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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

Husband says he wants to leave

106 replies

Babe2807 · 16/02/2020 17:31

We've been married for 16 years. We have 2 kids - 5 year old daughter and 1 year old son. My husband is adamant he wants to leave. Says the road we've traveled on has ended. There's no spark. Doesn't love me like before. We've had our ups and downs but never did I think we weren't forever. I'm devastated and don't know what to do. I just cry. Any advice?

OP posts:
Sunnydayshereatlast · 24/06/2020 13:55

Let him take the dc out. Nowt like a reality check for ow when she sees them.
Have them ready at the door. Do not engage with him at all.

KittyKattyKate · 24/06/2020 14:14

Babe I know you’re hurting but it’s time to put on your big girl panties and get going.

Remind yourself that you are crying over a wanker who lied and cheated on you, and who chose another woman over you and the kids. Nobody in their right mind should cry over that, right?

Think of it as a lucky escape. Envision yourself five years down the line, still in your house with happy kids and not having to cook and clean for him. Then imagine him begging on the doorstep to come back, and you laughing and slamming the door in his face.

Revenge is a dish best served cold. His new relationship will peter off (as soon as she falls pregnant, probably) and then he’ll have to face the reality of family life once again. We already know how he reacts to that.

Now go and get your ducks in a row. You can do this, and we will help carry you through.

Lozzerbmc · 24/06/2020 14:31

This is awful for you. Ive been there (but no kids) and was devastated after 14 yrs married ended suddenly. I thought i would never get over it - i didnt want to- but I did and now looking back im glad it happened life has been so much better since! Take each day as it comes and look after yourself.

PopPopPopPopPop · 24/06/2020 14:42

Those emails were not meant for you, so you caused your own pain!

Deflecting the guilt onto you! He has two choices. He can justify his actions and blame you or he can realise what low life scum he really is and face his shame and guilt. Now he isn't going to do t hat is he. He's not man enough to take responsibility for his own actions.

I'm sorry he turned out this way. So many men do, unfortunately.

MotherofTerriers · 24/06/2020 14:50

You need to stand up for yourself and your children - the divorce settlement you agree will make a huge difference to your wellbeing for years to come.
Get a really good divorce lawyer. Ask friends for recommendations. Gather all the information you need. You are entitled to maintenance for the children, and probably a larger than 50% share of the house, as you will be housing them. Unless he wants 50:50 time with them which seems very unlikely.
Stop trying to persuade him to come back, and don't expect him to be fair in any settlement. Remember he was planning this when you knew nothing about it
It will be fine in the end, you deserve better than him, much better. This bit really hurts but it does pass

Notverygrownup · 24/06/2020 15:31

Oh OP, I am so angry on your behalf. How dare he treat you like this and then blame you too, for finding the emails. Your five year old probably has a more sophisticated logic. It's not my fault that I hurt you. You shouldn't have been in the way of me swinging a bat around my head!!!

Yy to reading "The Script" which Hellsbells linked to at the top of the page (or bottom, depending on how you read MN!)

Yy to getting a SHL and getting all that you are entitled to. Your h has been planning this for a long time, even viewing apartments. You owe it to your children and to yourself to play catch up and ensure that your needs and rights are observed. He will want what he can get but he will respect you more in the end for standing up for yourself and your family. Especially when it all falls apart with the new woman and he realises what he has thrown away.

You will feel awful for a while. At first you just fight to get through a breath, an hour, a morning. But things slowly improve. You will start to eat better. (If you haven't already, invest in milk shakes, and lots of eggs, and keep your strength up.) One day you will wake up and it just won't hurt so much. Something will catch you out and the feelings will hit you like a truck, but then you will get back on your feet again, and find yourself laughing with a friend, looking forward to something new. And in the meantime, "Fake it, until you can make it." Book a new haircut as soon as you can. Treat yourself to some new clothes. Practice looking at him with a "I don't care. You are part of our past" look on your face. Cry in private, but practice looking like someone who has got their act together. It will confuse him. It will help you.

And remember, whatever happens, you have the MN army behind you, at all times, cheering you on.

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