for 'no consent ' divorce is up...

livingzuid · 25/04/2014 04:40

Urgh when will the manipulation and the crocodile tears end? If I were you op I'd be getting bored with his histrionics by now. As walk says, he can say he doesn't want a divorce all he likes. You can just respond with what she said. It will happen either now or later down the line. But it will happen. He's not God to decree it to be anything different Confused

dunsborough · 25/04/2014 04:44

Oh my goodness. It is now abundantly clear that you are the only person in this situation behaving like an adult.
His recent breakdown has really cemented the fact that he is running on his emotions and not considering anyone but himself.
Therefore, follow your instincts. NO MATTER WHAT HE SAYS. Your instincts are correct because they are based on maturity and care for your children's well-being. His are totally self-centred.

DustBunnyFarmer · 25/04/2014 06:23

He's just had a complete breakdown. " I never wanted any of this but you were never going to forgive me so I've got to make the best of it with her.

Well boo bloody hoo for him. "I never wantedany of this" - shame he didn't think of that before he stuck his dick in OW AND then kept going back for more. I hope yoy are not taking on any of his upset and feeling responsible for him. He has been so frequently unkind and unthinking about your welfare through all of this, he doesn't deserve an atom of your sympathy, let alone an ounce. You have been so strong in this, especially lately when you've got your fight back. Keep on trucking, lovely, and leave him to his "breakdown" (manipulation).