Replies to 'Ending Toxic Friendships'

 
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April 17, 2008, 7:08 pm PDT

RE: Question of Privacy

Quote From: Iguy72

Hi all! It's been a long time since I've been on here. If you remember me, my marriage is still not where is should be. The last time I was on I talked about the amount of time my wife spends on the phone with this guy. This is still going on but I am still in a position not to say anything with out it coming back on me and making me the bad guy.

Here's the deal. Back in January we had a discussion about her talking and what my fears were. She got angry and accused me of wanting to take more away from her, referring to her friend and there daily conversations. I brought up all the information about emotional affairs and that  how destructive it is and that those involved don't realize it. She completely denies it and that she knows that is not what's happening. So anyway, she said that she would cut back and for me not to worry. Well, I'm still worried. After she gets off the phone she will have a different attitude towards me. Before she talks she may be joking around or be more talkative around me but after she gets off the phone it's like a switch has been flipped.

Just recently I talked to her about it and she said that she doesn't have that much time to talk to him anymore because she's going to school and has to study so it may only be 5 to 10 min. But it's still every day. So that brings me to my question. I have gained access to her cell phone account. She did not give me the password though. I just needed to know what was really going on. I've gone back to January to see just how much she is talking. In Jan she talked for 27 hrs, Feb 33 hrs, march 21 hrs and April it's at 10 hrs. A total of 461 calls in less than 4 months. Now what I am worried about is that if I bring this to her attention she will accuse me of invasion of privacy. Is looking at her phone record invading her privacy? Am I justified in doing this? I am going to be made out to be the bad guy and she's going to blame me for her behavior. It will be turned into an issue of me offending her and trying to take away from her rather than focusing on what's really going on.

Does anyone have any advice?

Hello,

 

In answer to your question... hell yes... it is an invasion of her privacy!!! 

 

I don't care if she is carrying on an emotional affair or what, it does not give you the right to snoop!!!.

 

Look at it this way... how would you feel if your wife wanted to snoop in your business?  I don't think you would like it.  So don't do it to her!!

 

Anyway... it seems to me that your behavior is driving her away. 

 

I am not saying that she is perfect or that she is not responsible for her own choices and actions.... but getting on her case about who she talks with, rightly or wrongly is pushing her to this guy. 

Also if there is an emotional affair that is going on between these two, perhaps it is because this guy is providing something that you are not providing to your wife!

 

Please don't think that I am criticizing you, because I am not,  but just keep in mind that affairs usually don't just happen... there is some unhappiness in a marrage that drives one of the parties to seek attention elsewhere.

 

Anyway.... is you truly, truly  want to save this marriage, then you need to find a different approach to dealing with your wife. 

For starters, you need to stop with the criticizing and just be more loving, patient and kind. 

You can do that by learning to communicate better.  

 

BTW -- communication is NOT just something that is reserved for the bedroom, it something that you  need to do everyday with your wife about just plain old ordinary stuff.

How do you communicate better? 


Well... dont just talk about yourself, your job, your opinions, etc..  but encourage her to open up as well.  Ask your wife questions about her day, ask her opinions or her thoughts on this thing or that thing, be encouraging and positive, be kind, be attentive, REALLY, REALLY LISTEN to what she has to say... rather than listening and criticizing or just flat out ignoring what she has to say about things. 

Also seek out a marriage counselor... if she won't go, that doesn't mean you can't go on your own.

 

Good Luck,

 

Cricket

 


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