cheating or not?

Sapphira - posted on 02/04/2012 ( 23 moms have responded )

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I have been married almost 4 years to my husband and we have a 16 month old son together. Over the last 2 years, we have had a lot of issues from simple things like respecting each other's interests to internet porn. I am not incredibly high strung about porn, but about two years ago, I had enough of it because my husband wasn't interested in having sex with me, but he was still looking at porn daily. I felt like I had been replaced by it.

We went to counseling for our issues for almost a year. But by "we" I mean that he went to counseling by himself one week and I went alone the next. We had maybe 3 sessions as a real couple before he refused to keep going at all anymore. When I was pregnant with my son, I found him subscribed to a site called IMVU where I found his profile and he was having "sexual relations" with others via his character or "avatar". I told him I felt like it was cheating and that it was going too far. He promised to stop.

A few months later, I found a Second Life account on our computer and when I opened the site, he was logged in and I saw that again, he was using it for cyber sexual relations. When I finally figured out how he had hidden it from me, I learned that he had a whole email account that he had never told me about.

When I logged into this email account, I found that he was not only on Second Life, but that he had an account on "sex search .com" which is a type of adult friend finder type website. He had made his profile when he was stationed overseas and I was stuck in the states still. Although it was completely set up, with graphic photos, a bio, and his "preferences", he had never used the site to meet anyone, as I discovered by the fact that no messages were ever sent or opened and that his account had been inactive since the day he registered. I almost left him, but he begged me to stay and started going to counseling.

About 8 months after I had my son, he and I split for about 2 months, living in different houses. When he moved back in, we were still in limbo about separating and the possibility of a divorce. After a few months of sleeping in separate bedrooms, we decided that we would maybe try a trial separation, but that neither of us wanted a legit separation because we wanted to remain loyal to one another. We still had 4 months until we would be able to move.

During those months, we talked about the possibility of staying together and working through our issues since we would be moving back to our home country and closer to friends and family for support and that it might help relieve some of our other stresses so that we could better focus on our marriage. I've been seriously considering this and started to get my hopes up that we might be able to stay together as a family.

Yesterday I was on the computer clearing out cookies and deleting old, unused files and I came across "sex zilla .com" on my computer. It turned out to be just like the other websites but more interactive and graphic. The timestamp on this was less than 2 weeks ago. I don't want to talk to him about it, but I know I have to. I am so angry and hurt and I feel like I'm at a breaking point with it all. I love my husband, but I also value myself and the integrity of my family.

Is this a form of cheating or am I being a prude? I don't know if he has ever actually touched another woman during our marriage and I don't have any evidence or proof that would make me believe that he has. I try not to go to my friends or family with stuff like this because I know they are bias in my favor. Divorce is a big thing though and I feel like I've worked my ass off to keep this marriage alive.

The thought of supporting my son and my household by myself is scary since I have no education. But I feel like that shouldn't be my deciding factor. I am trying to be logical about it and not let my emotions drown out common sense, but it's becoming too hard to handle, and I am tired of making exc=uses for his behavior. How would you react?

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23 Comments

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Jaime - posted on 03/06/2012

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if this sort of behavior were to go on in my house, my husband would be out. thankfully i have never had to worry about my husband losing interest in me due to porn. he watches it occasionally, but so do i and we generally talk about how ridiculous it is. so it's a fairly open subject with us. we don't hide things from one another.



if he were trying to hide it, though, i would know something was up and i would probably blow up on him. but that would be after the first occurrence. anything after and he's gone.

Chelsea - posted on 03/06/2012

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its a form of being unfaithful yes. which equals to not being so loyal after all. i understand the porn thing, i've gone through little parts of it with my husband, but its never come to this...what i would have done after all this was just say screw this.. i'm already getting used to you not being around might as well cut the cord, and find someone that cant keep his hands off me and doesnt give me dumbass excuses, and gray hair.

Ashley - posted on 03/04/2012

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Sweetie the sad thing is sometimes emotional cheating is far worse than physical and that is basically what he is doing to you. Sometime you just have to know when to call it quits. ::It's better to leave the glass broken than to cut yourself over and over trying to put it back together::

Jessica - posted on 02/13/2012

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I'm sorry honey for all you've gone thru, and I know it's easy for me to say, but I think you need to move on and file for divorce. You've tried to work on it and he just went back to it, some people have addictions in love interests other then an actual man or woman, it seems to me that this may be the case I forgot what it's called but it's actually a disorder of the brain where they are attracted to objects, the internet love affair is his more interesting to him then his own wife. If he can't admit that and doens't see it and wont get help this will never change and you AND your child will just be pushed away. I'm sure he does love you with all his heart but love a sex are two diffrent things. Try and help him ge help, it isn't your relationship it's his addiction so he needs to get help before you guys can even begin working on your relationship. I know you love him so try and help him but you also need to realize that it will only get worse before it gets better and if you feel like you are not happy and will not be happy and you've done all you can do at this point then theres no need to continue to hurt yourself, find your happiness and move past this with or without him.

Samantha - posted on 02/13/2012

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Why is it he goes to sites like this but never his wife? Some guys like doing this sort of thing it's bold, and fun to them doing something they know isn't right but is not fully well cheating either. Could he be creating a problem waiting for you to end things because he hasn't the kahunas to do so himself? calling you crazy when you say he might have a problem it just sounds like he's covering up but then again it could just be denial, also forcing yourself to keep a relationship together can do more damage then you think, kids know when there's something wrong even if its subtle. Could you two be happier with other people? these are all things you must think hard about and be honest with yourself, can you keep forgiving him as what he's doing is hurting you. what proof do you have that his behaviour will wont escalate to actually meeting up with various women, if he's getting kicks off of just playing on the net and the thrill of getting caught or getting away with it, he could take it a step further. You always want what you cant have or so they say.



Personally I'd be putting my foot down and getting some honest answers and thoughts to see whether it was worth it or better for everyone to move on and focus on being just parents if he resisted to much or failed to compromise what more could you do. But that's just my thoughts.



Who knows if he thought you might leave for good it could snap him out of it seeing that you can stand on your own and don't need him or his crap he might get his act together and really cherish a second or in this case third or fourth chance.

Monta - posted on 02/13/2012

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Hey there! I probably would tell em to sit down and talk to him!!



I know he will say he doesn't use them but why would he make them?

Because at the moment he made it he had to think that he will use it!

I probably would take a big massive brake! Separation! Because its not normal! Hes married man he shouldn't be thinking about something like that sex chats and all sort of stuff!



Tell him ur giving him freedom and go away! If he actually gets with some1 else than you will know that he doesn't want you!



Be strong! Being a singe mam without education is not end of the world! I was single for ages and without education! And it was hard but i did it and proud of it!

Its better to be alone than with a man who actually doesn't respect you and love you! Because maybe out there there is some1 who will! But while your with this man you will never know! I sayd goodbye to a man who didnt know how to love me! And seems like i found the one who does! xx



Good luck hun! xxx

Deborah - posted on 02/12/2012

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It is questionable...... I can imagine certain circumstances where his actions would be appropriate (for someone who is into submission/domination and their spouse is not...it's a healthy way for their need to be met without actually causing any 'real' problem...)



So it depends. Have you asked him why he keeps doing it? Why does he prefer to fulfill his sexual fantasies through online websites rather than with you? Are your boundaries that different or is this a fetish/obsession with him?



I think a 'no internet access' or 'limited internet access' policy will have to be in effect for your peace of mind if you two get back together.



What is your relationship status now? are you separated or not? (legalities aside) because if you two are still doing the separation thing, technically he's not doing anything wrong because, well, you're separated.



(*early last summer my fiance and I split up for two weeks. I hung out with another guy, and we kissed... I don't feel bad, I don't feel like I 'cheated' because we were not together... there's a LOT more to it but I was unhappy with him and relieved in some ways we had come to an end.... I won't get off topic with this though*)



I think you need to figure out what you want out of it. I know you want your family, but what is it going to take for him to earn your trust again? I know there are ways you can monitor websites that others go onto... If I were in your shoes he would have to build back up a mountain of trust in order for the relationship to move past all the damage his fetish has caused.



Work with him. If this is a 'fetish' for him, see if you can't find a way to fulfill his online fantasies with him. Make alternate chat identities and do those things with him, that way he has no need to have them met elsewhere.



Has he told you why he does it? Since he began getting help again, have you two had any more couples' sessions?



In your case it is cheating because you don't feel like he is being loyal to you. That's who you are, and that's perfectly okay. You have to admit, though, that 'cybering' is far less monumental than actually sleeping with another woman.(it's like kissing compared to sex. I would be far more likely to forgive a kiss rather than intercourse) While I personally don't think it's 'cheating', it is crossing the line, because you have asked him to stop, he knows it is causing problems with you, and THAT is what he is doing wrong here.



There's a website where you and your partner can take a test, at the end they compare your relevant results so you get a better idea of what your partner is interested in... (*I took it with my fiance, and the stuff I clicked "no" on, he did too, so they didn't even show up)



http://mojoupgrade.com/index



I don't know if it will help in your particular situation or not, but it might give you two an idea of where you 'match up' and where you do not regarding intimacy. Maybe if he finds out you're interested in doing certain things, he might be more inclined to turn to you rather than a computer to meet his needs.



Good Luck, I hope he comes around.

Alisha - posted on 02/11/2012

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Yes, it is cheating. He needs something. He definitely needs to see that you respect him because that is the #1 thing a man needs from his wife. If you love him unconditionally, (meaning you love him as the handsome, courageous man you fell in love with...without fault) he will see that and begin to love you the way you deserve to be loved! He will completely stop looking for the fantasy and start living the reality that he has with you. God can provide you with an amazing peace in your heart that will allow you to love your husband no matter what he has done. Now, with that being said...if your husband chooses (make it the LAST time he gets to choose) to throw away the real life that he has with you, then you have done everything you possibly can to save your marriage. One thing you need to keep in mind when approaching him about it all...do not accuse him of anything! I agree that this could definitely be a condition and he just needs to know you are there helping him through this. Anything that comes out of your mouth needs to be uplifting. Show him a better way. Example: Instead of telling him how horrible he has been to you, show him how amazing your future will be together. Give him something to look forward to accomplishing beyond getting away from disgraceful Internet sites! I hope this helps! I'll be praying for you guys!

Stephanie - posted on 02/11/2012

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You don't need to touch another woman to cheat. I have high standards and if my husband was caught on those interactive sites and he knew how I felt about them, it would be over between us faster than he could clear his history. But he's a computer geek and knows about inprivate browsing so... guess I'm stuck where you are but probably not that bad. I would leave him if I were you, I have 2 kids and 2 step children involved but my respect comes FIRST because of everything that I do and the things that I have to deal with between him, his kids, our kids, his ex wife, and his family..

Jenni - posted on 02/10/2012

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I personally would consider online relationships with *real* people cheating. Of course everyone has their own individual comfort levels. But this is coming from someone who is ok with porn and watch it myself on occasion (videos only, no chat, no real people). However, my SO will jump at the chance to have sex (when we find opportunity). Porn is reserved for times when the other is unavailable. Both of us are comfortable with it, neither of us use it in excess or to the point where it effects our own physical relationship.



It *does* become a problem when one partner is being affected negatively by it. You have very clearly expressed to your partner his behaviour is harming you and your relationship and he has very blatantly disregarded your feelings on more than one occasion.



If you feel like giving him a "last chance" you may. Make it very clear to him that it is. Delineate the boundaries on what is acceptable and what isn't. That crossing those boundaries will be the final straw. That this is the last attempt to save the relationship and that you are willing to listen to him on what he needs to improve your relationship and that he also needs to be willing to listen to you. That you expect to see him putting in an honest effort and if you do not see that he is trying you will come to no other conclusion than he does not feel your relationship is worth saving and you will make the choice for him and end it.



If you've already traveled down that road several times and hold little hope. It sounds by your post that you have made an honest effort to work past this. He can't change unless he wants to. He won't fight for something he's not afraid of losing. Then ultimately the choice is yours.

Diana - posted on 02/10/2012

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I've dealt with a similar thing. My husband was using those sites but didn't follow through because they cost. Then attempted trying craigslist, was unsuccessful by the time I found out when I happened to find it in his email. I confronted him calmly about it and told him how I felt. He continued to lie and leave things out which made me even more mad, so we went through daily confrontations for a week or so. And he was very defensive and angry off and on in the conversations almost like I was the one who did something wrong. You have every right to feel the way you do. Just him getting to he point of respecting your feelings whether he agrees with your opinion or not, its the fact that it bothers you. On some things it has taken my husband 2 or 3 years to understand that. To me if you are attempting to cheat you are cheating just because you suck at it doesn't matter. As hard as it is a friend of mine reminded me that it wasn't anything wrong with me. But still, my first question to him, "Is there something we need to change?" Hang in there and stay strong. I would say confront him on the new stuff, tell him you were starting to trust him and all he did was give you reason not to and ask him what he wants and if he wants to have a family he is going to have to step up and act like it.

Jessica - posted on 02/10/2012

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If you have had a trial seperation and it still wasn't worth quitting to him, he doesn't seem to be committed to you. I know how hard this is. I've experienced an addiction like this with my husband. Do you all have any religious beliefs? Maybe taking this to God to work out would be helpful. God is the only one I give credit to for saving my marriage.

Tina - posted on 02/09/2012

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I've gone through something similar and tried to explain how I felt cheated but my partner always argues it wasn't. To me it's no different to going into a singles bar and stating to everyone you're available if anything it's worse. I know how you feel. My partner says he's not doing that stuff anymore and I haven't caught him doing it in about a year. But it still angers and upsets me. The worse part is trying to make it work for the kids. When they can see you're upset and pick upn on the emotions. I don't think there'd be any shame in walking away considering you seem to be the one holding things together. If separating wasn't a wake up call for him to change his ways he never will. He knows what he is doing is hurting your relationship and it's selfish. It took me nearly breaking off our relationship before he realised those sites weren't worth it.

Alisha - posted on 02/09/2012

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Yea that's tough, if he is willing to work on your marriage and stay together, then work. Marriage is going to take work and I do think that if he has been talking about sexual things with other women it is a form of cheating. You have absolutely every reason to be upset and it's not prude at all. That's how affairs start out, and you should tell him that. I would not make a decision to leave based on one more incident being the deciding factor. Divorce will be horrible and it will destroy your family, you married for a reason and God's vote is for you to stay together how He designed marriage.

Jessica - posted on 02/09/2012

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You need to have a talk with him. Porn can be a real addiction. I dated a man who would get on these types of porn websites and I didn't find out about it until I got a $300 bill for internet porn/friend finders and then my computer crashed due to a virus he downloaded from one of these sites. I do feel this is a form of cheating. My current fiancee and I have watched porn together on occasion to spice things up but he knows how I feel about him doing it by himself and he would never look at it by himself as I made it clear to him I see that as cheating, especially if he lied to me about it as my ex did. You need to tell him how you feel and let him know you see it as cheating and that you will not tolerate it anymore. If it continues you need to walk away, you have done all you can. I know how hard it is and I know how terrifying the thought of being a single mom is but you can manage, it sounds like you have plenty of family who will support you through this trying time. You can do it girl, you are a mom so you are very strong, perhaps stronger than you think you are!!!

Sarah - posted on 02/05/2012

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Have you asked him what attracts him to these fantasy sites? Maybe there's something that he can comfortably express there that maybe he doesn't know how to express to you. It is a frustrating time when communication between a husband and wife is messed up. Instead of therapy maybe you guys should just sit and talk to each other. Find out what hes happy and unhappy about. Tell him what you are happy and unhappy about. The key is a willingness on both sides to talk, not accuse or yell at each other.

Crystal - posted on 02/04/2012

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I have such a strong opinion to this. My husband and I use to use porn as a spicer to our sex life. It was great every now and then to just enjoy a "quicky", but we both agreed that it has to be something that we share together. I work night shift and one day, just by chance I happened to look through the history of our computer to find something that I was looking at earlier and came across some porn sites. I was so upset and hurt to know that when I was busting my ass at work he was looking at other women at home getting off on them. I only found these sites on one night and thats it. I confronted him about it and he said he was just bored. Pretty sure he could have found a different way to occupy himself. Anyway I explained to him how offended I was and he promised never to do it again. I know my husband and I know he hasn't. Having that said we have never watched porn since. I don't want it in the house anymore. I don't want anything to do with it. I feel like it was such a betrayal. I think if a man or a woman dosen't respect the opinion of their partner then yes it is cheating. You don't deserve that and if he isn't willing to get help if he needs it or turn to his wife when he wants sex you should leave. Trust is the number one thing that holds a marriage together and once it's broken it's so hard to get back.

Sapphira - posted on 02/04/2012

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I have brought that idea up to him and our counselor. He rolled his eyes at me and said I was crazy. I don't really know what to do if he isn't willing to realize that he has the problem. Or if he really doesn't have a problem and he's just doing it because he has no regard for me. Either way, I feel like he is not willing to seek help or make a change, so I feel like the decision is left in my hands.

It's just hard because I already know I have trust issues from a previous relationship. So I try not to let everything get to me until I know I am not overreacting. It's hard to tell where the line needs to be drawn, I guess.

Michelle - posted on 02/04/2012

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It could be that he has an addiction to these types of sites and perhaps that is how you should approach it as a medical issue. Some people can't seem to help themselves even though they know it is ruining their real lives I would talk to him about getting help treat it like an illness if he doesn't feel like he can be open and honest with you he is ashamed of his behavior and doesn't know how to stop. This is not an excuse but a possible answer as to why he hasn't stopped try to be supportive if he is willing to seek out help if he is not willing then it is time for you to question how much he values you and his family.

Sapphira - posted on 02/04/2012

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thank you. i think that's how i feel about it too. I'm overwhelmed about it at this moment in time. If he knows it bothers me so much, I feel like he shouldn't do it. And the fact that he's still doing it makes me feel like he values these website relationships more than he values our relationship and what respect is there left for me?

Stifler's - posted on 02/04/2012

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Sorry that wasn't really much help. I think it's cheating if he knows you are uncomfortable with it, you're not in an open relationship.

Stifler's - posted on 02/04/2012

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I personally would probably go off about it. Even though he apparently hasn't used these sites he's signed up and probably took ages then just didn't get around to using it. I do it all the time (not on adult friend finder sites) with the intention of going back later and doing stuff. This might not be the case but the amount of sites you mentioned it might be.

Sapphira - posted on 02/04/2012

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I apologize if this isn't the right place for this thread, I just didn't know where else to ask for advice.