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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

4 years post D-day. Wondering if this is the beginning of the end.

29 replies

Jigglebelles · 04/05/2026 15:24

Discovered DH was having an affair 4 years ago. Long story short, we decided to stay together, especially for DC who at the time were 4 and 6 but for me that wasn’t the only reason. I still loved him. It was such a painful time and honestly now I am beginning to wonder if it was worth it. He confessed to previous affairs when I found out about the last one as well, so it wasn’t a one off and I think he was in love with the latest one (though he denied it). I obviously can’t know.

Anyway he stayed, and seemed to want to as well, but fast forward to now and I feel like I am the one keeping the marriage going. He works all the time. When he isn’t at work he’s doing his hobbies. He did all the right things post discovery like counselling and he changed jobs, and seemed to be invested in making it work. Holidays, new pets, usual family stuff. Now I feel like it’s all me, it’s like he is physically here but not really invested. He also had an issue with making a picture of us public on his social media and I know it’s a small thing but it has made me feel quite insecure. He did in the end but I feel a bit like it was to keep me quiet.

The OW also moved recently too, and they now work in the same city. I don’t think he has contacted her (I have access to his phone) but it has rattled me slightly. He says I am being silly and it’s been years and it’s all in the past.

We don’t have sex that much either, and honestly sometimes it feels like it’s more out of duty than anything else. I have found it hard sometimes since generally but there have been periods when it’s been good.

Is this just the return to ‘normal’ marriage and I’m being over sensitive or am I picking up on a tip in the scales where I am now having to do the work maintaining it all… and he is just here but not really? And if so am I just delaying the inevitable?

I don’t know what to think anymore. Can’t really speak to friends as I don’t know what is normal for marriages post affair!

OP posts:
Pugglywuggly · 04/05/2026 15:27

Not invested, distant, lots of "hobbies", poor sex life and OW moving close?!

I don't think this affair ended, but it sadly sounds like you're marriage has x

Purplepoet · 04/05/2026 15:29

Whether he's having another affair or not, I think he's checked out.

I think you need to plan what you would like from your life moving forwards, because this marriage is unlikely to ever be what you want it to be and, frankly, you deserve better.

InsolentAnnie · 04/05/2026 15:30

You deserve better than this, and your kids deserve to see a good example. If this isn’t what you’d like them to see as a model relationship, then it’s not good enough for you either. If he’s done it multiple times before I doubt he’ll ever change - if he wanted to he’d be putting you and the kids first, and he’s clearly not. I think this one has run its course.

Teado · 04/05/2026 15:33

If you want to spend the rest of your life checking his phone, tracking his ex girlfriends, and wondering what he’s up to in general and with whom, then crack on as you are.

If you don’t, then divorce him as amicably as you can with a good solicitor in your corner.

Those are your two options.

Jigglebelles · 04/05/2026 15:34

InsolentAnnie · 04/05/2026 15:30

You deserve better than this, and your kids deserve to see a good example. If this isn’t what you’d like them to see as a model relationship, then it’s not good enough for you either. If he’s done it multiple times before I doubt he’ll ever change - if he wanted to he’d be putting you and the kids first, and he’s clearly not. I think this one has run its course.

He has been trying and putting effort in for the last few years, I can’t judge if this is just now normal
baseline and I am being insecure or if he just felt guilty before and this is him returning to how he actually feels. I hadn’t really acknowledged it properly before but I was just thinking to myself why I was asking him about a stupid picture and making us publicly ‘visible’ I suppose. It shouldn’t even be a thing. It’s so small but it just highlighted what might be a bigger problem I guess 😞

OP posts:
Endofyear · 04/05/2026 15:34

It doesn't sound like he's making any effort to keep the relationship going. Is this how you want to spend your life, waiting for the next affair? He's a serial cheat and they don't change (maybe just get better at hiding it?)

If I were you, I'd get out now and rid yourself of the anxiety and worry. You'll have a much more peaceful life 💐

AmberSpy · 04/05/2026 15:38

I wonder if he's pulling away to try to get you to end it - that way you're the "bad guy". I'm so sorry this has happened to you OP, what a shit situation.

OverTheWater28 · 04/05/2026 15:38

It sounds like he’s emotionally checked out long ago unfortunately. He’s showing none of the signs of a man who is deeply in love with and values you or the relationship

AttilaTheMeerkat · 04/05/2026 15:50

How has he been trying?. What has he done off his own bat here, been to therapy for instance?.

What are you getting out of this relationship now?. If nothing why have you stayed with him ?. Staying for the sake of the children does them no favours and as you’re seeing it has not been easier for you to do either.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 04/05/2026 15:52

Sounds like he has merely paid lip service to counselling and he’s emotionally checked out. Am so very sorry but you do deserve better than he.

Jigglebelles · 04/05/2026 15:53

AttilaTheMeerkat · 04/05/2026 15:50

How has he been trying?. What has he done off his own bat here, been to therapy for instance?.

What are you getting out of this relationship now?. If nothing why have you stayed with him ?. Staying for the sake of the children does them no favours and as you’re seeing it has not been easier for you to do either.

He did go to therapy for a year afterwards. He has tried to develop healthier habits generally I suppose, work less and do more things at home… but I suppose recently the work has increased again and when he is at home he does his hobbies more. He said stress was a major factor in the affairs but he seems to actually like working and his job which is very demanding.
im quite independent so I have been ok doing my own thing but I think looking at it now it seems like he may be reverting to more like he was. I may just be imagining it. I don’t know.

OP posts:
AutumnAllTheWay · 04/05/2026 15:57

Has he posted a family pic yet? Knowing not doing so makes you understandably suspicious and upset?

Jigglebelles · 04/05/2026 15:59

AutumnAllTheWay · 04/05/2026 15:57

Has he posted a family pic yet? Knowing not doing so makes you understandably suspicious and upset?

yes… but obviously he didn’t initially want to. Said he is quite private and his profile picture before was of the dog!

OP posts:
FettchYeSandbagges · 04/05/2026 15:59

You aren't happy. That is reason enough to start thinking about whether it is time to call it a day.

Jellycatspyjamas · 04/05/2026 16:06

Jigglebelles · 04/05/2026 15:53

He did go to therapy for a year afterwards. He has tried to develop healthier habits generally I suppose, work less and do more things at home… but I suppose recently the work has increased again and when he is at home he does his hobbies more. He said stress was a major factor in the affairs but he seems to actually like working and his job which is very demanding.
im quite independent so I have been ok doing my own thing but I think looking at it now it seems like he may be reverting to more like he was. I may just be imagining it. I don’t know.

Going to therapy is only part of it though. Him understanding what made him look elsewhere, really thinking about his receipt and betrayal
pf you, and recommitting to his marriage ie making meaningful changes and actively repairing his relationship with you is essential. That might also mean you being honest about the extent to which you meet each others needs and hearing what was missing for him. He looked outside your marriage to deal with his feelings - resolving that takes a lot of inner work on both your parts.

It sounds like he ticked all the boxes you wanted him to tick, which has slapped a sticking plaster on things but the quality of relationship hasn’t actually changed much.

You need to decide whether you can do the work that’s needed, and whether you want to, and he needs to do the same. Going through the motions is no way to live.

Snorlaxo · 04/05/2026 16:21

I’ve read this story many times on here.

I think he wants you to dump him so he can pretend that he’s the good guy. It sounds like work provides him with the opportunity to avoid you and family life.

Changing old habits is hard and even though he tried to be the version of him that you wanted, he can’t keep it up because he doesn’t care or think that he should change. The therapy etc was a plaster to shut you up. I suspect if you called it quits, he’d be secretly delighted as he can live a life where he can do what he wants and be the old version of himself.

icepop2 · 04/05/2026 16:25

Jigglebelles · 04/05/2026 15:59

yes… but obviously he didn’t initially want to. Said he is quite private and his profile picture before was of the dog!

If he was so worried about being private he wouldn't be on SM. My ex was the same. Never had a picture of me up, the reason was he wanted to appear single.

Your life sounds miserable OP, you sound miserable. You've given it your best shot but maybe it's time to call it a day.

Chatsbots · 04/05/2026 16:30

It's all a bit meh sounding.

I agree with the others that he's checked out.

I would very quietly get all the financial stuff together and then sit and work out how you want your life to look in a few years' time.

Personally, I couldn't live like this, waiting for the next shoe to drop.

Jigglebelles · 04/05/2026 17:29

icepop2 · 04/05/2026 16:25

If he was so worried about being private he wouldn't be on SM. My ex was the same. Never had a picture of me up, the reason was he wanted to appear single.

Your life sounds miserable OP, you sound miserable. You've given it your best shot but maybe it's time to call it a day.

It just feels like a waste after all this work. And I don’t know if I’m just overreacting…

OP posts:
Chatsbots · 04/05/2026 17:37

Sunk cost fallacy.

I'm supporting a friend divorcing after 32 years, she's very unhappy about all the wasted years.

category12 · 04/05/2026 17:47

Jigglebelles · 04/05/2026 17:29

It just feels like a waste after all this work. And I don’t know if I’m just overreacting…

Give yourself permission to let go of him and the relationship.

Just because you've tried to make it work for a long time, doesn't mean you're locked into that decision forever.

It's OK to be the one to call it a day.

It's more of a waste to spend more and more years with this pain, uncertainty, vigilance and the damage it does to your self-esteem.

I did it for too long and it was actually a relief when I split up with him. Did me the world of good.

Jigglebelles · 04/05/2026 20:26

category12 · 04/05/2026 17:47

Give yourself permission to let go of him and the relationship.

Just because you've tried to make it work for a long time, doesn't mean you're locked into that decision forever.

It's OK to be the one to call it a day.

It's more of a waste to spend more and more years with this pain, uncertainty, vigilance and the damage it does to your self-esteem.

I did it for too long and it was actually a relief when I split up with him. Did me the world of good.

How long did you give it? Part of me wonders if we just need a reset and more time. And then also if it’s not fixed or better by now will it ever be? It’s so hard.

OP posts:
category12 · 04/05/2026 20:31

15 years.

I don't regret all of it because we went on to have another child and there were good times, but yeah, too long. Far too long.

Allthegoodonesareg0ne · 04/05/2026 20:34

I've just found my husbandnis cheating again with his ap of 2 years ago. He also did all the right things superficially but the first time he bumped into ap they kicked it off again.
Its like an addiction if they haven't properly grown. The buzz of it will always outweigh the marriage.
Even if he isn't back in an affair yet he's pretty complacent and it's likely only a matter of time. Cut your losses and don't let him take up your time and energy x

cloudtreecarpet · 05/05/2026 06:19

It doesn't sound great.

As the children get older you & he will potentially have more time together. How will that feel?
It can be that at this point many marriages end because it highlights the chasm between the two parents.
And he might feel he "can" leave then because the children don't need him as much.

If you're totally honest with yourself, if you take your children out of the equation, can you see the two of you happily growing older together?

As others have said, I think you both putting a sticking plaster over a near fatal wound and hoped for the best, probably for the children's sake. That's understandable but it doesn't sound like it's worked & you sound unsure and unhappy.

Look at what life would be like if you split and how you would both manage. It might be better and easier than you think.

Don't stay because you think you should or just for the children because you will split anyway in those cases, just later down the line.