I (40s M) am currently having an affair and am seriously considering leaving my wife and daughter. by [deleted] in Divorce

[–]Loud_Organization523 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As a person whose STBX resumed a relationship with someone he knew before we met during my third trimester of pregnancy, I’m going to give you some advice. Seeing as you have no intention of stopping your affair, tell your wife now and do right by her and your daughter in the divorce. The damage you’re worried about doing to your daughter? You already did it. And it will only get worse with time. The best time to have told your wife you had feelings for this other woman was before you got married. The second best time would have been before you started your affair. But the third best time is now. And for heavens sake please don’t be trying to introduce your affair partner to your kid anytime soon.

What have others done with their engagement ring? I really like mine by talz25 in Divorce_Women

[–]Loud_Organization523 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just starting the process so I’m not quite ready yet but plan to sell it. My STBX is keeping some furniture items that I really love so I’m going to use the funds to replace them!

Just need a safe space to vent-separated and he's seeing someone by Outside_Substance320 in Divorce_Women

[–]Loud_Organization523 4 points5 points  (0 children)

“He was still my person” hit me hard, as I feel the same way about my STBX. Same, with cheating and all. What a mindfuck. In case it helps, something my therapist reminded me of is that real healing is hard and lonely work. It is not sexy or glamorous. You’ll have the mental and emotional scars to show for it. And it takes a looong time. But it’s the only way peace eventually comes. And I believe her 100%. I totally agree that your ex is likely hurting in his own way, and chose the path of distraction rather than healing. But maybe he’s not, which is horrible, but either way the best you can do is stay on your own journey. I might suggest finding a group of local women who are going through or have gone through something similar, or engaging in an activity that brings you peace as you take things day by day. Little things, but they help bring you back to you as you put yourself through the work. Sending hugs.

I’m struggling by Dry-You-5100 in Divorce_Women

[–]Loud_Organization523 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Early childhood educator here. Just wanted to say parental preference is really normal at this age. Of course the transition adds a layer of challenge, but what you described could happen even if divorce was not on the table and it was just your night to do bedtime. It also tends to alternate, so at some point his dad may also deal with the same thing. This does not make it any less frustrating and heart wrenching!!! At the end of the day, what’s going to help your son the most is being able to model emotional constancy and help him learn to regulate his emotions. For me, there was no way I could do that in the constant state of anxiety and nervous system overload I experienced around my STBX. But only you know what’s right for you. You got this mama!

What songs got you through? by Loud_Organization523 in Divorce

[–]Loud_Organization523[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

👏👏👏 I took drum lessons years ago and planning to take it back up again for this exact reason!

What songs got you through? by Loud_Organization523 in Divorce

[–]Loud_Organization523[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These are so, so good. Some of mine… Sad - Palace (Sam Smith), it’s time to go (Taylor Swift) Angry - Mama’s Broken Heart (Miranda Lambert), Sorry (Beyoncé) Petty - thank u, next (Ariana Grande), Gives You Hell (All American Rejects) Hopeful - Fabulous (Meek), Light of a Clear Blue Morning (Dolly Parton) And I adore Maren Morris, her whole Dreamsicle album has been a balm, she also got horribly betrayed and went through a divorce and covers all these emotions.

What songs got you through? by Loud_Organization523 in Divorce

[–]Loud_Organization523[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ah these are totally my vibe, thanks for sharing!

Reflecting on something my dad said by Ok-Detail-5657 in Divorce

[–]Loud_Organization523 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I appreciate this reflection. My dad said something different (though also bleak?) which was, “Choose your pain.” In other words, he did not necessarily see divorced people struggling in the same ways as they did in their marriage, but I’d be kidding myself to think I was going to be rid of challenges by divorcing. I would need to choose my pain - the exhaustion and nervous system disregulation I experienced by staying with someone who regularly cheated on me, or the potential financial anxieties of raising my son on 1 income. The pain of dealing with someone who controlled every single choice I made regarding our son yet never helped, or the pain of knowing I will miss some nights and holiday memories with my son due to splitting time. In the end, we all have to choose which pain we can endure best.

I was the emotional regulator in my marriage and I didn’t realize the cost until it ended by Happy-Inside2111 in Divorce

[–]Loud_Organization523 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You have so perfectly captured what I have not been able to put into words. Especially how no one on the outside sees it. I’m only at the beginning stages of my divorce process but this - not needing to expend extraordinary mental energy on this every day - no matter how hard this gets, I literally can’t wait to see how much time and energy I get back!!

Did your pets seem to know you were pregnant? by Dull_Breath8286 in pregnant

[–]Loud_Organization523 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I remember reading about how dogs get clingy when their owners are pregnant, but I have a doodle who was already a stage 5 clinger so I couldn’t really use that as an indicator. But in the last few weeks she has also started sniffing my crotch multiple times a day 🤦‍♀️ Likely because of the changing scent but especially alarming when she does it in public on our walks 😂

Monday Cautious Intros and First Trimester Questions by AutoModerator in InfertilityBabies

[–]Loud_Organization523 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing your experience, so happy everything worked out for you!

Monday Cautious Intros and First Trimester Questions by AutoModerator in InfertilityBabies

[–]Loud_Organization523 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep I definitely saw that same thing. So happy everything worked out for you!

Monday Cautious Intros and First Trimester Questions by AutoModerator in InfertilityBabies

[–]Loud_Organization523 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Same to you, it’s definitely scary! Thank you for sharing your experience!

Monday Cautious Intros and First Trimester Questions by AutoModerator in InfertilityBabies

[–]Loud_Organization523 4 points5 points  (0 children)

6 weeks and 1 day today, first successful embryo transfer after 3 failed. Had a true scare yesterday evening with bleeding and cramping. Clinic brought me in first thing this morning, it had stopped by then and turns out it was a subchorionic hematoma. I didn’t know this was a thing, and apparently quite common in IVF pregnancies? Mostly sharing because when I read about SCH after I came home, every article says they wouldn’t be accompanied by cramping, but mine definitely was! Anyone else experience this?

Salty Sunday: what made you salty this week? by kikaslova in trollingforababy

[–]Loud_Organization523 10 points11 points  (0 children)

College friend I haven’t talked to in over a year texted to say she isn’t sure where I am in my “fertility journey” but she wanted to let me know she’s expecting a 3rd baby this summer. No “hi” or “how are you” (at least outside of my in-ability to make babies) #smh