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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

I'm having an affair

231 replies

Rgy3250999 · 27/04/2018 15:09

Well I don't quite know where to start.

I've been with my DH for well over a decade, since we were teens and we have a young family together. We used to fight and fall out a lot when we first started dating, probably because we weren't overly compatible and he didn't show me a lot of affection. I have issues in the past which I accept have probably made me quite needy, although he really wasn't affectionate a lot. We both had family issues and I suppose that pushed us together even more as our relationship was like a form of escapism.

Fast forewarn a number of years and we had a family together. The arguments calmed down but we still weren't affectionate and sex was very rare and not great (little effort from him mostly).

I have had depression (undiagnosed so presumed) and haven't been the easiest person to live with at times. I've struggled to hold down a job due to social anxiety and his lack of affection meant that I used to question him a lot after nights out and ask about work colleagues etc. I know this was wrong and I understand this has probably pushed him away. He used to look at porn but then stopped because I felt quite jealous so now when I talk about his low libido, he's quick to remind me that he was more normal until I interfered.

Anyway, we have tried to make it work and plodded on. Deep down we do get on but there is a lot of resentment on both sides and when we have tried to make an effort, it feels forced and fake. It never lasts and we go back to our usual routine of being like friends with little interest in each other and not much affection or physical contact. We don't argue much now as I think we're both past that stage and we do get on ok, but it's not fulfilling.

So, I was feeling lonely and stupidly set up a profile on an online dating site with a fake picture. Not to get dates or anything, but to have conversation with other men and remember what it felt like to be young and have that excitement. I intended to stop and delete the profile but it became addictive and I probably withdrew further from my marriage.

After a few weeks, I exchanged numbers with one man and we talked a few times (he still didn't know what I looked lIke) and it led to phone sex late one evening whilst my DH was in bed. However, he wondered where I was and came looking for me very quietly and caught me. I felt terrible and he shouted and got upset. I explained what I had done and why and told him that these men hadn't got a picture of me and I hadn't met anyone. He eventually agreed to forgive me and we both said we'd try to get the spark back. I cut off contact with that other man and deleted my profile.

Then a few months later, my husband was poorly and I was trying to look after him and the kids. He spent over a week in bed sleeping and I was lonely. The sex and affection that had been promised hadn't been overly forthcoming even before he was poorly and I was now so tempted to create a new profile that one evening I signed up to the site again. I chatted to various men briefly and eventually one man came along that seemed really nice. He wasn't amazingly good looking but we clicked and he made me laugh. We exchanged numbers and talked a few times on the phone, plus sent hundreds of messages and I felt addicted to the attention and having so much fun. I knew I should stop but I couldn't.

After a few weeks of talking, he suggested we meet and that's when I thought it would end. I was just going to ignore him or block him as i knew it was over anyway but because he had been so lovely and I'd basically tricked him, I opened up about my home life and told him the truth. To my amazement, he didn't block me. He said he was sad as he had felt such a connection and hadn't gelled with anyone that well, even when we talked on the phone. I agreed as it was effortless and so natural. I was that taken aback by him not blocking me that I agreed to meet him. I didn't think I was capable of it really as I'm very shy normally and have social anxiety issues. I also knew it would be wrong and the voice in my head said it'd be ok because I would stop myself. I've always told DH that I'd never meet anyone else and believed that to be true as it had only ever been talking and I did/do love DH and my family.

That day I was so nervous but I met him. It was like I had forgotten everyone else (selfishly) and pretended to be an actress or someone else so I wasn't doing anything wrong. We had a long walk together in the sunshine and although I was nervous, we laughed a lot and it was really nice. We had a few kisses and cuddles and although it felt a bit awkward as deep down I knew it was wrong, I didn't want to stop. Still I told myself that this would be it and I'd end it. I had proved to myself that I could still date and be found attractive and I thought that was all I wanted.

He messaged a lot after that meeting though and I couldn't stop the contact. My DH didn't suspect anything and although he's a nice man really and a good father, home was boring and the messaging was exciting and actually felt far more loving than what I had at home.

Fast forward another week and this online man asked me for another date. This time to the cinema. Again, I didn't think I'd turn up but I did and thinks felt amazing. It was like we were a proper couple. We were further away from my home so I could relax and not worry about being caught. We held hands and cuddled a lot and then it turned really quite passionate with the kissing. I could feel he was erect whilst we kissed and I knew he wanted me. He said he hadn't felt anything that electric and passionate before and that he thought he was falling for me. Part of me felt terrible but then another part knew he meant it and I felt truly loved. He really looked after me and kept looking at me when he thought I wasn't looking and stroked/kissed my hands so gently.

After the film, he asked if I'd like to see his new home as he had just moved a few days before and said I could visit him (or not, no pressure) at any time and he would love to see me. I agreed to go to his place and followed him back in the car.

I knew we would kiss and I was actually a bit scared of how I felt and what I'd allow myself to do but still I didn't turn around. We got inside and kissed a lot. We laid on his bed cuddling and he made me feel amazing. The kissing was so passionate and we were both massively turned on. Although I didn't allow him to touch my naked body, he groped me a lot and I ended up giving him a hand job. Afterwards, it still felt amazing. We laughed, we talked, we cuddled. He got another erection and it felt good that someone wanted me so much.

So that was yesterday and now I'm wondering, what next. If we meet again next week, I'm sure he will touch me at the very least and I'm fairly sure we will end up having sex. This is already an affair but having sex would really seem like a proper affair to me, especially as me and DH were both virgins when we met and haven't been with anyone else. My head is a mess and I don't know what to do. I can't believe what I've already done and either my DH or this other man is going to get hurt which I didn't want.

OP posts:
something2say · 27/04/2018 16:11

Point take re cut her some slack.

But not everyone is that brave are they. Lots of folk just stagger on and then shit like this happens, gets chosen sub or consciously, if you get me. Yes she did deliberately sign up.....why? A lifetime of lack of any substance in the relationship? That's a big deal. You're not supposed to live like that.

I do think it needs to be nipped in the bid pretty sharpish tho. The thing is, you only get to be a good person if you do good things, and this isn't good and ought to be stopped and the whole thing gone about a different way.

That's my two penneth tho, not being married and no kids, easy for me to just leave dead relationships.

SoupDragon · 27/04/2018 16:12

This new man isn't the scumbag you think he is. He is really lovely

No, he’s a scumbag who thinks shagging a woman with a husband and children at home is OK. Although I guess that makes you ideally suited to each other.

MissTeri · 27/04/2018 16:12

Really OP? You think anyone here gives any fucks about how many erections he's had? I'm half expecting you to PM me his dick pics any minute. ?

How will the new man react when you begin to question him about his nights out and work colleagues? because if you stick with him it'll happen. Not right away but it will.

My advice would be split from your husband. Forget this man and go do some work on yourself, and I do mean that in the nicest possible way.

Elendon · 27/04/2018 16:14

tl:dr don't give up the day job.

something2say · 27/04/2018 16:15

Rgy it sounds like it's time to sit down and have a proper think.

Look at the hand of cards life has dealt you and recognize that, as a grown woman, you have to change some of them out now.

We all do. I had a shit childhood too and have gone through this process.

It will feel better. work out what your problems are and then work out how to solve the,.

I'm insecure.
I'm needy.
I have no social skills.
I have no career history.
Etc

Many start there....but you have to solve these things. No man is ever going to do it for you and no one can ever love you better, YOU have to do it.

My best advice to you now? Have that think xxx and be brave and wise xxx

Gazelda · 27/04/2018 16:16

You don't know what to do? You've got choices:

  1. End the affair and try again at your marriage
  2. End the affair and end your marriage
  3. End the marriage and continue the affair.

1 seems a bit pointless . You've demonstrably checked out.
2 probably sounds scary, but will give you a future full of hope and opportunities
3 you've met the guy twice. You don't know him. I think this would be reckless.

Whatever you choose, please don't excuse your behaviour on a bad childhood. Many people have a tough time growing up but don't act as selfishly and foolishly as you are.

FailingTheBoyfriendExam · 27/04/2018 16:16

Ah, you have depression and felt lonely. Poor you.

Not only are you cheating, but you took conscious actions to do so (joined a dating site). You are selfish and despicable. I hope that your knight in shining armour hurts you as much as you seem willing to hurt your husband.

RLOU88 · 27/04/2018 16:16

You don’t have bad anxiety and then go off and have phone sex with a stranger while your husbands upstairs.

willynillypie · 27/04/2018 16:18

I feel so sorry for your husband.

PerfectlyDone · 27/04/2018 16:19

Well, if this is actually your life, I apologise for having been sarky Thanks

You need to leave your H.
You need to think about what you want in life.
Don't enter in a new relationship, whether with new man or anybody else, immediately.
Put YOU in charge and make decisions that will lead to a better life for you and your DCs.

You are confusing good sex with a good relationship. And please spare us all detailed descriptions.

What good do you expect will come from continuing with an affair? Genuine question - I never get this argument: "I am oh so unhappy, so I am justified in having an affair'. Hmm

Adora10 · 27/04/2018 16:23

You are totally missing most of these points, nobody is saying stay in an unhappy marriage, what we are saying is stop behaving like a nasty horrible person, unless of course you want to be; your post says nothing about guilt or your poor OH, it's more about you getting your kicks writing about having sex with strangers.

UrgentExitRequired · 27/04/2018 16:25

I think you should probably be honest with your husband about what has happened and if you want to work it through (and he still wants you as well) then do so. If you have decided that you are over the marriage then I think you should be honest with him about what you have done and ask for a divorce. All the lying and cheating is just going to end really badly.

Rgy3250999 · 27/04/2018 16:25

So because one person has a bad childhood and isn't affected by it and goes on to have a great life, everyone else must feel the same? You have no idea. I have had panic attacks at work and ended up losing countless jobs. I've self harmed, I've had suicidal thoughts, I've spent years feeling low and useless and like the world would be a better place if I wasn't in it. When DH and I first dated, I had a full time job for the first few years and really struggled to go. It was hell and I was utterly miserable but I stuck with it and was a decent girlfriend. He still didn't show me affection. He wouldn't take me out anywhere. Sex was nonexistent virtually and all about him. Then after a few years I couldn't cope and left work. That was when I would make comments about him cheating on nights out etc because I was miserable and men are meant to want sex and he wasn't having any of it with me. Don't presume I didn't try because I did. I tried to have a career and a decent relationship. It's all harder when you have no one around to talk to and family that was never bothered about you.

I'm not trying to justify my behaviour. I know that I have messed up massively and I know my DH didn't deserve this but I felt desperate and lonely. We tried to change things but I don't think he'll ever look at me like I want him to and I'm sure he resents me so this is it and I can't live like this because it's making me feel like I have nothing to live for.

I don't have an income to separate from him. I've sent my cv to every recruitment agency in my town but not even had an interview, presumably because of the gap on my cv (even though most was spent as a sahm). I don't have a penny to my name and even if we sold the house and split, I couldn't afford to support us and DH couldn't afford much in maintenance after he paid for his own accomdation and bills, plus the kids would have to move schools and miss out on all of their hobbies. I feel trapped.

OP posts:
croprotationinthe13thcentury · 27/04/2018 16:25

Ignore the haters. Shit happens OP, we’re not robots, we’re human and it is nice to feel loved sometimes. Really, the sanctimony on MN at times is intolerable.
But, you do need to get out if your marriage, life too short to live in a loveless relationship.

pepperpot99 · 27/04/2018 16:27

"he groped me a lot and I ended up giving him a hand job".

And they say romance is dead Grin.

It's clearly troo luvv, OP. I say run away to Gretna Green and get married.

Alternatively: what a load of badly written bollocks. Must try harder. Wink

MomOfSeven · 27/04/2018 16:30

Wow, what did I just walk into 😂

Oowatchasay · 27/04/2018 16:30

So because one person has a bad childhood and isn't affected by it and goes on to have a great life, everyone else must feel the same?

Nice assumption you made about me there, I thought you'd know better. FAR from the case actually, but I still don't use it to justify my shitty actions and deep down you know you shouldn't be either.

'Woe is me' is used by far too many care leavers and they use it to make shitty and irresponsible decisions then blame it on their childhood like the decisions are out of their hands.

Sometimes I feel myself slipping out of control and wanting to self-destruct and I think this is what you are doing. You need to get a handle on it and either leave your husband or stop trying to push him away because you are scared of being safe and happy.

Catrina1234 · 27/04/2018 16:31

Oh lord above I can't believe all the posts telling this woman what to do and the "put down" ones e.g "you sound like a teenager etc etc. SO many posters taking the high moral ground. OK you don't approve - I think the OP has cottoned on to that..............I'm not going to offer advice because what will be will be - BUT you don't know this man very well at all OP and he might turn out to be very different from how he is now - and then again he might not. I know that a new romance is so very exciting (been there done that) and it's quite hard to think rationally when you meet someone new - infatuation sets in and feeling loved again will be very pleasant - I know that too. It's your call and many posters have outlined your options, but FWIW I think you will be unable to resist your new man..................just take care and think carefully about the possible outcomes.

FailingTheBoyfriendExam · 27/04/2018 16:31

You're not trying to justify your behaviour? Then why keep mentioning all that stuff?

I have every sympathy for people who have a difficult childhood and mental health issues. Quite what that has to do with joining a dating site, meeting a stranger and wanking him off..... I can't see the link.

Adora10 · 27/04/2018 16:33

What's with the ignore the haters, are we all at school now.

MomOfSeven · 27/04/2018 16:34

Well I try not to judge anyone. If you want to have an affair then have an affair. It's no one else's business. After all if no one gets hurt then what's the problem?

Rgy3250999 · 27/04/2018 16:37

I'm not trying to justify things because even though this new man is lovely and the affection is lovely, I feel so sad and I don't even really know why. I know this isn't right. I know I'm relying on another man to fix me and make me feel better which isn't right. Deep down I don't think I would want to be with this man. I just don't know what I'm doing with my life and it feels like I'm trapped in my current situation. I look at other people and wonder if this is it and they're all just as miserable deep down. And if this is it, what's the point because it's hell.

I know everyone seems to think I'm a heartless cow but I'm not. For many years I've put everyone else first and always been mistreated by friends and family. I've never had anyone really care about me. Maybe DH does and that should be enough but then why do I feel so empty? I've got the kids but the stresses of bringing them up often mean I'm not enjoying parenting like I should be.

OP posts:
DevilsDoorbell · 27/04/2018 16:38

What were you hoping from this thread op?

You must have read the countless threads on here about affairs and how the y destroy the person cheated on.

Are you really surprised by the reaction ?

If your unhappy in your marriage then end it.

RLOU88 · 27/04/2018 16:38

How are we “haters” for having strong opinions on adultery ?

My mum had an affair when I was a child and and it pretty much destroyed me so I will say what I feel about cheating and the OP’s situation, considering that she herself posted on “Talk-relationships”

Dadaist · 27/04/2018 16:39

OP - this is like any other addiction. It gives you a little taste of heaven and then slowly sucks you into hell. And it will take everything from you - your family, your home, your relationship, your financial security.
And you think you can handle it right now and you can cope, and then you’ll need it just to feel normal. And the pain will be indescribable for all involved.
So - why lie and deceive? If you want your marriage save it, now! And if you don’t then end it, with decency.
No good can come from this and you must think you won’t get caught? You will.

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