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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 Affair. How do I cope with family holiday?

1000 replies

EmmaThompsonsTears · 01/06/2025 15:23

New account in case outing.

I’ve just found out in the last 24 hours that my husband has been having an affair for the last 9 months at least.
2 DCs - 4 & 18m.

He doesn’t know I know. I plan to keep it that way so I can see a solicitor and sort out finances. But we leave for a family holiday tomorrow, and I feel like I’m going to explode.

How can I get through this week? Hand hold needed. Any advice welcome.

I’ve been lurking on these threads for a while and felt in my gut I was a victim of The Script. Checked his phone while he was asleep and I was right. Please help.

OP posts:
doitwithlove · 10/06/2025 13:26

If the appt was today @EmmaThompsonsTears
How did the solicitors meeting go?

Praying4Peace · 10/06/2025 13:51

EmmaThompsonsTears · 01/06/2025 18:54

I think I’m still in shock to be honest. I’m moving between righteous anger, worry about the future, sadness, and weirdly - elation.

he has gaslit me for months. I’m in therapy trying to sort out some of the patterns of behaviour he said were ruining our relationship. If I didn’t do minor life admin tasks exactly as he’d decided they should be done, I heard no end of it. I’ve been constantly treading on eggshells, doing my best to stop doing the little things that were annoying him. But he constantly moved the goalposts and I couldn’t do anything right.

now I know why it’s lit a fire in my belly. This isn’t my fault. I don’t deserve this. I’m not responsible for the breakdown of our relationship, like he led me to believe. He is.

it’s oddly liberating. I’m not a terrible person after all. He is.

You are amazing OP and things will get better. You are going through hell and a cocktail of emotions. There will be light at the end of the tunnel

Blondiebeachbabe · 10/06/2025 14:34

I know it's hard to believe, but you'll look back on this one day and be glad it happened. Had the same situ with my 1st H. Met young, we were each others firsts etc. 16 years in, I found out he had been unfaithful with several OW. Took me 4 years to leave!

Within 2 months, I had met my now DH, and we are so happy. Been together 17 years now, and he's so much nicer than my 1st H.

Be very wary - once he knows you are leaving, he will turn nasty - mine assaulted me twice. Also, be prepared for him to try to take the kids, and try to keep as much of the money as he can. It's every man for himself.

When all this was happening, my best friend dumped me. Was really weird. I managed to look at his phone, and he was shagging her too! I called my best friend and told her that I knew they were having sex, and that one of her other friends had tipped me off. She was left wondering who had betrayed her, and lost a few friendships in the process - sorry, not sorry.

When you do tell him that you know about the OW, I would tell him that the OW told you herself, and that she said she would deny this if he asked her about it. That way he will never know if the OW was actually the person that blew up his marriage.

Fwiw, my 1st H went on to cheat on his next partner too. And I think he's cheated on his current partner as well. Grim.

Another warning - his family are likely to stick by him. My MIL and SIL's of 20 years never spoke to me again, because in their eyes he had "just been having a bit of fun, whereas Blondie was breaking up a family". Twat's the lot of them.

Swimminginthedeepbluesky · 10/06/2025 14:37

Don't tell OW
Don't tell him you know, it will just be another opportunity for him to tell you that he was driven into her arms by your awful behaviour blah blah

Keep your powder dry and just serve divorce papers due to adultery.
No discussion, no revenge, no emotions

He will never take responsibility
He's gaslighting himself

ADULTERY in black and white
No more gaslighting, blaming bullshit
Just walk away

Ihaveneedofwaternear · 10/06/2025 14:44

Just read all the OP's posts in one go on my lunch break and absolutely can't wait to see an update that you've served the cheating, abusive dickhead divorce papers. Good for you, OP, you sound incredibly strong and like a great mam x

whatapalarva · 10/06/2025 14:49

EmmaThompsonsTears · 01/06/2025 15:36

Does it get easier once you get through the early days? I barely slept last night and kept thinking about the right time to drop papers in his lap. But our eldest goes to school in September and it’ll just throw a massive bomb into his little life.
That said, any disruption is better than bearing witness to how DH treats me for life. It’s no way to model a relationship.

Come on girl, you can do it!! Put on your best actress face and do it for the children if not yourself. Don't enable his behaviour, get all your ducks in a row - remember knowledge is power and all that!!! Its time to get your game face on and do what you want to do on this holiday - if you are downtrodden he will have won so put your big girl pants on and don't give him reason to think you know about his sordid affair. Manifest that moment that you tell him you have known for a long time and picture his face when he recalls that saying - Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!

CharlotteLightandDark · 10/06/2025 14:54

yeah there’s never gonna be an ideal time, just have to move forward. Always something, Christmas, birthdays, exams etc etc. Life goes on. Definitely don’t wait til after September, what’s the point?

DeborahVancesBeehive · 10/06/2025 17:16

I hope your next update is one telling us you've found a shit hot solicitor who will present you with his balls as a pair of earrings at the end of it. Rooting for you so hard OP xx

Rosscameasdoody · 10/06/2025 17:21

witwatwoo · 01/06/2025 16:35

You do not go and you tell him why, don’t prolong the torture. Kick him out

She needs time to get everything in place. This is terrible advice.

Livelovebehappy · 10/06/2025 17:31

A new chapter awaits you OP. Honestly, it’s liberating coming out of a partnership where you’ve been unhappy and trodden down. You’ll have good days, but also bad days where you’ll have a little wobble, so it won’t be easy for a while yet, but the end result will be a calmer, relaxing happy environment for you and your DCs. Meanwhile, your DHs reality won’t be what he thinks - very young GF might wonder whether the relationship is for her once she has to help parent young children every other weekend.

EdithBond · 10/06/2025 19:32

EmmaThompsonsTears · 06/06/2025 19:18

Thank you. I’m so sorry that happened to you ❤️

I’ve had a big wobble today. Thought it would be cathartic when DH took the kids to the playground to put on some music and cry it out a bit. But I made the mistake of listening to one of our wedding songs and it’s really upset me. I don’t recognise the man I married anymore. And the lyrics to all our wedding songs made me so sad, because they all said, confidently, this was forever. We could’ve worked through anything if he hadn’t done this.

we also had another row which hasn’t helped. I’m almost feeling the ghost of the emotions I would’ve felt if I’d rowed with him before now - sadness, bewilderment about what’s gone wrong and how we got hear, fear of divorce and our relationship breaking down.

except now I know the divorce is definitely happening. And I can’t even use my trump card in the arguments. It’s so hard.

hand hold please 🥺

Keep going @EmmaThompsonsTears. You’ve fought back from criticism admirably. He’s behaved despicably. Well done for getting through the holiday after such a terrible shock.

Hope you’re getting good advice. Try to hold out until you’re ready to move forward, having assessed your options of where to live, if you can. He could get nasty and refuse to leave your home, resulting in a terrible atmos for the DC. Or by causing financial problems until you have a settlement.

Agree with PPs, it’s important to stay focussed on remaining dignified and keeping to the moral high ground in order to secure the best possible outcome for yourself and your DC. While revenge is understandable, DC suffer when their parents are warring and bitter.

Sending strength 💐

Frazzledandfried · 10/06/2025 19:54

I couldn't read and run, but I've just read your entire thread and am in awe of your strength, class, and cool determination. You're incredible!

MytummydontjigglejiggleItfolds · 10/06/2025 19:56

Here rooting for you OP. Add childminder/drop off pick up angel to your list of practical things to sort, as it would be so freeing for you not to be dependent on him for this.

researchers3 · 10/06/2025 20:02

Tadahhh · 10/06/2025 10:58

I think you've misunderstood my point, as it's exactly the same as yours. Making someone tell you what they have is impossible (hence the possible need for someone to follow a paper trail - a forensic accountant).

My response was to someone who said 'it'll all be on the form E'... er no it won't, not if they decide to hide stuff.

Sorry, I meant to react to someone else...

Tahlbias · 10/06/2025 20:14

Has he noticed a change in your behavior? You mentioned that he wanted to try couples counseling. Was that what he came up with himself?

springruns · 10/06/2025 20:16

@EmmaThompsonsTearshow did you get in with the solicitors today? X

JamesWebbSpaceTelescope · 10/06/2025 20:23

Have you heard Rachel Platten Fight Song. Might be a good one to add to your repertoire.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 10/06/2025 20:28

💐

Smittenkitchen · 10/06/2025 20:40

You sound just great, OP. You will triumph!

wannabewitch · 10/06/2025 21:11

OP - I saw it as if I was boat - the HMS Wannabewitch kept sailing on, steady as she goes - a few storms to weather on the way but I weathered them - the odd squall from the OW and the occasional full blown hurricane from the EX but I kept it steady for my DCs and now 10 yrs down the line - my steady course continues and the shit show that is theirs ( no longer together) continues.
My DCs are fine, I am fine and my little family is stable, I provide and I am their rock.
The HMS Emma Thompson will do the same -one day at a time the horizon is in view and you will get there.

Catladywithoutacat · 10/06/2025 21:15

Don’t drink alcohol as it will make things worse I personally wouldn’t go

MyRootinTootinBaby · 10/06/2025 21:15

EmmaThompsonsTears · 04/06/2025 21:42

Not once. She even said there was some chick in his follower list with the same surname as him, and asked if it was his sister (it was obviously me), because he’s only allowed to hang out with other women if they’re his relatives. So god knows what he’s told her.

I also noticed while sleuthing that he’s changed me from “Wife” in his phone contacts, to my first name. Which stung :(

I mean not anymore because I’m divorcing him. But if I’d noticed that before i found out…another cruelty.

I’d be tempted to make sure my profile pic was of the four of us in this holiday, so she can see it if she snoops. She’s obvs got some sort of suspicion if she’s looking for his surname in his friend’s list.

Whatsitreallylike · 10/06/2025 21:21

Blondiebeachbabe · 10/06/2025 14:34

I know it's hard to believe, but you'll look back on this one day and be glad it happened. Had the same situ with my 1st H. Met young, we were each others firsts etc. 16 years in, I found out he had been unfaithful with several OW. Took me 4 years to leave!

Within 2 months, I had met my now DH, and we are so happy. Been together 17 years now, and he's so much nicer than my 1st H.

Be very wary - once he knows you are leaving, he will turn nasty - mine assaulted me twice. Also, be prepared for him to try to take the kids, and try to keep as much of the money as he can. It's every man for himself.

When all this was happening, my best friend dumped me. Was really weird. I managed to look at his phone, and he was shagging her too! I called my best friend and told her that I knew they were having sex, and that one of her other friends had tipped me off. She was left wondering who had betrayed her, and lost a few friendships in the process - sorry, not sorry.

When you do tell him that you know about the OW, I would tell him that the OW told you herself, and that she said she would deny this if he asked her about it. That way he will never know if the OW was actually the person that blew up his marriage.

Fwiw, my 1st H went on to cheat on his next partner too. And I think he's cheated on his current partner as well. Grim.

Another warning - his family are likely to stick by him. My MIL and SIL's of 20 years never spoke to me again, because in their eyes he had "just been having a bit of fun, whereas Blondie was breaking up a family". Twat's the lot of them.

This is actually genius. Once you’ve got everything sorted and you’re ready to leave, tell him you had a call from OW and ask him if it’s all true. Say no more. He will almost certainly go to her and ask her what’s going on/ what’s she’s said and he’ll blow it up for himself without you saying a word to her.

EmmaThompsonsTears · 10/06/2025 21:57

SlightlyJaded · 09/06/2025 23:11

Another one cheering you on. You have done so well and been SO restrained. Agree you shouldn't jeopardise your position by trying to see his phone unless you are 100 percent sure you can get away with it. Very tempting through...

I also get the absolute relief of having a red line crossed. Sometimes the gaslighting and eggshell walking can go on for years - for ever - and in a way, it's easier to have a concrete non-negotiable event to force your hand and relieve you of any doubt/guilt/confusion.

There will be hard months ahead but it's a means to an end. And a shiny new and better life. Hold that thought when you finally let him know what's going on.

”Sometimes the gaslighting and eggshell walking can go on for years - for ever - and in a way, it's easier to have a concrete non-negotiable event to force your hand and relieve you of any doubt/guilt/confusion.”

this is exactly how I feel. I would’ve probably stuck it out for years and produced more anxious, people-pleasing children just like me.

This happening is the rocket up the arse I needed. I can and will get us out. We deserve better.

OP posts:
EmmaThompsonsTears · 10/06/2025 22:13

FairyMaclary · 10/06/2025 06:13

Op I would not ever tell him you checked his phone. He will then blame you for checking - in the cheaters mind that’s logical.

Personally I would say someone told you. Refuse to say who. That will drive him wild because if only him and her know he will think it’s her.

You owe him very little now. Honesty is certainly something you do not owe him. It is clear he is happy to lie for months. Protect you and your children. Your mental health is your priority.

I also wouldn’t speak to the OW unless you have speak to her as she will meet the children ( or to ask on his behalf if it’s okay if he can move in with her if he’s refusing to leave your bedroom 😁 ) . She will be a great distraction and if they split there is a chance you’ll have him wailing and crying in your house and telling you about all his mistakes and regrets. And you don’t need that.

She’s gained herself a man who is abusive. Prepared to risk his wife’s mental and sexual health. Prepared to risk his children’s security. Rather than a) talking and saying you need counselling to save or split with Grace. B) going straight to divorce. She’s naive or complicit - maybe both. But if you 100% want rid then let her be his distraction.

He has betrayed himself first, you have to to cheat. He has become (or maybe always was) a liar and a cheat. Two very poor traits which very few people would want in a partner.

He will divorce and not figure out his whys. It is likely that he has poor personality traits that enabled him to do this: low self esteem, requiring ego kibbles (smoke up his arse), external validation, addiction issues, risk taking behaviours, people pleasing, inability to self soothe, instant gratification, poor coping mechanisms, poor communication skills, low integrity, dishonesty, ability to compartmentalise etc. Knight in shining armour complex (KISA). He will still need to figure out his reasons and do the work. If not the new relationship is likely a sticking plaster that makes him feel good - until it doesn’t. Unless he knows why he betrayed himself he will always be a risk to a partner.

Unless he fixes the issues he will remain capable of cheating. Sadly the traits that allow someone to cheat are the traits that mean someone finds it very hard to do The Work involved in creating a new successful marriage or relationship. They want to minimise, omit the full truth, rug sweep and push you to get over it. They play the victim and blame the relationship (or you) for their crappy choices. They experience regret but not remorse.

Cheating is easy, it’s not because a person is sexy or desirable, anyone can cheat. Just download tinder or pop to a sex club.

I choose to remain faithful. It’s a choice that I make. My vows mean something to me. I don’t cheat for me. My husband is really annoying at times, I don’t remain faithful for him. That would put him in control of my behaviour - which is daft. I could even twist that logic and say if he does A I am faithful but if he does C I flirt with my administrator or the man at the bar. So I am not faithful for him, I remain faithful for me. I want my word, my self respect and my integrity to mean something to ME. Because I matter to ME. so I remain faithful for me. What am I if my words are meaningless? My husband is my collateral damage. You sadly were collateral damage to your poor personality trait husband.

I wish you well op. Enjoy your witches party. Spend time thinking about your values. List them and live by them every day. THAT will get you through this. Your values - write them down. And journal around values if you journal.

You are the catch here. Faithful ✅ street smart (this past week has shown that) ✅ focused ✅ putting family, children first ✅ resourceful ✅ and you have been brave posting on here so - vulnerable ✅

Hes a sneaky snake - not partner material.

Good luck op. Life can really suck, but you have an army of us cheering you on and you’ll make new friends on the way, and you’ll be okay. Not every day and not for a while. But you will be okay.

Thank you for such a thoughtful post @FairyMaclary ❤️

I thought of this too, so I’m going to tell him I got a DM from a burner account and have no idea who it is. Ill have to be a bit restrained with revealing what details I know, as they have to plausibly come from a single DM. But I’ll leave him to fill out the details. I’m not going to say i suspect her in case he takes that to be some kind of romantic crusade and appreciates her efforts in trying to break us up. Perhaps it’s someone she’s blabbed to instead…🤷🏻‍♀️ WHO KNOWS.

Anyway, called two solicitors today for initial free consultations, with a third tomorrow.

which would you choose?

Option 1. National firm. Lots of specialisms. Really liked the associate who called me and she explained everything really well, and didn’t tow the party line too aggressively when it came to free advice / average costs / results. However, national firm might mean they’re more expensive - plus family law isn’t their only service.

Option 2. Local family law experts, specialising exclusively in family law. Paralegal who called me towed the party line a lot more and wouldn’t give me any average costs / outcomes / asset splits because “it depends on the individual case.” However, I loved that they were straight shooters and said if there is a way to do it more cheaply, we’ll tell you (eg filing myself, which I’ll definitely be doing as it sounds very straightforward)

Option 3. Local firm nearer home (the other two are nearer the office). Award-winning family law specialist is the named partner - to borrow Suits parlance - but they offer a few different services. Speaking to them tomorrow to see what the vibe is.

After that, next steps will be to pick one and do an initial consultation where I download all of our financial info at them, among other things. These cost at least £300. But my sister has offered to help. I just hope I make the right choice…

also, called my best friend today to have a vent. It really helped to share it with someone else, despite my fear that the more people know, the more there’s a risk of him finding out I know. But I guess the whole of mumsnet knows so if I was really bothered about that I’d stop posting 😂

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