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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

Affair - not sure how to cope part 2

954 replies

OpheliaRose · 23/04/2015 08:58

In my previous thread I found out my husband was having an affair with a girl from work and has decided to leave me for her.

My previous thread is here for anyone who would like to se ether full details Old Thread

OP posts:
magoria · 28/04/2015 08:24

Oh definitely don't engage.

Just vent on here.

Dumdedumdedum · 28/04/2015 08:58

Ledkr Was about to say the same, about picking a scab.

OpheliaRose I understand how difficult it is to stop, but it will be so much better for you and your peace of mind if you block him from FB. Good luck at the solicitor today, did you get your list sorted to your and your dad's satisfaction? About access, and the OW, please see what SHL advises on this before deciding how you want to handle it. And keep reminding yourself, he is not the boss of you. It is your decision now, not his.

Sending good thoughts and much strength your way. Congratulations on getting this far :)

loveyoutothemoon · 28/04/2015 09:21

I left my husband 3 years ago, like you I worried how I'd cope on my own. Ever since the split though I manage much better on my own, and wonder why I ever worried. You're hurting now, but it's good that you're angry so you can proceed with the legalities and getting on with your life, but you'll soon see light at the end of the tunnel and that this was all a blessing, shocking as it is, you'll be so much better off without him.
Things were very bitter at the beginning between me and my husband. Hopefully things will settle down and you can agree on what's best for your children. I do think you should try and get him agree to letting things settle before letting him introduce your children to the OW. I know your heart is breaking and you don't feel like talking rationally with him but things are more likely to be agreed on if you talk your worries through with him. Just ask him if he can just let things settle down before involving his OW with your children.
Really feel for you, just want you to have some hope that you'll feel much better in time.

Mochamum · 28/04/2015 09:39

Dear Ophelia, I haven't posted on this thread before but have been following it. Firstly, you are doing great please don't question yourself. Secondly, there is great advice and support on here I haven't read the whole thread so not sure what advice you have been given on custody but I went through a similar situation 20 + years ago and my thoughts might help you.

Try not to think about them seeing OW. Unfortunately, you are right there is very little you can do about it. She is not and never will be their mother. You are and will always be the most important person in their lives. Try and have an arrangement that is not set in stone. I say this because as children get older: start school, do sleepovers, change into teenagers. They don't always want to be told on this day or this weekend you have to go here, stay there etc. Also, a 50:50 arrangement may be a good idea while your DTs are young but when they start school it can get messy. Making sure school uniform, books, PE kit, etc is transferred from house to house week to week and can be a bit unsettling. (Again not so much of an issue in the early years but as they get older and homework gets more etc).

We settled on an arrangement which was every other weekend and in the, younger years, a trip out and tea after school once in the week but not a sleepover (except on birthdays etc). We split the school holidays. We took Easter and Christmas, birthdays etc in turns. As my DS got older we were able to be more flexible to fit around his needs and what he wanted to do. This, on the whole, worked well.

I know what you are going through at the moment and this all seems so unreal. You are still in shock and grieving. He has been behaved in an unbelievably despicable way. Ophelia, he will one day regret this what he has with OW is not a loving relationship with memories and history it is just sex and when the novelty wears off in about 6 months - a years time what he has lost will hit him. BUT you are a wonderful person and you will be in a very different place at that time and trust me you will come through this and you will be able to enjoy your life again with your DTs.

We are all thinking of you. Flowers

parsnipbob · 28/04/2015 09:42

I have to say I don't always think a 50 50 arrangement is in the best interests of the child.

Just my personal experience, but putting it out there!

bjrce · 28/04/2015 11:04

Ophelia,
Really feel for you, its a very difficult time.

You need to start playing hardball, do not let him dictate the custody arrangements, you need to work out what is acceptable/managable for you at this time.
Discuss with your family, write out a timetable for him when it is acceptable for him to visit the DC,
This way you can get a little control back and also, I would make sure someone is present with you, either in your home or you parents doing this. Do not engage with him
Do not let me take the DC away for an overnight at this stage , it is far too early for both you and the DC. By you allowing him custody on your terms he can't use this against you, as you are not stopping him seeing them.
When he kicks up about this (which he will). Tell him he can't be trusted to take the kids at this point. You need to protect your children and yourself at this time. There is no way you are going to risk your DC coming into contact with that OW.
She has the morals of an alley cat, she is at this time not fit to be a mother, he and other men may think she is great for her antics in the office, and believe he will tell them about it, men can't help bragging, but anyone women who has unprotected sex, gets down on her knees and preforms bjs in the stationery office will really be looked down on by other women and she will knows this. Threaten to tell his parents, friends, everyone if he doesn't play ball. He's the embaressment.

By your telling the girl in the office, you have taken a little bit of control back. You DH may not mind other people knowing, ( his head has been completely turned and she is definately calling all the shots at this stage), even thought they didn't get enough time to put up their act re. the separation and the start of their romance, but the OW will be fucking raging, no woman wants to be known as a marriage breaker. Do you think everyone will think she's so great now.

I can already see trouble in paradise with the the OWs ex coming over and they're all so friendly, staying for dinner etc. I am telling this you, no matter how much he is into her ant this stage, he will get pissed off playing happy families when his kids are not allowed do be anywhere near them. Jesus, she is some piece of work, your husband is such an idiot, he thinks she has it all worked out,you'll be friends with them and it'll all be forgiven, they are on another planet.

I really hope all work out well for you, stay calm, keep a cool head, stay strong, look after yourself and your DC and tell him to fuck back to the Brady bunch if he wants to play happy Families!

CaveMum · 28/04/2015 11:14

Good luck with SHL today.

HoggleHoggle · 28/04/2015 11:41

Good luck today, I hope the meeting really helps with your next move.

IrianofWay · 28/04/2015 12:05

Good luck today ophelia x

LinaDee · 28/04/2015 12:33

Delurking again to say good luck today! I can't believe how abhorrently your husband has behaved and the faux respect for you he and this OW are apparently now trying to show you. Despicable!

Your H will soon realise that the grass appears greener on the other side because of the bull shit that it's been fertilised with!
You're doing incredibly well!

OpheliaRose · 28/04/2015 13:42

Thank you everyone for your support.

Meeting with solicitor went well although I went through most of a box of tissues.

H had messaged me asking why I told his friend about the affair. I haven't responded yet :(

OP posts:
DownWithThisTypeOfThing · 28/04/2015 13:45

Well lying obviously doesn't come as naturally to you.

Seriously if he's ashamed of it, doesn't that tell him something?

cakeface16 · 28/04/2015 13:48

Ophelia just delurking to say you are amazing.

I would respond to your husbands text about telling his friend with this:

Why wouldn't i? There is no advantage to me to protect you and your behavior. From now on I will be putting my needs first.

CaveMum · 28/04/2015 13:48

Glad the meeting went well, don't worry about the tears SHL will have dealt with many similar cases, unfortunately.

As for H, if you feel you need to reply remain aloof and factual. "She asked what had happened so I told her. I will not lie for you."

Personally I think you should ignore his message: you don't have to answer to him.

Fontella · 28/04/2015 13:50

Don't dignify him with a reply Ophelia.

Ignore, ignore, ignore.

laurierf · 28/04/2015 13:51

Please don't reply to him. What an arsehole. Angry

DownWithThisTypeOfThing · 28/04/2015 13:52

Way back I felt you should send him a message saying "please don't contact me unnecessarily" - I think it's time for that.

He is not the boss of you.
He is not on your team.

bendybrickpumpkinpatch · 28/04/2015 13:53

Don't reply to him. Although it will take every bit of your willpower.

Time to make HIM feel unnerved !!

IGNORE IGNORE IGNORE.

He has no rights with you anymore. he checked out long ago. Sad

HollyJollyDillydolly · 28/04/2015 13:54

Why shouldn't you tell people the truth? He's busy out there telling everyone his 'truth' about how things haven't been good for a while. Why should they be protected after what they've done? Angry

DownWithThisTypeOfThing · 28/04/2015 13:56

Oh and agree with bjrce OW will be raging!

grumbleina · 28/04/2015 13:56

Ignore, definitely, but my temptation would be a simple 'Why not?'

parsnipbob · 28/04/2015 13:57

Oh my god Ophelia, can't believe his fucking nerve! You are so restrained my lovely, I wouldn't be able to resist replying : 'oh I'm sorry, you're right, I should be colluding with the two of you to protect your dirty little secret'.

Was his text to you angry?

grumbleina · 28/04/2015 13:57

And what an INSANE question! Your ex makes me furious, OP.

'Why won't you let me pretend I'm not a cunt?' waaaahhhh

goshhhhhh · 28/04/2015 13:59

Glad it went well.
're your h - if you had to respond & probably ignoring is best......because she asked and unlike him you don't believe in lying.

Phoenix0x0 · 28/04/2015 14:03

Glad it went well.

So he is unnerved is he? What did he expect you to tell your friend....?

Don't reply and don't engage.

It's not your problem if he is embaressed....he should have thought of that before he copped off with wank fodder.

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