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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

Affair - just about coping part 3

975 replies

OpheliaRose · 29/04/2015 20:58

Many of you will have read my original thread and my part two thread here

Brief outline I found out H was having an affair with a girl from his work since ten he has left me for her. His behaviour has been unbelievable

My old thread was titled not knowing how to cope however I am slowly learning

OP posts:
Dumdedumdedum · 04/05/2015 09:12

Thanks, Christinayangstwistedsister. The story of our meeting and subsequent courting is quite unusual, I think, but here is not the place for it!

OpheliaRose · 04/05/2015 09:14

Thank you all for such kind words and encouragement

I made it clear to H we had plans all weekend so he hasn't pushed having the twins. He has been in contact to take them out again for dinner (again on a Wednesday as its OW day with her ex and child) and still would like to have them next weekend, which is OW weekend without her children although he did say he'd be having them at his mums.

I have been trying to sleep when they do but also I worry that i'm so unmotivated in the evenings that if I dont clean and tidy while they are napping I may end up living in a pig sty

DB and friend are coming over later for a roast but I need to be cooking that!

Sorry I know I sound like a right moaning silly girl just very tired this morning and not even having a coffee seems to be helping.

At least its sunny - we're sat in the back garden the twins playing on there see saw trying to sing songs.

OP posts:
Ledkr · 04/05/2015 09:21

Why don't you suggest some days to him?
I don't see sgt he should be able to pick what suits him.
Tell him Wednesday no good but Tuesday would be great as you "have plans" yourself!
Id go for that weekend tbh.
Get your strength up and recuperate or have a night out.
You are not destined to be a drudge so for mom, you are going to be a co parent with a life of your own too.

Vivacia · 04/05/2015 09:31

Singing songs on see-saws isn't trivial and needs a fair bit of practice.

Can you make "dinner on Wednesday" something like 4 hours long?

Phoenix0x0 · 04/05/2015 09:34

I agree with ledkr start telling him when it is convenient.

OpheliaRose · 04/05/2015 09:38

Thanks Ledkr I think I will send him a message saying Wednesdays don't work for me but Tuesdays or Thursdays will be fine. I know I should let him have the twins on the weekend...more than anything its not fair on them he is there father after all and if he wants to destroy his relationship with them fine but I wont give him any room to say i had any part by being obstructive or anything along those lines

I will ask him to have them at his parents and not introduce to OW yet as they need time to adjust to the fact Mummy and Daddy are not together. I honestly don't expect him to respect my wishes but at least I've tried.

OP posts:
Vivacia · 04/05/2015 09:47

I think you definitely should say yes to the weekend. And every other weekend. I loved Ledkr's post about being a co-parent, not a drudge.

Vivacia · 04/05/2015 09:48

(To others in this position, what happens with the laundry from the weekend? I'm thinking how Phee really needs her ex to parent in all ways, not just create more housework for her).

Weebirdie · 04/05/2015 09:50

Ophelia do not ask him not do something - tell him its not happening.

winkywinkola · 04/05/2015 09:52

You're not a right moaning silly girl at all.

You're still trying to pick your way through the bomb blast that has destroyed your life.

You've never had to manage the dts alone all the time. That in itself is a steep and exhausting learning curve.

Please don't snipe at yourself, saying you should be doing or that etc.

eminthebigsmoke · 04/05/2015 10:03

There was a suggestion of links for info on handling children's interests during separation - there is more detailed info out there (papers by psychologists etc.) but that might be a bit heavy - or make it look like lots of effort has gone into proving the point.

Relate have loads of resources and articles, including step by step guides. This is the most relevant, but links to everything else:
whatnext.relate.org.uk/advice/article/introducing-new-partner

Have as relaxing a day as you can, and enjoy the roast!

MaMaof04 · 04/05/2015 10:13

Dumdedum here is the right place for love stories young ladies aged 30 !
Ophelie you are again showing that you put the interests of the kids before yours. You are wonderful. A bit of mess is not harmful to the kids. I think that our MN wish is starting to be fulfilled: you just started thinking a bit more about yourself; like ladies said above make him be an active and responsible dad and of course on your own terms (choose your days and keep the kids out of the WF reach until a 'probation' period is over), and have fun days (or just catch up days) when he takes care of them.
Have a nice day!

Dumdedumdedum · 04/05/2015 10:14

This if from Jackw's link above: "If a father knows he’s found someone he can trust around his kids and is certain they will be present in his life for a long time, most experts recommend waiting at least six months before coordinating a meeting between children and the new partner.

Nancy Fagan, divorce consultant and owner of San Diego’s Divorce Help Clinic, says that six months is essential, but it must be six months of exclusive dating. For some families the time may be longer.

“If any of the children are still in pain over the separation or divorce, dads will need to wait longer,” Fagan says. This is to eliminate confusion while kids process their pain and grieve the loss of their former family unit.

Other situations prompt more time. Fagan stresses new partners who happen to be friends with the ex-wife, have a significant age difference, or are the first partner after a divorce are all very likely to upset children and the father’s former spouse. Relationships that share any of these features, more often than not, do not last."

I suggest you quote some of that to H. Though perhaps not the last sentence.

I still don't think you should feel obliged to do what he tells you to, I know you want your children to see their father, and you need some respite, but, unless you prefer it, I don't think they should stay away from you with him overnight at the week-end, yet. I have nothing official to base that on, it is just my gut-feeling in your circs.

BlessedAndGr8fulNoInLaws4Xmas · 04/05/2015 10:16

Agree Ophelia that you do not ask him to do something - you tell him.

He has walked out - he has no rights to "choose" or have his needs/wants considered.

I was very straight down the line with my H and told him that his contact with our children would absolutely NOT be worked around OWs diary and her children.

He has no rights Ophelia to have his wants considered .

There is no way he can ever say your being obstructive - your offering contact for what is best for you and the DTs - a judge would laugh him all the way out of a family court if he bleeted that you won't let him have them at times when it's convenient for him and OW .

He made his bed. He can lie it and worry about how they are going to juggle access of the DT around their immoral liaisons.

Don't forget to name her in the divorce BTW.

Cassie258 · 04/05/2015 10:19

I'm just doing some cleaning so obviously need really loud music to motivate me and this came on. It's quite bouncy and hopefully will help you think you've got one less problem without him

Cassie258 · 04/05/2015 10:22

Ps dance offs with toddlers are also quite uplifting.

Hope I've not posted at a really inappropriate time on the thread. Will catch up with your inspiring self later Grin

SignoraStronza · 04/05/2015 10:25

I would tell him that you would be happy for him to have the twins overnight - once he has somewhere sorted to live. YY to the advice about waiting six months though, and obviously make sure it is the weekend that WF doesn't have her child with her, so limiting their child free time!
I'm so impressed at how dignified you're being.

Ledkr · 04/05/2015 10:31

Remember though ladies. It's not about his rights, it's about the childrens right to have a relationship with their father and a mother who can parent them in a way that is as free from stress and exhaustion as possible.
That will come from her having a well earned break from the chikdren while they are with their dad.
I totally agree that ow should not be in their lives but in this case you are going to have to make a choice as to what is most important to you and for the kids.
I don't think for a tiny minute he will keep them away from her, what I think will happen though is a dose of reality for both of them and a much needed break for you.
You may not think so yet but you absoluteky WILL want a social life and almost certainly a love life so in the future you will be glad of the shared care.
I speak as someone who was left at 37 with 4 dc and a husband who I was lucky if saw them once a week!!
You can turn this situation to your advantage you know.

How's the roast going?
Mine has been shelved cis the bloody pork is out of date Grin

MaMaof04 · 04/05/2015 10:45

cassie nice song- my little ones adore R Grande-
I also like dancing with the kids (the big ones and the little ones)
Distractions are much needed - and by the way as the time pass I find that distractions are n fact the essence and nectar of life-
SO thank you
Are nice food smells filling in the house Ophelie?
I must start preparing lunch!
Have a nice day ladies!
I will be thinking about you Ophelie!

BlessedAndGr8fulNoInLaws4Xmas · 04/05/2015 10:55

Ledkr i also have lots of experience and what I am saying is that he has no rights to ask for what he wants in terms of fitting access around his life with OW.

I am well aware that it is about the children's rights to see their father- but it is not as simple as that - ultimately it is about acting in their BEST INTERESTS in the short and long term .

Growing children WILL become aware of how and why their access arrangements are as they are- I would not want my DCs self esteem to be affected by the realisation that contact with daddy has been organised around his girlfriend and her son - the potential impact of that upon them in the future is very significant.
Children have rights Ledkr but within that they have a right to be protected- the DTs are only 2 - they need their emotional and psychological wellbeing protecting - yes they may seem ok to be left with H overnight at the moment but 2 year olds do not have the verbal skills to fully articulate their feelings. So it is about Ophelia acting in their best interests at this age.
Dumdedum - completely agree - the only people my DC wanted to be around overnight were my parents .
They were heartbroken for me knowing that daddy didn't love me anymore. So a lot of the time they just wanted to be with me - they insisted on sleeping with me for a while so that I wasn't alone .
Completely agree OW should not meet DT for 6 months. I think many people underestimate the impact that having dads new partner in their life so early on after a break up - has on children - it often does not hit them until pre-teen but in adult life it can create real feelings of abandonment, anger, shame and depression.

I see this a lot in my job - which is why I did not "ask" - I insisted that my DC did not meet OW.

I wouldn't change a thing. I am so relieved I stuck to that. Yes children have rights to see their father - but they also have rights to be protected.

Vivacia · 04/05/2015 12:25

I insisted that my DC did not meet OW.

How does OP prevent it, if her ex chooses otherwise?

OpheliaRose · 04/05/2015 12:26

Cassie Thanks for the song we had a nice dance in the garden to it Smile

Roast is going well (so far!) although I'm a little nervous the timings will be a bit out but keeping my finders crossed.

its nice to have laughter and chat in the house again not that I don't talk to the twins but its nice to have adults talking and laughing again.

I've told him twins are free thues or thurs if he wants them for dinner, if he tries to change the day i'll make it clear that's none negotiable at this point. I've also told him that he can take the twins next weekend as it will be good for them to see him and his parents plus give them a chance to get used to staying with Granny and Grandpa a bit more often. He's yet to reply but DB did mention as they are still FB friends he's checked in somewhere on a day out so I imagine him, OW and child are out for the day

OP posts:
magoria · 04/05/2015 12:32

perhaps you should suggest he has them Tues and Thurs?

magoria · 04/05/2015 12:33

Perhaps you should suggest he has them Tues and Thurs?