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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

DH has had an affair

477 replies

threeandmeandthedog · 28/10/2017 10:16

2017 has been shit. DH 's dad died, I lost my amazing sister to cancer, which had spread to her brain. I was with her throughout most of her illness and it was really fucking awful. She died in June.
I found out that since July DH had hooked up with an old friend he hadn't seen for decades, they bumped into each other at a social event. They have been for coffees, a few drinks and they have kissed.
I only found out because I looked at his phone as I sensed something was wrong. And I feel awful for looking at his phone. She is married with children and an assistant head teacher at a local school. Her partner doesn't know. Apparently it didn't go further than a handful of meetings, texts and kissing. But it would have carried on if I hadn't found d out. And to me this feels like he has just stamped on our marriage. He says it was nothing to do with me, he just met her again after 20+ years and these feelings came up.
If feelings like that come up surely you just say " I have strong feeling but I am married with 3 D.C. And I love my wife so best we don't contact each other." Apparently not.
We have 3 DC. If we didn't I would kick him out right now. I love him but I don't know where we go from here.
He is sorry, wants to make it work, etc.
I think we had both become distant from each other. But I thought we were also supporting each other.
I work full time and have a long commute, where as his working hours are more flexible and he does pick ups and drops offs for school as all three kids are in primary. So if I did ask him to leave I'd have to see him every day anyway.
I am just so sad and angry and upset. This has been the most awful year anyway, I didn't think it could get worse and now it has. My parents have both died and I was very close to my sister. One thing that was getting me through her death was the thought of our family, who mean everything to me. But he has broken the trust in our relationship and I don't know what to do.

OP posts:
IfYouGoDownToTheWoodsToday · 01/11/2017 15:52

How are you doing Three? Hope you’re ok.

threeandmeandthedog · 01/11/2017 19:30

Just fel like I've hit a walk today, am too tired

OP posts:
Ginpasta · 01/11/2017 20:18

So sorry you're going through this. I think you did the right thing getting home to leave. From personal experience I don't think you should stay. My exDH first cheated when our DC was 2 years old. I decided to stay & try to sort it out......spentbthe next 3 years worrying if he was out at night or late home - the trust never came back. Then he cheated again when DC was 5. That for me was the final straw. I realised that I had wasted the last 3 years with someone who had no respect for me & I wasn't going to waste anymore of my life on someone like that. Yes it's scary & bloody hard but I can now sleep at night without worrying what he's upto. Good luck with whatever you decide xxxxx

thiskittenbarks · 01/11/2017 20:42

I’m so sorry you are going through this. I have no words of wisdom but it sounds like you are doing a great job. This is probably one of the hardest things a person can go through and your getting through it. Flowers

stormnigel · 01/11/2017 22:17

Rest up then op... listen to what your body is telling you. If you need to hole up and sleep, hole up and sleep a bit.

IfYouGoDownToTheWoodsToday · 01/11/2017 22:24

Yes, do sleep. Be kind to yourself Flowers.

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 01/11/2017 23:04

Be kind to yourself OP. He and all the big decisions can wait til you’re ready. And call in help where you need it.

churchilllounge · 02/11/2017 08:24

How are you this morning?

hellsbellsmelons · 02/11/2017 09:11

I really hope you managed some sleep last night and are feeling slightly better today.
That 'hit the wall' feeling is horrible.
It's basically the crash.
The adrenalin can't last forever and your body just shuts down.
Keep your sugar levels up.
Drink sweet tea or coffee and keep hydrated.
Flowers

MerryMarigold · 02/11/2017 09:32

Just a hug for you and some Flowers. I hope his conscience can see what he's done to you. Actions/ choices have consequences and your pain - emotional and physical, is the consequence of HIS action. He's supposed to love you.

stormnigel · 02/11/2017 10:00

Thinking of you op

threeandmeandthedog · 02/11/2017 20:46

Things are calmer today. We have talked and talked and talked, which has helped a lot.
He has moved back in after giving me a couple of days space and I am fine with that. I don't know what I want to do and I need to take my time. My main priority are my 3dc and getting my head together.
We are both reading 'Not just friends', which is helpful and we are talking. It's early days. I am still reeling really and I am totally bloody tired.

OP posts:
TheweewitchRoz · 02/11/2017 20:50

One day at a time Op - stay strong. Flowers

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 02/11/2017 21:53

Keep communicating but don’t let him rush you into anything.

Mumfun · 03/11/2017 15:54

Yes definitely as Schnitzel says.

And dont just let it slide back to normal. He has to do some serious work on himself. Otherwise there is no point.

threeandmeandthedog · 03/11/2017 16:57

Mumfun I am worried about things slowly slipping back. We talked about what needs ot happen and what he needs to do.
Its still such early days and I am really not sure how I feel about going forward.
For me it doesn't feel as black and white as he's cheated, therefore everything is over. But I need to work out how to move forward, with him or without him. I am not convinced I can live in a relationship where the trust is gone.
I have a very clear sense of who I am and what my moral code is and what has happened doesn't change that. I value myself and am very very hurt and angry that my partner did not afford me the same respect and thoughtfulness that I thought was the mutual foundation to our marriage. This to me is fundamental and I am not sure under what circumstances I can get past this.

OP posts:
Ifearthecold · 03/11/2017 17:12

He made this mess what are his solutions for clearing it up?
Individual counselling for you might give you the space and clarity to work through what you need. Maybe a longer period apart would help focus on what your priorities are?

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 03/11/2017 19:46

Yes what are his proposed solutions?

threeandmeandthedog · 03/11/2017 19:54

Along the lines of total transparency about all communication methods, tell me if there is any contact from her, he won't contact her again, I can ask what I want when I want about any details and he will answer, cutting back on non family commitments e.g. His hobby which is time consuming, set aside time for just us, be open and honest, cut back on alcohol consumption (stop drinking during week, he has slipped into doing this), attend joint and individual
Counseling.
I don't think these things will mend the situation but at least it's a point to start from and to see if there is a way forward.
I see him in a very different way now and am not sure there is a way back. But I am prepared to give it some time to see what happens and how he behaves.

OP posts:
threeandmeandthedog · 03/11/2017 19:57

In terms of time apart I really don't want to Unsettle the kids until I have made a choice. They have had an awful year too and I just want to keep things on an even keel for them if we can manage it.

OP posts:
SchnitzelVonKrumm · 03/11/2017 20:07

It’s a place to start and it sounds like he’s doing the right things but I think you must give yourself a lot of time to come to terms with what’s happened and decide. Is he accepting full responsibility? Does he recognise that he made an active choice to betray you and how does he propose to make sure he won’t give himself permission to do it again? It’s not your job to police him.

IfYouGoDownToTheWoodsToday · 04/11/2017 08:42

Do what you feel is right for you and your dc, but be aware that you’re feelings are important too and if it all gets too much, have no hesitation in making him leave, so you get space to sort your head out.
Flowers

thiskittenbarks · 04/11/2017 08:45

Good luck with it OP. It’s doable to rebuild and be very happy. I hope everything works out for you all and that he realises what an idiot he has been to risk so much.

MerryMarigold · 04/11/2017 13:20

I hope it all goes ok. You must be shattered. Maybe write yourself a letter which you read again in 6 months, just to help you not 'forgive and forget' ie. Sweep things under the carpet after he's attended a couple of counseling sessions. It will come back to haunt you if not dealt with, and the worst thing for the kids would you be loving with bitterness towards him.

threeandmeandthedog · 08/11/2017 09:43

I feel so humiliated and broken by this and so fucking lonely and sad.

OP posts:
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