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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

DH and EA. What is to be done?

100 replies

smellyolebum · 15/11/2021 21:12

Been together with DH for many decades with one grown and independent DC. Generally, have a good supportive relationship – and he has always totally shared the load. However, DH is not very sociable. Shortly after we got together he stopped seeing his old friends (because he had me) and was not too bothered with seeing my friends. I carried on with my own social life and he got most of his social needs met at work.

Fast forward to DH retiring, work friends were just that, thus he was left with no social life. So, I set up a regular social event from my networks in order to include him and this was very successful. However, just before the Pandemic, I realised he was involved in an EA with one of the women in the group (saw them fucking holding hands). I told him if it did not stop NOW our marriage was over. It stopped. But there was quite a fall out in my friendship network that has been hurtful and damaging for me.

That particular social event stopped abruptly due to the Pandemic. Now, however, DH is asking me to set it up again. I feel reluctant to do this. I just felt so fucking used by them both last time and I do not entirely trust that the EA won’t take off again (she is one charismatic and attractive fucker). On the other hand, DH has no social life. I do love him and I don’t want him to be lonely as this is bad for his mental and physical health and in these challenging times it is a hard thing to get a social life going. WWYD?

OP posts:
ThisIsStartingToBoreMe · 15/11/2021 21:15

Why can't he organise his own social life and groups?

Bluntness100 · 15/11/2021 21:17

I also don’t understand this, why can’t he set it up himself?

supremelybaffled · 15/11/2021 21:18

He wants you to organise this thing again, where he can presumably spend time with this woman?

Strewth. Really?

PermanentTemporary · 15/11/2021 21:19

Seconded. But I have told my dp that I will never again stay in a relationship where my partner doesn't prioritise his friends. I'd genuinely rather have an occasionally unfaithful partner who comes home than one without a social life who expects me to fix his life for him.

Tell him you're looking forward to see what he organises.

category12 · 15/11/2021 21:21

He wants a social life, he can join a group, start a hobby, build a social network himself.

When did you become his social secretary?

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 15/11/2021 21:21

He had an emotional affair and wants you to organise spending time with her again? Does he not realise how crazy that sounds?why cant he just take up a hobby?

nocnoc · 15/11/2021 21:21

Umm that’s a no! He broke your trust. How far did that EA go? He needs to do his own leg work.

maslinpan · 15/11/2021 21:21

How has he persuaded you to believe that you are responsible for his social life?

smellyolebum · 15/11/2021 21:27

@nocnoc@ He did break my trust, which is the hard hurdle - I never questioned anything before this - I am not a jealous person. I saw them enjoying each others company and was pleased - the hand holding came as a total shock.

OP posts:
grapewine · 15/11/2021 21:28

That's actually crazy, OP. Nope.

LoveComesQuickly · 15/11/2021 21:29

What did he say when you explained your concerns? Did he reassure you or try to find a different solution? Or does he really expect you to run around organising his life while he behaves all helpless and faux innocent?

EvenMoreFuriousVexation · 15/11/2021 21:32

Why are you parenting this man?

Women are not rehab centres for broken men.

Skiptheheartsandflowers · 15/11/2021 21:33

Even without the EA, this is him expecting you to fix his life for him. It's not healthy. Add in the other detail and it's extraordinarily tone deaf of him. Is he always like this? And no, tell him his social life is his responsibility.

smellyolebum · 15/11/2021 21:33

When challenged, he minimised - actually said (cringe) she led him on.
But he did stop it.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 15/11/2021 21:33

What did I just read ?? Confused

WonderfulYou · 15/11/2021 21:40

Why can't he organise his own social life and groups?

EA aside I think it’s quite odd that you are having to set up his social life like you are creating play dates for a child!
And then when another women showed him some attention he latched on to her.

Set up the event but don’t include him. He can set up his own social life.

Why would you even consider setting up an event that would put them two together?
You sound quite passive about all this.
Are you somewhat of a pushover when it comes to him?

smellyolebum · 15/11/2021 21:41

Christ on a bike. I am embarrassed reading your responses - of course I know this is total shit - I have allowed myself to be used. What the fuck is wrong with me?

OP posts:
mcmooberry · 15/11/2021 21:50

WW I do? I would not, under any circumstances, organise anything that would lead to him and her being in the same airspace. And, in addition, wouldn't be trusting him with any other single or attached woman again.

smellyolebum · 15/11/2021 21:51

@WonderfulYou@ Love the thing about setting up playdates for a child - totally see what you mean. Blooming playdates so my DH can hold hands with another woman Again embarrassed. I am not generally passive, just the opposite - I try to take control of my own life. Clearly failing on this one. However, I was a child carer for my mum and maybe that kind of looking after stays with you.

OP posts:
TacCat49 · 15/11/2021 21:53

Christ on a bike alright. You are acting like his mother setting up play dates for him.

smellyolebum · 15/11/2021 21:56

@mcmooberry@ You have hit the nail on the head. I not only don't trust him with EA woman but also I feel like the very first time in a very long relationship when he was presented with the chance of an EA - he jumped right in.

OP posts:
Didimum · 15/11/2021 21:56

What evidence do you have it was only an EA? Adults engaged in infidelity don’t just hold hands.

BanditoShipman · 15/11/2021 21:58

Does he want the same group to be there or same group MINUS that woman?

If it’s the former he’s asking you to facilitate his affair?! Confused

WonderfulYou · 15/11/2021 21:59

It made me really sad reading this.
You would rather put his happiness above your own.

You are in no way stopping him from having a social life. He can easily go out and join a club or something without it ending in an EA.
You don’t need to do this for him.
I think it would be healthy for you to do some things for yourself and put your happiness first.

GreenClock · 15/11/2021 22:05

I think you’re being too hard on yourself. There is no need to be “embarrassed”. You are dynamic, active and extrovert, you married a different personality type (perfectly normal) and ended up running the social diary. I know couples like this, some where the man is the social butterfly and others where he is more passive like your husband.

But the emotional affair is a different topic and it’s absolutely not acceptable for him to suggest that he sees her again. I’d be suspicious that he actively wants to rekindle this flirtation OP but doesn’t have the guts to message her. So you’re the proposed conduit. It’s really not ok.

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