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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

DH wants to separate :(

45 replies

noplacelikehome · 26/05/2010 23:01

I have been reading some posts on MN for a while but this is the first time I have posted so hello to everyone.
Two weeks ago my DH announced to me out of the blue that he has been seeing another woman for five months and wants to move in with her this weekend!
Well, shocked doesn't cover it! We have been together for 13 years, he is a good husband, we have a happy marriage, have a laugh together, never fall out and he is known to all family and friends as a really good and trustworthy man. I never ever thought he would do this
I still can't believe it! We have two DC aged 9 and 6 and I didn't want to tell them because I kept thinking he'd come to his senses and I wouldn't have to. I begged him to reconsider but he wouldn't
We told them tonight and they were very upset, my 6 year old doesn't get it, she thinks she can make things right by crossing her fingers
It hurt when he told them he'd met another woman who he loved and wanted to be with.
I thought we'd be together forever, I can't see it lasting with this other woman for many reasons...financial, time spent with kids etc. I told him once he'd told the kids there's no way back.
He's thrown away so much, everyone's shell shocked, all my friends say they've never known a couple who get on as well as us. He won't tell me his reasons for going, other than he's met someone who he wants to be with.
All those years of marriage down the pan and two lovely children upset. How selfish!
Has anyone else's DH done this...and when did you and your kids start to feel a bit stronger?

OP posts:
Plumm · 26/05/2010 23:10

I haven't experienced this but didn;t want to leave you unanswered. i'm so sorry to hear you're all going through this.

Northernlurker · 26/05/2010 23:18

No experience but how dreadful for you.
You deserve a lot better than this you know - I guess just try and hold on to that thought. This isn't about you - it's all about him and yes I think he will regret this decision a very great deal.

JimmyTarbuck · 26/05/2010 23:25

Sorry you are going through such hard times. No experience of this, but a good friend of mine went through similar. Predictably, the new relationship didn't work out and he ended up begging to come back. She stood her ground and is now really happy in a new relationship. I imagine that you will just have to take each day at a time, but you will find strength you never knew you had and will earn an even greater respect of your DCs because of the dignified way in which you will deal with this. Good luck.

JimmyTarbuck · 26/05/2010 23:27

meant to write: respect from your DCs

Tanga · 26/05/2010 23:42

So sorry for your trouble, noplacelikehome, what a terrible shock. Had you genuinely no idea he was unhappy? I suppose at least he was honest about it and faced the music - my ex shagged every woman he could get his hands on and still tried to amke me feel guilty when we split up.

Maybe some counselling would help you to deal with it whilst staying strong for your children?

And I guess you need to be practical, start making plans - if you can be amicable after what he's done, you have my every admiration - the kids have to come first. You can get parenting plans off the internet to guide you through the process.

noplacelikehome · 26/05/2010 23:45

Thanks for your replies so far
JimmyTarbuck, that is my fear, that it won't last and he'll end up begging to come back. I have made it clear that this is not an option. I said once the DCs have been told that's it. I told him he can't be going and coming back, that's creating even more upset
I think men must be wired up differently to women, I wouldn't leave my DCs for a millionaire!
Just taking one day at a time for now and will make enquiries as to what I will be entitled to re coucil tax discount, child tax credits etc, now I will be the only adult in the house. I never thought I'd be doing this

OP posts:
noplacelikehome · 26/05/2010 23:49

I had absolutely no idea whatsoever, Tanga.
A total bolt from the blue!
Yes, like you say, at least he was honest and told me himself rather than leaving me to find out.
I am being amicable, I've surprised myself actually but my main concern is the DCs and not causing them any more upset than necessary.

OP posts:
Karmann · 26/05/2010 23:56

What an awful shock - I know exactly how you feel. What an absolute fool he is, he will learn that the grass is not greener on the other side but that's his problem. And him telling the DCs about the OW is unforgiveable. They didn't need to know that bit at this stage and if he thinks it will all be rosy in the garden he's very much mistaken. Again, that's going to be his problem although it will probably be up to you to pick up the pieces I'm afraid.

There's a long road ahead and it won't be easy but you will get there. Do all the practical stuff you need to do but also take some time to be kind to yourself. Counselling will help but you will not be ready for it yet, it's too soon.

It's a bit late tonight for many other people to come and offer help and advice but keep posting, I'm sure more will be along tomorrow to offer support.

Although it's hard try and get some sleep and try and eat properly - it's even harder to function when you don't look after yourself.

Unlikelyamazonian · 27/05/2010 00:21

Hellooo! I have just poured myself another bowl of delicious cheerios and am all ears. There are defo people here if you need or want to chat. xx

onadietcokebreak · 27/05/2010 00:57

Hi

I have no emotional advice really as when I seperated it was my choice.

Have a look at entitled to website- can give you an idea re tax credits.

Do you work more than 16hrs per week? If so claim WTC CTC and apply for Council Tax Benefit(unless on very low income prob wont qualify) and write to ask for 25% reduction in Council Tax. If you rent claim Housing Benefit

Also look at Child maintenance options website for leaflet on seperating.

SolidGoldBrass · 27/05/2010 01:00

It was crass of him to actually tell the DC so bluntly. So he's probably going to be just as crass in the future. RIght now, take care of yourself, eat what you can, sleep when you can, let the housework slide if necessary, confide in friends/family, tell him calmly that you do not want any further discussion at the moment but he should pack his things and get gone.
And don't agree to anything without thinking it through and, if it's re the house/maintenance/access, consulting a solicitor first. He is being selfish and disregarding your feelings, so he can't be trusted to 'settle things amicably without involvig solicitors'.

partytime · 27/05/2010 08:10

Noplace this is exactly what happened to me.

My story is on here, but briefly.

My H left to be with OW he had been seeing for 3 years, we had been married for over 20 years.

As you describe all friends and family where shocked as he too seemed to be genuinely trustworthy, doting father and husband.

He told the DC, older than yours, late teens, they were devastated of course.

He lived with me for almost 3 weeks while he 'made his mind up', it was hell.

He has been gone nearly 8 months now, I have very little contact with him, my choice, as I struggle with my feelings for him.

The DC speak with him by phone, he sees them occasionally, they are finding it hard.

I agree with SGB about how you deal with the aftermath, but have no other advice really to add.

So sorry it must be awful.

twolittlemonkeys · 27/05/2010 08:18

How awful for you, I agree with other posters, get the practical side sorted amd definitely don't make any major financial decisions without a solicitor.

On the emotional side, look after yourself and children, surround yourself with friends and family if that will help. I'm so sorry. I haven't been through this but my parents have - when I was 6 - (my dad left my mum for one of her best friends, ouch) and my mum came out the other side so much stronger and did a fab job of raising us on her own. There are loads of people on here with excellent advice for this sort of situation, so keep posting for support if you find it helps you.

mtor · 27/05/2010 08:23

no experience. no advice. just thinking of you waking up this morning and wanting to offer sympathy and support.

ilovemydogandMrObama · 27/05/2010 08:42

My aunt's (ex) husband did something very similar. Long term marriage, think about 30ish years. Both kind and considerate people, never fought, similar interests, and then whammo! Their son found emails and he was having an affair, confronted him and it all came out.

It was all very very sudden.

But the good news is that she is happier now than she's been for ages. It took her a very long time to work out her what her own emotions were as they had been together for so long that she almost wasn't sure where she ended and he started. She found that she didn't miss the various snide critical comments about her weight which were dressed up as 'concern' for her health. She didn't miss the uber tight financial control.

Maybe it will last with other woman; maybe it won't, but if he was a decent sort, he would end one relationship before starting another; that's what honorable people do.

Don't make any financial decisions until you have sought proper advice. Even if the split is fairly amicable at this stage, once money gets entered into the equation, it can get nasty.

WhenwillIfeelnormal · 27/05/2010 12:06

The pain in your post is heart-rending. You must feel as though your whole world has stopped turning. At the moment, in these early weeks, you will be in shock.

I haven't gone through an enforced end to a relationship, but can empathise with the total shock and disbelief on the discovery of an affair. When something like this happens, it often evokes post-traumatic shock disorder - with flashbacks to the moment of discovery and terribly intrusive images.

The rational side of you will conclude that 5 months is a ridiculously short period of time to make a decision like this - even if he believes he loves the OW, this is not long enough a time to make that sort of decision.

I do not necessarily believe that he was "unhappy" and that this led to an affair. I believe your memories and those of the people close to you, far more. People in his situation often re-write history and pretend that this wouldn't have happened if they'd been happy, or say with marginally more honesty, that they hadn't realised how unhappy they were until they met the third party.

The real truth for many people is that they were neither gloriously happy nor terribly unhappy - they were just reasonably content and feeling occasionally overwhelmed by the busy pace of life and the responsibilities of career, children, money worries etc. Which accounts for probably most marriages of your duration with children the same age.

This is why he won't talk to you and give you reasons. He probably knows that you would see right through the justifications he has been deluding himself (and her) with. Most people involved in an affair need some sort of internal justification. This can be "it's a no-risk bit of escapist fun" right through to "I have obviously been unhappy and I love the other person".

Looking at your H's actions, I reckon he has got himself into a dreadfully pious mindset that he is an honest man. That means being belatedly honest with you about what's been going on and unforgivably honest to your DCs. He's probably telling himself that he is doing the right thing by everyone now by being "honest".

Well, sorry, but that is bollocks.

He deceived you for five months while he was making up his mind and is now dressing up cruelty as "honesty". He isn't so honest that he will actually talk to you about this and give you some insight, is he? The person he is actually being most dishonest with is himself.

One day, he might get that clarity that actually, your marriage was perfectly fine but like most marriages of this duration, it needed revitalising a bit. Instead of doing that though, he had an affair and left you and his children, telling himself that this was "true love".

I can't advise you how to move on in a practical sense, or even how to detach from him, but I can advise you to get some counselling on your own and to read all you can about affairs and the myths surrounding them. Do get a copy of Not Just Friends by Dr. Shirley Glass. There is a special chapter on healing alone in the wake of an affair discovery and I think this will help you.

Don't go near a counsellor who believes that affairs can never happen in good marriages, as that will compound your hurt and make you feel worse and more responsible for what has befallen you.

Above all, know this truth. You and he were equally responsible for your marriage, but he is 100% responsible for his affair. You couldn't prevent it, only he could have preserved his fidelity.

Malificence · 27/05/2010 12:18

Any man who can do this to you and his children isn't worth having.
Any man who can stand there and tell his children he is leaving them is a bastard of the highest order.

Cruel, heartless and selfish, the other woman is welcome to him - take everything you can from him.

turkeyboots · 27/05/2010 12:23

Have no experience of this apart from watching my parents go through something similiar. Agree to finding a good counsellor for yourself, but maybe also look to see if you can get similiar support for your DC? I know my sister found it really helpful to have someone outside the family to talk to.

You have my sympathy and best wishes for the hard path ahead.

posieparker · 27/05/2010 12:30

Look after yourself and take time with decisions...SGB is right. IME i have watched many men make great efforts with their dcs and being financially responsible but as time moves on and their new relationship gets more serious their priorities shift.

expatinscotland · 27/05/2010 12:31

Brilliant post, WWIFN.

I'm sorry you are going through this, noplace.1

ronshar · 27/05/2010 12:41

I have no advice to give but wanted to say how sorry I am for what has happened to you and your children.

He will wake up one morning and realise what a total mess he has made of his left!

Stay strong and make sure you eat enough to keep you healthy.

Selfishlaptopuser · 27/05/2010 13:01

Why on earth do these men have to tell their kids that they are choosing other women over their Mum and actually over the kids too, awful, selfish behaviour?

I am glad WWIFN is here she gives great advice about these things.

He is a shit and it may not seem like it now but you are well rid.

RunawayWife · 27/05/2010 13:02

I think you need to get some legal advice ASAP change the locks, clear out any joint accounts and make sure you and your children have everything you need

GiraffeYoga · 27/05/2010 13:34

Im sorry you are going through this. I have had this experience but this was exactly what happened to my mum although circumstances were complicated by other factors.

Stay strong and look after yourself.

Kathyjelly · 27/05/2010 13:48

I'm so sorry this is happening to you.
A close friend went through something very similar, established marriage, 2 kids, future plans and then one Monday morning the announcement.

I can only say, as hard as it may be, you need to get rid of the anger as soon as possible, through a counsellor or however because it wears you down. My friend was still shakingly furious after 5 years and in the end it made her ill. No man is worth that, especially not this one.

I hope everything becomes clearer as soon as possible. There's always someone here for you to vent at. Be kind to yourself & dcs.

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