Coping

Yesterday, my wife of 10 years , and mother to my two kids (12 & 5) announced that she was in love with a guy who is 26. I’m 41, she’s 36.

Where the **** do I go from here?

For a ride, clear your head.

Let it happen and take care of yourself and the kids. Fighting to keep her is a waste of time I’d say, but the kids need major support right now. So you think about them. There’ll be time to think about your own needs when things settle down in the not to distant future.

Through the very pits of hell.
It doesn’t go on forever and YOU WILL come out the otherwise.
Good luck and surround yourself with love.

Do a poo in her sock drawer.

I have come to my mums house. I am in her spare room, with a gash on my head from head butting a thing in the gym last night. I have read the grief model, and I’m stuck between anger and depression.

The younger guy won’t stick around. Think of your children and yourself. Tough times mate. You will get through it.

Just lying here crying

Ring some mates, have ya Ma cook a big fatty fry up, ride bikes, pop to the pub just for a couple and have a good old laugh with your mates. Come home to your Ma’s big Sunday’s dinner, it’ll take time but friends and family will help you.

Best of luck.

Try to be calm, GO BACK HOME, and deal with this all in a civilised manner as best you can. It’s likely that this other bloke will **** off soon enough; the question is what you want your marriage to be like afterwards.

Please don’t approach the other bloke

(the above applies most particularly if you want to maintain access to your kids)

I did go home this morning, but her matter of factness about it all got too much, and I knew I would say things that would be counterproductive, so I left. (I really wanted to throw my coffee at her)

My lad has been fb messaging me, I am telling him that we both still love him, and that he mustn’t be mad with his mum, and that she’s a great mum.

My lad has been fb messaging me, I am telling him that we both still love him, and that he mustn’t be mad with his mum, and that she’s a great mum.

Keep this up. You will win out in the end, when you have found a newer better partner and your kids love being with you because you were never an arsehole you will thank yourself for taking the hit’s like Mohammed Ali. I now it sounds lame but everyone on here feels your pain. Dedicate your life to your kids, and enjoy the moments when you have freedom. Life is going to get better.

As scaredypants suggests chap. Sounds like it’s come as a shock to you? That in itself will take a bit of time to adjust to, so one day at a time may well seem rather trite at this moment, but it’s probably one of the better coping mechanism’s you can choose to adopt while it’s still feeling very raw.

And find someone to talk stuff through, I have no doubt that you’ll be feeling a mix of extreme emotions and these will become less extreme as things progress and let the process happen in its own time.

Maintain your integrity, find ways (like the bike riding) to release any anger, resentment, frustration and try to take control of the situation on your terms.

You’ll get through this, good from bad. In every situation and you’ll be a better person for it.

I very rarely contribute to these threads, but..

. I now it sounds lame

see that, well, IMHO, the best advice you can get and the best things you can do just now will seem to be the lamest. You’ll probably want to do SOMETHING but don’t know what, and being desperate to do something will do something that makes things worse. You seem to keeping a lid on things, even if it’s hard to do that – just keep focussed on the kids and what’s best for them – remember this can b a serously frightening and confusing time for them
Other than, what to do next, that’s up to you. Probably nothing for the time being, just get your heard sorted out, once you can see beyond the shock and the pain, you’ll be in a better place to look ahead – which all sounds completely lame, I know
I hope things work out for you

Been there mate so feel for you, it’s a tough time and now your relationship with the kids is paramount, in my case he wasn’t younger just wealthier.
Don’t make any commitments to anything, stay calm, take notes, protect your money and get a good lawyer. Play the long game, you do come out the other side and life moves on. Good luck mate.

What an absolute cow!

I did go home this morning, but her matter of factness about it all got too much, and I knew I would say things that would be counterproductive, so I left. (I really wanted to throw my coffee at her)

It’s new to you so you want to talk about it. For her, she’s been building up to telling you for a while and is pretty certain of her feelings (has to be, as she’s burning her boats regarding your relationship, at least a bit). I doubt this means she hates you or any of that stuff but she’s already thought it all through and I guess a conversation can only be about the negatives for her.
I still say go home. Be with your kids; you’re not going for your wife’s benefit. There’ll probably come a time for you and your wife to talk in the coming days/weeks.

Sounds like you’re handling this really well. Better than I would be. Put the kids first and everything else will in time sort it’s self out. Good luck. Don’t move out, this is her problem not yours. Be with your kids etc If she isn’t happy get her to move out and share the kids.

Do you feel less awesome because of what she has done, I don’t know anything about your situation but mine did a runner with a tree surgeon in his 20s. After a week it was more a case of don’t look a gift horse in the mouth it’s just a big change, that is all you will probably find out its on a par with being liberated from occupation, Also when the fun has worn off with her new amour you may hear let’s get back for the sake of the kids, your relationship will be fine without the baggage mate believe me

I have no insight to help you sxxc, but I can offer a virtual hug.

Thanks all. I’m not handling it well, I am in tears because I love her so much.

I can’t be in the same house as her just yet, and I only have the bollocks to talk to my lad through fb. I know I should go home and give the kids a cuddle, but I haven’t slept, and I am worried that they will see me arguing with their mum. Who I desperately love.

Such a horrible situation to be in and not one I am very qualified to offer much advice on.

But, having had a dad **** off me (and I know you are not about to do that with your son) I know how it feels to want to have a dad around so just do want you can to have the best relationship possible with your son.

Other than that my thoughts are with you.

you need to let it out and go through the emotion but not infront of her, you also need distractions like riding, drinking, seeing mates to have a laugh and stuff so you keep grounded that its a change not a disaster.
until you can cope enough to suck it up and deal with it you arent ready but do get legal advice and councelling tomorrow.
and you must sleep everything is easier to cope with after sleep but lack of sleep really screws your head up

Is it possible for you and your wife to sit down and talk, away from your children? Has she been herself? Anything she’s been worried about? Any of her friends confided in you? She could be having some sort of personal crisis that she’s unable to resolve.

You really need to get to the bottom of this. Relationships are never easy and need to be worked at.

You both need to talk and then talk some more. Take care of yourself.

She told me she doesn’t want to work it out, because she’s in love with this guy (who she met less than 1 month ago). I have asked her to try relate, or to talk, but she is saying that if she loved me, this wouldn’t have happened – therefore she can’t love me.

She had a stroke 3 years ago which was he’ll, but we got through it. Part of her brain tissue in her left frontal lobe is irreparably damaged, which may lead to these kind of decisions, but I’m not underestimating the strength of feelings she has for this guy.

The more compassion, love and dignity you can muster at this point, tough as it seems, the better you will feel about yourself in a year’s time. The stroke thing makes me think your partner may need an equal dose of this, no matter how roughly she’s treating you right now.

Good luck.

because she’s in love with this guy (who she met less than 1 month ago).

Part of her brain tissue in her left frontal lobe is irreparably damaged, which may lead to these kind of decisions,

That sounds really terrible mate. Heart goes out to you.

She obviously can’t be “in love” with someone she met less than a month ago. Regarding the other bloke does he know that she is leaving her husband for him after a few weeks?

I really can’t give you any advice on how to deal with this!

Have you spoke with the MiL?

Yeahs he knows. Mil phoned me last night in tears. It’s gonna tear apart everything.

I know nothing about you or your situation sc-xc but I do know from this comment “I love her so much” that you will be going through a living nightmare which will be as bad as if she had died.

And despite not knowing your situation I know it’s highly probable that your wife is extremely confused, in a state of crises herself, and very far from happy. Things happen for all manner of reasons.

Try to get her to agree to talk, with you, to a professional councellor such as from Relate, who is trained to help people in this very far from uncommon situation.

There might of course be a lot more, but, “I’m in love with someone else” however hurtful it might be for you, doesn’t in itself necessarily spell the end.

scaredypants comment carries much wisdom :

“It’s likely that this other bloke will **** off soon enough; the question is what you want your marriage to be like afterwards.”

Do you even know how the other bloke feels ?

Edit : I just seen this :

I have asked her to try relate, or to talk, but she is saying that if she loved me, this wouldn’t have happened – therefore she can’t love me.

I’ve heard that false logic before. Apart from anything it is perfectly feasible to be in love with two different people, unfortunately. She does sound confused. I would still work on trying to get her to see Relate. Don’t pressure her though, give her space, perhaps someone else can advise her ?

scxc – had similar about 18 months ago. Somehow, I had the common sense to make sure that every single decision that I made was based around what was the best thing for our 7 y-o boy.

It was an awful year or so – not always, but regularly, when I had to be civil etc etc.

Things are now very good, and I look back with pride on how well our son has come through it.

Be strong, try to swallow your pride when you feel like lashing out, and lean on your mates – they can truly be awesome.

Don’t know where you are, but if you’re near S Wales and fancy a ride/beer whatever, then let me know…

She says their feelings are mutual

She said though that if she doesn’t leave for him, she doesn’t love me anyway. So I guess I have to accept that.

Funny thing is, we are half way through building a great extension, just booked a week in Tunisia in Easter, booked festival tickets , booked a half term holiday in May, booked summer holiday etc

My lad has been fb messaging me, I am telling him that we both still love him, and that he mustn’t be mad with his mum, and that she’s a great mum.

That takes balls. Look after your kids, maybe try and see the doctor yourself to seek an opinion if this is attributable to the stroke, it won’t make it any easier, but you’ll “know” that there’s nothing you can do.

A few years back, my brother and his girlfriend had just bought an expensive new home together, within three weeks she’d left him for a new guy at work. Nothing had happened with the new guy at work, but she said “if she could feel this way about XXXX, the it wasn’t right with him”. He was gutted, she was the “love of his life”, he was 26. A string of failed relationships later (over 13 years), he’s finally found the right one and got married 18 months later. But at the time he’d have crawled over broken glass and red hot coals for his ex.

Have a couple of beers with mates, ride a lot, take your kids out and do stuff with them. Maybe have a weekend away from home with a couple of mates and get shitfaced drunk*, but don’t do that near home or near a phone.

*That one worked for me when an ex left me for a “good friend”.

Do all the things you would normally do with your kids.

Focus on the kids.

Consider moving home, even if it means sleeping on the sofa, it will make it harder for the new guy to just pop round when it’s convenient for him. If he has to put more effort in, he might decide it’s too much trouble??

Be cool, stay strong for your kids, and cry when they’re not around, don’t bottle it up.

No experience myself, though been close a couple of times.

Your kids need you more than ever right now, you need to be with them if at all possible. Sounds like family are there for you, everyone here will be there for you, so you should worry about the kids.

And from what I’ve read on other similar threads, you need to be keeping one eye on not being the one who has moved out of the house.

She may well feel she is “in love” with him after a short time, it’s the staying in love that’s the tough part. You need to be strong for the kids, give yourself time to clear your head (and riding is great for that) and see where all of you are in another month or two’s time.

Thanks again everyone. I know what the advice would be if I was giving it to someone else…just hard to think straight right now. My lad has just bed in touch to say bek has taken eleanor (my 5 yo) to the park, so he is coming row to my mums for a chat.

Whereabouts are you sc-xc? I feel for you and if you’re around Hants, Surrey, Sussex and fancy a beer or ride with a complete stranger who enjoys listening and been known to impart the occasional insight, I’d be honoured to help.

West kids, but thanks for the offers guys.

I think I need a day of crying, anguish, shit…then start on the practicAlities…

Logically, I know this pain will pass. But it’s tough at the moment.

I really really appreciate all the support though. Makes me realise how powerful this place can be .

Lots of sensible advice based in experience here. I’ve been through this and did some things well and somethings badly so for my tuppence worth here goes.

Kids are the most important but you have to be strong for them. So try to get some stability in your life. A real routine so that you have less time to flounder or wallow no matter how grim you are. Ride, drink, socialise whatever but stick to it. Don’t cry in front of kids. They know you are hurting, but will be unsure about how to respond. Keep away from Facebook. Things will be/get distorted know matter what you say. Face to face contact asap or there will be a difficult gap to bridge when you do see them. Typing takes no effort, turning up does and that counts far more than you can imagine.

Talking to my kids 20 years on they said that the best thing that me and the ex did was never blame the other or make them choose between us. We got to the point of agreeing dates a year in advance! That helped them and me as it provided structure. They have turned out as great kids and even though me and ex never talk kids feel that they have had good input from both of us.

If you are not at fault don’t move out. Her choice so she has to back up her decision. Even if you have to her cash to go and set up with new man or on own. It also means you have the kids. That might be a really hard thing to sort when combined with school and work but its the best financial decision you’ll ever make. I left the house so that the ex could have some space and that sealed 10 years of being screwed financially and emotionally. Possession being 9/10ths etc.

As others say time heals and it does. Take care mate.

I was going to say the same thing why have you moved out ? Is the new BF moving in or something ?

She’s ended it for a new life etc. so shouldn’t she move out ? having another man around the house with your children will be very unsettling for them (sorry to say as not wanting to make you hurt even more.

Ask her to move out you stay with the children…when this new fella is there is she going to give the 5 year old the attention required ? The new BF wont…

If there’s any reconciliation make sure its on your terms…

sc-xc stay strong fella and if you need some creative therapy…do share some jokes here…and I’ll laugh 😛

I think that her permanent health condition could be the key here – did she receive good medical advice as to how to deal with not being the person she was? It must have been bloomin’ hard for her to deal with and to feel that she became different. Could go some way to explaining her actions in that a new person takes her for what she is, not how she was.

How did you deal with this different person? Did she feel that you were undeserving of this change?

Perhaps some psychological help is needed to enable her to come to terms with what’s happened and probably her fears for her future?

I do find some of the responses on here to be pretty crass and wonder how some manage to have relationships.

Hang in there, ride your bike and stay away from booze.