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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

What do I tell the children, for now? Husband staying somewhere else for the moment...

3 replies

Otterspotter · 08/12/2017 21:38

'D'H had an affair, which he told me about in the summer. I have tried to be kind and forgiving but he doesn't seem able to offer me kindness or respect in return. Last weekend was the second time since finding out that after weeks of admittedly slow progress he has shat all over it and stayed out all night and ignored my calls. There have been numerous other ways that he has demonstrated a complete lack of respect for me.

Last week I asked him to stay somewhere else. He came back on Wednesday night as I asked him to as I wanted the children to be able to see him. He works long hours so in normal circumstances is only back about once or twice a week in time to see them for bedtime but he sees them in the morning and at weekends.

I don't think it's right for him to be here unless something drastic happens and he can commit fully to me and our family, but I think we're a way off that. I also feel we're a way off a formal separation. We have only just started our Relate sessions properly.

My question is, what do I tell the children for now? They are 2 and nearly 6 so it's only really the older one. But they will notice that Daddy isn't here ☹️ I am trying very hard to be as normal as possible but I had a really difficult day today and the older one asked me at bath time 'Have you got a sore or is something hurting in some way?' I managed to do nothing more than well up but I was sobbing wildly on the inside.

Should I say nothing for now even though they may be subliminally picking up on things? Has anyone been in a similar position?

OP posts:
Nevergiveupdreaming · 08/12/2017 22:04

Hand hold for now.
Gosh op that’s hard on you. With the 6 yr old I would say mummy and daddy have fallen out, relate it to friends st School, and daddy is going to stay at xxx for now. We both love you and you can see daddy whenever you like or on xxx

BrewCakeFlowers

Ohyesiam · 08/12/2017 22:22

I would be as honest as possible. I was 5 when my patents split, and the obvious gap between what was going on, and what I was told was going on was really destabilising. It also made me feel I couldn't trust my mum.

So I would say, as pp said, that you have fallen out. Tell them some of how it makes you feel, then ask how that is for them, and give reassurance. Let then know it cab be an ongoing open dialogue.
Also it seems to be pretty universal that kids think it's their fault.

This sounds so hard for you op. But you've really done right thing for you and your kids. Keep posting to get support.

Sending you lots of strength and hugsFlowers

Whoneedsaman · 08/12/2017 22:30

I keep putting off telling my DD that me and her daddy are separating. I'm dreading telling her. I thought about trying to make it sound more positive. Perhaps something like, you might have noticed daddy and I have been falling out a bit recently. We think we will get on much better if we live apart for a bit. We still love you and we're still mummy and daddy.

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