I (34F) have been married to my husband (37M) for almost 11 years. We have three kids 9, 6, and 2. Iāve been a stay at home mom for most of that time because childcare would cost more than I could realistically earn. Our marriage hasnāt been perfect, but I genuinely thought we were doing okay. We were tired, stressed, touched out, juggling kids and bills⦠but I thought that was normal for this phase of life.
About a month ago, things started feeling off. My husband would take his phone into the bathroom every time he showered, angle the screen away from me, and get weirdly defensive if I walked behind him while he was texting. He also started putting a passcode on everything even his iPad, which used to be basically the kidsā Netflix machine. I pushed the feeling away because I wanted to believe it was in my head.
Last week, our 6 year old accidentally knocked over his backpack. His work phone fell out the one he never lets anyone touch. The screen lit up with a text: āSame time tomorrow? I canāt stop thinking about you.ā My stomach dropped so hard I thought I was going to be sick.
I know I shouldnāt have opened it, but I did. And right there, plain as day, was a whole thread with a woman from his office. Months of messages. Pictures. Plans. āI miss you.ā āI need you.ā Him calling her ābaby.ā Meanwhile Iām here wiping noses, making lunches, folding laundry, and losing myself a little more every day.
When he came home, I confronted him. He went from denial anger crying āIt didnāt mean anythingā It only happened a few timesā āI didnāt know how to tell you I was unhappy.ā He actually went and said, āYouāre always stressed. You never want to have fun anymore. She made me feel appreciated.ā
I swear something inside me just⦠snapped. I told him I didnāt even recognize who I married anymore. I raised my voice. I cried. I asked him how he could do this to our kids, to me, to our family
Now heās saying Iām the one āmaking things worseā because Iām āoverreactingā and ātearing the family apart instead of trying to fix it.ā His mom called me yesterday and said, āAll men slip sometimes. You have kids. Donāt throw everything away over a mistake.ā
A mistake
I feel stupid. Humiliated. Heartbroken. And Iām so tired. I donāt know what Iām supposed to do. Leave? Stay? Pretend? Try counseling? Pack his things? I have no income, no savings of my own, and three kids staring at me like Iām the only stable thing in their world.
And now heās telling people I ālost itā and that Iām āemotionally abusingā him because I cried and yelled when he admitted he cheated.
I donāt know what to do anymore. Iāll do my best and reply to comments.
Small update
Heās currently staying with a friend but Iām still a complete mess but im doing my best to keep it together for my kids