My Wife Said She Quit Her Job for the Kids — But Then Our Daughter Said, ‘I Saw Mommy on That Man’s Computer at School’

 

I’m 35, married to Elowen for 14 years. We have two kids: Callum, nine, and Marnie, seven.

We used to work full time—me in logistics, her in accounting. It was hectic, but I thought we had it under control. Then, one day, Marnie came home saying she’d seen Mommy on a man’s laptop at school.

Back then, mornings were a rush—me packing lunches, waking up the kids, while Elowen took her time before coffee. Our nights were just as hectic—dinner rushed, homework fights, exhaustion. Elowen eventually said, “I think I’m burned out. Everything’s too much.” She was thinking about quitting her job to stay home. I thought it was a good idea. The kids needed her, daycare was expensive, and I’d be okay picking up more hours.

After she quit, I cut back on things like gym and poker nights to make up for lost income. She stayed home, the house was cleaner, and the kids were calmer. But sometimes, she’d mention missing her career, and I’d remind her, “You’re doing something more important now.”

Then Marnie came home and said, “I saw Mommy on a man’s laptop at school.” That’s when everything changed. I confronted Elowen, and she admitted she’d been making secret videos for months. She said she was reclaiming herself, using the money for herself, not the family. I was hurt, but I didn’t push it. I just tried to keep the peace, even though I couldn’t shake the feeling that things weren’t right.

Over time, I stopped questioning her. I learned to let it go, even when it was hard. She seemed different—happier, more confident, and her videos changed. She was talking about growth, strength, and forgiveness. One night, she told me, “When you stopped trying to fix me, I remembered why I fell in love with you.”

I still think about that. Maybe love isn’t about fixing someone but accepting who they are now. I’m still learning, but I’m here, and so is she.