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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

It's happened to us too

90 replies

EvenYouBrutus · 17/11/2019 08:33

I feel so sad an embarrassed to even type all this. I know there have been a million and one posts like this before and I always hoped this subject would apply to me too.

But I have just within the past hour found messages on my husbands Apple Watch that basically show he was trying to meet someone for sex.

He claims that all he wanted was dirty talk and he has only ever done it this time and once before he messaged someone (a week ago) and didn't get a response (initially said he only did it once and then within 15 mins mentioned this second incident). He says he has never ever met with anyone and would never had sex, but in the message he asks if that person is local and also makes a comment about his regulars being busy so she should leave him hanging. The messages were sent late last night and it looks like the only reason they hadn't finalised a meet was because of essentially a diary clash.

I'm going to try and give some background, but apologies in advance if I drip feed, my head is all over the place.

We have a 3 year old and an almost 1 year old. 1 year old had a scary birth and we have been going through a very tough time. He still breastfeeds every 2-3 hours night and day and doesn't drink from a milk/cup. Solid food is an issue (but that's another story). Both children are mummy's boys so they want me alll the time, I am overweight, touched out and a little depressed if I'm honest. Sure to go back to work in a couple of weeks and dreading it.

Husband says he has felt neglected and unloved sexually and needed comfort from someone. I knew we were in a bad way, sex life is pretty non-existent right now, but I'm
Literally doing 4 wakes (which includes 3 feeds) a night. I know he needs me, but my kids, especially the youngest have needed me too.

I truly thought we were at a place of hunkering down for a few months and getting to a point where the youngest can eat and sleep and then we work on us. Even talked about counselling.
I know I haven't been the wife he needed, but in my book if that's how you feel, you end the marriage first before you so much as glance at another woman. He says he is not blaming me, but has give like six different reasons why things o have done have pushed him here.

Now I just feel like all hope is gone. I was brought up around infidelity and it made childhood a nightmare. My father even had a child with another woman, though remains married to my mother. I have sworn I would never become her. Resented her for her weakness. And prayed I would never be in this sort of situation but I am.

Right now I think I am in shock. I feel like what I have to do now is get divorced. Figure out how we split things up and become another statistic. Well, either way I'll be another statistic.

We were just getting ready to go to church and have family over later. I don't know how I'm meant to function. I don't know what to do. I'm currently hiding in our bedroom while he is downstairs with the kids.

I don't know how to get through the rest of today, not to talk of the rest of my life...

OP posts:
EvenYouBrutus · 17/11/2019 08:34

FYI, I have name changed for this

OP posts:
Wynston · 17/11/2019 08:39

Oh you poor thing......im sorry.
Is it possible that you have today out-take yourself of to a firends with little ones???

EvenYouBrutus · 17/11/2019 08:42

It's my family coming to visit, so I am meant to be here. But I'm trying to think of a reason I can cancel. I don't have any friends I would talk to about this irl. I never talk about my personal business and I wouldn't be able to act "normal". I could get husband to go out or I could take the kids to soft play or something. I just feel like my feet are stuck in concrete...

OP posts:
Timetobegood · 17/11/2019 08:44

Well I definitely wouldn’t believe his version of the story. Who is this person he contacted meant to be? If he’s referring to his regulars it sounds like sex workers or his own personal harem.

Is it possible to get through today and let the shit hit the fan later?

Sorry but I think you’re right that it has to be over.

EvenYouBrutus · 17/11/2019 08:45

Just re read the message he sent to the prostitute. Actually says he is "with my regular tonight [i.e. me Sad], but want someone new". Not that his regulars are busy. Not that it makes much difference...

OP posts:
EvenYouBrutus · 17/11/2019 08:46

He has shown me a website where he found this woman. Definitely a sex worker.

OP posts:
Ledkr · 17/11/2019 08:47

All I will say is that I experienced similar and eventually decided to split up. I couldn't see a way forward if I'm honest and I felt that getting through a break up was a better option for me as I couldn't bear to spend the rest of my life living with self doubt and fear of him cheating again.
It was hard (I had 4 kids, one a baby) but for me it was the better option and has worked out well.
I agree about getting some thinking time.
You will go through phases to be honest.
One minute you are getting a divorce the next you will be determined to stay together.
Next few weeks will be up and down and when you reach a decision you will feel better for it.

Ilovethekitties · 17/11/2019 08:48

OP, hugs. Do you believe him when he says that this is the first time? Often on these forums the men are lying.

EvenYouBrutus · 17/11/2019 08:51

@Ilovethekitties if someone else had posted this, I would think the guy was lying. So I guess even though I really want to believe him, I don't think I can/should. There is no way he can prove a negative and now I just don't trust him.

OP posts:
Grannybags · 17/11/2019 08:55

Can’t your 3 year old have a sudden and spontaneous outbreak of D and V so that you can put off your family? You and H need to talk.
If not then you are going to have to put your game face on and get through until later - and then talk. You need to fully understand before you make any decisions.

braw · 17/11/2019 08:55

I think you should cancel family coming, try and get a bit of headspace. Maybe say one of the kids is unwell. If there's a time for white lies this is it.

EvenYouBrutus · 17/11/2019 08:56

@Ledkr I guess time will tell and the next few days/weeks will be crucial. Ultimately I have to decide to try and work through this or not. But I would feel like I would have let the person I have claimed to be my whole life down, if I even try and work through this. I have always said to him I would never stay with him if he cheated. In the hope in part that by saying that he would take me seriously enough never to do it...

I just feel numb and yet so humiliated. And so sad for my children.

OP posts:
braw · 17/11/2019 08:57

Cross post @Grannybags maybe one of the kids has been sick once and you're erring on the side of caution in case it's D and V. I'd try to get an opportunity to have a good long talk with DH, sounds like he's giving more away every time you talk.

Wynston · 17/11/2019 08:59

I feel so sad for you.
Is he apologetic op??

666onmyhead · 17/11/2019 09:02

What would the fallout be if you asked him to explain himself infront if the guests ?

BuildBuildings · 17/11/2019 09:07

You'll get loads of advice from people who have been through this. But just wanted to say you've got nothing to be embarrassed about and he's got everything to be embarrassed about. Of course we all hope this won't happen to us but I believe we can never truly know it won't. Sending love, you can get through this Flowers

Zaphodsotherhead · 17/11/2019 09:08

Don't blame yourself. You may be touched out and not wanting sex but if that were an excuse practically every father of small children would be out there hunting for 'comfort'.

He may feel unloved but, let's face it, you don't go to a sex worker for love, do you.

He's hunting for sex when he could just have a wank. Which should tell you everything.

Themyscira · 17/11/2019 09:08

He's ruined everything, op. I'm so sorry. There's really no coming back from this, sex work is a euphemism for paid rape. He's not the man you thought he was, he has lied to you for who knows how long.

Do what you need to in order to get headspace today. Tomorrow, you need to book an appointment to get tested for STDs. I'm so sorry. Be gentle with yourself; you haven't done anything wrong. You had faith in him and in your marriage. He torpedoed it in the worst, most selfish way.

WhoKnewBeefStew · 17/11/2019 09:10

Ahhh didums.. poor man being over shadowed by a baby and mother in the first few months of it's life after a difficult birth... sorry OP but he's been (and still is being) monumentally selfish. Plus he's only telling you what you can prove, which is another trait of a selfish man. Get rid and concentrate on the family that really deserve your attention.

Windygate · 17/11/2019 09:20

Is the family coming over you parents and/or sibling? You are going to need all the support in real life that you can get.

Let him take the children to church whilst you take sometime to process the enormity of what you've just discovered.

Be brave and phone someone like your mum and briefly explain that he's just admitted to using sex workers and ask them to come and support you.
He can make himself scarce for a few hours to give you some privacy. I'd ring the in-laws before he gets a chance to lie to them.

BuffaloCauliflower · 17/11/2019 09:21

I’m so sorry OP, what a twat. Can you claim a sickness bug to cancel your plans today?

bluejelly · 17/11/2019 09:25

I found out my ex had cheated on me when my baby was 6 weeks old. It wasn't easy but I got through it. You will too. Take care OP and do reach out for support wherever you can Thanks

Newschapter · 17/11/2019 09:28

@EvenYouBrutus maybe don't phone your mum seeing as she has put up with this all her life - she may not be the best or most supportive person for this situation.

Tell family you're unwell and dinner is postponed. Then take the day to talk through what's going to happen with your dh.

I couldn't stay either. It would be game over for me. My dh is also aware of this (my dad cheated for years too)

Life will be easier on your own. And very, very few people get caught the first and only time they do something.....

DBML · 17/11/2019 09:40

Hi op

I’m so sorry this has happened to you. A sexless marriage is a very lonely place. I know because I had a partner who couldn’t have sex regularly. It drives people to question their relationship and sadly does lead to infidelity. In an ideal world it shouldn’t and a husband should support their partner, particularly when lack of sex is down to having small children.
I’m not proud to say this, but if DH hadn’t sought help for his issue and improved things, I probably would have looked outside the marriage too. And we were still having sex every 1-2 weeks. Sorting myself out was not enough for me, I wanted my partner.

But you are quite right, this isn’t a good enough excuse to contact/visit prostitutes behind your back and if he was so unhappy (which clearly he was), he should have talked to you about it and if he felt it unresolved, left the marriage fairly, rather than go down this sneaky route where he thought he could have both...keep you and get sex. He should have given you the chance to be part of the decision. He didn’t and I think the lying and deceit will be very difficult to overcome. Even if nothing physical has happened, he has cheated by trying to arrange it.

The ball is now in your court and you have to decide whether to give your relationship another change or kick him out. I wouldn’t worry about telling family ‘exactly’ what he did, as it serves no purpose other than to humiliate, which could cause issues down the line. A simple ‘DH has looked outside the marriage ’ says enough really.

Many people downplay the importance of sex in a relationship, but either way, his choice is not your fault. He’s an adult and should have dealt with issues in an adult manner.

CabbagePatchKids · 17/11/2019 11:12

Don't blame yourself. You may be touched out and not wanting sex but if that were an excuse practically every father of small children would be out there hunting for 'comfort'.

What @Zaphodsotherhead said.
I'm in the same situation ie 2 young children, no time (or desire) for sex. This is so normal, your husband needed to get over it and understand your needs. Instead he has been overwhelmingly selfish.

Do NOT take his excuses or any blame.

Who can you speak to about this IRL- a friend? Your mum?

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