Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

In a tangle

4 replies

YouCantCallMeBetty · 25/07/2021 08:04

Over the last few days I've been back in touch with an ex from 20 years ago. We had a fairly intense relationship for 6 mths or so but it ended as we were at different stages (I was just finishing uni and he was still partying and not entirely on the right side of the law). No contact between us since it ended until now. He says he's single now, nothing on his social media to suggest otherwise.

I've been together with my DH for 13 years, married for 8 with a DD(4). I suspect he has been unfaithful a few times over the years and he definitely had an emotional affair with someone a few years ago while they were working away together as I saw the messages (he's in the military), maybe a physical affair but he denies that and I've no way of ever knowing the truth. We had some counselling back then which helped a bit and we talked more but he's still flirty by nature and has his head turned easily I think. I stayed with him because it seemed we had repaired enough and I've never had any firm evidence of any other infidelity.

Generally we're in an ok place relationship wise, we rub along fine, manage family life fairly well together and he is a lovely, engaged dad with our DD. Not especially emotionally close though and he is not one for chatting.

But...I'm enjoying being back in touch with my ex and, while I know I'm on dangerous ground, I can't shake the thought that it's 'my turn' to have a bit of fun. Feels very immature to write that but it's true. I've been the smug, pious sensible one in our marriage, not ever following up on any flirtations because of the risk they posed to our relationship but something has shifted now. It's a kind of 'if you can't beat em, join em' mentality which doesn't seem the best basis for a healthy relationship.

Can it be my turn for a while or do I have to be sensible and mature and put a stop to this? Messages are just chats and a bit of reminiscing, nothing sexual and no photos or anything but some of the old feelings are there. Please help MN, WWYD?

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 25/07/2021 08:19

I was wondering why you chose to remain with this man given that you think he has been unfaithful to you more than once over the years. Your reasons for staying with him were not sound and remain unsound.

What he did has never properly been resolved for you and that's partly why you are acting re your ex as you are now. You state he is a good dad to your DD. Is he really though (women in poor relationships often write that when they can think of nothing else positive to write about their man). You also do not mention how you feel about him now as a husband. Probably not much if you were to think about it.

Stop chatting with this ex and block him; you're on dangerous ground here and two wrongs do not make a right. They just make for being two wrongs.

What do you want to teach your child about relationships and what is she learning here?. Would you want her to be in a relationship like this as an adult?.

premium77 · 25/07/2021 09:08

If you’re unhappy then leave. Nothing excuses cheating and it’s comical to think there’s ‘taking turns’. Grow up

AgentJohnson · 25/07/2021 10:26

Can it be my turn for a while?

Of course it can be your turn to be the arsehole in your marriage. Your Can it be my turn for a while? is you looking for an excuse or permission. I’m sure your shitty H had his own She’ll never find out etc, permission thought process.

The time to embark on a relationship is when you aren’t in a relationship or if you’re in one, with the explicit permission of your relationship partner.

Just because your H was a shit first doesn’t give you permission to be a shit second. Have more self respect and check out of your marriage officially before entering into a new relationship.

YouCantCallMeBetty · 25/07/2021 11:38

Thank you for your replies. You're all right of course and I needed to hear that. I absolutely wouldn't want this for my daughter. Both my parents had affairs but stayed together 'for the children' and I always thought I didn't want to repeat that pattern but seem to be doing it anyway. Time to put a stop to this and make some decisions.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page