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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

Emotional affair exposed. Do I ask him to move lit with 2 under 3?

14 replies

Minimikka · 18/03/2019 19:14

First time posting as I am at a loss, a bit scared to go it alone and too embarrassed to tell a friend.

I have a 2 year old and 3 month old. I found out my husband has been having an emotional affair (meeting up after work with this woman, texting and deleting, and late night calls). I found out as he didn't delete a message and I checked his phone as I was suspicious because his behavior has been distant for months but worse recently. He at first was very angry and defensive (typical response apparently) but then admitted it but said there was nothing physical. I believe this (not that it matters, it just would have been a physical nail in the coffin, so you'll speak) but he's basically been using her to pump his ego and say how awful I am. She knows all about us even though I begged him to talk to me throughout the last pregnancy as I knew we were drifting apart. He wouldn't engage, preferring to sleep in separate rooms and just pretend we got on.

The worst part is he was talking/texting/seekng her throughout my pregnancy and continued this in the last three months since our daughter was born. I feel sick that he was with me giving birth. I feel sick that when I told him to leave for the night when I found out, he called her to talk about it (he actually told me her advice was that we work it out. Warped! Although I don't get the impression she was hankering after him).

Obviously I feel so betrayed as I was desperate to work at things beforehand with him. Now he has put me in an awful situation. This isn't the first time. Apart from spending the past year flirting and divulging personal details to this woman, I did catch him trying to start rude/inapproptiate messages with a random woman knows one of those word games online.

I believe I need to get him to move out as although he's said sorry, his actions aren't remorseful. He's carrying on as normal, assuming it'll get swept away like everything else. My problem is (and it's completely a logistical one) that I'm on maternity leave with two children and maternity pay. Our 3 month old is an awful sleeper and screams if she's put down for ten minutes. I don't know if I can do this alone. No family close by and I'm reluctant to tell friends as I know I'm hoping him moving out will make him realize he's lost his family and want go fix things. Is that weak? I grew up in a divorced family and I was do so desperate not to do the same to my tiny children. I also feel angry that getting him to move out will mean he gets a social life, sleep and possibly more contact with these women. Basically I'm angry I'll have to suffer and he'll get to enjoy his new freedom/punishment.

Sleep deprived, hurt and at a loss. I feel like such a faiyto my babies that their family will break at such a young age.

OP posts:
Minimikka · 18/03/2019 19:16

Terrible typos. Please excuse.

OP posts:
WineGummyBear · 18/03/2019 19:21

Hi OP, I'm sorry this awful thing is happening to you.

Please get some real life support. You are going to need both emotional and practical support in the next few weeks. I know it feels drastic to take that step but a close friend or family member can help you much more than we can.

I'm so sorry he turned out to be such an arse. You and your children will survive this.

AnotherEmma · 18/03/2019 19:24

I think you have no choice but to LTB I'm afraid.
Assuming he'll want contact with the children, you will at least get a break during that time.
You could see if Home Start is active near you and could set you up with a volunteer to help you out.
Financially speaking he'll obviously have to pay child maintenance. And as you're married you will be entitled to a fair share of the marital assets - get legal advice on it.
Tell your friends, you need as much support as you can get, whatever you decide to do.

Greenmum2019 · 18/03/2019 19:24

Sorry you are going through this. I never reply on here but felt compelled to. I don't know the motivation for this artist or whether it was purely a symptom.

But I really do think you should ask him to leave. Even thought it feels so hard. I was in the same situation after Xmas and after me begging him to try to make it work and bumbling on. I thought he needs to realise that I have boundaries and need .ore from him. So he left. After three weeks we talked and for the first time in years we connected and talked honestly and he said he hadn't tried and snared to try. It's been ace since really.

I was a bitof a mess when he went and with the. It's alone I would cry at night. But at least I felt real and felt like I was doing the right thing. With him here I could think straight. It's saved us I think. Xxx good luck

Greenmum2019 · 18/03/2019 19:26

Sorry should read affair not artist!!

AnotherEmma · 18/03/2019 19:26

PS You haven't failed your children, he has. My parents separated when I was tiny and I strongly believe that it's better to have separated parents than unhappily married parents.

HollowTalk · 18/03/2019 19:33

I'm so sorry. What a bastard he is. I wouldn't be too sure there was nothing physical, though. When you said he was sleeping in another room I wondered whether he was talking to her then, too.

Is she married? Is that why she doesn't want to take it further?

AnotherEmma · 18/03/2019 19:44

Check out www.chumplady.com

MsDogLady · 18/03/2019 20:07

I am very sorry. Yes, absolutely tell him to leave.

He has betrayed you for at least a year, treating you with utter contempt and disregard while prioritizing this OW.

He has conducted his affair right there in your own home.

He wouldn’t engage during your pregnancy (and badmouthed you to OW) to put emotional distance between you to justify his affair.

I would never, ever trust him again. I would also suspect that it has gone physical if they’ve been meeting after work for a year.

WhoKnewBeefStew · 18/03/2019 20:26

Yes it’s scary, the thought of going alone with two small children.

I was you, about 10 yrs ago. It broke me. I couldn’t get past the lies and level of deceit he’d go to, just to talk to her. He convinced me it wasn’t physical. I found out 3 years later that it has been. So don’t rule this out.

Anyway, I couldn’t get past it so left. I was fine, you survive and manage, it’ll be fine

Sunshineandflipflops · 18/03/2019 20:35

I’m not so sure nothing physical happened either with that time line. Are you expected to believe that they just talked when they met up? They might not have actually slept together but I’d be surprised if nothing at all has gone on.
From experience, it’s not easy on your own (my kids are older than yours though) but it’s better for them to not be around parents who don’t love or respect each other and to grow up knowing they have a strong and capable mum. That’s what I tell myself when I think about my kids and how I never wanted them to to have separated/divorced parents.
What would you advise your daughter (if you have one) idled she came to you in this position when she’s older? I’m pretty sure you would be telling her she deserves better x

MMmomDD · 18/03/2019 20:37

Oh, no... i’d Not be making him leave. I’d be making him stay and pull his weight more. As you develop more of a life of your own and prepare for your future.

Start leaving him with the kids after he gets home. You go or and do something nice for yourself, see friends... maybe meet some nice men and chat to them regularly... etc
Why make his life easier, while overloading yourself with childcare...

And - why not chat to that woman about what she thought was going on?

MsDogLady · 18/03/2019 20:45

Mini, you really should shine a light on his despicable behavior. Tell trusted dear ones, as you need their love and support.

Please, please do not feel embarrassed. His having an affair is not about you, but is all about his weak boundaries and sense of entitlement to pursue an illicit ego-boost.

Minimikka · 18/03/2019 21:36

Thank you so much for the supportive comments. I have just called a close friend who echoed everything said. Indeed, I would be telling my daughter she deserves more and know what a bad example I would be setting for them to watch this level of distrust and contempt. I do believe we could be good co-parents and make sure our children feel loved even when separated.

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