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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

Is texting a reason for separating?

68 replies

Kayzr · 28/02/2010 20:37

Last November I found out that H was texting another woman. I thought I would be ok with it as he didn't do anything physical. But I just can't get it out of my head. It's killing me and we are having huge rows about it.

I just don't know what to do and my head is spinning. I don't know if I love him anymore.

What would you do?

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Kayzr · 28/02/2010 22:33

We're not going too anymore. I'm going to go back on the pill.

Think I might go to bed soon and try to get some sleep. Not sure if it will happen though.

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AnyFucker · 28/02/2010 22:35

aww, look after yourself, love x

Kayzr · 01/03/2010 07:39

Well I got about 4 hours sleep last night and things are no clearer this morning at all.

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NatalieJane · 01/03/2010 09:22

Kay, (I know I am repeating) I think you need to decide what you want, and I think you need time and space to decide what you want.

I would get him to move out for a month, it would show you both what there is to lose, it would certainly show if there is any love still there between you. You'd need to be strong though, and if after a week it seems clear that you do want to still be together, don't let him back before the end of the month. You need a month (at least) to really experience what it would be like without him. How you'd handle things practically, the boys, money etc. If it's a case of that you're staying with him now for fear of what it would be like without him then you'd find out. If you miss him like crazy as a husband then you'd find that out.

Also, as much as I am guessing it would be nigh on impossible, I'd try not to dwell on what else he might have done, yes protect yourself, don't become his doormat, but from all the time I've 'known' you and from what you've said about him over the years, he doesn't strike me as the type, and if you're going to give it another go, then whilst it is important that you are both honest with each other, it'll never work if you're secretly punishing him for something he in all likelyhood hasn't done, and for something that he knows nothing about.

FWIW, there is no shame in separating/divorcing, there is also no shame in him holding his hand's up, admitting he's done something that is unarguably wrong, and you both working together to get over it, it doesn't make you weak, and it doesn't have to mean that he'd do it again, some people, even men, can learn their lessons.

Kayzr · 01/03/2010 09:28

The only problem I have with us separating for a month is that I have no one to have the boys while I work. I'm going to have to see if they can give me different hours and see if Mum can have them or something.

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GypsyMoth · 01/03/2010 09:29

i wasnt sure either kay when i ended my marriage! and there was violence/abuse all involved,its hard to see a future for yourself when you're stuck in a rut

i left....initially for some space,took 4 dc with me....then we decided a short break would be a good idea,he thought it was to get back together,but in my mind it was to find out if i wanted him back....which i THEN knew,without a doubt,that my time with him had come to an end

dont know if that helps,but i knew in both head AND heart it was over,and i havent looked back

NatalieJane · 01/03/2010 09:34

Would you not get help with childcare costs etc.? I don't know how it all works, but there must be something?

tinksbabyis1 · 01/03/2010 09:35

good luck kay

Kayzr · 01/03/2010 09:53

Yeah I would do but I work 4pm-8pm Mondays and then start at 7am tuesday and Wednesday. The nursery is open 8am til 6pm.

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NatalieJane · 01/03/2010 10:02

Would it be easy enough to change your hours?

Are you going to work today?

Kayzr · 01/03/2010 10:06

It would hopefully be fairly easy if I tell them why I need to change it.

He is now on the phone to his Mum and she is already twisting it to be my fault.

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GypsyMoth · 01/03/2010 10:08

whats he saying to his mum?

daisydora · 01/03/2010 10:12

Kayz, his MIL is a nutter from other things you have mentioned about her. She will NEVER see this from your POV! Do not let H or MIL make you think that there is something more you should be doing or not doing at this time.

Soeak to your mum about help looking after the boys, even if its just in the short term while work can sort out your hours.

NatalieJane · 01/03/2010 10:13

Kay, you knew she'd do that - don't give it a moments thought, she really isn't worth it, and if he bases anything on what she says then TB absolutely H, you are better off without him.

Kayzr · 01/03/2010 10:20

She says it's only text messages which is fine from her point of view. But she had a go about me being out with a male friend on Thursday night. So obviously it's ok for him to do it but I can't go out with my friend and his girlfriend.

She is going to come round to speak to him tomorrow. I'm hoping he can go and stay there.

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NatalieJane · 01/03/2010 10:32

So she is that worried for her poor hard done by son that she is waiting till tomorrow? She is one nasty piece of work, I wouldn't waste any time in completely fogetting she exists TBH. She is not (for once!) the problem here.

I think you need to get tough, tell him (if you're going to work) that you want him ready to leave by the time you get back. You don't care where he goes (you know he'll end up with her) but to just leave you alone for at least one week, he can come and see the kids for a couple of hourson x night at x time, but that's it. Don't argue with him about it. Tell him he either want's to give your relationship a chance and gives you some space, or even after what he's done he still can't do the right thing in giving you what you need - time and space.

Sorry feel all bossy now

Kayzr · 01/03/2010 10:37

He is going to go on Thursday. He is only staying until then because no one can have the kids while I work the early shifts.

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YouKnowNothingoftheCrunch · 01/03/2010 10:38

Hi Kayz, not sure if you remember me but I think you live near me (correct me if I'm wrong ). H and I have just split up (his depression became an excuse to be abusive) so I know where you're coming from. Just because things aren't that bad doesn't mean it's not a reason to call it a day. I spent a lot of time wishing he would hit me (because that was "proper" abuse ), just as you're wishing he had slept with her (because that's "proper" infidelity ).

Unfortunately things aren't that simple. I bet if my H had slapped me I'd be thinking "Well, it's not like he punched me, is it?". Either you are unhappy with the level of intimacy or you're not. The fact that he is saying he wouldn't let you do what he has done is an indicator that he knows and knew he was doing something that could ruin his marriage.

Don't forget that he did this. Not you. It's so easy to blame yourself for not being able to "get over it" but he's the one who did it to you! Don't listen to MIL. She's going to defend him whatever he does. You'll never win there.

If ever you fancy an escape and a cuppa I have an excellent shoulder spare for a good sob.

Kayzr · 01/03/2010 12:35

Yes I do live near you.

He has told his sister too who also said that it is just text messages so he hasn't actually done anything wrong. But in my eyes I think he has done something wrong.

But I haven't really been happy for a while I don't think. I think I've been putting it on for the boys.

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Ladyscratt · 01/03/2010 12:38

The trouble is first a text message then what? meeting up? this is not ok and he has got to understand that. I would make this a point and stamp it out now, and if that means separating for a bit, give him a fright and do it. Doesn't mean the end of the realtionship but the trust has to be built back up. If you let him think it is ok now then what for the future.

This might frighten him into realising what he could have lost.

Diege · 01/03/2010 12:45

KAYZ, I think LADYSCRATT is spot on. I don't really have much to add but wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you at this truly horrible time.

YouKnowNothingoftheCrunch · 01/03/2010 12:47

Kayz well let me know if you ever need that cuppa (I won't be at all offended if you'd rather not).

The point is that he did something that hurt you. He even admitted that by his own standards it would hurt him if you had been the one texting.

It doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks about this.

You don't sound as though you want to be with him anymore. You don't need permission from anyone to go, especially not his family - bare in mind that his family will always take his side, I bet if you had been the one texting his sister would have been outraged.

Kayzr · 01/03/2010 12:50

His family had a go about me being out with some make friends the other night. Their girlfriends were there too so I don't see how it's the same.

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WhenwillIfeelnormal · 01/03/2010 12:51

Kayzr - for you - and the other poster online this morning querying about her OH logging into dating sites - these interactions are never harmless. Sometimes, they are the tip of the iceberg in terms of what has already happened - and sometimes it means that something would have gone on to happen had they not been discovered.

Getting someone to stop doing something doesn't address their motivation for doing it.
That's what needs to be tackled.

YouKnowNothingoftheCrunch · 01/03/2010 13:00

Kayz it's not the same. He was being unfaithful and now they're trying to find a way to balance it out by accusing you of doing something similar. They are wrong, you are not.

I'd be livid if anyone tried to stop me from seeing my male friends. Even if their GFs weren't there! And the idea that chatting to someone is the same as what your H did is ridiculous. It really is.