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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

He had an affair...breaking out the Ben & Jerry's (2)

907 replies

Syc4moreTrees · 24/05/2017 11:05

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/thirty_days_only/2914533-If-hes-having-an-affair?

Not sure if I've managed to create a link to the old thread...someone more tech savvy can maybe help me out a little bit if not?

The old thread closed before i could thank you all again for all the collective wisdom, it's been a very surreal month to say the least, but it's been crazy how much support you can get from a bunch of lovely strangers.

So thanks!! You're all awesome!

OP posts:
SchnitzelVonKrumm · 25/06/2017 13:34

Trees, things can't be "normal" for the kids and if you let him move in and pretend they will end up going through this again next time he has an affair - because why on earth wouldn't he if he's got off scot-free this time? This IS normal now and it's entirely his fault.

HysterectomyHysteria · 25/06/2017 13:41

Trees, I have lurked on your threads since the beginning and I want to say that I think that you are amazing.
I also want to say please don't move your husband back into your house and pretend everything is OK for the sake of your boys. It won't work. Ignoring for the moment it will make you miserable and will have a negative impact on your own wellbeing, Your boys will know even if you think that you are covering everything up.
My parents did the same thing and it has effected me and my siblings negatively and still affects our own romantic relations to this day (we are all 30's-40's).
We all experience guilt of the misguided sacrifices our mother made for us.
The pain and hurt we all felt when we realised that our family life was in fact a lie was immense and we all went to great pains to regulate our normal childhood actions so as not to cause any more upset.
We all agree that our lives would have been so much better if our parents had split while we were all young and then had co parented. We would have known where we stand and we all, including my parents would have been happier.
Flowers for you trees.

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 25/06/2017 13:48

He's got this friends' flat for a year, right? So assume a year apart. I can't see that you can expect to make a decision sooner given everything else on your plate. The boys will get used to it.

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 25/06/2017 13:50

And if his online friends don't see you as a real person, it's his job to make clear that you are the most real and important person in his life and that anyone who doesn't accept that is no friend of his.

BengalGal · 25/06/2017 13:51

Another vote for no spare room. It sweeps it under the rug and the kids will sense it and blame themselves for any strangeness. It doesn't give them a chance to adjust and be themselves. How about some family counseling to determine how often and how to manage visitation? They say the best for young children is what they call nesting. The kids stay in the family home, the parents come and go. On nights when your WH has them you go to his place and stay there (with the baby til he's old enough to be without you for his feeding, you could start pumping to get this process going earlier).

You have to be entirely sure you can forgive and move on, and entirely confident he's taken full responsibility and understands why he created this mess before getting back. Spare room is too muddled and too likely to create more drama in the long run. His timing and desire to bring another child into the equation makes it all so much more difficult. But again, all his doing and he really doesn't seem to have acknowledged it. Breaking off all contact with all the gamers seems an obvious first step that he's not taken. Maybe don't tell him he has to but you could ask him why he hasn't ?

ComedyofTerrors · 25/06/2017 14:02

I think you need to take some time still, it's all been a rollercoaster ride for a while and it's still very new to everyone.

I can understand why an overnight with Dad might have seemed like being pushed out in favour of the new baby (Twiglet?).

I don't think letting him move back in and 'pretending' would work. Children are remarkable at picking up on things. It also gives WH confusing signals as well.

I really think you need to be fair on yourself and give yourself time, the children will adapt when they've had a chance to get used to things.

Moving him back in, then finding out it's really not going to work and trying to move him back out again would be far more damaging to both you and the children.

There is also the well made point that since he has had no real consequences to what he has done, it's (in his mind) almost giving him permission to do it again in the future.

Why not take it all slowly and think again in a few months time, that also gives you a chance to assess the progress of the madwoman situation.

Lovewatchingrainfall · 25/06/2017 14:04

You need to do what's right for you all: if you think having him at home and in the spare room till the children are older then you can offer it as a trial period and make it clear that if it does not work he has to move out completely and work with the children until they are old enough to understand and once again stay over without it upsetting them.

They have gone through a lot all at once no wonder your now middle one is confused and upset. Dad moved out, you moved and now there is a baby to content with. It has to be hard on them.

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 25/06/2017 14:06

It might also have given him pause to discover that his "daddy's boys" don't like to be away from their lovely mum.

KeziaOAP · 25/06/2017 14:19

No to spare room. WH has to prove to you he's dropped all contact with gamer "friend", there's possibility that this friend's wife is in contact with crazy OW and passing on info.

As pp said he's floundering some guidance without telling him what to do? I do believe from your posts you both want the relationship to work this will need work and total honesty from him.

My late DH being totally honest was what got our marriage back to a very happy place.

BengalGal · 25/06/2017 14:33

Also, the idea that it's going to be easier for the boys when they are older isn't true. Research says age 4 is the ideal age to divorce, if there is ever an ideal age. Of course they worried you didn't want them because you have a new baby. When baby goes with them that will change. But if you can handle nesting it's said to be th best for the kids. They are attached to their home as well as their parents and it's less disruptive. www.psychologytoday.com/blog/co-parenting-after-divorce/201307/birds-nest-co-parenting-arrangements

Syc4moreTrees · 25/06/2017 14:46

schnitzel maybe when it happens again they'll be older and will understand it all better? They're just so confused, I don't want my kids to be sad.

OP posts:
rizlett · 25/06/2017 14:53

It is sad trees. Most of us don't like or want to be sad but sad is part of life. You can teach your boys that sad is ok. All feelings (including sadness) are only temporary.

Being sad is like when it's raining. If the sun was out all the time we wouldn't notice. Maybe explore some things they might like to do when they are feeling sad, perhaps draw some pictures? Learning how to deal with sadness (and anger) is a really important life lesson.

I think you are sad too but you are good at putting that away in a box for another time. Perhaps it's ok for you to be sad and ok for them to see you sad - because I know even in your sadness you know there is love and light in your family.

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 25/06/2017 15:07

But Trees when will that time be? I've got two close friends whose parents divorced when they were in their twenties - both of them and their siblings were confused and sad and angry and it still has repercussions for their families and relationships years later Sad
If they are older they'll ask more questions - if you say, well daddy had an affair while I was pregnant with sapling but I swallowed all my hurt and let him back in for your sake, how do you think they will feel?
I'm so sorry you're going through this Flowers

KeziaOAP · 25/06/2017 15:29

Who can say he will have another affair? (Mine didn't) I hope with all the hassle going on with stalker OW he truly realises how stupid he's been.

Trees you are in an emotional state at the moment it's only just over a week since you had sapling. WH has somewhere to stay, let the boys stay over with dad when they are ready. Perhaps he could look after baby for a couple of hours, when sapling is not constantly feeding, giving you time with the boys on your own. Decisions don't have to be made now.

Take care xx

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 25/06/2017 15:39

But Kezia you said your DH put in all the work that Trees' husband CBA with.

Haffdonga · 25/06/2017 15:45

Been following this and am in awe of you Sycamore.

Can I just say you really don't have to and probably shouldn't even try to make any long term decisions until Sapling is at least 3 months old and preferably 6 months or longer. You must be in a fog of emotion, exhaustion, hormones and oozing body parts - really not the right time to make life changing choices. So park the whole thing for now and try to enjoy being a mum of 3. Keep WH out of the spare room and let him visit on your terms when he's needed.

By the time the newborn fog clears, WH's true nature and your feelings about him will also have become clearer and you'll know what you want to do.

Congratulations on your gorgeous sounding little one.

Josuk · 25/06/2017 15:46

Why are most people on here so negative and out for blood?
Letting H into the spare room and having him do the work of being a parent - with his boys and the baby - making the life of the new mother a little bit easier -
How is that letting him 'get away with it'?????

And - what makes you all think he'll do it again? Because all men cheat all the time? And no one, who is ever made a mistake - no one can ever learn from it?

Trees - only you know your boys. And know how you feel and what you need to get through this.
Do what feels right to YOU. And don't feel like you need to justify it to anyone.
It's your life and your boys.

Florene · 25/06/2017 15:50

Completely agree with @Josuk

Sofabitch · 25/06/2017 15:53

I think wether he moves into the spare room or not won't remove the sadness and confusion for you or the boys.

It is a sad time, your hopes, dreams and family have been shattered because DH couldn't keep his dick in his trousers.

Even moving him back in and carrying on as though nothing has happened will not remove the sad.

You are at an incredibly vulnerable stage of your life, you have just had a baby. Sadness is going to permeate through regardless.

You can never have back what was. Everything that comes now will be new and different.

Children are amazingly resilient and they will get through this. Continue being patient with both them and yourself

KeziaOAP · 25/06/2017 16:02

Schnitzel yes he did work really hard for us. When we went ahead and bought the house he stayed in the spare room but still gave me space if/when I needed it by staying with a relative. DH stayed in the spare room for about six months, we had weekends away from outside influence and step by step got back into a very loving fulfilled marriage.

AnniesShop · 25/06/2017 16:06

Another one here agreeing with Josuk.
You’re coping amazingly with all that has landed in your lap, Trees
but you’re only human and everyone has a breaking point. I really
can’t see the point in punishing nsdh until some mythical point in
the future.

Do whatever you feel is best for you and the dc and if that
means having your not so dh moving back in then I would do it, Trees.
You and your dc deserve some respite and allowing him to
stay in the spare room sounds very sensible to me.
Perhaps with the proviso that he has counselling so he learns
some self awareness of what he has wrought if nothing else.

BengalGal · 25/06/2017 16:10

This is the kind of separation that could be most helpful. Not as a stage of divorce, but as a chance to heal, gain perspective, and ultimately be together again. www.psychologytoday.com/blog/contemplating-divorce/201004/can-temporary-separation-make-relationship-stronger

MsPavlichenko · 25/06/2017 16:11

Trees, this may seem ridiculous, but bear with me. Despite all the horror since the discovery, I actually think the particular circumstances have actually protected you (and WH) from the full reality of it all. The pregnancy, your little one's arrival have given you something to focus on. In practical terms you have seen far more of each other that you would have if things had been different, and so far you continue to do so. It's enabled you to (sort of) continue with the family dynamic, and see his affair, and deceit as a minor, and done with aberration to be got over so that you can all get back to "normal".

The thing is, that's not going to happen. Even if he moves back tonight (and the spare room, won't help kid the DC by the way) you wont ever be back where you were before. I'm not saying you won't reconcile, or be happy again. But, it will be on a new, different, and hopefully better basis. This is not going to be possible if what happened isn't properly acknowledged, and dealt with by him. Or without out proper space apart both physically or mentally for you both. You've not had that yet .

Think back to how you felt initially, and at the second revelation. You'll feel like that again I expect, and you don't want to go through another change for you or the DC if you want him gone again, either short term, or permanently.

You don't have to decide either to have him back, or finish absolutely either today, or anytime soon. It is difficult for the DC. I think that one of the reasons for this is that they are only seeing their Dad sleeping away, whilst in many other ways you are still operating as a family unit. it's hard, but if you start to make more space, do things just you and them, and him and them it will be less confusing for them, although different. They don't need to stay over yet, but it shouldn't be a "sleep over". It should be spending time at their Dad's house.

Finally (thank God you say!), I am concerned how much pressure you are getting (directly or indirectly) from WH over this. I worry you are not reassure by him as you should be, and actually have concerns that if you don't publicly "reconcile" he might take up with OW? He might of course, but really that would say everything about him, and where he is. Again I hark back to his alterative life/friends. I remember at the start he was resistant to dropping them/it. Whilst you don't want to do his work for him, this is a no brainer. You do know that you are entitled to say right now to him , stop al of this, drop all of them and show me you have done it. And that this is a minimum requirement for me even considering us having any sort of future together. If I were you, I'd say this thing, and again it worries me that you seem anxious/unable to do so.

The more control you can take of your own situation, and whatever boundaries you need/want the better you'll feel. And your DC.

BewareOfDragons · 25/06/2017 16:15

I think letting him move back in would be even more confusing for your boys. And he would constantly be trying to weasel his way back into your room without having done the hard work of proving he deserves to come back: he hasn't cut ties with the OW, he hasn't cut ties with the mutual friends, and she seems to think she has a future with your WH. Why is that?

I wouldn't change anything right now.There is not rush.

Dairymilkmuncher · 25/06/2017 16:50

I think a sleepover at yours camping in the living room won't be like he's moving in and wouldn't make him feel like the spare room is his space or that he's part of home life but would be something fun and different for the kids close to you but not in your upstairs space? And take a a mega early night with Netflix and baby and leave them to it