June 2015 Moms

Husband cheated and need advice

2

Re: Husband cheated and need advice


  • Ladies -  I'm seeing quite a bit of hate aimed at the "other woman" here, without any of us knowing if she has ANY clue that he's married.

    I know its just an anecdote - but I dated a guy for over a month and had NO CLUE that he was married.  He took his ring off, he made himself available all the time, he covered his tracks well.  I only found out because Boston is a small city, and an acquaintance who happened to know both of us (not well) saw us out one night, and I got home to a facebook message from him telling me that the guy I was on a date with was married.  Fucking asshole.     I'm not saying she's a saint, but lets not slut-shame the heck out of her without knowing if she knew he was married.... right?

    Anyways, OP, like @kimmarie1105 said, I wouldn't just take his word for it that he hasn't actually slept with her.  I would go get an STD test ASAP.  Make sure to request a herpes test, as those aren't always included in a standard STD workup.  Please don't just take his word for it and take him back and share a bed with him.  The message he gets from that is "Sweet, I got away with it".    And then it will happen again, 100% guarantee.    Im not saying your marriage is over, but I think you should tell him to plan on staying at a friend or family's house until you both start therapy and give you some space to think. 

    So sorry you're going through this. Be strong.


    I don't think anyone can fault you for that. That's not at all the kind of 'other woman' I was referring to. However, plenty of women would have stayed with him even after finding out about the wife with his promise of divorcing her or something. Lots and lots of (broken) women do not care about a man being married. 
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  • I'm only 24 so my opinion may not count. I know that only you know if he loves you. Some people do make mistakes. That's just not a mistake I could ever make. I love my husband so much I couldn't even flirt with another man. I know he loves me the same. Everyone deserves that kind of security in their marriage. I honestly hate that you have to live with that unsure feeling. I wanna tell you to run. But like I said you know if he loves you and I hope it works out for you and your sweet baby.
  • sgarmandsgarmand member
    edited January 2015
    @Trampslikeus‌ It was my understanding that she knew he was married. At least that's what I got from OP's following posts about her being a co-worker and she even went to the office at some point to see her husband and talked to her. It seems to me like a slim to none chance that the woman didn't know he was married.

    ETA: I'm not all "grab the pitch forks lets burn the witch" at all. I think they're obviously both responsible, but I believe the man is responsible for his marriage and it's no one's fault but his own if he fucks it up. Same goes for wife if the situation is flipped.
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  • bossybluejaybossybluejay member
    edited January 2015

    Ladies -  I'm seeing quite a bit of hate aimed at the "other woman" here, without any of us knowing if she has ANY clue that he's married.

    I know its just an anecdote - but I dated a guy for over a month and had NO CLUE that he was married.  He took his ring off, he made himself available all the time, he covered his tracks well.  I only found out because Boston is a small city, and an acquaintance who happened to know both of us (not well) saw us out one night, and I got home to a facebook message from him telling me that the guy I was on a date with was married.  Fucking asshole.     I'm not saying she's a saint, but lets not slut-shame the heck out of her without knowing if she knew he was married.... right?

    Anyways, OP, like @kimmarie1105 said, I wouldn't just take his word for it that he hasn't actually slept with her.  I would go get an STD test ASAP.  Make sure to request a herpes test, as those aren't always included in a standard STD workup.  Please don't just take his word for it and take him back and share a bed with him.  The message he gets from that is "Sweet, I got away with it".    And then it will happen again, 100% guarantee.    Im not saying your marriage is over, but I think you should tell him to plan on staying at a friend or family's house until you both start therapy and give you some space to think. 

    So sorry you're going through this. Be strong.


    I don't think anyone can fault you for that. That's not at all the kind of 'other woman' I was referring to. However, plenty of women would have stayed with him even after finding out about the wife with his promise of divorcing her or something. Lots and lots of (broken) women do not care about a man being married. 

    Okay, but isn't it pretty obvious that the man stopped caring about the fact that he was married first? And anyways, how you can accuse the "other" woman in the situation of breaking up a marriage when clearly it's a husband who is breaking up a marriage? In my opinion at least, the marriage has already failed when the husband starts looking for sex outside marriage.
    Really? What about women who purposely pursue married men? Maybe you just haven't been in a situation where you've dealt with this from the other perspective and would see it differently. I'm not saying the husband isn't at fault because he completely is but it's ridiculous to say the other woman who is knowingly breaking up a marriage is not at fault at all.
  • I would also check out dating websites. My ex husband (I married WAY to young) had a few. He had a similar story. Feeling emasculated by not being able to provide, weak moment, didn't actually have any physical relationships. He sure did have plenty of profile with the intent set as sexual encounters. Pffft I was fooled
  • @Trampslikeus‌ op did mention that she had met the other woman on a few occasions and she damn well knew that he was married! I think that does warrant a slut bash!! Not saying he is any better and it is most definitely his fault and his marriage but it might make it sting a little less to call her a skanky twat and talk about how ugly she (probably) is.

  • @darvo - you are so kind and I thank you for your kind words
  • @devyns2nd‌ - he definitely does not have any dating sites. Thank you for looking out and seriously that would be it right there. I would be out in a second.
  • Ohhhhh man! I'm so sorry this is happening to you, I'm pretty blunt and I also have a lot of male friends... My first instinct is that I do not believe your husband did you have an intimate relationship with this woman, granted I don't know you or him but I'm not stupid and any woman who is sending videos masterbating to your husband is also fucking him ( I'm sorry to be so crude) the worst part is that some women can be so disgusting and desperate they don't care if a man is married or in a relationship. I have never personally been through this before but I would suggest making him feel like total shit and going to counseling because he is obviously feeling like he needs attention from women for some reason. People are always sorry when they get caught- why is he snap chatting with her after so long? She sounds like a whore and if it were me, I would go to her house and beat her with a baseball bat but I'm feisty like that. Best of luck to you and stay strong. I hope you get to the bottom of this.
    I'd beat him-- can't blame the girl... husband CHOSE to do it :P 
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  • On a different note, WTF is wrong with women who take up with married men? Is it possible to be any more disgustingly pathetic and sad? 
    I agree 10000000%, any woman that KNOWINGLY gets involved with a taken man is completely breaking the first rule in girl world... however... I think the real scum bag in the situation is ALWAYS the husband/boyfriend... he is the one that is taken. He should know better. And if he respected his wife/girlfriend and their relationship nothing would be happening. 
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  • Ladies -  I'm seeing quite a bit of hate aimed at the "other woman" here, without any of us knowing if she has ANY clue that he's married.

    I know its just an anecdote - but I dated a guy for over a month and had NO CLUE that he was married.  He took his ring off, he made himself available all the time, he covered his tracks well.  I only found out because Boston is a small city, and an acquaintance who happened to know both of us (not well) saw us out one night, and I got home to a facebook message from him telling me that the guy I was on a date with was married.  Fucking asshole.     I'm not saying she's a saint, but lets not slut-shame the heck out of her without knowing if she knew he was married.... right?

    Anyways, OP, like @kimmarie1105 said, I wouldn't just take his word for it that he hasn't actually slept with her.  I would go get an STD test ASAP.  Make sure to request a herpes test, as those aren't always included in a standard STD workup.  Please don't just take his word for it and take him back and share a bed with him.  The message he gets from that is "Sweet, I got away with it".    And then it will happen again, 100% guarantee.    Im not saying your marriage is over, but I think you should tell him to plan on staying at a friend or family's house until you both start therapy and give you some space to think. 

    So sorry you're going through this. Be strong.


    I don't think anyone can fault you for that. That's not at all the kind of 'other woman' I was referring to. However, plenty of women would have stayed with him even after finding out about the wife with his promise of divorcing her or something. Lots and lots of (broken) women do not care about a man being married. 

    Okay, but isn't it pretty obvious that the man stopped caring about the fact that he was married first? And anyways, how you can accuse the "other" woman in the situation of breaking up a marriage when clearly it's a husband who is breaking up a marriage? In my opinion at least, the marriage has already failed when the husband starts looking for sex outside marriage.
    Really? What about women who purposely pursue married men? Maybe you just haven't been in a situation where you've dealt with this from the other perspective and would see it differently. I'm not saying the husband isn't at fault because he completely is but it's ridiculous to say the other woman who is knowingly breaking up a marriage is not at fault at all.
    No. No. No. Why would you blame the woman for YOUR man cheating? No, I would never have a friend that does these things... however, if my husband cheated there is no way that I would put the blame on a woman for HIS actions. She's a whore, dirty, attention seeking, home-wrecker... whatever... but your husband would be the cheater, disrespecting your marriage, your vows, your relationship and your home. Period. 

    Just my opinion :) 
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  • And dear OP... I will pray for you and pray that your marriage can work through this. You deserve to be happy, healthy and in a safe place with your relationship and your family. 

    ***HUGS***
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  • @amooraxo‌ - very true and thank you for the prayers. I definitely need them!
  • @trishparker819‌
    I think you are doing all of the right things...my only additional suggestions would be to speak to an attorney - when I thought I was leaving my husband I did things to protect myself financially as well as our son. He is still off of our savings account (he can deposit only) - he's the breadwinner, so I will need the money to help me until I find a job, if it came to that - it will be taken off a final settlement so it's not hiding or stealing. (He knows about the account now and is fine with it in my name.)
    Change your passwords if you are communicating with an attorney through email.
    Many will consult for free or a couple hundred dollars, mine was free.

    Don't let anyone make you think you're weak for trying to work it out...as I said before it's very easy for someone else to tell you to leave! I also agree that staying together for your baby is not the answer, but if you can make it work perhaps it will make you a stronger couple, better able to deal with the issues of marriage.

    I wish you only luck, love and strength!!!!


  • Don't contact the other woman or threaten her with the video. It'll just add more drama. If this truly was all over a year ago, there's no sense in pulling this girl back into your marital issues. I also don't think it would make you feel better in the long run.

    Please listen to PPs who mentioned talking to a lawyer and potentially moving money into an account that he can't touch because you do have to protect yourself. Someone suggested that you get an STD test and I think that you should require that HE gets tested, too, and that you get to see the test results.

    I'd also consider using the website that a PP mentioned that will download all deleted content from his phone. If he has nothing to hide, he shouldn't mind letting you. Depending on the circumstances, I think I could forgive infidelity, but I could not forgive being lied to after it was "confessed." Maybe you could give him a chance to confess anything that he hasn't already confessed and let him know that if you find out he was lying about or omitting anything, there will be no reconciliation.

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  • @effthisnoise‌ with all due respect, he was flirting with this woman and she takes things too far by sending him a video of her master bating? Seems a bit extreme don't you think? most women I know would never do that unless they felt like the man wanted to see it and they felt comfortable. He obviously saved this video or it wouldn't of uploaded onto his computer. Something doesn't make sense here or she is the dirtiest whore that has ever walked this planet.


    I mostly agree with you. I was trying to give the OP the best case scenario (because what if he IS telling the truth?), but the video thing is really gross. Still, he could have deleted it from his phone and it could have uploaded to the Cloud automatically assuming he had an iPhone. That would explain how OP found it even though he had deleted it from one device.

    From what the OP has said about the girl being really skanky and a 20-year old at the time, it's not impossible in my mind that she could have sent the video before they ever slept together, possibly trying to entice him into it. If she was older or more mature, I'd find it much more unlikely.

    And going back to the whole thing about women who go after married men being pathetic, etc., there ARE men and women who purposefully go after people in relationships. I was friends with a girl whose second husband did this (he "stole" her from her abusive husband). He said, "It's easier to go after a girl in a relationship. You only have to compete against one guy instead of every guy."

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  • There's so much name-calling and judgement here. Monogamy does not come easy to many people and people make mistakes. This situation is SO COMMON. Both men and women find themselves in situations where they are swept away by a new person and confused over how they can love someone and still be infatuated with another. It's disrespectful to be dishonest for sure, and plenty of people cheat without a care for the hurt it causes, but just as many people regret it. I think if we were more realistic and open with our partners about the fact that other people come along, there's a much better chance of making it through a life long marriage. I feel like if I became infatuated with someone and felt the pull to stray, I could be honest with my husband and ask for support. The only reason that's the case for us is that we acknowledge that it's nearly impossible to make it through a lifetime together as sexual beings without coming across others who we're drawn to. Most people don't get caught, but making a mistake doesn't necessarily have to be the death sentence for a relationship. Forgiveness is a sign of strength if both people truly want to make things work. I'm so grateful for the huge-ass mistakes my husband and I have made together because we're a stronger couple for it and dare I say, much happier than many couples I see. We've loved each other through some seriously ugly shit. Nobody's perfect.
  • I agree with @sgarmand‌. @Malena525‌ does make a point. Monogamy is not for everyone and there are many people who don't respect and live by their vows. However I think most of those people are just lazy and have not tried to maintain their marriage. It's very easy to allow your relationship to slip away and it takes work and devotion to stay happy and content. Unless you are an actual sex addict than I can think of no valid reason why you cannot remain monogamous. If you are that person than either seek out an open marriage or don't get married at all.
    This is not to say that people don't make mistakes and that there aren't marriages that can survive cheating because there are. I just see no point in making excuses for the behavior in the first place.
    Also, if my husband came to me and told me he had feelings or an urge to be with another woman I would probably leave as well. It is not my responsibility to "support" him and try to "help" him get through that. Yeah, just no.

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  • I don't think most people go into it thinking they can't. That's the point. And it's not that you can't do it, it's just harder than many people expect. The divorce rate is so high because monogamy is hard. Period. I'm not telling anybody how they should live their lives, but trying to provide an alternate point of view. It's clearly not the popular opinion, but that's why I spoke up. Sometimes it's good to know that people can work through these things. More people than you know have probably been through this, but this zero tolerance attitude makes everybody afraid to be honest that it's happened to them and they worked it out.
  • I'm not sure what you're reading, @Malena525‌ , but the majority of the comments here are not "zero tolerance". Most of the pp have said they respect her trying to work it out as long as she doesn't just let him have a walk in the park. The ability to forgive someone doesn't mean they can't be called out for what they've done.

    That being said, most cheaters don't cheat just once. So if a partner doesn't want to stick around to see if it happens again, I respect that too.

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  • @Trampslikeus‌ - you're right. I meant the zero tolerance policy that tends to be the attitude in the larger society. Should have been clearer. And I 100% respect any decision that is right for a person and if zero tolerance is right for you, I respect that also. I was just trying to introduce an alternate point of view. Don't want to hijack OPs post, though so I'll leave it there. Best of luck OP!
  • sgarmandsgarmand member
    edited January 2015
    Malena525 said:
    I don't think most people go into it thinking they can't. That's the point. And it's not that you can't do it, it's just harder than many people expect. The divorce rate is so high because monogamy is hard. Period. I'm not telling anybody how they should live their lives, but trying to provide an alternate point of view. It's clearly not the popular opinion, but that's why I spoke up. Sometimes it's good to know that people can work through these things. More people than you know have probably been through this, but this zero tolerance attitude makes everybody afraid to be honest that it's happened to them and they worked it out.
    What you said here, and your previous post are not the same thing. Also, no one here said that the decision to work on your marriage after infidelity was the wrong one. No one's attitude here has seemed to make anyone afraid to speak up about their experiences. We've had multiple women on this board, in other threads besides this one, tell their story of how their marriage survived infidelity.

    What you described earlier sounded like an open marriage, where your SO is supposed to "support" you in working through your feelings for someone else. And yeah, fuck that.


    Malena525 said:
    The divorce rate is so high because monogamy is hard. Period.  
    And to this statement - just no. Statistically the number one cause of divorce is financial issues actually, not because "monogamy is hard." 

    I honestly don't see why you think it's some impossible feat. It's exactly like @Trampslikeus said - you make lots of decisions that ultimately lead to infidelity, and there's lots of opportunities that can be avoided and not taken. What's so hard about that? If you're unhappy in your marriage and you're even contemplating it, you should probably just go ahead and leave.
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  • bossybluejaybossybluejay member
    edited January 2015
    Yikes, I feel really, really bad for anyone who truly thinks a single woman is more at fault in an affair with a married man and I truly hope you never find yourself in that situation. *THAT* is a prime example of the disgusting war women wage on each other. No one would argue that the woman is innocent here, and yes, she may have a questionable character, but in terms of who the WIFE of the MARRIED MAN should be directing her anger and hurt feelings towards, that is not even a question.


    Okay, please don't bring feminism into this. I'm all about women empowering eachother but just, no. 

    Edit: Because I dont think anyone said they felt like the woman was more at fault. Of course the husband is more at fault but STOP acting like the woman isn't really in the wrong here because 'women need to stop waging war on eachother'. 
  • On a different note, WTF is wrong with women who take up with married men? Is it possible to be any more disgustingly pathetic and sad? 

    Yes, the MARRIED man who decides to cheat is much more "disgustingly pathetic and sad."
    I don't quite see it that way. I think they're both disgusting but theres something extra sad and pathetic about a woman who knowingly breaks up a marriage. Maybe the husband feels justified in some twisted way because of a marital dispute. But the other woman? Nope, there's no justification for getting involved with a married man. Fuck that on so many levels.
    QFP. It sounds a lot like YOU said that, actually. But maybe you're just confused.
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  • bossybluejaybossybluejay member
    edited January 2015
    On a different note, WTF is wrong with women who take up with married men? Is it possible to be any more disgustingly pathetic and sad? 

    Yes, the MARRIED man who decides to cheat is much more "disgustingly pathetic and sad."
    I don't quite see it that way. I think they're both disgusting but theres something extra sad and pathetic about a woman who knowingly breaks up a marriage. Maybe the husband feels justified in some twisted way because of a marital dispute. But the other woman? Nope, there's no justification for getting involved with a married man. Fuck that on so many levels.
    QFP. It sounds a lot like YOU said that, actually. But maybe you're just confused.
    Extra sad and pathetic does not equal more at fault. And there is no justification for getting involved with a married man. Maybe it sounds "a lot" like I said that, but I didnt actually say that so it appears that you may be the one confused. Just to clarify for you, the husband is more at fault. The other woman is incredibly sad and pathetic and screwed up and theres no justification for what she's done (if she knows he's married). The end.
  • Last thing I'll say. When I was going through this, I confided in my close friends, but I also reached out to people who had the kind of marriages I looked up to. I wanted the advice of people who had been in long and happy relationships, so they were older. Out of five, three of the couples had been through something similar- and it was a super secret. Nobody would have ever guessed, and these are all highly educated successful people (not that that necessarily means anything). They didn't all cross the physical line, some emotional, some similar to what OP's husband is claiming to have done. I was shocked. It just changed my view and understanding of what reality might be. That's all. I expect to have a monogamous marriage and am not the type to entertain anything more. My only point was that sometimes people make mistakes and they regret them and couples can get through it if they want to. Sometimes it's not worth saving, and sometimes it is. Didn't mean to offend anyone.
  • I wanted apologize for posting during the moment of silence.  I didn't realize it was past noon.  Ugh.  I felt so terrible.  
  • Malena525 said:
    I wanted apologize for posting during the moment of silence.  I didn't realize it was past noon.  Ugh.  I felt so terrible.  
    https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12515236/stealing-idea-from-m15#latest

    Don't worry, this was actually discussed (page 3?). It's so easy to lose track of time and make a mistake. I think best effort goes a long way here--which you showed by waiting until after 1 to post again and acknowledge :)
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  • I understand wanting to work things out for your baby and marriage but is it really worth a lifetime of worrying if he will do it again? I know I would never get over that. Good luck to you and I'm sorry you have to deal with all of this one top of being pregnant :/
  • Just wanted to update that my husband and I have sat down and talked and we are going to try and work this out.
    I am starting my own savings for baby and I that he will not know about as I have been told by every woman to do so and most are 50 - 70 year olds who have had plenty of experience.
    Anyways, I gave him a one time chance to tell me anything and everything and I would stay to work through it. I did say that if he lied about anything and I find out I am gone....with baby. He still is promising nothing else went on. He said it wasn't even a relationship that they were having. And he said he knows what he did was horribly wrong but it was strictly flirting. He promised that it stopped after the video was sent and that he didn't talk to her anymore outside work. I thought the snapchatting happened after but he said she would snapchat him but he wouldn't even open them (who knows) - he said they did snapchat before the video but he swears up and down that he didn't send anything bad of himself and I really don't even want to know what she was sending him honestly. I asked about the video and he still swears he deleted it but he did own up to sending it to most his friends ( a few not single even) and he deleted the video immediately after. I told him if any of this is a lie I am out. And he said that is everything.
    I will be talking to a lawyer just in case and getting my ducks lined up. Once the trust is back (hoping for the best!) we can have a better life! Thanks again to everyone and thank you @malena29‌ for helping me see that it could be true what he is saying. Only we know our husbands and some of you may think I am a fool or naive but I believe him. I have never seen his face look that way and I do think this will make us stronger!!
  • Even if you believe him, PLEASE get an STD panel. Several of the most dangerous ones, potentially fatal to your baby - like syphilis, can have absolutely no symptoms.

    The account is a great idea, glad you're doing that.

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  • @trishparker819‌ I'm glad each day seems to be getting better than the day before! Hopefully it continues looking up. Stay strong, I think you're being very smart about this.
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