Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
ButItWasNotYourFaultButMine · 12/06/2025 21:54

File.

File, file, file.

He's still lying to you and you have proof he's still trying to sort it with the OW. Ignore his self-serving threats. He's shown you who he is ... and he's told you when he said he'd make a custody fight miserable. Let him try. He's just trying to get you to do what he wants.

Fuck him. And have your solicitor file.

SpryCat · 12/06/2025 21:54

He likes to be in control, he is trying to keep both of you, the suicide threat was his ace up his sleeve, to make you feel he would rather die than lose you. A declaration of love, with a sting in its tale … he will fight for the children if you leave him! He’s telling OW he has sorted it and he will fight for her as well!
He wants to be the one who discards you and gives you crumbs of affection after deliberately starving you for a long time of love to sway you. He wants to ensure he doesn’t end up alone, he needs women to cater to his needs and doesn’t give a crap about their needs.

DanishPastry45 · 12/06/2025 21:55

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.

I can hand-on-heart say this is THE most comprehensive, well thought out, intelligent piece of advice I have ever read on this site. In fact, I'm saving it somewhere to go back, read and apply in the context of my ex-husband's cheating from over a decade ago.

SlightlyJaded · 12/06/2025 21:58

In the history of cheating husbands, I would say about 95% follow the script where they admit to the 'bare minimum'. Come on OP - you KNOW he has slept with her. I understand that it was a relief to be told he hasn't and easy to latch onto. And a massive comfort to be shown some love and kindness when you've been craving it for so long, but...

Do NOT mistake his actions for feelings.
They are actions designed to suit his agenda.
He wants sympathy/forgiveness/move on - therefore he acts in the way most likely to elicit the outcome HE wants. Which basically boils down to 'minimise the affair' and 'say the things he knows you want to hear'. It's fucking bullshit OP.

All of us honestly understand how easy it is to crack under the kind touch of someone you love when you are going through so much, but you've had that moment - now remember who he is and what he has done and focus on the fact he is still lying and minimising. Take your love and comfort from those you have your back and have not betrayed you.

It's really really hard to turn your back on someone who is saying what you want to hear. The alternative feels exhausting, but in the long run, you are just prolonging the pain.

Rooting for you OP.

Becbbec81 · 12/06/2025 22:04

OP I noticed in one of your posts you mentioned him saying to your 4yo mummy tripped you up. Has he done this on other occasions? It’s just such a strange thing for anyone to say and do without the being some ulterior motive behind it.

I am concerned if he is manipulating the children to say you have done things like this to them if it does go to divorce??

Try to get video recordings of his unfounded accusations so that you can show he is making ludicrous bullying accusations.

you basically need to keep a log of dates, times etc of everything.

Good luck.

OchreRaven · 12/06/2025 22:06

You wanted him to be dumped by the other woman and realise he lost you too. This is what has happened. But he’s been able to manipulate you into thinking this isn’t what he deserves and what’s best for you.

There was always a chance he would beg for forgiveness. It’s why some pp said it’s actually easier if the OW is still in the picture because he won’t put as much effort in manipulating you and therefore break free easier.

But don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s totally understandable that when faced with this it isn’t as easy to be the ‘bad ass’ you were in your head. You don’t need to divorce him tomorrow but you do need to see him for who he is. He’s someone who looks out for himself first above you and your children. His words and actions since he confessed haven’t changed this, if anything he has reinforced his ability to compartmentalise.

You can come back from infidelity but not when the cheater is still lying about the extent of the affair and flip flopping over who to choose. He had a chance to choose you over everything, and risk being alone to get his family back, and he chose to message her.

notatinydancer · 12/06/2025 22:06

@EmmaThompsonsTearshe won’t kill himself it’s part of the script. He can fight for the kids , no reason he’d get more than 50/50. You read about men like this on MN all the time. He’d probably end up an EOW parent.

Greenfitflop · 12/06/2025 22:07

OP, that threat to self harm is further abuse.
Involve the police next time, for a welfare check.
They are well used to highly abusive men threatening it.

He shat himself at the thought of not being in control of his victim.

He switched back to hoover you back in.

This is a low life piece of shit.

Don't hesitate to tell family and friends he has threatened suicide and you will be involving the police if he does it again.

Total low life liar.

You mind yourself, and don't trust him for a minute.

PyongyangKipperbang · 12/06/2025 22:13

Studyunder · 12/06/2025 21:44

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/relationships/5186498-no-longer-blindsided-by-h?page=1

The OP here is a great inspiration and full of useful info. These’s a second thread too.
Wish you well

Did you say she updated recently? I cant find that.

nomas · 12/06/2025 22:14

But I’m very wary that it could all just be another manipulation because OW has dropped him. And actually, I made him show me his messages - he was trying to crawl back into her good books after I told him we’d be divorcing. He even told her HE’D sorted it, and he wanted to fight for her - which is exactly what he said to me.

i’m confused on the timings. When did you tell him you wanted a divorce? Sorry 🙈

jenny38 · 12/06/2025 22:16

I'm sorry to read this op. What a low blow to beg the OW, at same time as begging you. I hope you do what's best for you. Take your time.

Dawninglory · 12/06/2025 22:18

OchreRaven · 12/06/2025 22:06

You wanted him to be dumped by the other woman and realise he lost you too. This is what has happened. But he’s been able to manipulate you into thinking this isn’t what he deserves and what’s best for you.

There was always a chance he would beg for forgiveness. It’s why some pp said it’s actually easier if the OW is still in the picture because he won’t put as much effort in manipulating you and therefore break free easier.

But don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s totally understandable that when faced with this it isn’t as easy to be the ‘bad ass’ you were in your head. You don’t need to divorce him tomorrow but you do need to see him for who he is. He’s someone who looks out for himself first above you and your children. His words and actions since he confessed haven’t changed this, if anything he has reinforced his ability to compartmentalise.

You can come back from infidelity but not when the cheater is still lying about the extent of the affair and flip flopping over who to choose. He had a chance to choose you over everything, and risk being alone to get his family back, and he chose to message her.

OchreRaven, a very sensible and supportive response to the OP update. Please think about how expendable you are to him OP, if the OW is willing he is chasing her, not you. He just threatened to kill himself or make custody difficult to keep you. You are worth soo much more than that ❤️

Franpie · 12/06/2025 22:19

OP, this is why that 3rd, experienced lawyer didn’t give you any sympathy. Around half of the initial consultations she does won’t come back to her straight away. People kiss and make up, divorce seems too hard, they don’t want to upset the children, the cheater says they’re sorry, it won’t happen again blah blah blah. Divorce lawyers play the long game. They wait for you to come back after the 2nd, 3rd or 4th infidelity. You’re beyond wanting a sympathetic ear by that point and just want to get it done.

SlowestHorse · 12/06/2025 22:22

EmmaThompsonsTears · 12/06/2025 20:01

UPDATE: he’s confessed

Just when I was about to instruct Option 3 solicitor and start filling out the online form ready to file next week…I come home and he’s GREY.

Said he’s really messed up at work, he’s over promised something to someone (OW) and she’s really pissed off.

or in other words, they’ve had a massive row, so he’s crawling back. I had to really push him to get him to confess, but he did eventually. Insisted they never slept together IRL (they would’ve only had one opportunity due to the distance, but I’m still not sure I believe him) but admitted the emotional affair / wanking and that he’d got far too close to her. Absolutely shat himself when I told him I’d been seeing solicitors, and started crying and begging and saying he had nothing left and was going to kill himself.

Naturally I have wanted him dead multiple times in the last few days but I don’t ACTUALLY want him dead, so talking him off that metaphorical cliff has rather distracted me in the last 24 hours.

It’s weird though. I can’t remember if I said it here or not, but it was like a switch flipped last autumn (after he first crossed the line with OW) and he became this cold, distant, liar. It flipped back yesterday. We laughed together, gallows humour, for the first time in ages. He said kind, loving things. He properly cuddled me, something I’ve been starving for all year. But I’m very wary that it could all just be another manipulation because OW has dropped him. And actually, I made him show me his messages - he was trying to crawl back into her good books after I told him we’d be divorcing. He even told her HE’D sorted it, and he wanted to fight for her - which is exactly what he said to me.

he was panicking and the walls were caving in. But he’s begging me for a chance to reconcile.

i can’t help but think he only wants that for the kids, not for me.

hitting pause on filing plans temporarily. But this won’t be the last of it. If he reverts back to type and I find myself on eggshells at any point again, we’re done.

and he’s admitted he’d get nasty to fight for custody.

Darling. He doesn’t want it for the kids; he wants it for him. Read the next chapter in the Narcissists’ Habdbook” - “How to get them back onside when you’ve fucked up a bit”. Please please let your earlier self from a couple of days ago have a word with today’s self. It’s understandable how you feel. But this man Will Not. Change.

Midmeddlecum · 12/06/2025 22:27

It would be the biggest mistake of your life if you forgive this. Don’t do it.

notadrift · 12/06/2025 22:31

hysterical bonding was your "cuddles and gallows humour"

He is already hiding cash.

JustSawJohnny · 12/06/2025 22:36

EmmaThompsonsTears · 12/06/2025 20:52

Thank you all for knocking some sense into me. He’s on his way back now. Gameface on.

DON'T FALL FOR IT, OP!!

If you were sitting where we're sitting, you'd be rolling your eyes at your earlier post - male manipulation when he's in the shit 101!!

He is the most cliched twat, he really is.

Everything from the tears to the suicide claims to the custody threats are designed to make you feel bad for him and be afraid to leave him, OP.

He's 'back' purely because his other option has pulled the plug. He hasn't done any of this for YOU. It's ALL for HIM!!

You're the only one who can put yourself first, here. He never will.

Instruct the solicitor and make sure you tell her that now he knows you know he's making threats.

She'll have heard all of his bullshit a million times.

BoundaryGirl3939 · 12/06/2025 22:38

I have a feeling he will talk his way back but the contempt he has shown towards you over the past year is how he truly feels towards you. He has started love bombing you.

SamDeanCas · 12/06/2025 22:39

So you spent 24 hours talking him off a cliff! Do you not see how fucked that is? He should have spent 24 hours trying to talk you off a cliff. But all he’s worried about is himself. He made it all about him, how he’s feeling, how upset he is, how much he’s lost. If he’s talking suicide ring the MH crisis team. My bet is he’s not suicidal at all, he’s just trying to get you back feeling sorry for him.

By him being nice again, laughing with you, cuddling just shows you that he made a conscious decision to treat you like shit for the last 9 months.

If he’s truly wants you, then he won’t mind moving out, maybe you do get the divorce and you can start seeing each other again. If he’s genuinely remorseful he’ll do whatever he needs to, or what you need him to do, even if that means putting his own wants and needs to one side

Notsosure1 · 12/06/2025 22:39

Franpie · 12/06/2025 22:19

OP, this is why that 3rd, experienced lawyer didn’t give you any sympathy. Around half of the initial consultations she does won’t come back to her straight away. People kiss and make up, divorce seems too hard, they don’t want to upset the children, the cheater says they’re sorry, it won’t happen again blah blah blah. Divorce lawyers play the long game. They wait for you to come back after the 2nd, 3rd or 4th infidelity. You’re beyond wanting a sympathetic ear by that point and just want to get it done.

Sad but probably true

Summerisere · 12/06/2025 22:41

I just read the update, this is such a cliche, please, please, please don’t engage in the pick me dance.

wrongthinker · 12/06/2025 22:42

He was never going to kill himself. It's pure manipulation.

Don't fall for it OP.

Loubles123 · 12/06/2025 22:43

He doesn't want 50 50 custody, he knows thsts something to say to make you panic. 50% custody is too much for you to lose, so you will stay.
I have heard friends panic about that threat, those fathers see their children every other weekend.

And self harm is a similar tactic, shifts the narrative away from his actions and onto you rescuing him. Do not engage, it was an empty threat.

Loubelou71 · 12/06/2025 22:43

My ex was like that with me when he got caught but he soon slipped into being horrible again. We limped along for 2 years before I realised she was back on the scene. Much happier now he's an ex and wish I'd done it first time.

Lifeisapeach · 12/06/2025 22:49

C’mon op. You’re stronger than this! You accept this shit now you accept it forever more.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is not accepting new messages.
Swipe left for the next trending thread