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

falling into an affair?

53 replies

klickitatstreet · 25/01/2016 20:47

Help, I don't know what I want to do!
I have a husband, who is nice but emotionally disengaged, and two boys of primary age who are lovely, but hard work. My life is all about getting the right people to the right place, and nagging them to do the right thing when they are there. I'm a 'good' mum, but I'm bored to death.

I also have a long term work colleague. We've always got on well, there's always been a frisson of 'what if?' Recently, that frisson has become a lot more obvious. We kissed. He is keen for it to go further, and I would be too if it weren't for the possible repercussions. I know that I shouldn't, but this genuinely feels like it is the only thing in my life that is just for me, the only care-free exciting glimpse of the fun person I used to be. It's not even that my colleague is that attractive, it's more that it's nice to be wanted!

How do I get myself out of this? And do I want to?

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 25/01/2016 21:00

Imagine

NerrSnerr · 25/01/2016 21:00

My dad had an affair. He thought we didn't know, we did from a young age. It was shit. 20 years later I still haven't properly forgiven him.

aLeafFa11s · 25/01/2016 21:01

My STBXH "fell" into an affair too. It was something that was "just for him". Both he and OW found family life boring.

Things escalated, the affair was discovered. Now, 3 years and 2 broken families later, things aren't so exciting. Although neither have to worry about the boringness of family life as they are estranged from their children. And each other incidentally. Full of regret, lost their homes and security, children's respect, self respect too.

I'm happier than I've ever been, it's hell being married to an unfaithful spouse. From what I've heard OW's ex is also happy.

Try using your fucking brain, this isn't an exciting game.

RakeMeHomeCountryToads · 25/01/2016 21:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NanFlanders · 25/01/2016 21:10

Please don't. Work on your marriage. Tell your friend the kiss should never have happened. Find something fun that is 'just for you'. Guilt is corrosive and very hard to live with, so draw a line under this before too much harm is done. Wishing you well.

NewLife4Me · 25/01/2016 21:13

Stop blaming everybody else.
Your husband, your kids, anybody else in there?
You are in control of your life whether you like it or not, you don't fall into an affair.
You make the decision and try to justify it in somehow.
Maybe by blaming everyone else.

DragonsCanHop · 25/01/2016 21:14

So selfish

springscoming · 25/01/2016 21:19

You are relying on another person to provide 'something just for me'. How about you doing that for yourself because actually, an affair isn't 'just for you'. How can it be? You are deluding yourself.

GutInstinct · 25/01/2016 21:21

Op, before embarking on an affair, have a think about how your life will pan out once the affair has been discovered and you're heading in the direction of divorce. For one, the OM may not want to know once you're actually free, and you may find that being on your own wasn't all it's cracked up to be. But beyond that, think about this:

Imagine that your friends and family all know about the affair. It doesn't matter why it happened, the fact is it happened. Now imagine that they don't want any part in it, they don't want to know the reasons why, you are a liar and a cheat and that's all that counts. Your friends all side with your h, because he is the wronged party, at some point your children will find out, and they too may side with your h.

When it comes to starting new relationships, other men will think twice before looking at you, because you had an affair. They may not want to get involved with someone who has cheated before.

And then there is the separation. whatever an affair has convinced you of, don't kid yourself that walking away from your dh is going to be as easy as walking away from him into someone else's arms, or even off to be on your own. There will be heartache, recrimination, bitterness, and eventually your ex may well move on and another woman, over who you have no control will become a stepmother to your children. They may even have children together, and your DC will have siblings who you have no part in.

If you're ready for all that, and are sure that this man is worth all that and more, then carry on. But if, after you've thought about all of what I've just said above,then take a step back from the OM, and talk to your husband about where you want your marriage to go.

It's ok to leave a marriage because it has died or because it's become emotionless, but don't do it at the expense of your own integrity and self worth.

ivykaty44 · 25/01/2016 21:33

You can leave your marriage and then be with who you want

Or you can water the grass at home to make it as green as it appears on the otherside

aLeafFa11s · 25/01/2016 21:41

That's an outstanding post gutinstinct.

klickitatstreet · 25/01/2016 21:42

You're right, I know!
I just need to suck it up, and get back to real life. I don't want to wreck everything, or hurt anyone.

I can't believe no-one else is ever tempted by a break from the daily drudgery though, by someone who acts like you're totally fascinating, and never talks to you about the minutiae of daily life. I shouldn't have acted on it, mea culpa.

OP posts:
NanFlanders · 25/01/2016 21:46

Lots of food for thought in GutInstinct's post OP

AnyFucker · 25/01/2016 21:46

You think no one else was ever tempted ?

AnyFucker · 25/01/2016 21:47

Tiffany is giggly and pished.

AnyFucker · 25/01/2016 21:49

sorry, wrong thread Blush

lunar1 · 25/01/2016 21:49

Lots of us think what if, then snap out of it and carry on with the school run! You can't fall into an affair, you can chose to be selfish and wreck a bunch of lives, or not.

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 25/01/2016 21:53

OP PLEASE read my thread - I have just been on the receiving end of this. Don't do it. You will destroy lives.

Here.

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 25/01/2016 21:55

People are tempted, lots.

This forum has plenty of women who have had their lives wrecked by their partner being "tempted away from the drudgery of life".

Your DH will find out. Always bear that in mind. It never stays a secret for ever.

TooSassy · 25/01/2016 22:07

OP

Listen life with younger DC's is tough. In amongst the parenting and work and chores and keeping a million plates spinning I defy anyone on Mumsnet to say they haven't once looked up at the sky and thought 'really? Is this the rest of my life?'.
That thought is normally followed by a smile at some point after (maybe when you're less tired/ hungry/ cranky) that thinks, 'I'm so lucky'.

You chose the life you had.
Just like you're choosing to get involved with this colleague.

You're playing with fire OP because once you open those gates, they are very very hard to close. The very nature of what makes an affair so exciting is that it is forbidden, illicit and dangerous. Normal everyday life couldn't possibly compete with the excitement that is stirred up from a taste of the forbidden.

You mention the OM.
Is he married? In a LTR? With DC's? Does he have anything as close to as valuable a life you have on the verge of being thrown away?

Work. Which one of you is more senior? Doesn't matter if it's you. Unfortunately along with pay inequality women are still not equal in many other respects. Men can get away with their reputations intact having had affairs. Not women. You could be an expert in your field, post affair onwards you'd be known as the one who blew x in the stationary cupboard.

Last but not least important. Life. Your legacy. What you want to be known for.

Life boring and mundane? Desperately unhappy in your marriage? Want more from life? Fine. No one will pillory you for wanting to end your marriage if you're unhappy. No one. But do it In a way that you don't lose your self respect. And hurt a lot of innocent people.

If you want this then go for it. Fill your boots. You may never be found out. But you know what? The damage you will do to your marriage will be irretrievable. Because your poor DH will never match the excitement of an illicit affair.

And your children will know. Deep down mine know that daddy did something not right. One day they'll ask a direct question and I won't lie. That day their father will tumble from the rightful place he had in their lives and never ever recover.

Ask yourself what your priorities in life are OP.
Then think long and hard about how this could pan out. Affairs never end well. For anyone.

TooSassy · 25/01/2016 22:09

I just need to suck it up, and get back to real life.

OP you don't need to suck anything up.
You're not a victim of your own life. Sort out what is making you feel this way about your life! Burying your head in an affair will not help you cope with real life any better! It will make it 10 times worse!

springscoming · 25/01/2016 22:09

It doesn't matter whether other people have been tempted or not. What matters is that you were and you acted on it. Saying that you can't believe others aren't tempted is a very obvious attempt to minimize and shift blame. Classic cheater-think. You are entirely responsible for your own actions.

ageofgrandillusion1 · 25/01/2016 22:20

I suppose the other option is to just shag him and get it out of your system. Maybe that will do the trick? Tho prob not a popular view round here, so sorry if any offence caused.

klickitatstreet · 25/01/2016 22:33

Thank you gutinstinct and toosassy, and to everyone else who has taken the time to reply. It's really helpful to get a different perspective sometimes. And obviously, I didn't want to talk about it in real life... Because I know it's wrong, I realise! So, deep down I do know what I want. I just wish it was easier to sort stuff out!

OP posts:
TheNaze73 · 25/01/2016 23:16

How would you feel if your husband admitted to having any affair with someone he didn't fancy, as he was bored?