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Posted By: mom4 My story - 01/26/18 05:51 AM
Hello all, this is the first time I have ever posted here. I’m going to try to condense my story. All advice and comments welcome.

H and I have been together since 99, living together since 06, married in 07. We have 4 children (s 9, s 7, s 6, d 4). I worked part time after my first son was born but then was laid off right before my second. My H always expected the house to be clean and tidy since I was a SAHM, but along came my 3rd son and finally my daughter. H was not ok with the way I kept the house and constantly let me know this. He also did not want to have a 4th child and wanted me to return to work, which I didn’t. I can see where I didn’t listen to his needs here but having a daughter was very important to me - which he knew from before we were married. Anyhow, between have 4 small children, nursing constantly, and just some laziness his needs were not met. Financially stresssed to the max he was done, bomb drop April 20166. He said he wasn’t happy since my D was born (although the sun rises for her). His father (who was very hard on my H) died right after she was born. There was no closure for my H.

I discovered EA with his coworker, someone I considered a friend of some sort. She was at our wedding and father in laws funeral. My H has worked with her his whole career but would often tell me she could be mean and wasn’t always liked at work. Also told me he thought she had an affair with their boss. It turned into PA, confirmed in September 2016. I was/is quite the spy/detective and have found out A LOT. It was all so hurtful. Hateful looks and words. He was so mean to me over the past two years, amazingly hurtful words from a man who was so loving just a month before BD. He was the most honest, trustworthy man I ever met.

Since that summer and winter he has stopped hating me. He has been on the couch for months and months and months. Occasionally he comes to bed, has sex, then back on the couch. He has not told me he loves me in two years. It’s almost as if being in the house is enough. He will sometimes buy me a coffee or make me a drink but it isn’t anything more than keeping one foot in the door with the rest of his body out.

At the worst he said that he thought I was stupid, didn’t want to spend time with me, didn’t want to talk to me, lies to me, doesn’t like my mother....along with his reasons for falling out of love for me: house not clean enough for him, financial reasons, parenting differences, not compatible. (A list his AA sponsor made him write that I wasn’t supposed to see; he’s sober over 25 years). He accused me of having an affair years ago, asking if our second son was really his. I have never had an affair. He said there was nothing happy about our anniversary. Said he was miserable all the time, then said it was just when he was with me. I don’t see that angry man anymore but I don’t see my H either. He is just here.

In my defense I had a 6 yo, 4 yo, 3 yo and newborn. He did take on a tremendous amount of work to support us. He would always say he wasn’t a good provider but that was never true and I always told him that. I neglected the relationship by putting the kids first all the time. I would always promise to work my butt off when they were in school but I think with his fathers death, a bankruptcy, not having his needs/wants met....he just lost it. He bought a motorcycle. He fell in love with a women who’s marriage was in the same position as ours, fueling his unhappiness.

His AP pressured him to leave us. They both went to lawyer December 2016. He was planning on leaving in February but my son over heard him and begged him to stay. He did. His sponsor (who is like family to us) told me this. He said my H couldn’t leave the kids. He thinks my H still loves me on some level or at least can fall in love with me again. He said he was swindled by OW. He also said that he thinks PA is over. I know my H doesn’t go to the gym at night to talk to her anymore but he did download WhatsApp so that I don’t see the phone records, something that I busted him on. Quite honestly, I don’t see any suspicious activity except he still buys viagra and keeps it at work. I have no way of knowing. He might talk to her all the time.

Lastly, she applied for another job right before Christmas. When my H found out he called me and told me he was going out with his sponsor after work. (Sponsor told me this). They talked about it and my husband came home, came to bed and held me tight. Spent a nice week for the holiday doing things with our kids, yet nothing between us. I don’t think she’s going to take the job soon new progress visible in my H. I honestly think he’s stuck on her. Definitely emotionally if not physically too.

So I’ve been applying the rules to out relationship for a while now. He does his own laundry. Irons and makes his own lunch. I don’t really start conversations with him. I never text or call him. He has stopped saying hello and goodbye. He seems content enough to stay in the house since I have made a lot of 180s. I work babysitting and took on my own credit card debit. I paid for Christmas. I clean like a mad woman. I don’t think he will be happy with my work until it is a full time job out of the house but my daughter is still only 4. I have one more year until she is in school. When I’m nice to him (not ignoring him) he is nicer but I’ve been trying to detach and distance to see if the pressure/distance dance will change. As of yet it hasn’t.

What do I do? I honestly can’t imagine kissing him again, trusting him again, etc. I am still so hurt over the affair. I don’t see signs of withdrawal or depression. Since the affair might be over physically do I change my behavior? Please advise. I don’t want to divorce the father of my children.
Posted By: Cadet Re: My story - 01/26/18 05:58 AM
Welcome to the board

Sorry you are here but you will meet some wonderful people here and get some great advice.

Yes first thing you should do is be sure to read the Divorce Remedy (DR) book by MWD
http://www.mcssl.com/store/mwdtc2014/
http://divorcebusting.com/sample_book_chapters.htm

and Michele's articles
http://www.divorcebusting.com/articles.htm

You may be on moderation now, post in small frequent replies and stay on this thread until you reach 100 posts
(for your thread, you can also post on other peoples threads to give support).
Especially on this Newcomers forum, where the posting activity is very active,
and your posts can quickly fall to the bottom of the page or even several pages down.
Keep journaling and asking questions - people will come!
Most important - POST!

Get out and Get a Life (GAL).

DETACH.


Believe none of what he or she says and half of what he/she does.

Have NO EXPECTATIONS.

Take care of yourself, breathe, eat, sleep, exercise.

Take the parts of this advice that you need and don't worry if I have repeated something that you have already done.

Here are a few links to threads that will help you immensely:

I would start with Sandi's Rules
A list of dos and don'ts for the LBS (left behind spouse)
http://www.divorcebusting.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2553072#Post2553072

Going Dark
http://www.divorcebusting.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=50956#Post5095

Detachment thread
http://www.divorcebusting.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2538414#Post2538414

Validation Cheat Sheet: Techniques and tips on how to validate (showing your walk away spouse (WAS) that you recognize and accept his or her opinions as valid, even if you do not agree with them)
http://www.divorcebusting.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2457566#Post2457566

Boundaries Cheat Sheet
http://www.divorcebusting.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2536096#Post2536096

Abbreviations
http://www.divorcebusting.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2553153#Post2553153

For Newcomer LBH with a Wayward Wife by sandi2
http://www.divorcebusting.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2545554#Post2545554

Resource thread
http://www.divorcebusting.com/forums/ubb...224#Post2578224

Stages of the LBS
http://www.divorcebusting.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1964990&page=1

Validation
http://www.divorcebusting.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=191764#Post191764

Pursuit and Distance
http://www.divorcebusting.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2483574#Post2483574

The Lighthouse Story
http://www.divorcebusting.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2484619#Post2484619

Your H or W is giving you a GIFT.
THE GIFT OF TIME.
USE it wisely.

Knowledge is Power - Sir Francis Bacon
Posted By: mom4 Re: My story - 01/26/18 07:20 AM
Thank you for this info!
Posted By: Cadet Re: My story - 01/26/18 07:22 AM
Just keep POSTING and one other bit of advice from Wonka
that I totally agree with.

Originally Posted By: Wonka
Get DR/DB book. Keep this to yourself. DO NOT share this book or this site at all with your spouse. It is your playbook and not to be shared with the "opposing" team.

It is important to clear the search/browsing history from your computer on a daily basis to prevent the possibility for your WAS to stumble on the DB site and discover your posts here on DB. Erasing the search history will protect your posts and you as well.

We have seen too many Marriages blow up in pieces after the WAS discovers the DB site or DR book. Why is that? It is because the WAS thinks, erroneously I might add, that you are "manipulating" them back into the M.

Keep the DR book and DB site very close to your vest.
Posted By: mom4 Re: My story - 01/27/18 02:02 AM
So husband and Active/inactive AP work together, they are both asst principals at a school. For Christmas she bought him 2 dress shirts from Costco. (Her husband, who I talk to, told me). My H never brought them home...until last night. They are hidden in his backpack. Assuming he waited a month so he could slip them in without me questioning.

Last year he bought her a $180 wireless headset for her phone. Her husband made her return them to him saying it was an inappropriate gift. My H stashed it in his closet, which I stumbled on putting his clothes away. When I questioned them he lied and said he bought them for himself. He knows I know about headset, but not shirts.

Incidentally, he came to bed at 2 am last night and initiated sex. It is so cold and meanless. I guess he eitherfelt guilty about the shirts or watched porn and I was available. I have no doubt he will be back on the couch tonight.
Posted By: mom4 Re: My story - 02/05/18 06:12 AM
Anybody have any clarity? I’m reading the divorce remedy and some of the advice seems to go against the midlife crisis advice.
Posted By: Coconut Re: My story - 02/05/18 06:42 AM
I'm not sure that he sounds like a mid-life crisis, but the label is immaterial at this point. He is definitely have an affair, whether it's real or fantasy, he is feeling it.

Let's start with the beginners mindset, have you been focusing on you? Tell us about some 180's you've implemented or are working to implement, what about GAL activities?

As for having sex, doing so is not going to save your marriage, so if it's not something you want, tell him.. Don't feel like doing so is the only way to get him back, because it doesn't even help in getting him back.
Posted By: mom4 Re: My story - 02/05/18 07:33 AM
Oh boy...where to start. Happily married for 9 years. H expressed some discontentment over the house (wants big one and doesn’t feel like I clean well enough) and children (he only wanted 3) and financial situation (wants me to work full time out of the house) BUT as far as I knew we were perfect together.

Then out of nowhere I discover EA with a women he has worked with for 14 years. She was at our wedding, in our lives, etc but h told me she was having affair with the boss at their job. He never seemed out of the ordinary fond of her but they were friends. Anyhow, BD - I love you but I’m not in love with you - about two years ago. Devastated I did everything they say not to do. He beings to spew, hate darts fly from his eyes all summer long although we are on a rollercoaster ride. He still wants sex, but basically spews at me on most days. I discover PA. He softens a little but PA partner pushes him to leave. He decides he is leaving but never does. Affair continues as does the rollercoaster ride. I think it ended sometime over the past few months although they still work together. He isn’t leaving here but shows no affection except on the nights he wants sex. He is on the couch for months and months.

I have stopped texting him. I have stopped telling him I love him. I have stopped saying much to him. It’s peaceful here.

180s-
*the house is now cleaned (a lot of this has to do with the 3 oldest kids are in school now)
*i babysit a little boy all day (daughter isn’t in school yet) making decent money
*i work some nights and weekends for a tax accountant making some money
*i try to declutter, throw and give old toys and stuff away.

There’s so much more but this is the short of it......
Posted By: Coconut Re: My story - 02/05/18 07:42 AM
The things you listed are good to do for life in general, but what are you improving about yourself? 180's are basically small things that make you who you want to be. For instance, making your bed ever morning, wearing perfume if you didn't before, dressing nicer, etc.

What about GAL, do you have friends that you are doing things with, are you meeting new people, doing new activities?
Posted By: mom4 Re: My story - 02/05/18 07:47 AM
I go out with my friends. With four kids it is very difficult. I also will be working a job out of the house so that’s something I’m looking forward to. My kids are young and cannot be alone. My life revolves around them, but I do go out. Every time I do my husband wants to have sex. It’s like he is trying to make sure I’m still available.
Posted By: mom4 Re: My story - 02/05/18 08:33 AM
Oh....he also bought a motorcycle 😊
Posted By: LH19 Re: My story - 02/05/18 09:46 AM
Originally Posted By: mom4
Every time I do my husband wants to have sex. It’s like he is trying to make sure I’m still available.

Exactly! He wants to that you are still plan B if it doesn't work out with the OW. Are you ok being plan B? If not, stop having sex with him and make it clear that you are nobody's plan B.
Posted By: marina7 Re: My story - 02/05/18 09:50 AM
Mom4,
Read your stitch sorry what your going through I know is hard to GAL with 3 kids myself I have a d9,s9 and s8 who turning 9 soon too. I usually GAL with friend's who have kids too. All I can say stop having sex with H your not his stepping mat whenever he wants I remember W she did that like 2 weeks before leaving we made love and next day was like nothing I thought we where back to normal she said am still leaving I was shock and after almost 10yrs I felt dirty disgusted used words couldn't even describe it. So you must stand your grounds. Remember your kids are watching you want to teach your boys to be better men's and your d to be treated right as a princess. We are here mom4 listening and protect your finances your credit this will not be his first big toy they shop like money grows in the tree.
Posted By: mom4 Re: My story - 02/05/18 10:40 AM
The thing is, I believe the PA may be over. I’m sure there is a strong EA on his part. The AP was looking for a new job a few months ago. I know he was taken back about that (his best friend told me). He isn’t planning on leaving us, however I don’t want things to stay like this.
Posted By: marina7 Re: My story - 02/05/18 11:10 AM
Mom4,
They all do this, W did the same thing told friends I needed time but little to find out W was preparing Apartment, taking all money in bank there was no remorse if money is tight they wait for them to be good they don't care about us or kids is about them. Just be careful you deserve better and I think you know this. And please don't believe anything they say and I mean anything if you read everyone in here post we all been through this literally they all the same no difference. Take care of you and babies they will need you. Trust me
Posted By: MJDG Re: My story - 02/05/18 05:40 PM
Hey mom4,I’m sorry for your sitch. I can give you a couple of things from a male perspective. One is that he seems to be a good provider. Do not, I repeat do not underestimate the power of acknowledging that. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. By sincerely recognizing this you have the ability to give him courage to go and conquer a small army. As men, we need this, especially from our wives. It makes us fearless. And I think it also explains the motorcyle, and other stuff as well, too. It seems to me, he wants to be a good father. It’s in his DNA, so make it his strength.

In addition, as it seems there is some financial pressures. It seems your helping with this. Keep it up. As men we sometimes feel like failures when we don’t do enough for our families,and it’s hard on our ego.

The other thing I would think about is again what can you change about YOU?
What is his dynamic with the kids? Do you do family things together?

Also, I would suggest you read the marriage map! I wish someone would have showed me this 10years ago. Could have save me a lot of of pain.

Be encouraged, don’t give up on your H. At some point he will catch a clue.
Posted By: mom4 Re: My story - 02/06/18 12:43 AM
Thank you so much MJDG. I (think) I always told my husband what a good provider he was but I failed to lessen his plate with the addition of more children. I also did not contribute financially for so long. I was taking care of the children so I couldn’t work but I could have paid more attention to his other requests. HE ALWAYS felt like he wasn’t a good provider. This is the cross he put on himself, but I failed in other areas. And he is a great father. We do things are a family, there is just no affection between my husband and I. I’m still so broken hearted over this.
Posted By: AnotherStander Re: My story - 02/06/18 01:57 AM
Mom4, hello and welcome! Your sitch has been going on for quite a while. Have you read DR? The chapter on cheeseless tunnels? I think you're setting up your lawn chair in front of a cheeseless tunnel waiting for something to change when it never will. Here's the thing about BD that most of us just struggle with understanding early on- it changes everything. Once BD happens your situation doesn't become a simple matter of "fixing" your spouse's complaints and expecting things to go back to normal. It's more like a switch flips in the spouse, and once that switch flips, they are no longer who they were. Your H isn't that loving, faithful man he once was. He's a lying cheater now. And lying cheaters just simply love engaging in cake-eating. You get relegated to housekeeper (and temporary tool for sex when he feels like it), and meanwhile he is pursuing his affair/ affairs waiting for "something better to come along".

All the brilliant housekeeping in the world isn't going to bring him back. What might? Well he has to feel like he may lose you, and when he thinks that and looks back, he needs to see a sexy, attractive W that he would be a fool to leave. If you need to lose some weight (who doesn't after 4 kids!) then lose it. Dress nice. Get a life outside the house when you can. Go out with friends and make HIM watch the kids. Don't tell him where you're going or who with, just tell him you need some "you" time and then leave the house looking like a million bucks. Quit pursuing him. Quit allowing him to use you just when it's convenient to him. Quit killing yourself trying to please him (he is un-please-able right now).

Right now he has all the control, but you can change that!
Posted By: JujuB Re: My story - 02/06/18 02:02 AM
Before my ex left me he was pressuring me to go back to work full time. He was telling me he would find me more attractive if i was more ambitious (i have a doctorate). I was working part time because my son was young and had special issues.

This was all being set up because he knew that once he left me had i been working more he would have had to pay me less in child support and alimony.

I think your husband is gone. Hes waiting for it to be more convenient for him to divorce. (Youngest is 4, hes waiting for her to be in school) And trying to play games with you to put himself in as much of an advantage as possible. He is gaslighting. Anybody would know that with 4 kids housework gets put in the back burner.

Be smart. Talk to a lawyer.
Posted By: mom4 Re: My story - 02/06/18 05:15 AM
What a wide range of advice. I am no less confused than I was before.

I don’t think husband is gone. He is still providing and isn’t in the angry spewing place. He most certainly flipped a switch. He became someone the exact opposite of who he was. He used to pride himself on his honesty. Over the past two years I have seen him lie without batting on eye.

DR book says to ask for what you want but MLC advice is no R talk (which I know is the way to go with H). The jobs that I currently have are all off the books. I am working on knocking down my own cc debit. I should be paid off in another two-three months. Then I will start saving and fixing things in our house (window and carpet replacement). I don’t think not sharing the money is the right direction since my H has paid all our bills for years. I want to move in a more unified direction.

I am going out tonight and letting him take care of kids. He came to bed last night ( most likely bc I’m going out tonight and he wants to keep one foot in the door). Our anniversary is on the 16th. I do t even know what to think anymore,
Posted By: mom4 Re: My story - 02/07/18 01:11 AM
So I went out by myself last night...ended up meeting a girlfriend for dinner. Left H to take kids to their activities. When I got home H was half asleep in “our” bed, so I went to sleep on the couch. Figured I’d switch roles a bit and make him question why I didn’t come to bed.
Posted By: MrBond Re: My story - 02/08/18 01:14 PM
I noticed that you concentrate alot of your changes on work and cleaning. But what about your sex life? Prior to the EA, how affectionate were you to him? A man equates physical affection to self-worth. And I don't mean just sex.
Posted By: mom4 Re: My story - 02/12/18 11:49 PM
I never initiated sex...but I thought we we’re good. We were always affectionate. Anyhow, he made a few comments that I wasn’t interested in him. I would fall asleep putting kids to bed every night. He hated that! He’d wake me up in one of there beds and I wouldn’t get up. I’d come to bed around 2 when I actually woke up and snuggle with him. I get how lonely that felt....then after fearing A but before A confirmed I’d initiate, making myself available to H every night. He told his friend that it was too much ( I guess maybe it didn’t seem sincere). Once A confirmed I took advice and did not initiate anymore. Slowly we have reached this point, he’s on the couch and rarely wants sex from me. When he does it’s meaningless. All MLC info I read says not to initiate sex, so I stopped and pulled back.
Posted By: mom4 Re: My story - 02/14/18 02:13 PM
So my H got me a present from the kids for Valentine’s Day. It was a box of coffee, some chocolate bars and a gift card to Starbucks. The card was only from the kids and they were excited to give it to me. He had them write it out while I was picking up dinner, sushi for the both of us -his suggestion. He also got kids cupcakes and got me one too. Sounds like a lot but pretty much a repeat of last year while still involved in a very active affair....so, I know it doesn’t mean much.

However, we did talk for 40 mins on his drive home. He called to ask something about kids and stayed on the phone. Weird.
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