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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’s miserable in our marriage.

999 replies

AB10 · 16/12/2021 15:23

Hi everyone,
Just looking for some support.
Husband has been off with me for a while now. Just getting a feeling of distance / no affection / quick to anger etc. We have a young child and I suffered after the birth with PND so it hasn’t been an easy time for our marriage. We are married seven years although have been together for ten plus. Our relationship has suffered since the birth of our dearly loved child and I take much of the responsibility for that. Although I can be pernickety about housework etc, I have always loved my husband.
Although last night when I asked about his happiness and asking did he not want to be with me anymore, he agreed. And went on to tell me how we have no fun together, he’s miserable, there’s no affection. He even went as far as to say have we ever been happy which took me by surprise as we’ve travelled internationally together and have had some wonderful times. It seems he sees me as something just horrible and I am acutely aware of my faults and have apologised to him, said I was going to try and make him happier, that I was fully committed to our marriage. And his answer to that: ‘I’m sorry I can’t be more definitive’ as to whether I am committed. What am supposed to say to that?
He says we don’t laugh together and that at work everyone thinks he’s funny. He’s starting going out with a group at work more regularly. He just seems to have checked out and I can feel my marriage crumbling.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

OP posts:
Allsortsofroses · 24/12/2021 23:25

Uuugh, that was obviously meant to be @ thewookiwmustgo.

Graphista · 24/12/2021 23:34

Someone on here once said they worked in divorce law and in their whole career, never saw a man initiate divorce unless he has an OW lined up

This would not surprise me at all

My ex STILL didn't initiate the divorce as ow was pressuring him to remarry (she was pregnant) and he didn't want to.

Eventually I learned that he'd been telling his "side" inc her that I was the one dragging their heels through the ow "pulling me up" on it!

The next time I saw her I handed her copies of all the letters that had been flying between the lawyers which showed it was very much him dragging his heels! Funnily enough things got moving after that 

But also he didn't leave I booted him out.

OW abd your dh could go back to being involved when danger/crisis etc is past. That happens.

Yea I've seen that happen

Ahh seen update - just because her marriage has broken up doesn't mean she wants your husband now. She may be very regretful, trying to reconcile with her husband, ashamed, embarrassed, never intended for your husband to be a permanent fixture!...

So he may still be backtracking simply as he's been rejected and feeling sorry for himself and facing a losers Xmas at his parents - possibly with them GLARING at him across the turkey for Fucking up his family!

This is based on ex telling me about his first Xmas after our split.

He wasn't welcome at her parents - that was made VERY clear, neither was she at his. His parents and siblings were barely civil to him pre drinks and once a few drinks had been had they were saying what they really thought! He was basically getting constant "wtf were you thinking?!" all Xmas day

He wasn't seeing dd at this point (as he'd fucked up on contact) but I did offer an Xmas day meet up which he rejected as he didn't wanna have to not drink in order to drive to us (Xmas day no public transport...and remember HE had the family car!)

Not saying my 1st Xmas after the split was great as I was skint! I'd hardly been able to get dd anything and then she was poorly on the day and still managed to mutter "is that all for me?" When there REALLY wasn't a lot there..many years later (dd now 20 she was a pre schooler by then) that memory STILL breaks my heart as I felt I'd let dd down hugely

BUT we've had many xmases since where it's just been the 2 of us (family of origin not great too) and developed our own traditions which are fondly remembered by us both.

And that 1st Xmas she remembers fondly too as I played with her all day with her presents, we had her favourite thing for dinner (pizza) and we went to the park (I got a bit didn't know what to do when she got a bit "cabin fever" and there was a nice park nearby) and as there was nobody else there except a few dog walkers it meant she could go on what she wanted as long as she wanted!

@Allsortsofroses love your post! Dumbass indeed! My mum was making me laugh the other day cos all "my"side of this relationship even when we were engaged and happy etc were already thinking "wtf is she thinking?" But not cos he was a bad guy just cos we were very young (I was 22 he was 23 almost 24), and frankly he was thick! Nothing really wrong with being thick but just meant we had little in common as I'm all about learning. I love reading (he's only read one book his whole life and that was cos he had to for gcse English), at that point he'd never seen a genuine piece of art in real life, never been to the theatre (he could barely sit through a 90 min movie!), never travelled outside the uk (actually I think he'd never been outside of England!) - you get the idea! With hindsight I think I was overwhelmed by hormones! (VERY fit and good looking! At that point) and as I've said upthread he did treat me very well until the affair. Quite a romantic (flowers for anniversaries, thoughtful gifts, kind and generous generally).

Anecdotally I find women leave when they feel unsafe or are being abused; men leave when a better offering appears!

I'd agree with that - in most cases

Also agree women as likely to cheat as men but ime they tend to be less likely to get caught.

I actually know/know of 3 women who not only had affairs but also left their husbands/partners AND their dc for the affair partner. Fairly rare for women to leave dc so it is weird I know 3! 1 there was serious drug addiction involved too so that's a factor.

I know/know of 17 families where at least one of the dc are not the biological child of the "dad" some know some don't (meaning dads and dc, some the dads know the dc don't etc)

Sorry op but I doubt it was only kissing! I'm even sceptical of so called "emotional affairs" unless discovered early on. It's very very rarely no sex involved

I have asked very plainly whether there was anything else

Also part of the script - denying unless there's proof they did more!

My ex denied even with the evidence of a pregnancy!

Allsortsofroses · 24/12/2021 23:35

Ow's husband's actions illystrate something I've noted about men vs women as victims of infidelity.

While a couple of posters on here have mentioned men who've stayed with cheating partners, I actually don't think I kniw of one.

They don't take this.

They don't let the cheater headshrink them with excuses, blame etc.

It reminds me of something a man said about rejection; that when a woman is rejected she seems to think almost entirely "what's wrong with me?", whereas a man is almost entirely "what's wting with her?".
Infidelity seems to ge the same; men generally don't tear their hair out letting their partner make them feel inadequate, letting them push responsibility onto them.for their lack of integrity etc.
They just think "no, it's you, you're a shank you're not a fit partner, you're lacking etc.".
I think in this respect, we should verg much take a leaf out of their book.

Allsortsofroses · 24/12/2021 23:39

*Skank

Buildingthefuture · 24/12/2021 23:43

Love your post @Thewookiemustgo and honestly? I think your situation is way more common than is portrayed on here. I have a few friends who have chosen to do the extremely hard work and stay but they would NEVER post about it on here for fear of receiving abuse. Which is shitty actually. What the actual fuck happened to #bekind? Some people on here are very quick to call out abusers and bad behaviour but have no problem dishing out insults to people they don’t know, who’ve done nothing wrong but who’s decisions they don’t agree with….

PorpoiseWithPurpose · 25/12/2021 00:40

@AB10

Hi everyone. Just our little boy to bed and he’s very excited about Santa coming. I know - it’s such a difficult time to bear. The affair was physical with just kissing. (I have asked very plainly whether there was anything else.) Husband says he wants to rebuild my trust. That is hasn’t felt connected to me in a long time but now he does. He is looking at me so differently than before. But none of this changes the sheer heartbreak and agony that he has meted out to our family. 💔
Oh my God, OP. That is another blatant lie. Have you read “The Script” yet? Your husband has followed it to a T. ALL CHEATERS say “it was just kissing” This is the minimising phase. He is in damage control. He’s admitting to the bare minimum now he’s been caught. But there is more. Much more. You seem to be blinded/almost believing all the shit he’s feeding you. Everyone else here can see right through it. Everything that’s been predicted on this thread has proved to be true. Your husband did not just kiss this woman.

You really need to block his number and have no contact with him. Process what you want to do going forward.

I guarantee in that time, he’ll be back in OW’s arms now that shes available again.

Find your self respect.
Stop reading and replying to his texts.
Book a solicitors appointment
Get your finances in order

Please OP.
or you will waste the best years of your life on this loser. He doesn’t deserve you.

Now that the OW is free again, they’ll be back in touch. You will never be able to trust him again.

Thewookiemustgo · 25/12/2021 01:36

@Allsortsofroses yeah, this one actually. Merry Christmas! 😂😂

Winter2019 · 25/12/2021 01:39

I know it sucks but at least he's honest..the child must be the priority

Thewookiemustgo · 25/12/2021 01:40

@Buildingthefuture thank you. X

Sun91 · 25/12/2021 02:14

There is no way in hell did he just kiss her, he wouldn’t of blown up and walked out on you if it was just that. You asked him before if he was interested in another woman and he lied to you then!

I’m sorry OP he’s gaslighting you to think that your a rubbish wife when infact it seems like you was dedicated to him and your little one and he’s just pissed all over it so he can get his ego stroked.

Graphista · 25/12/2021 03:20

@Allsortsofroses I think men do tend to (as you say correctly!) think the cheat is the shit partner!

But when dc are involved ime they're less likely to leave as they don't want to leave the dc.

Where there's no dc you're right they're outta there!

Everything that’s been predicted on this thread has proved to be true.

Agree with that

GrumpyLivesInMyHouseNow · 25/12/2021 07:14

I'm afraid my dh said the same thing, no sex just kissing, I found out 3 years later they had had sex, lots of it!!

It's also funny how he didn't feel connected to you, hence his affair, and now it's all fallen down around his ears he DOES feel connected... it's all about him isn't it.

I hope you have a lovely day with your dc OP

Fluffycloudland77 · 25/12/2021 08:06

Dh’s ex said the same too but he didn’t believe her. When he told her to go she went straight round there to live with him.

I don’t think OW dh would kick her out for “just a kiss”. Your not going to tell your wife you despise her so you can go and be with a woman you kissed are you?.

FridaRose · 25/12/2021 08:17

@Thewookiemustgo lovely it is absolutely okay that you chose to stay after infidelity. Situations are different and you are the only person who knows what is the best and the right decision for your family. No one is to judge your life.

What I find ironic is you commenting to OP 'if my husband acted like yours, he'd be outta door' - when your own husband cheated and you stayed. It is equivalent to me saying to someone 'wow can't believe your husband beat you up- I'd have left mine!!'- if my own husband would throttle me every weekend drunk.
Do you see where I'm coming from?

happychristmasbum · 25/12/2021 09:29

Dear God! The Script! It's almost too tragic...

We are all thinking of you OP. I hope next year you find the strength to ditch this horrible man from your heart and your home. Flowers

SocialConnection · 25/12/2021 10:10

If everything else predicted on this thread has proved to be true ...

Then ... they did way more than just kissing is also true.

Believe what he did, not what he says. Because he'll say anything right now.

RantyAunty · 25/12/2021 10:19

For anyone who hasn't read The Script

The Script

DDMAC · 25/12/2021 10:56

I think I’d just keep in mind the awful hurtful things he has said to you while he goes on about being committed blah blah blah. If you feel you want to give it a try to reconcile, it will take a lot of work and commitment on his part. I do feel though that once that trust has gone it can never be retrieved.

NorthSouthcatlady · 25/12/2021 13:08

@RantyAunty great link and very comprehensive in its advice. Definitely something for OP to consider as “D”H winds his way through the coming days and weeks

Also great name!

AB10 · 25/12/2021 16:41

Hi everyone. Thanks for the support. Today has been difficult to say the least. I just feel lost but also so alone even though I’m surrounded by family. My husband is not at home and I am taking on board what has been said. I hope I feel stronger soon. X

OP posts:
WhoppingBigBackside · 25/12/2021 16:46

Merry Christmas AB10. It will get easier, and years down the line you will look back and be amazed at how strong you were.
Best wishes for the new year too.
[HUGS]

Dixiechickonhols · 25/12/2021 16:47

It was bound to feel strange today. I’m glad you’ve got your family and haven’t been pressured into having him there trying to pretend all ok.

PlanktonsComputerWife · 25/12/2021 16:54

Big hugs to you OP. You're stronger than you know.

AB10 · 25/12/2021 17:40

He just sent me this:
‘I really hope you and wee man have had a good day.’
I just cannot fathom his thinking. How on earth could we have had a good day? Yes, my son has been happy playing with his toys but his whole world had changed. Why can’t my husband see this?!

OP posts:
PlanktonsComputerWife · 25/12/2021 17:51

Because he is thoroughly selfish. And his show of care and concern your wellbeing is a form of gaslighting.

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