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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:
smellyolebum · 16/11/2021 09:21

This thread has made the decision not to restart this social event a very easy one. Hard to believe that I even considered it. Thank you to all of you who have posted so wisely. To fill in some blanks in the story. They did not have the opportunity to be more intimate so I will never know if it would have gone further. The friends I lost were not on DH's side (he has no friends) they took the EA woman's side. She told people that I had put a stop to her perfectly innocent friendship with DH because I was jealous. I have never spoken to her or any of this social group about it - I felt it was between me and DH and no one else's business. I hope I have given DH enough of a fright not to do it again - he does know what the consequences are if he does. The very sad thing about all of this is that I don't think the EA woman even really wanted him - I think she was just showing me that she could have him if she wanted to.

OP posts:
Nedclarity · 16/11/2021 09:32

Why does he have no friends?

As for the OW what a cow. They held hands in front of you!

Since he has no friends and is incapable of arranging anything for himself it seems you are ‘safe’ in the knowledge that it won’t happen again. But is that enough for you? Would you not rather feel able to have a joint social life without having to look over your shoulder to see what he’s up to? The trust is gone and I assume also you probably used to enjoy some of these social events which you now have to forfeit because he can’t be trusted not to act like a dick.

You deserve so much better than this. What do you truly get out of this relationship?

AnyFucker · 16/11/2021 09:47

I think she was just showing me that she could have him if she wanted to

Never mind what that says about her, what does it say about him ?

layladomino · 16/11/2021 09:50

he would be devastated to lose me

You seem to put his feelings above yours all the time. Even when describing why you were staying with him you said this. Not 'I would be devastated to lose him'.

Both you and your DH seem to prioritise his feelings and wants.

When does he prioritise you?

And his comment that she 'led him on' is ridiculous and immature. And does it mean that if a woman 'leads him on' he can't help himself? Which means you can't trust him to go anywhere or see anyone.

He hasn't taken responsibility for his own EA, so he isn't really sorry, and you can't say with certainty he won't do it again.

As for expecting you to arrange his social life - EA or no EA that is ridiculous! Is he 5?!

BourbonScreams · 16/11/2021 10:00

@AnyFucker

I think she was just showing me that she could have him if she wanted to

Never mind what that says about her, what does it say about him ?

Yes!
OnwardsAndSideways1 · 16/11/2021 10:28

My dad did this to my mum, started up something with a mutual friend who they had drawn into their network as she was 'lonely'. On that occasion she stopped it, but when an opportunity presented itself a few years later he jumped at it and left her. It seems like the only thing stopping your husband having EAs or full blown affairs is the lack of opportunity! Which he is trying to restart!

If he was truly sorry, he wouldn't be asking to restart the social event.

He needs to run his social life himself, get his own friends, and you need to think just how deep this loss of trust goes if basically you have to keep him inside so he doesn't fall for other people...

Drinkingallthewine · 16/11/2021 12:44

Ah the hapless, helpless man being led on by fucking Jolene. Hmm

He shat on your social circle. He cost you friends. He caused you immense hurt. He humiliated you. He's broken your trust to the point where you are understandably wary of introducing him to any more friends.

Next time he asks, tell him it will be a cold day in hell before he gets to go to your social events any more or meet any more of your friends. He's a grown man and can get his own hobby that doesn't involve hand holding and making cows eyes at women in front of all your friends.

RubyTuesday70 · 16/11/2021 12:50

Oh OP, I wanted to cry for you reading this thread.

My Mum was so in love with my Dad that she forgave affair after affair, even when it was her best friend, my godmother, a younger woman who used our horse yard for livery.

He absolutely broke her in the end. And years and years on, I still don't understand how she could love someone so deeply and unconditionally when he had no respect for her.

The fact that he now thinks you've forgotten all this, and wants you to find another playmate for him says it all. You're worth better Flowers

smellyolebum · 16/11/2021 15:02

@Drinkingallthewine

Ah the hapless, helpless man being led on by fucking Jolene. Hmm

He shat on your social circle. He cost you friends. He caused you immense hurt. He humiliated you. He's broken your trust to the point where you are understandably wary of introducing him to any more friends.

Next time he asks, tell him it will be a cold day in hell before he gets to go to your social events any more or meet any more of your friends. He's a grown man and can get his own hobby that doesn't involve hand holding and making cows eyes at women in front of all your friends.

This put some ice in my heart. DH casually did all of it to me and rounded it up by saying "I can be a bit silly sometimes". He won't be getting the opportunity through my good offices again and I doubt that he has the gumption to do it on his own. I am out walking and socialising with my good friends, skyping and zooming those far away. I have lost some people in my social circle but I would not classify them as friends and the many old mates left to me will see me through. At 70 I just can't be fucking bothered to leave, but I am living life for myself from now on.
OP posts:
Crimeismymiddlename · 16/11/2021 15:29

I am glad you now going to enjoy life without him tagging on your coat tails. The audacity of him asking you to restart the group, he is so lazy and inept he can’t even sort out his own route to an EA.

Cherrysoup · 16/11/2021 15:35

He’s a silly old fool, forgive the ageism, but honest to god, what an idiot. Is the EA woman younger and he had his head swollen up by her attentions?

I can understand why you don’t want to break up the marriage, I imagine you’ve been married a hell of a long time, but omg, I would not even want to be in the same room as him.

Whatabambam · 16/11/2021 17:24

@smellyolebum

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?
Hehe, I can almost hear the light switch. Go girl. He's a bit of a gutless knob really isn't he?
grapewine · 16/11/2021 18:28

I'm so sorry he did this to you, OP. Live your life as you want to from here on. Good luck 💐

Rissole · 16/11/2021 18:35

@WatieKatie

The hand holding is completely unacceptable OP, as is his lame BS about being led on.

The slap in the face is him wanting you to set up another event to enable him to be led on again.

This. The minute he asked you to sort it all over again would be the straw that broke the camels back.

Brass neck of him! Are you sure and I mean really actually sure they are not in touch?

JachFrost · 16/11/2021 18:50

[quote smellyolebum]@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.[/quote]
Just want to send you a great big hug Flowers

LoveComesQuickly · 16/11/2021 19:59

You sound fab OP. Enjoy your socialising and leave the silly sod to sort out his own life. Or not.

Peach01 · 17/11/2021 10:25

OW sounds like a complete miserable and bitter boot.

Nedclarity · 17/11/2021 18:35

Good for you!

GertietheGherkin · 17/11/2021 18:42

@smellyolebum

When challenged, he minimised - actually said (cringe) she led him on. But he did stop it.
Dear Lord woman look what you're saying here!

If he wants a social life... Tell him to sort it out himself. I'd also tell him to avoid women if he's so easily led astray.

I'm actually dumfounded that you are even entertaining this crap to be honest.

smellyolebum · 17/11/2021 23:26

What clarity a bunch of strangers on the internet can bring. So much kindness for a random woman. I have seen this so many times with other women in other threads and did not think that I would be the one posting - none of us ever think it will be us. Well, this time it was me, offering up what I thought was a mild and foolish situation, and I have learned that it was not mild and foolish, and I have taken in all that has been offered. Thank you to all who have taken the time to post - your kind generosity has helped me immensely.

OP posts:
Whatabambam · 18/11/2021 08:25

OP, I have been where you have been. I belonged to a community group and introduced my ex husband to it. We both loved the hobby and it was a big part of our lives.

He then proceeded to have an affair with someone from the group who was systematically grooming me as her friend as well as my husband for herself. I was so humiliated and I mistakenly thought that she should be the focus of my anger. I wasn't familiar with Mumsnet at the time but had I been, I would have recognised that my anger should have been towards him. He was the one that betrayed me, in full view of all our friends. I saw them kissing outside my own front door.

I forgave him. Two years ago he ran away with someone. I'm not saying that your husband will do this, however, you do need to remember that he clearly has no capacity for loyalty and his head may get turned again. Just be careful.

PS. Absolutely love your potty mouth and humour.

Nedclarity · 18/11/2021 08:50

I just wanted to say that you seem like an utterly brilliant lady, and he does not seem deserving of you. It’s understandable that you don’t want to disrupt the status quo at this stage in your life but your eyes are now wide open. I do wish you the very best of luck. Flowers

Buildingthefuture · 18/11/2021 09:38

Yikes @whatabambam!!! What a colossal tosspot!!!! That must have been dreadful Angry

Whatabambam · 18/11/2021 10:13

@Buildingthefuture

Yikes *@whatabambam*!!! What a colossal tosspot!!!! That must have been dreadful Angry
Ah, I don't know how to tag you but thank you! The OP's post made me sad for her and it also made me reflect on my own history. I actually feel really good about myself now. I can totally see that he was indeed a colossal tosspot!
Thewookiemustgo · 18/11/2021 14:16

He should be embarrassed about this, not you. The first thing that needs to happen is that he owns his shit and sorts out his ‘arsehole head’.

Men can be stupid but asking you to set up a situation within which last time he couldn’t behave appropriately, then broke your heart in the most disrespectful way possible, is another kind of stupid altogether. If he’s thinking at all, what the hell is he thinking? The shame is all his, not yours at all.
Over to him now to put you first. Unbelievable!

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