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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

Something isn't right thread #2

856 replies

FourAndFive · 21/08/2025 11:18

Thanks so much for all your help and support. I can't believe the first thread is full - there isn’t a huge amount to update on right now, but I am looking forward to the future with my head held high, whatever the outcome. I'll keep posting.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/relationships/5391850-something-isnt-right-emotional-affair-or-just-friends?page=1

Something isn't right - emotional affair or just friends? | Mumsnet

Name changed for this. It's a bit of a blur, and long, apologies in advance. I need help and/or a slap to either wake me up to an emotional affair a...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/relationships/5391850-something-isnt-right-emotional-affair-or-just-friends?page=1

OP posts:
Confusedmeanderings · 21/08/2025 13:51

Thank you for starting a second thread OP.

OchreRaven · 21/08/2025 14:01

He’s not begging or pleading because at the moment he still doesn’t want to choose. He’s sad he might be losing you but not enough to make a change. Whilst that is upsetting, at the same time, if he was claiming to have seen the error of his ways it would be difficult to stay strong and you would likely take him back. But the trust is gone and that is very hard to rebuild. He would need to do the majority of work and to be frank it doesn’t sound like he has the mental capacity to do it.

What he gets from you (and now your children) is emotional support. Whilst he’s out there being a white knight to this younger woman with health problems his MH problems are being supported by his family. What happens when you have checked out and moved on. Does this younger OW who obviously needs a man to look after her want to take on the responsibility of dealing with his issues too? Will they be solved by having another family and additional financial responsibilities?

It’s sad that he can’t snap out of it but it’s also extremely unattractive and frankly pathetic. He may never get to the begging stage because by the time he realises what he has lost he will know there is no way back.

You are amazingly strong. Visualise your future without him. All the things you would like to do as a family of three. Plan holidays with your friends. Imagine a future where you can experience the first butterflies of love again. You have so much to look forward to regardless of whether you are in a romantic relationship with him. Keep your head up high, your boundaries clear and nurture the relationships of those people that support and protect you.

3luckystars · 21/08/2025 14:06

Treat yourself to a lovely new vibrator too. All
the best x

Whattodo1610 · 21/08/2025 14:21

Well done OP. I think he’s not begging or pleading as he thinks you’ll back down. He still thinks he can have his cake and eat it. He’s treated you appallingly, and will only realise this very far down the line. I hope you go from strength to strength and have a great life without him. You deserve so much better than this/him.

Noshadelamp · 21/08/2025 14:24

Thank you for the second thread op. I've been thinking of you and really rooting for you.

Does the DC who is suggesting the gp etc to your DH know the extent of everything?
I can imagine it is a tricky line to walk for you, where you don't want to involve or upset the DCs but they probably pick up on so much anyway.

Is your DH going to make an appointment at the GP?
I personally would make it a condition of any chance of even communicating with him going forward that he's contacted the GP or something other MH professional.

arcticpandas · 21/08/2025 14:38

Relieved to hear you're coping OP. I don't think you owe him compassion. He's claiming poor mh yet he's happy to pursue his hobby with ow and hasn't done anything to help himself/you all to remain a family. It shows how far down you are on his priorities. You would think that when his wife is telling him to leave- that's when he could talk about CS, not when she talks about him giving up a hobby!

MrTiddlesTheCat · 21/08/2025 14:38

Do you know where he's gone?

Dozer · 21/08/2025 14:40

There can be a ‘having MH problems…..needs help’ aspect of The Script. It’s good you’re not engaging. It also presents risks for your DC.

Someone close to me experienced similar with their father, as an older teen. The father was indeed having MH challenges, mostly of his own making. His focus was on himself and his wishes. In addition to the harm done to his DC by his affair, end of the parents’ marriage etc it was inappropriate and harmful of the father to involve his DC in his ‘MH’ problems.

CharlotteLightandDark · 21/08/2025 14:43

I think the mental health thing gets brought in because it genuinely is quite stressful and destabilising to have feelings for someone outside the marriage, and the oxytocin and dopamine flying around can make people feel obsessive and manic.

however I see this usually as a consequence of their behaviour with the other person rather than a cause of it.

Dozer · 21/08/2025 14:46

Indeed @CharlotteLightandDark and the more responsible thing to do would be to seek help from professionals and/or a trusted friend, not people like one’s FIL or DC.

Lots of us have MH issues without hurting our spouse and DC in these ways.

CanIgetARosePinkFrappucino · 21/08/2025 14:47

Where is he now and what is his last verbal, text or call exchange....

TheTeaCosyofDoom · 21/08/2025 15:01

FourAndFive · 21/08/2025 13:17

Sadness. No begging or pleading - he knew I was serious. I've asked for space, and he has given it to me. I don't want to communicate with him right now. I don't have a timeline, and I'm okay with that at the moment.

I see my parents at the weekend, so I can explain things properly. I'm still utterly furious he involved my Dad.

@FourAndFive Pleased to read that you are seeing your folks at the weekend, and that you will be giving them the opportunity to support you.

I'm as sure as I can be that you won't get the same reception from them that I got when I rang my (then) mother-in-law and told her about the carrier bag of evidence that I mentioned in my earlier post, and (silly me!) actually expected her to be surprised that I had discovered that her son was having an affair. (Parents-in-law were on the same committee as husband and OW.)

"Oh THAT?? I thought THAT had finished ages and ages ago !!"

Reebokker · 21/08/2025 15:01

i could be wrong but… I think he’s playing the MH card to justify his inappropriate relationship with OW. I think He will keep playing that MH card for sympathy from whoever he talks to including his kids, OP , his friends etc. I’m sorry I just don’t buy it. He’s got feelings for another woman & is too ashamed to be the bad guy - the MH card gets him sympathy instead of criticism.
Call me cynical but I think he will use this same card when he ends up with the OW. “She was there for me through my MH crisis when wife wasn’t & wife was acting crazy jealous & kicked me out, turned kids against me”
The sooner OP tells all he threatened CS because she asked him to stop his EA with 28 yo single OW the better. Shame him & don’t let him play the MH card!!
It’s the Script!

AugustSlippedAwayIntoAMomentInTime · 21/08/2025 15:14

I hope you and your children are ok, OP.

It is depressing how many men behave like this and how they contort themselves and do Olympian level mental gymnastics to convince themselves that it's everything and everyone else's fault they behaved badly rather than admit they're not actually not the good guys they hold themselves out to be.

GAJLY · 21/08/2025 15:19

FourAndFive · 21/08/2025 13:17

Sadness. No begging or pleading - he knew I was serious. I've asked for space, and he has given it to me. I don't want to communicate with him right now. I don't have a timeline, and I'm okay with that at the moment.

I see my parents at the weekend, so I can explain things properly. I'm still utterly furious he involved my Dad.

I think that would annoy me the most, the fact he's involved my parent!!! Who even does that?! Make sure you're dad knows to be on your side.

FourAndFive · 21/08/2025 15:20

TheTeaCosyofDoom · 21/08/2025 15:01

@FourAndFive Pleased to read that you are seeing your folks at the weekend, and that you will be giving them the opportunity to support you.

I'm as sure as I can be that you won't get the same reception from them that I got when I rang my (then) mother-in-law and told her about the carrier bag of evidence that I mentioned in my earlier post, and (silly me!) actually expected her to be surprised that I had discovered that her son was having an affair. (Parents-in-law were on the same committee as husband and OW.)

"Oh THAT?? I thought THAT had finished ages and ages ago !!"

My jaw swung open at this update! Just unbelievable.

I know he has told his simplistic version - he wont have told him how he has lied, deceived, ignored and hurt me, threatened suicide, continued to message her... and, is still in touch with her I'm certain.

He has been remarkable at making this look completely above board!

Stupidly, my instinct is still to protect him, not give too much away - I hate the thought of them thinking differently of him. They rely on him so much - on us so much. Tough though - I'm telling them all of it.

OP posts:
Diarygirlqueen · 21/08/2025 15:44

Surely he knows if he goes on the weekend with her your marriage is over?

anyolddinosaur · 21/08/2025 16:21

It takes time to move on from something that has lasted so long. You'll feel sad but you dont need to feel any responsibility for him, he's brought this on himself. Dont protect him, the truth deserves to be known.

outerspacepotato · 21/08/2025 16:28

If he starts using mental health break as an excuse, you can just say if his mental health was so bad, what made him think he could be his EAP's White Knight?

He can have poor mental health but it doesn't excuse his behaviour. He still has the knowledge of right and wrong and the capacity to make choices.

They're old enough to know the truth. Keeping his secrets is enabling him.

Tartanboots · 21/08/2025 16:36

I'm glad you're concentrating on yourself now OP. Whatever happens, it will do you good to focus on you, for a change.

Thewookiemustgo · 21/08/2025 17:28

@FourAndFive absolutely you should be focusing on you and your kids now. He’s not your responsibility. He’s a grown adult and needs to wake up, get proactive, get the help he needs himself and sort himself out if he thinks he’s even got a prayer of saving his marriage.
At present he’s a very unattractive prospect using you as stability and the hobby and OW as a crutch to get him through his personal problems. Time for him to grow up and sort himself out without relying on other people as band aids for life’s difficulties.

80s · 21/08/2025 17:40

At some point I realised that life is gone, whether he came back or not.
I had the same epiphany. My exh claimed to be going to a therapist to talk about his feelings. I asked if we could do some couples therapy and he said he did not have time, but agreed that I could go to his therapist with a view to maybe going together later.
I went to this woman and she turned out to be a career coach with a qualification off the internet. Don't know where he dredged her up from. In any case she did a very poor therapy session with me based on career coaching, where I had to say my goals and the path I would take to get there. I realised that my goal of going back in time to the point where I trusted and liked him was not workable. So the shit therapy session was surprisingly useful 😂

WallaceinAnderland · 21/08/2025 17:54

Be open and honest with your parents. They love you and only want what's best for you.

AugustSlippedAwayIntoAMomentInTime · 21/08/2025 17:58

Tell him if he goes on the weekend, you're 100% done. His bags will be packed and in X location outside waiting for him when he gets back. He can transport them to wherever.

Graphinette · 21/08/2025 18:23

If he were my 'D'H, if he goes on that weekend away, he would return to divorce papers.

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