Welcome to the
Marriage Builders® Discussion Forum

This is a community where people come in search of marriage related support, answers, or encouragement. Also, information about the Marriage Builders principles can be found in the books available for sale in the Marriage Builders® Bookstore.
If you would like to join our guidance forum, please read the Announcement Forum for instructions, rules, & guidelines.
The members of this community are peers and not professionals. Professional coaching is available by clicking on the link titled Coaching Center at the top of this page.
We trust that you will find the Marriage Builders® Discussion Forum to be a helpful resource for you. We look forward to your participation.
Once you have reviewed all the FAQ, tech support and announcement information, if you still have problems that are not addressed, please e-mail the administrators at mbrestored@gmail.com
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 3 of 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 928
S
Shaden Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member
S
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 928
I think they already know... but there hasn't been much discussion of it in the house...

It is so prevalent in society that even with me, the lines of morality had become compromised until it happened to me. I would watch a movie and depending on the situation, would sometimes cheer on the adulterer... because their sich was so bad.

It doesn't matter. It is wrong. And besides... I am a great husband. She did not have a bad sich.

Shaden


BH (Me) - 38
WW - 36
Married - 16 years
2 children - 10,12
DD1 - 05/30/05 - EA suspected, W wanted space
DD2 - 07/01/05 - EA/PA discovered & confronted WW
DD3 - 07/21/05 - Further contact discovered and now ended.
11/07/05 - exposed to OMW...
07/01/07 - separated to give "space". recovery was not progressing.
09/04/07 - DDAY all over... new OM.

Patience with God is Faith.
Patience with myself is Hope.
Patience with others is Love.
FAITH REQUIRES ACTION!
Shaden #1935611 09/05/07 07:42 PM
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 928
S
Shaden Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member
S
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 928
What's appropriate babble response when she accuses me of hurting the boys by using them as a pawn or drawing them in?


BH (Me) - 38
WW - 36
Married - 16 years
2 children - 10,12
DD1 - 05/30/05 - EA suspected, W wanted space
DD2 - 07/01/05 - EA/PA discovered & confronted WW
DD3 - 07/21/05 - Further contact discovered and now ended.
11/07/05 - exposed to OMW...
07/01/07 - separated to give "space". recovery was not progressing.
09/04/07 - DDAY all over... new OM.

Patience with God is Faith.
Patience with myself is Hope.
Patience with others is Love.
FAITH REQUIRES ACTION!
Shaden #1935612 09/05/07 07:48 PM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,554
M
Member
Offline
Member
M
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,554
Quote
She just called me to take the boys. I was able to tap into her facebook messages. She told him that she was wanting the boys to come here so she could call "her man". She told me she wanted to go shopping.

Two years after her A, and she still chooses to be dishonest with you?

Do you think that you will ever be able to trust her again?

I dunno Shaden, but I suspect that even your Plan B is successful and she comes back into the M, you might be setting yourself up for a continuing cycle of pain by trying to have a serious R with someone who finds it so easy to be dishonest with you, even when it causes you so much pain.

I would likely head immediately for Plan D (and expose to the kids) after that last discovery.


ManInMotion
===========
(see "MiM's Story" for more details)
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,464
B
Member
Offline
Member
B
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,464
Quote
I dunno Shaden, but I suspect that even your Plan B is successful and she comes back into the M, you might be setting yourself up for a continuing cycle of pain by trying to have a serious R with someone who finds it so easy to be dishonest with you, even when it causes you so much pain.

The real problem is that Shaden has consistently settled for crumbs.


Me: 56 (FBS) Wife: 55 (FWW)
D-Day August 2005
Married 11/1982 3 Sons 27,25,23
Empty Nesters.
Fully Recovered.
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,554
M
Member
Offline
Member
M
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,554
Quote
The real problem is that Shaden has consistently settled for crumbs.

I'd say that was part of the problem, not THE problem. Seems to me that Shaden's WW is apparently quite comfortable lying to him. I suspect that she will continue to resort to lies to manipulate him out of Plan B if he decides to go that route.

I dunno, but I would be not be inclined to continue a M with someone who chose to continue lying to me two years after being exposed to how devastating dishonesty could be in a M.

Shaden, as you're thinking of Plan B, have you thought about what you would need to see from your WW in order to end it?


ManInMotion
===========
(see "MiM's Story" for more details)
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,916
_
Member
Offline
Member
_
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,916

Hiya Shaden:

Stating the obvious; just because someone is no longer in an active affair does not mean they have lost the wayward mindset, reasons unknown. So they lurch from chance to tinkers to whatever chasing illusions. It would seem they are a mile wide and an inch deep.

Unfortunately real people get mixed up in the game and even more unfortunately, real kids. What would Shaden need from his every wayward wife to reconcile? How about a brain transplant? Or an ethics transfusion.

Larry

Shaden #1935616 09/05/07 08:22 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 92,985
Likes: 1
M
Member
Offline
Member
M
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 92,985
Likes: 1
Quote
What's appropriate babble response when she accuses me of hurting the boys by using them as a pawn or drawing them in?

You don't have to defend yourself. You are not the one in the wrong here. It is her affairs that are harmful to those boys and they have a right to know why their family is being torn apart. Tell her "no, ADULTERY hurts the boys."

Speaking of children's view of adultery. I never knew adultery was wrong growing up because my father was a serial cheater and my mother was SILENT. I was taught that adultery was perfectly acceptable.

I watched Bridges of Madison County and thought it was a beautiful, romantic movie. My brother left his wife and autistic son for a 21 year old ho and his wife had a nervous breakdown. When deciding which woman he should choose, my father said "son you have to do what makes you happy."

So, I don't believe kids know it is wrong unless you tell them. If no one tells them it is wrong, they think they must be wrong, that it is really ok.

I think SILENCE is just as bad as teaching them to be immoral.


"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.." Theodore Roosevelt

Exposure 101


Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,464
B
Member
Offline
Member
B
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,464
It still bolis down to the fact she hasn't had her feet held to the fire and become accountable because he's settled. It's all related.


Me: 56 (FBS) Wife: 55 (FWW)
D-Day August 2005
Married 11/1982 3 Sons 27,25,23
Empty Nesters.
Fully Recovered.
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 928
S
Shaden Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member
S
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 928
BK

You are correct.

The problem is her moral fibre... she had wrong lessons growing up.

But I have been naive and trusting. I am ok... I have learned alot through this about myself and have grown.

I dated a girl who kept breaking up with me for no reason... drama queen. I kept going back until one day it clicked. I said goodbye and never went back. That day clicked on Monday.

I am no longer staying for her... I am staying for myself and my faith in God. Will this turn into us getting back together... I have no idea... but I will go to my grave happy that I did everything I could. Plan B is the last step.

I have spoken with the boys. They are upset but glad I have told them. I have been trying to reach my W to tell her but she is not answering the phone. Her loss.


BH (Me) - 38
WW - 36
Married - 16 years
2 children - 10,12
DD1 - 05/30/05 - EA suspected, W wanted space
DD2 - 07/01/05 - EA/PA discovered & confronted WW
DD3 - 07/21/05 - Further contact discovered and now ended.
11/07/05 - exposed to OMW...
07/01/07 - separated to give "space". recovery was not progressing.
09/04/07 - DDAY all over... new OM.

Patience with God is Faith.
Patience with myself is Hope.
Patience with others is Love.
FAITH REQUIRES ACTION!
Shaden #1935619 09/05/07 08:43 PM
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 928
S
Shaden Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member
S
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 928
The boys were so affected... held me and cried... when I told them that I was not going to divorce but was going to fight for them and for our family as long as I could. I love them and their Mom.


BH (Me) - 38
WW - 36
Married - 16 years
2 children - 10,12
DD1 - 05/30/05 - EA suspected, W wanted space
DD2 - 07/01/05 - EA/PA discovered & confronted WW
DD3 - 07/21/05 - Further contact discovered and now ended.
11/07/05 - exposed to OMW...
07/01/07 - separated to give "space". recovery was not progressing.
09/04/07 - DDAY all over... new OM.

Patience with God is Faith.
Patience with myself is Hope.
Patience with others is Love.
FAITH REQUIRES ACTION!
Shaden #1935620 09/05/07 08:55 PM
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,916
_
Member
Offline
Member
_
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,916

Shaden:

Yea, the drama queen deal. That meant you were second best - someone to be used when nothing better was in view.

Once you are through with Plan A, then what? I have often wondered if Dr. Harley allows for truth telling when Plan A falls on its face. Sounds as if you had an epiphany and that is a good thing.

Specifically at hand is the kid deal; wife parroting those who claim kids are not harmed by divorce. Of course that is totally a bunch of baloney.

Larry

_Larry_ #1935621 09/05/07 08:58 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 92,985
Likes: 1
M
Member
Offline
Member
M
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 92,985
Likes: 1
I am so sorry for your boys, Shaden. But you did the right thing. Now they can be taught to protect themselves from their mother's affairs/


"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.." Theodore Roosevelt

Exposure 101


Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 928
S
Shaden Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member
S
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 928
I called her let her know... asked if she wanted to come over and also talk to them.

She was furious. All the usual. Claimed I was doing it to hurt her. That she didn't know what I was talking about as far as something going on... give me a briek. Accused me of playing games.

I think she got another call while I was on the line... I lost her. She won't answer now. I'll wait for her to call me back.

I'm sure she's calling all her resources to tell how she is the good one... yadayadayada.

I actually feel relieved.

The boys are ok.

Shaden


BH (Me) - 38
WW - 36
Married - 16 years
2 children - 10,12
DD1 - 05/30/05 - EA suspected, W wanted space
DD2 - 07/01/05 - EA/PA discovered & confronted WW
DD3 - 07/21/05 - Further contact discovered and now ended.
11/07/05 - exposed to OMW...
07/01/07 - separated to give "space". recovery was not progressing.
09/04/07 - DDAY all over... new OM.

Patience with God is Faith.
Patience with myself is Hope.
Patience with others is Love.
FAITH REQUIRES ACTION!
Shaden #1935623 09/05/07 09:29 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 92,985
Likes: 1
M
Member
Offline
Member
M
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 92,985
Likes: 1
Don't worry about her reaction, Shaden. You did the right thing by those boys. Let her worry about her own reaction, she is a big girl.


"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.." Theodore Roosevelt

Exposure 101


Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,025
M
Member
Offline
Member
M
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,025
Your boys will also likely be relieved that it had nothing to do with them.

Boys will be boys and at times, as parents, we admonish them for such behavior. As your marriage teetered on the precipe for the last two years they certainly knew something was wrong they just were unable to put their fingers on it. I am sure at least a portion of that stress was internalized and they looked at themselves as possibly the root cause.

The truth hurts...but it can be relieving at the same time.

Beware the spin police. I believe I recall Dr. Harley or Steve advising an exposing parent to sum it all up...in the face of denials, rationalizations and justifications by merely flipping out the question "When is it ever OK to have an affair?". Your boys can certainly understand that simple fact in the face of the circling whirlwind of the spin doctors trying to reverse your moral highground.

Good luck Shaden

Mr. W


FBH(me)-51 FWW-49 (MrsWondering)
DD19 DS 22 Dday-2005-Recovered

"agree to disagree" = Used when one wants to reject the objective reality of the situation and hopefully replace it with their own.
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 928
S
Shaden Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member
S
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 928
Thanks everyone.

Mr. W. I gave a similar statement to the boys. I said that I made mistakes in the marriage but there is never any reason that justifies an affair. An affair is a sin just like murder. It hurts many people.

My W tried to say that I had no right talking to them without consulting with her first.

I just said that I didn't recall her consulting with me before hurting our family or seeing other men.

This is going to be an interesting ride... but I am far more equipped to handle it than I was a couple of years ago. Back then I was a spoon full of mashed potates crying gravy all over the place.

I told the boys that I expect Mom to be furious with me. That things could not get worse than what they are now. I said that I don't know if we will be back together, but that I have faith in God. I told them that this is going to be a long, hard road because it will be a while before their Mom gets over this.

My older son told me when they were leaving..."You didn't do anything wrong by telling us the truth." Kids are smarter than we give them credit.

Shaden


BH (Me) - 38
WW - 36
Married - 16 years
2 children - 10,12
DD1 - 05/30/05 - EA suspected, W wanted space
DD2 - 07/01/05 - EA/PA discovered & confronted WW
DD3 - 07/21/05 - Further contact discovered and now ended.
11/07/05 - exposed to OMW...
07/01/07 - separated to give "space". recovery was not progressing.
09/04/07 - DDAY all over... new OM.

Patience with God is Faith.
Patience with myself is Hope.
Patience with others is Love.
FAITH REQUIRES ACTION!
Shaden #1935626 09/05/07 10:00 PM
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 928
S
Shaden Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member
S
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 928
The best thing about this... I now have two sets of eyes and ears over there. I don't mean that they will be spying for me... I will not be asking them or involving them. I mean that my WW (I guess I'm back to the 2 W's) will be a whole lot more uncomfortable talking on the phone with him or being online with him. It won't stop her, but it will be interesting.

I wish I had a tape recorder I could have given them to hear what she is now saying to them.

Shaden


BH (Me) - 38
WW - 36
Married - 16 years
2 children - 10,12
DD1 - 05/30/05 - EA suspected, W wanted space
DD2 - 07/01/05 - EA/PA discovered & confronted WW
DD3 - 07/21/05 - Further contact discovered and now ended.
11/07/05 - exposed to OMW...
07/01/07 - separated to give "space". recovery was not progressing.
09/04/07 - DDAY all over... new OM.

Patience with God is Faith.
Patience with myself is Hope.
Patience with others is Love.
FAITH REQUIRES ACTION!
Shaden #1935627 09/05/07 10:02 PM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,464
B
Member
Offline
Member
B
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,464
Just be still Shaden and know you did the right thing and struck a huge blow to the heart of the affair.


Me: 56 (FBS) Wife: 55 (FWW)
D-Day August 2005
Married 11/1982 3 Sons 27,25,23
Empty Nesters.
Fully Recovered.
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,316
M
Member
Offline
Member
M
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,316
((((Shaden))))

I'm very proud of you...That took a lot of courage and grace...You did the right thing...You're in our prayers...

Mrs. W

P.S. About this "Switzerland"...(I think I'll steal that nickname since Pep has "retired" from MB...)

Quote
How's Mrs. W?

Still finding time to help out with her quick wit and QUIET charm?

I'm doing great, thanks for asking...and I AM EVER SO QUIET AND DEMURE too, of course!!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


FWW ~ 47 ~ Me
FBH ~ 50 ~ MrWondering
DD ~ 17
Dday ~ 2005 ~ Recovered

Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,025
M
Member
Offline
Member
M
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,025
I need to ask you.

Does your wife know about MB and/or anything about your posting here the last few years???

Mr. Wondering


FBH(me)-51 FWW-49 (MrsWondering)
DD19 DS 22 Dday-2005-Recovered

"agree to disagree" = Used when one wants to reject the objective reality of the situation and hopefully replace it with their own.
Page 3 of 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Moderated by  Fordude 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Search
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 1,116 guests, and 67 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Mike69, petercgeelan, Zorya, Reyna98, Nofoguy
71,829 Registered Users
Building Marriages That Last A Lifetime
Copyright © 1995-2019, Marriage Builders®. All Rights Reserved.
Site Navigation
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5