A WIFE has been urged to end her 20-year marriage as the number of children her husband fathered continues to grow.
She said her husband is 19 years her senior and had just one child with another woman when they met.
A wife asked for advice about her ex-biker husband having unknowingly fathered multiple children (stock image)[/caption]
He told her “girls threw themselves” at him while in a motorbike gang in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
They are now dealing with the consequences of his “children coming out of the woodwork.”
“I met my husband of 20 years when he was 47 and he had only 1 child of 2 from a previous relationship which we gave unconditional love to and supported his mother,” she said, writing on Mumsnet.
“He is 70 now and just found out that he has 3 other children that he did not know about who were born in the 1970’s so adults now. Three different mothers.
“Now all 3 trying to find out their father – unknown why not told who their dad was.
“He is rather shocked and I’m a bit non-plussed.
“My initial reaction was I hope our children (including the first he knew and grew up with) are not affected as they are all under 23 as I am younger.
“Then I was like are you going to get to know them? He doesn’t know what to do.”
The wife said she’s open to meeting his other children but concerned about how her teenagers will react to their half-siblings.
“I’m not being naive as I cannot magic the others away and wouldn’t want to as I feel sorry for them,” she said.
“I should also mention that he has been a wonderful father to ours. Very protective and loving.”
Responses to the post were divided as many called her husband “irresponsible” for getting women pregnant without knowing.
However, others argued against being judgemental because the attitude toward sex was different in the 1970s.
“To have one accidental unknown child could be considered a misfortune, three looks like carelessness,” one person said.
Another confessed they would want a divorce if they found out their husband had children with other women.
“It happens,” a third wrote. “There was an episode on Long Lost Family – foundlings where they figured out who the dad was but he was unable to tell the girl who her mother was.
“Society has changed and we’re all more educated now.”
Signs your relationship is heading for a divorce
- Persistent Communication Breakdowns
Constant misunderstandings, arguments, or a complete lack of meaningful conversation can signal deep-seated issues. - Emotional Distance
Feeling like roommates rather than partners, with a noticeable lack of intimacy or emotional connection. - Frequent Criticism and Contempt
Regularly criticising each other and showing contempt, such as sarcasm, eye-rolling, or mocking, can erode the relationship’s foundation. - Unresolved Conflicts
Recurrent arguments about the same issues without any resolution can indicate deeper incompatibilities. - Loss of Trust
Trust is crucial in any relationship. If it’s been broken and cannot be rebuilt, it may be a sign that the relationship is in trouble. - Different Life Goals
Significant differences in future aspirations, such as career goals, lifestyle choices, or family planning, can create insurmountable divides. - Avoidance
Preferring to spend time apart rather than together, whether through work, hobbies, or social activities, can indicate a desire to escape the relationship. - Lack of Support
Feeling unsupported, whether emotionally, financially, or practically, can lead to feelings of isolation and resentment. - Financial Disagreements
Constantly arguing about money, spending habits, or financial priorities can strain the relationship. - Infidelity
Whether physical or emotional, infidelity can be a major breach of trust and a sign of deeper issues in the relationship. - Changes in Affection
A noticeable decrease in affection, physical touch, or romantic gestures can indicate a loss of connection.
Other responses urged the woman to make her husband get a DNA test for the children and get legal advice on what to do next.
One person blasted how the wife had described the situation but agreed her husband shouldn’t turn the children away.
“He sounds completely irresponsible going around impregnating people and not even knowing he did,” they said.
“Having myself been a ‘child coming out of the woodwork’ – I would encourage him to treat them all with kindness, respect, honesty and humility.
“I was not lucky enough to receive that response. Your ‘woodwork’ phrase is distasteful.
“Children are not worms and it is your DH’s reckless behaviour that is being exposed, not the existence of the human consequences of his actions.”
Responses to the post were torn if the wife should stay with her husband (stock image)[/caption]
