Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

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

How long does it take to get over a marriage ending due to an affair

243 replies

ComeDownToMe · 12/11/2015 11:32

Just that really. If the marriage was over 20 years, with kids, and you ended it after finding out he was cheating. How long before the hurt goes and you start moving on.

OP posts:
Wristy · 12/11/2015 11:39

I've read on here most people say a month for every year you were together. So at over 20 years your looking at 2 at least. Although chances are you might never get over that big a betrayal. I'm not sure I could.

Bubbletree4 · 12/11/2015 11:50

I think several years (would think minimum 2). Sorry about your situation.

ComeDownToMe · 12/11/2015 11:52

I guess it will take a long time. A useful guide though thanks.

OP posts:
redteddy · 12/11/2015 11:55

I'd say the hurt can stay for a long time but you start moving on when you decide you're ready and you deserve to. So I think it's up to the individual.

TempusEedjit · 12/11/2015 11:58

I take it you're trying to find out how long before your DP's ex moves on? Apologies if I'm wrong.

fuzzywuzzy · 12/11/2015 12:12

I don't think there's a hard and fast rule. It depends on how long it takes for the practicalities to be completed, how the cheating ex behaves towards his ex wife and children.

My FIL was incredibly fair to his ex wife and children in the divorce. He therefore has a close relationship with his children and his ex wife and him are civil. He does ensure he doesn't step on her toes and neither bad mouth the other. Which works well.

But his behaviour has left deep scars in his DC.

morethandoable · 12/11/2015 12:29

I was in your position 4 1/2 years ago, had been together 28 years, married for 24 with 4 children between 16 and 21.
Personally, my epiphany was after 14 months, a rollercoaster 14 months I may add!
I don't think that it is an exact science though as there are many factors that will aid, or hinder, your recovery.

On a positive note, I can honestly say that mine, and my children's lives, have never been better... not sure that the same can be said for my ex.
You will get there, trust me.

hollieberrie · 12/11/2015 12:38

My counsellor estimates 18-24 months to begin to get back to normal after deep grief / trauma / betrayal. I'm 15 months on and i'd say she's about right. Slowly getting easier but still far from great.
Sorry for your troubles OP.

ComeDownToMe · 12/11/2015 12:39

Thanks for your comments, it is helpful. I am sincerely sorry to those of you who have been in the wife's situation.

I wanted to keep my OP to just the basic facts but I'm not the wife. Sorry if anyone feels I have been disingenuous, it was not my intention. I just wanted an idea of timescale in that situation.

OP posts:
TempusEedjit · 12/11/2015 12:43

Then you could have asked "how long do you think it will take my DP's ex to get over his affair?" Or just googled - the one month per year of marriage is widely known.

You're not sincerely sorry at all.

MrsFring · 12/11/2015 12:45

Christ, you've got some fucking nerve.

AnyFucker · 12/11/2015 12:47

What.The.Fuck.

TheoriginalLEM · 12/11/2015 12:52

i know someone who's partner left his wife and kids for her 2 years ago. She is still plastering how "mental"the ex is all over facebook. Tbh i only keep her on fb for entertainment value as its better than a soap opera. She, as it turns out, is a self absorbed cunt.

so yeah - it'll be a rough ride OP. I hope its worth it.

Goingtobeawesome · 12/11/2015 12:53

Shock. Just when you think you've read it all.

InTheBox · 12/11/2015 12:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

InTheBox · 12/11/2015 13:02

I've just reported my post. Hope it gets withdrawn. You are incredibly disingenuous.

ComeDownToMe · 12/11/2015 13:02

Tempus I just wanted an idea of the answer to my question. If I had posted your suggestion as a thread title posters would have focused on that and not the question.

Sorry I didn't think to google and if the adage of 1 month per year of marriage is widely known it wasn't by me.

Sorry I feel bad for getting sympathy on here.

OP posts:
Chucklecheeks · 12/11/2015 13:10

You called Jane?

Alchemist · 12/11/2015 13:11

ComeDownToMe You are a prize.

MrsFring · 12/11/2015 13:12

What do you get out of this?

Alchemist · 12/11/2015 13:12

No sympathy from me, chum.

TempusEedjit · 12/11/2015 13:13

Then you could easily have posted the same opening guff with the addition of (not me, asking for someone else) or similar.

It doesn't take a genius to realise that on a forum such as relationships you would get a number of people responding with their own painful experiences.

I guess it's that lack of awareness that enables you to make the life choices that you do.

MyLifeisaboxofwormgears · 12/11/2015 13:14

If the poor woman has to hand her kids over to the exH and a total stranger who are both proven liars then I guess she won't get over it till the kids are old enough to ask to not go there anymore.

Wristy · 12/11/2015 13:15

Oops, just been back. Not nice. It's none of your business how long she takes to get over your affair.

MrsFring · 12/11/2015 13:17

Trouble in Paradise methinks.