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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

Could you accept a 'love child?'

737 replies

Namechangeforthisone83 · 30/01/2021 15:58

As the title says really. 8yrs married. 2 dc (9, 6). Deeply love my dh but I don't know what to do. Technically no cheating involved as 'we were on a break' (sounds so Ross and Rachel) for around 3 months 🙄 he didn't want the child but she did so here we are as it gets nearer I just feel devastated. All I can think about is the humility I will suffer if I continue to be with him. I never thought this would happen to me.

OP posts:
Namechangeforthisone83 · 31/01/2021 11:15

@Namechangeforthisone83

I will be speaking to him today and explaining how I feel. I'm devasted but I need to walk away at least for now. I can't even begin to describe the pain and hurt I'm feeling but I have to think about my dc in this situation it's no longer about me and I think I know that now.

Whatever happens with him and the child etc is not going to be my business and I know deep down I would never be able to have any real love for this child regardless of the situation. If he wants to facilitate contact then he can but beyond informing them of the child that will be the extent of my involvement in the situation. I am going to have to work on myself and try and stay strong for my dc especially my eldest as this is going to crush her and that alone is hard enough. I know in time it will figure itself out but for now I have made up my mind and will speak to him later.

Thank you for all the useful advice I have been given I really appreciate it.

Even writing it here it just breaks my heart 🥺
OP posts:
ImsorryWilson · 31/01/2021 11:17

Oh good decision OP.

In my comparable situation I stayed but remained very angry for many years. That’s no tragedy -it all worked out - but we didn’t have three children to consider.

A temporary situation must be best for now but you shouldn’t have to make permanent decisions just now as you aren’t ready Flowers

Fabiofatshaft · 31/01/2021 11:18

Goodness

What a clusterfuck. You must be in a complete daze. His story about using a condom is complete B.S. Ninety nine percent of men would try their damnest to get away with Bb.

Imagine the roles were reversed. You were pregnant with another man’s child. Could he deal with it and live with it ?

Could he deal with the baby’s father visiting you in hospital ? The

Would he be happy with you spending time going to the baby’s father’s house and going out on day trips ?

Maybe you should ask him !?

My sympathies are with you, but more so for your children. It doesn’t matter how he presents it, they are so young, they will be confused, anxious and very possibly hurt. I definitely don’t think they’ll be happy about it when they pick up on your negative ‘ vibes ‘

Then there is the real world aspect when a letter drops through the post with a demand for a sizeable chunk of your ‘ family ‘ income from the cms.

The child is innocent. Your kids are innocent. If you are going to stay married, it’s going to take some nuclear powered compromises for it to work.

Unfortunately, you’ll be making most of them.

Or not.

ZoolInMyFridge · 31/01/2021 11:23

The point about OP being pregnant by other man - it IS different, because the OP would be able to make the choice over whether to keep the baby. Here, the OP and DH have no choice.

littlepattilou · 31/01/2021 11:23

@Namechangeforthisone83

I definitely would not accept any child my DH had with another woman. It's not just the baby is it? It's the constant connection your DH will have to have with this other woman, and everyone in her family. Eg, the child's grandparents on the other woman's side, and aunts and uncles etc...

Some will say 'it's not the child's fault' but I would never stay in a marriage with a man who had a baby with another woman, whether we were 'on a break' or not!

ZoolInMyFridge · 31/01/2021 11:24

When it’s stated what would happen if the situation was reversed....

Lifeisforalimitedperiodonly · 31/01/2021 11:24

Op I feel for you.
Basically he cheated. You were married. If he did not use a condom then it's come back to bite him in the arse.
The worst thing is that he cannot undo this. He can't keep feeling bad and guilty for ever because there is no point. He needs to face it and move forward.

If I really wanted to stay with him I would put some conditions on it. But that's me.
He would not attend the birth.
He wouldn't see the child until the DNA result.
Formally organised meetings with a chaperone - not just him and her with the child.
Formal maintenance.
Good luck. Do let us know how you get on x

ZoolInMyFridge · 31/01/2021 11:29

@Lifeisforalimitedperiodonly I agree with your second paragraph - however I don’t think it’s cheating. Otherwise any couple who have split would be cheating before a formalised divorce. At the point that it happened, they did not know that they would get back together.

SunshineCake · 31/01/2021 11:31

So much for support. So many posters who think they can see into the future.

@Namechangeforthisone83. I'd like to offer support. I made a decision that others wouldn't have made. I would have been vilified if I had been naive or desperate enough to ask for support here. Fortunately it is only me that has to live with my choice and not the unkind strangers on here. Ultimately I made the choice that was right for my children and myself.

I have also been the child in a similar scenario. My mother slept with her partner, lied about being on contraception, hoped to get pregnant so he'd marry her. She did. He didn't. I spent my childhood being abused in care.

There is several options for this woman so that's she not "left to raise the child alone". It is obvious how you husband needs to behave but all you can do is influence how you behave.

Take care of yourself.

Whosmadnow · 31/01/2021 11:31

Hello,
First of all my condolences on the truly awful situation to find yourself in. Im not sure if you have already thought about it or if its already been discussed but how will the financial situation moving forward impact upon you and your family. Whatever else happens your DH will now be financially responsible for his additional child for the next 18yrs and i wonder if you will become even more resentful as this continues.

PuggyMum · 31/01/2021 11:31

Another one going against the grain here to say it can work.
My sister is a love child so I have a bit of insight. The dad never wanted anything to do with her but the wife and our mum formed a very unlikely friendship.

For me this hinges on you and your H working as a team and only through him demonstrating he has your back will you truly be sure so until then you are right to be guarded.

But she doesn't get to dictate your involvement when the child is with their dad and as a newborn any contact will be built up depending on feeding routines etc so you don't need to worry about that now and this buys everyone time to adjust and your H to demonstrate his commitment to you by playing it by the book.

I hope this guy thanks his lucky stars every day that you are supporting him here and knows just what he stands to lose.

whatsthepointinwasps · 31/01/2021 11:32

I really think that’s for the best OP!
I was in the same situation many years ago, it was very difficult at first but in time things settled down and we made the best of a bad job. The physical distance helped by giving the space needed to mend hurts and we were able to salvage an amicable friendship (erm well for much of the time anyway...we did have our fall outs from time to time)...
This helped the kids to grow up in a stable place seeing both parents, both separately and together on family occasions.
It worked out as well as it could I guess, me and the ex are still on friendly terms and we have many happy times together as a, somewhat disjointed slightly weird but still very loving family nonetheless.
Best of luck OP, you can do it even though it’s scary. Sending a hug .... oh fuck it and a X too

yetmorenamechanging · 31/01/2021 11:34

I've read all your posts OP. You've mentioned a few times that you don't think you can live this child. To be honest, I don't think you have to and I don't think it's something you should feel guilty about. Maybe something changes in time and you do but equally - more likely even - nothing changes and you don't. As long as you're not mean to the child, as long as you can muster some warmth and empathy/compassion for him/her, that's five. And to be honest, you've already expressed compassion for the child so I really think you can take this off your worry pile.

For your children, I think how you break the news will determine largely how it goes. You'll have to hide your own emotions. You can't give details other than "You are going to have a half brother or sister. Baby won't live with us because baby will live with it's own mother but if you want, you'll be able to see baby" type of thing. If you say "Daddy cheated on mummy and this horrible woman is now going to have a baby" (which I'm sure you wouldn't, it's just an example) then that'll taint it all.

I think you may need to watch out for your DD9 reacting differently. Confused, yes, but a cute little baby might win her over.

I do think all of this is FAR too much for one person to handle. Far, far too much. It's bandied about quite a lot but I think this is definitely a time when counselling could help. Someone you can talk it ALL over with and not worry about their reaction. Honestly, it's just too much to figure out what you want whilst prioritising the kids and then dealing with the dynamics when the baby arrives.

One final thing. Whether you stay together or not, your DH needs to put a will together ASAP that EXPLICITLY states how his assets will be split in the case of his death. Especially if you have joint assets. I know different legal regimes have different norms and rules, but for example, would the baby have a claim to your house? In some countries this would be a Yes. Everything he does now needs to be open and honest with you. He needs to think ahead and ideally get legal advice on how to set stystems up so that you are minimally impacted a) should he no longer be alive and b) if you stay together then in daily life. Things like during holidays, will the child be spending Christmas with you alternatively or not? Will the child be spending summer holidays with you or not and if so, will he be off work or will you be involved in child care (or have to spend all your holiday with him with the step child too). Some of that can't be decided now but will need to be.

Sorry because I'm sure you don't want to think about this and it sounds callous, but at the same time, the sooner you all know exactly where you stand/would stand/will stand, the easier it will be to know what you want to do.

Littlepaws18 · 31/01/2021 11:39

@Namechangeforthisone83

I will be speaking to him today and explaining how I feel. I'm devasted but I need to walk away at least for now. I can't even begin to describe the pain and hurt I'm feeling but I have to think about my dc in this situation it's no longer about me and I think I know that now.

Whatever happens with him and the child etc is not going to be my business and I know deep down I would never be able to have any real love for this child regardless of the situation. If he wants to facilitate contact then he can but beyond informing them of the child that will be the extent of my involvement in the situation. I am going to have to work on myself and try and stay strong for my dc especially my eldest as this is going to crush her and that alone is hard enough. I know in time it will figure itself out but for now I have made up my mind and will speak to him later.

Thank you for all the useful advice I have been given I really appreciate it.

You are so strong! This is the hardest but right thing to do. The situation is absolutely disastrous and unless you don't have emotional bone I don't know how anyone can accept this situation.

Personally it would rip me to pieces if my partner did this- being alone is a far greater pull than suffering as he lives his separate life making separate decisions with another woman, messaging, meeting, involving his family, even in the long term involving your children. The separate new memories he would be making, family time with his child, photographs, financially linked to another woman, her animosity- I'd be an alcoholic within a year!

The situation is pure torture- for me as I said earlier it would be ultimatum time. There is no way I could live my life with that scenario and stay sane!

lockdownalli · 31/01/2021 11:40

OP I really think you are doing the right thing.

I have been the child in a similar, and very difficult situation and have half siblings. Can I just post a line of advice regarding your DC and their sibling?

Once paternity is established, your DC will undoubtedly have contact with the child, and so they should. Please be kind about this. If you aren't, your own DC will eventually judge you for it Flowers

WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 31/01/2021 11:41

@Namechangeforthisone83

I feel you are scared of losing him & this is clouding your judgement.

I know you say you didn't discuss any T&C when you had your break, but be onset with yourself - would you have felt ok about having sex with someone else, did you expect him to? Breaking up & on a break (to me) are two different things and if the purpose of it was fir you each to deal with the other shit you were going through was the point if the break, what was he doing going out, lad about town style?

I think you need to go back to that before dealing with anything else.

Secondly, your DH seems to be 'telling you' what he is going to do and 'giving you permission' to accept that or not. Fuck that fir a game of soldiers.

Fabiofatshaft · 31/01/2021 11:41

Zoollinmyfridge

Moot point.

Let’s just say for the point of discussion, the roles were reversed and Op wanted to keep the baby AND stay married with all the emotional fall - out that might likely ensue, with the baby’s father wanting an active role in the baby’s life.....

What does the Op think her husband would say !?

BaronessWrongCrowd · 31/01/2021 11:44

You have to do what is best for you and your DC's OP. You didn't create this situation. Thanks

WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 31/01/2021 11:44

X posted with your last post (obviously took me a long time to think & write!).

I think you're (sadly) doing the best thing. 💐

ZoolInMyFridge · 31/01/2021 11:46

@Fabiofatshaft I think my point is more about choice. In this situation OP and DH have no choice.

Namechangeforthisone83 · 31/01/2021 11:49

@lockdownalli

OP I really think you are doing the right thing.

I have been the child in a similar, and very difficult situation and have half siblings. Can I just post a line of advice regarding your DC and their sibling?

Once paternity is established, your DC will undoubtedly have contact with the child, and so they should. Please be kind about this. If you aren't, your own DC will eventually judge you for it Flowers

I will of course not stop them from going to see their sibling and will not be unkind about the situation but I will not be the one forging that relationship my one and only priority is my dc in this situation not the child. It will be entirely his responsibility to facilitate contact. I understand that it may be an unpopular opinion but whether they see the child or not the onus is not on me and I will not put myself in that situation or the added stress and pain that comes from it. Again I understand that it might not be popular opinion but that is currently where I stand
OP posts:
DBML · 31/01/2021 11:55

@Namechangeforthisone83

May I just ask a few questions and say something?

  1. How involved does your husband want to be with this new baby? (Not what he will be out of responsibility, but what he wants to be)?
  1. How involved does your husband want to be/will be with the mother? E.g. at the birth; occasions, supporting during the early weeks etc

The thing I wanted to say is that every keeps referring to the innocent child in this...and yes, the child hasn’t done anything wrong. But neither have you, or your 2 children. It is not your job to sacrifice your happiness to raise a new healthy baby. The baby doesn’t have to have anything to do with you, or even your children, certainly at the beginning. The baby is this woman and your husband’s responsibility and you should not be made to feel that the child is more important than you.

The only thing I don’t like about situations like this is that a woman can choose to go ahead and have a baby, knowing the father doesn’t want it or isn’t interested...and the father has no further say, and his hand is forced into becoming a daddy again and looking after a baby he was clear he didn’t want. On the other hand, this is the BEST reason to make sure sex is protected or perhaps to watch who you’re sleeping around with. A bit late for that now I guess.

But once again, it’s not your job to love this baby. It’s not your job to welcome them into the world and your home. It’s not your job to build relationships between the baby and your children. The child has its own parents and you shouldn’t be made to feel that that life now trumps yours.

Good luck.

Ukt67688332 · 31/01/2021 11:56

@ZoolInMyFridge

I see your point.

A women expecting a child with someone other that their partner/spouse is very different to a man expecting a child to someone other that their partner/spouse

The woman has choice whether to continue the pregnancy, the man does not.

The woman has to go through the physical parts of pregnancy and childbirth, the man does not.

More often than not the woman will keep the child close to her, certainly in the early days. The child will certainly live and have their allocated space/ room in the family home, relationships with any siblings will be stronger. This is often different for the man and in this particular circumstance it doesn't sound like that would happen at all.

It's not the same and is a red herring for the OP in my opinion.

Although I wouldn't stay in this relationship. It would be far too difficult for me.

cooldarkroom · 31/01/2021 11:57

Your life will be impacted even if you take the "I'm not involved, not my problem" road, as some of his time, your family money & his holidays will inevitably be spent on & with the child. If you stay with your husband, ultimately it would be easier to accept the child & integrate as best as possible with him/her, & in some way even if you split from your husband, your children probably will be spending w/es & going on holiday etc with the child.

As for some of the comments about OW being used & a victim. Dare I say she knew that having sex might create a baby? She wasn't used, she may even have deliberately got pregnant. but immaterial now.
She does not legally have a right to withhold access from the father, if she accepts child maintenance & the DNA test show your H is the father, she will have to allow contact.

litterbird · 31/01/2021 11:58

You are doing the right thing and being so strong. I hope you are getting a lot of support from friends, family, colleagues and of course your husband supporting all your decisions. Keep posting here as off loading to strangers can be a relief as we can see it without being close contact with the situation.