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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

Emotional infidelity and other issues by husband

43 replies

val1965 · 16/03/2022 04:43

I am sorry if I ramble a bit with this, but right now it's like I am living an ongoing nightmare with probably no end in sight.

My life over the past 30 years with my husband hasn't been easy, in fact, it's been mostly heartbreaking and full of anxiety and sadness. From him being a gambling addict and going through 2 court cases of embezzlement which led to him losing various jobs, to his drinking (he's not an alcoholic but I think he can be borderline sometimes), to his rude behaviour (not all the time), disrespect and recently his estrangement from our 23 year old daughter who has had enough of him (she lives with us and sees his behaviour). With all this, I have supported him, forgiven and tried to keep our marriage. I guess you can call me insecure and just wanting to be happy (I had a traumatic childhood, so I think this may have a lot to do with who I am as a person).

The last straw is now - I found out 3 weeks ago that while on his job (he does shift work) - he has been texting over the last 3 months a female co-worker who is believe it or not 23 years old (yes, same age as our daughter). She has filed a sexual harassment complaint with the company he works for and Fair Work. The evidence she provided with screen shots of texts was gut wrenching for me and with all the things that he has done in the past, this was the last thing I ever thought he would do. She supported her complaint with a lengthy report of incidences that happened at the workplace as well as outside of the workplace with him contacting her. For example, he would text her to send him a photo of her ("naughty one please"), and other inappropriate things. She then wrote a comprehensive report detailing all the incidences that occurred which were quite shocking. He has denied all that she has written in the report, but can't deny the texts, but hasn't really explained why he did that. He's blaming her for some strange reason. They have not had a physical relationship and from what I suspect, she has being rejecting him and then he started turning on her and complaining about her work, and then she filed the suit.

Unfortunately, his company (he has been there over 8 years) has given him an alternative - either resign or be sacked. He has now resigned with shame and is trying to find another job in the same field, but needs a police check and other criminal checks which of course will bring up his past offences (over 20 years ago). He is waiting on those checks as they are under scrutiny.

My anxiety is through the roof, I'm living hour by hour, day by day. My kids know and are disgusted and are urging me to leave their dad. They have no respect for him.

There's so much more I can add to this, but I can go on for a while.

Sorry for the long post and thanks for reading thus far.

OP posts:
frozendaisy · 16/03/2022 05:46

Listen to your children. There isn't anything in this post to stay for. X

Lifeisbeautiful01 · 16/03/2022 06:02

What would you stay with him? He sounds absolutely vile and clearly doesn’t care about you or his children. Pack his bags, get a solicitor and don’t speak to him again. Life can be so much better.

starrynight21 · 16/03/2022 06:05

He sounds disgusting. Why are you with him ? Listen to your kids.

Flipflopfoodle · 16/03/2022 06:07

Your kids are right. You, 'stayed with him to be happy', but you haven't been have you? I bet once you leave you will feel happy, just take the plunge

Aquamarine1029 · 16/03/2022 06:08

If this doesn't make you finally see your husband for the filth he truly is, nothing will. Stay with him, and your children will lose all respect for you, too. You should be running to a solicitor's office.

spacehardware · 16/03/2022 06:11

Er this isn't "emotional infidelity", this is your husband harassing a young woman.

He sounds AWFUL. is there any line he could cross that would actually make you leave him? Doesn't sound like it.

coldfeetmama · 16/03/2022 06:12

What a vile individual

Hopefully this will be the final straw for you and you can restart a stable happy lifestyle with peace and certainty

No more anxiety stress embarrassment and walking on eggshells

Get him out , celebrate with your children and heave a sigh of relief

💐

Sally2791 · 16/03/2022 06:15

Listen to your children! There is nothing to stay for, unless you want to be dragged through more vileness.

AnyFucker · 16/03/2022 06:28

What will it actually take for you to end this sham of a marriage ?

Your husband is a liability.

PopsicleHustler · 16/03/2022 06:29

He is a pig and you're best on your own with your children. If my husband did gambling I would be furious, the rest would be him in the gutter where he belongs. If he asked girls in work for naughty photos I would kill him. He needs to go.

You can do it, op. Just tell him enough is enough.

bare · 16/03/2022 06:42

Write down three reasons you would stay???

I would struggle to find one.

Congratulations to that co-worker for standing up to your sleazy husband. She's a strong woman. Now do the same.

52andblue · 16/03/2022 06:50

There is nothing 'worth saving' in your marriage anymore. Don't allow the kids to lose respect for you by trying to.
(so sorry you're going through this -he's a lowlife sex pest who just got fired for it!)

NoNeedToWorryAboutAThing · 16/03/2022 06:51

Blimey, what a sad post.

You stayed with him.becaise you wanted to he happy and have had a life of misery.

Just leave him.

I'm.also in awe of his colleague. It's a difficult thing to do. It must have been awful for her to take it that far. Poor woman.

nomistake · 16/03/2022 06:54

How is his behaviour 'infidelity'? You're minimising what he has done. He's sexually harrasset a young woman extensively to the point he has lost his job. He's a rapey pervert with a ton of issues to boot. Get rid.

2DogsOnMySofa · 16/03/2022 07:08

Why would you want to stay with a man like this

It's not infidelity, it's sexually harassing a young woman.m, to the extent he's lost his job

How would you feel if your dd came home from work and said a man of her age has been doing the same to her

Listen to your kids and leave him

2DogsOnMySofa · 16/03/2022 07:08

His age, not her age

AttilaTheMeerkat · 16/03/2022 07:14

What are you getting out of this relationship?. Your own traumatic childhood certainly has played a huge role in you being at all with this man now. If you stay with him your adult children will go onto lose all respect for YOU as well.

You need to be rid of this man who has and will continue to drag you down with him. In addition to divorcing him I would see a BACP registered therapist about your own traumatic childhood.

olivetreane · 16/03/2022 07:14

Goodness me, I don't think it sounds like you're actually going to leave him. Listen to your children.

GeneLovesJezebel · 16/03/2022 07:16

You need to get some self respect and leave.

girlmom21 · 16/03/2022 07:18

It's your time to be happy OP. Leave him.

Orgasmagorical · 16/03/2022 07:21

Are you asking anything, val, or just needing to share?

You say "with probably no end in sight". Why do you think that? You do you have options here Flowers

PegasusReturns · 16/03/2022 07:23

What are your reasons for staying? Do you feel loved? Are you happy? Does he offer security?

You have one life. Do not waste the rest of it!

SparklingStars10 · 16/03/2022 07:27

One word, leave.

ladydimitrescu · 16/03/2022 07:28

Has he done anything like this before? Is that what you meant by the police checks bringing things up?

Op, it's not emotional infidelity- it's sexually harassing a young woman. What he's done is absolutely abhorrent. Listen to your children, and leave this man.

DuchessofAnkh22 · 16/03/2022 07:44

I think you need some counselling....

You have gone through this and put up with this for so many years you can no longer see the wood for the trees.

The bald facts are that your H has been accused (seemingly with full evidence) of sexual harassment and stalking. Imagine what you would say to the wife of someone who did that to your daughter?