User Comments

sarahm_08 April 1, 2024

This is so devastating. I'm so glad you found the courage in that moment to have that conversation. You never know where it might lead and the more we talk about these crimes, the more chance there is of bringing them to light and protecting our precious kids x

claudia9852 November 30, 2022

@SEB I guess that's the point though.. it suits YOU not to bring your kids. For others, it's really stressful (and expensive) organising babysitters. Choice is key, no one is forcing you to bring the kids! We allowed kids at our wedding. Half the people had a night off and enjoyed themselves, the other half brought their little ones and had a better night because of it.

claudia9852 November 30, 2022

@rua At 15 you're not a "kid"! That must have made you feel so excluded. 

claudia9852 November 30, 2022

@Lozenges  I did the same at a wedding. My baby was breastfeed, 6 months old. My mum brought her the reception twice so I could feed. It worked out okay, but would have been so much easier to have her with me!

claudia9852 November 30, 2022

I am incensed with rage on behalf of you Julia. My blood is boiling! How many adults failed you?? What a horrifying experience for you and your brother and there were so many ways it could have been avoided! Harrowing stories like this from the past are far too common - it's like adults truly didn't care about children back then. Imagine this happening now, so many people in this scenario would be arrested for child neglect. I'm so glad to hear you've found some well-deserved peace, but I wish so many people hadn't failed you along the way :-( 

claudia9852 March 23, 2021

I had an affair. I am female. Therefore according to society, I am evil / wrong / awful etc.


The thing is my affair was all about me and nothing to do with my husband. There was nothing he "lacked" and I didn't want to end the marriage. It's just that after 20 years, there is less sexual chemistry and more "why didn't you take out the bin- again?" 

I was a working mother of 2 small kids, caring for my elderly sick parents, looking after my young high-needs children, and supporting my husband, who has anxiety and depression. I was DRAINED. Then came along someone who made me feel sexy, valuable, adored. It was intoxicating.

The advice people spew online - "just leave if you're not happy, don't cheat!" - well, life is not always that simple? I didn't want to break up my family. I just wanted some excitement in my life.

My affair ended. I'm still with my husband. That grizzly, difficult time of life has passed; kids are older, parents are healthier, his depression is better. Our marriage has never been better. I'll never tell him about the affair - it goes with me to my grave!