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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

Need advice... have 3 kids inc. newborn, husband having affair for past 6 months

88 replies

cakegirl · 08/01/2009 21:02

Me and my DH have been together for 15 years, have three kids, one is 10 weeks old, and have never had any real relationship problems. A few weeks before Xmas, he confessed that he was seeing another woman, and had been for about 6 months. I was (and still am) devastated, shocked but mostly angry. He appeared genuinely sorry, and said he never intended to leave me and the kids etc. However he said the relationship with the OW was "complicated" (they met on the internet and she has moved to UK to be with him) and it would take time to disentangle himself. I love my husband and believe he loves me so I am prepared to work hard to forgive and move on, but it has been 5 weeks and he is continuing to see her. He does not lie to me - tells me where he is going etc. but I really wondered how long I should put up with this. Is he just taking the p**s? I don't want to threaten to leave, as that's not what I want, and I don't want to invlove the kids or our families, but maybe if I leave this will shock him into some sense. What do you think? I need advice as I don't really want to talk to friends/family at this stage...

OP posts:
cakegirl · 08/01/2009 22:38

You're all so right. It's difficult when you've just had a baby to know if you're thinking rationally or hormonally. Thanks so much for all your advice. I know what I need to do now. I'd do it straight away but he's with her........

OP posts:
cakegirl · 08/01/2009 22:40

KristinaM - my mum is still coming to terms with my dad dying not so long ago. I wouldn't want her to worry as she gets so stressed about the slightest thing at the moment.

OP posts:
pamplemousse · 08/01/2009 22:40

Oh you poor thing. He is being a total arse, you are being amazing. Talk to him and give him an ultimatum.

Northernlurker · 08/01/2009 22:45

Just another voice to say yes he is taking the piss!

If your situations were reversed do you think he would put him with you going off to see another man - 'because things are complicated.' He is taking advantage of your vulnerable state and you should 100% put your foot down. I really don't think it could make things any worse could it?

navyeyelasH · 08/01/2009 22:45

I am sat her reading this with complete anger coursing through me and I am not an angry person. He is completely 100% taking the MICK!

If you love your DH then obviously I think you should try and work things out but he CAN NOT carry on seeing the OW. He says it's complicated with the OW but nothing ever ever ever comes before you and your DC especially not some stupid cow who moved countries to be with a married man.

Why the hell in gods name did he move in with OW if he is wants to fix things with you. FGS I am just so angry on your behalf!

I hope you have a lot of support in real life, I never do this but I sincerely mean it, virtual hug and glass of whiskey to you.

AnyFucker · 08/01/2009 22:46

tell me where he is, I want to give him a kick in the nuts

beanieb · 08/01/2009 22:48

I think he is taking the piss! for her to move to the uk would surely mean some involvement (positive) from him. What is he like normally? Is he such a walkover that he would allow another woman to do this against his will?

either he has lied to her and she knows nothing about you or he just doesn't care about you. I am sorry but I think you need to give him an ultimatum and tell him that he chooses right now or it is over.

navyeyelasH · 08/01/2009 22:48

AF that's what I wanted to say, I just used too many words!

AnyFucker · 08/01/2009 22:50

navy, I agree with every word you said, but would substitute the whisky for brandy

beanieb · 08/01/2009 22:50

oh - I know. Ask to meet her! I bloody well would. just to see what his reaction is.

KristinaM · 08/01/2009 23:06

what would happen if you told his family? I mean not in an agnry way but if you broke down in tears? Do you get on with his mother or his sisters ? sil? I am wondering if you could use family pressure to get him to do the right thing? Would his family support you?

just wondering.....my Dh has two brothers who woudl coem around and give him a bollocking talk to him

AnyFucker · 08/01/2009 23:16

I have some brothers who will come round and kick the shit out of him, if you like.

Sorry, not helpful but gawd.

I think you need to tell yours and his family. Why should you protect him? You need some RL support, and him not to be cushioned from the true consequences of his actions, that many, many people are going to be dreadfully hurt.

That should help to burst his self-obsessed, pecker-led, pathetic romantic bubble.

Heated · 08/01/2009 23:38

The reason I could post so confidently is that you could have been describing my father & mother 20+ yrs ago. He too found himself another woman, an American. He spun my mother some wonderful lies in order to have the affair; he was just so amazingly self-absorbed - I was quite astonished that such a selfish man lived inside my father - does that resonate in any way?

My mother, like you, was amazingly tolerant, so desperate was she to keep the marriage together for us and for her - she still loved him you see, despite what he had done. Convinced she was could get it back on track being, I suppose, the backbone of the marriage, but of course it takes two.

My father announced one day he had decided - he was going to commit to the OW so my mother filed for divorce. It was almost a cruel spectator sport, watching my father confront his own very disappointed father and the rest of the family (my mother had shielded him up until then).

In the end the OW went back to her much wealthier hb, and my father, much diminished, returned home - only to find my mother didn't want him.

The point I'm eventually getting round to making is that you appear from your posts strong and resourceful. Your hb sounds quite a weak man and will probably go on making, what seems to you and to us, stupid, dick-led and hurtful decisions re this woman - he's certainly not reached a "god, I've been such a twat" nadir that currently would makes your relationship seem salvageable.

Personally, I'd let him find out how costly it is to support two homes - money troubles does rather take the gloss off - expose him to family censure and file for divorce. He might wake up to himself; he might continue to be a twat but gently, but with a firm push, can I suggest it's about time you took charge and protect you and yours?

2rebecca · 08/01/2009 23:40

I would get him out of the house. If he chooses to stay with her that's up to him but he needs to see it is choice time. It may all go pear shaped and he may be begging to come back in a few weeks, but for now he gets out and just sorts out contact with the kids and you don't talk to him apart from about the kids and think about seeing a lawyer. You don't have to start divorce proceedings, but starting a separation agreement may bring the reality of his choices through to him.
Disentangling himself from her isn't difficult. Disentangling himself from you and to a lesser extent the kids is going to be much harder

dsrplus8 · 09/01/2009 00:04

ok. heres what i would do, move any funds in the joint account to your private one, draw up a list of expences for the children that must be met , and get a reminder leflet on payment rates for the csa(or whatever the new name is) phone the bitch when his parents are with you, do this on speakerphone and ask politly why does she think it ok to have sex with someone elses husband, then inform her that husband will be paying at least 25% of his income to the maintenence of said children.also mention thet husband also said she was bonkers, and that everyone on mumsnet thinks shes a heartless scrubber for what shes done. shes an utter cow for messing with your h when your pg, and have two little ones. i hope she learns what it feels like!

beanieb · 09/01/2009 00:07

Are you certain that the OW knows about you?

moondog · 09/01/2009 00:08

Heated, what happened with your parents in the end?

solidgoldsoddingjanuaryagain · 09/01/2009 00:20

I don't think ringing up to abuse the OW is either useful or terribly ethical. You don't know what he has said to her and he has betrayed you, not her. She never made you any promises. He might have told her anything.
But I think that the posters who say, tell him to make a decision, are right: at present he seems to be expecting you just to put up with things and he doesn't appear to be considering your feelings at all.

nula · 09/01/2009 00:24

drsplus8 you do NOT speak for everyone on mumsnet.

No one here knows whether she is a "heartless scrubber" or an "utter cow ".

I for one would not jump to that conclusion.
I am sure I am not alone in that view , but nor would I claim to speak for everyone on mumsnet on this or ANY topic.

You have no idea at all what he has told the OW.

This kind of mysogyny is uncalled for

beanieb · 09/01/2009 00:26

absolutely nula.

nula · 09/01/2009 00:33

Thanks Beanieb.

Also , If I used as evidence "Everyone on mumsnet says...." to present some sort of argument to anyone I would respect their right to fall about laughing (and I am BIG fan of mumsnet)

dsrplus8 · 09/01/2009 00:42

ow is a heartless cow,shes commiting adultary with cakegirls husband, ok we dont know exactly what hes told her , but cake was pregnant when this started.that makes her a total scrubber, she must know about cake and the kids, its been going on for six months ffs. ok i withdraw the "everyone on mumsnet" bit , i just get annoyed when i hear about yet another slag-bag with someone elses husband. (dont think ,hes blameless either, hes the one thats married, thats worse.she might not known about cake in the begining) .

beanieb · 09/01/2009 00:45

Yes, but that is your opinion dsrplys8, not the collective opinion of mumsnet.

If she doesn't know about cake then I would say she could be totally blameless. If anyone needs to be held responsible it is cakegirl's husband as he has clearly crossed boundaries he should not have.

dsrplus8 · 09/01/2009 00:53

beanieb, i have already posted i withdraw the everyone on mumsnet part.iappologise if i upset anyone with that. i just dont think that after six month the ow doesnt know about cake! you are right about cakes husband, i too said hes the married one,thats worse.ifthe ow was decent , she would run a mile from cakes husband if/when she found /finds out.thats not happened ...ergo shes a scrubber.

thumbwitch · 09/01/2009 00:55

just out of interest, who do you think is more to blame (in general) - a woman who tries to have an affair with a married man, or the married man who gives in and has an affair? Which is worse?

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