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Partner's ex wife upset over boundaries being introduced

512 replies

Stickytofpud · 07/06/2023 00:25

New here so please bear with me. I came to search confirmation that I am not completely mad for what I have done/seek unbiased opinion. Apologies for long post, I felt that context and reasonable detail was needed so that people can inform their view.

I have two young kids with my partner, and his two older kids from previous marriage stay with us for half a week. The marriage broke down due to partner's ex wife's infidelity; she went on to marry the man she cheated on my partner with, no further kids born in that relationship.
When I moved in with my partner, I sort of 'jumped onto the running train' of established routine of my partner's ex featuring heavily in his life through constant messaging, but also physical presence, dropping off the kids and inviting herself in and ordering my partner to make her a cup of tea, dropping in to get stuff while we were not in the house, that kind of stuff. The infidelity and divorce upset my partner, but he's a man who's able to forgive so over time their relationship has become reasonably amicable and allowing for the above, but definitely not romantic (from his side anyway). As a newcomer, I was putting up with all that, though knew that this level of intrusion and presence from his ex was definitely not normal. To maintain the peace I tolerated the situation. Me and her would get on ok, and I get on well with the kids; she said numerous times how lucky her kids are to have me in their lives.

Me and my partner then had our first child who she would see when dropping off or collecting the kids, she would take the child in her arms etc etc. Some time after we had our child, things started to change for me, particularly after some information reached me related to her current husband (relationship not going too well) and our child (her having a bit of an obsession with the child, like the child was hers).

I have then suggested to my partner that it was time to put some boundaries in place as there should be, and put a bit more distance between her and us. This was supported by my partner, though he wasn't overly keen to introduce all these changes as he did not want to 'rock the boat'. The boundaries mostly revolved around her presence in our place (no longer invited in, kids being dropped off/collected by their dad from her place). Nothing, I believe, that should be a problem for a former partner to respect and accept as their ex partner has moved on and started a family with someone else. The boundaries also include as little contact of my children with her as possible; she's of no relation to them, other than being a mother of their siblings.

It's been about a year now since the boundaries have been introduced and it didn't go down well with her, and it is actually getting worse. I have been name called by her, all of a sudden it's not kids are lucky to have me in their life but poor kids to have to endure me while staying with their dad.. the latest being that if I don't want her to be involved in my kids' lives then she doesn't want me to be involved in her kids' lives either.... completely ignoring the fact that she's comparing apples with pears; her kids are part of our household and my life for half a week each week, whereas my kids have nothing to do with her.

It's wearing, it's frustrating, it's upsetting and I don't know where it will end. It's also putting a strain onto my relationship with my partner as he is caught in the middle of it. It's all been fine for as long as it was on her terms. When the terms changed, I have been made the bad one, for asking nothing more than to be given space and peace for our family life.

For those who managed to read until the end, I would appreciate your views, AIBU?

OP posts:
funinthesun19 · 07/06/2023 16:55

beachcitygirl · 07/06/2023 11:14

Frankly I don't believe there's been abuse.

She left him. OP probably resents their close bond. So she tried to power play to destroy it.
She's only harming the kids.

It seems to me (and similarly in a lot of these types of posts) that the wife is insecure.

She'll never be the first.
First person he proposed to
First person he started a home and married life with
First person he went through the excitement of pregnancy and new baby with
First real partner in life.

It seems to really really bother them. A lot (not all) want to pretend the ex wife and kids don't exist.
Remember the mad woman on here who didn't want her dsc at her wedding (although their baby was going ) to the point she booked an overseas wedding (with fancy tiki torches) so she could avoid having his kids their & just be their "little family"

So they play weird little power games.

Secure women don't care about the ex.
Water off a ducks back.

As so many have said, the only real issue was key to the house & everyone has agreed that should have been stopped sharpish.

Did you know you can be secure and have boundaries?

Yousee · 07/06/2023 16:55

Blossomtoes · 07/06/2023 14:24

The “cheating wretch (?) whose ex husband - you know, the one she cheated - is happy to have in his home?

Just an observation that if she can cheat on her husband and upend her childrens lives then she is a liar, she is sneaky, she is disloyal. So is it so shocking that OP would not want a person of such low character inviting herself into her home?
It doesn't sound much like the guy was "happy" about it so much as felt he was stuck with it and now his current partner, OP, deserves for him to be loyal to her and show a bit of backbone which he has done.
The toxicity was brought entirely by the ex dragging the kids into it and tantrumming now that she is no longer getting her own way. Boo fucking hoo.

PipMumsnet · 07/06/2023 16:49

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Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 07/06/2023 16:39

beachcitygirl · 07/06/2023 16:27

@Tiddlypomtiddlypom one horrid divorce, but he's unmarried & we have no contact. So not triggered. Just think kids come first. Not dads gf. 👍🏻

I agree. And someone should tell the ex wife, who is now being merrily abusive about the dad’s current partner because they tried to assert some boundaries.

Asking an ex-wife to not let herself into their home < being abusive about the children’s stepmother because she had the audacity to draw some lines in the sand.

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 07/06/2023 16:36

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candlesflamesandbrooms · 07/06/2023 16:34

@beachcitygirl but this isn't really about the kids is it ?

Because if my ex said this to me, I would be like ok no worries. Not slagging of a women who I used to say I was grateful for having around my dc and using my kids to do it and kick off.

Also the thought of my ex having a key gives me the ick so I wouldn't expect it in reverse either tbh.

Lachimolala · 07/06/2023 16:31

CaloundraBlues · 07/06/2023 16:26

I think you've replied to the wrong post there, @Tiddlypomtiddlypom is one of the more sensible posters on this thread

I haven’t as you well know.

candlesflamesandbrooms · 07/06/2023 16:30

@Tiddlypomtiddlypom as a first ex wife I'm hoping to balance out some of the nutter comments from my cohort. It seems not all first wives are nuts but many of the nutty ones are on Aibu spouting this horseshit it would appear

It's bad shit crazy people are blaming op for "derailing" a "perfectly good co parenting" situation 🙄

Can you imagine if mum had posted this that she wanted to put some boundaries in place with her ex and him randomly popping in for a cup of tea and a squeeze of the baby (that isn't related to him at all).

People would be telling the op to get a restraining order 😅 but since is a sm 🙄

Murdoch1949 · 07/06/2023 16:30

You are perfectly entitled to keep SC's mum at arm's length. The drop off & collection routine is one used by many shared parents. You made an error in allowing her into your home, access to your children etc, but no doubt this was done to help your SC. With women like your partner's ex there will also be something to push against. You need to totally break off contact with her, block her on your phone/social media and ensure all contact is with your partner. If your partner finds it difficult to stand up to her, he needs to give his head a shake. Your and your children's happiness is paramount.

beachcitygirl · 07/06/2023 16:27

@Tiddlypomtiddlypom one horrid divorce, but he's unmarried & we have no contact. So not triggered. Just think kids come first. Not dads gf. 👍🏻

CaloundraBlues · 07/06/2023 16:26

Lachimolala · 07/06/2023 16:25

Come on now. Just stop it.

I think you've replied to the wrong post there, @Tiddlypomtiddlypom is one of the more sensible posters on this thread

Lachimolala · 07/06/2023 16:25

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 07/06/2023 16:17

‘Mad woman’, ‘astonishing anger’…

If using hyperbole makes you feel better, have at it.

Come on now. Just stop it.

CaloundraBlues · 07/06/2023 16:24

Are people choosing to ignore this bit from the OP, her DP agreed but was too cowardly to say anything there it was left to the OP

I have then suggested to my partner that it was time to put some boundaries in place as there should be, and put a bit more distance between her and us. This was supported by my partner, though he wasn't overly keen to introduce all these changes as he did not want to 'rock the boat'

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 07/06/2023 16:18

candlesflamesandbrooms · 07/06/2023 15:30

What the fuck have I just read....

Op has he DSc half the week. She knew she was getting into when getting dh and he had kids. That's fine.

But she hasn't signed up to have the ex wife drop by whenever she wants.

This is mad. Actually mad.

It really is. But the First wives Club will tear you a new one and call you names for standing up for the long-gone OP.

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 07/06/2023 16:17

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‘Mad woman’, ‘astonishing anger’…

If using hyperbole makes you feel better, have at it.

Blossomtoes · 07/06/2023 15:55

They all need to grow up.

prettypoki · 07/06/2023 15:46

The default shouldn't be that she's allowed access - she should be aware it could be removed at any time. She needs to grow up.

candlesflamesandbrooms · 07/06/2023 15:45

@Sunshine0x This is adult jealousy and battle for dominance when there doesn't need to be.

Your absolutely right - when normal people divorce they don't often have a key to the others house, and if one of the owners decides to withdraw that (for whatever reason) a reasonable person who isn't power playing doesn't kick off and accepts it with grace not ramp up weird behaviour and involves their children in a slanging match which mum hasn't done here ....

Oh wait 🙄

Sunshine0x · 07/06/2023 15:38

Yousee · 07/06/2023 13:59

Calling the OP "sneaky and underhanded" for not allowing a cheating wretch free access to her home 😂 what a laugh this thread has become!

He was happy to have her in the home. Yet op put up with it for 5 years then goes nuclear both the ex , op and dp are immature with the power plays and passiveness. Just keep it civil, say immediate family only have a key, occasional cup of tea with SC there makes things civil. This is adult jealousy and battle for dominance when there doesn't need to be. The op is in a committed relationship with the man and has had his DC she should be secure in that. Going nuclear and banning her completely from pickup makes things toxic and awful.

candlesflamesandbrooms · 07/06/2023 15:30

What the fuck have I just read....

Op has he DSc half the week. She knew she was getting into when getting dh and he had kids. That's fine.

But she hasn't signed up to have the ex wife drop by whenever she wants.

This is mad. Actually mad.

DJHelena · 07/06/2023 15:28

Reading this thread with interest. I’m a first wife and also a second & fall somewhere in the middle.

I am amicable with my ex. He is invited in if DS is faffing about getting his stuff together at pick up and we are all civil and polite and functioning but not close and certainly not in each others pockets. DS is very happy with our situation.

When I met current DH, he was surprised by how little contact I had with my ex because he was extremely close to his ex (SD’s mum) at that point. I mistakenly thought this was a great sign we would all get on, however she objected to me meeting their DD a year in, gave DH an ultimatum over Covid times to leave me if he wanted to maintain contact and basically has tried to control and sabotage our relationship at every stage. She continually threatens us with court action even now their DD is an adult because she can’t bear the fact that she no longer controls their relationship & wants the university money we pay to SD to go to her!

Basically they were close because DH had followed her rules so as not to cause upsets. We’ve had to work so hard to stop any impact from the fallout harming relations with SD.

In summary, I love that blended families can be amicable and friendly. However this is often only possible if sensible boundaries (and a little distance) have been in place from the start & these must be boundaries that work fairly for all involved. To try to implement these a while down the road unfortunately often ends in mayhem.

Lachimolala · 07/06/2023 15:06

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Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 07/06/2023 14:58

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ButterCrackers · 07/06/2023 14:55

Shallistayorshalligo · 07/06/2023 13:56

I guess, your poll will be around 50/50 in the end, OP😅
one half of the voters are going to be controlling exs, who would want to poke their noses in their ex martial homes and have a cup of tea with their ex husbands, another half will be the new wifes, who find this kind of intrusion very upsetting.

And of course, there will be a small percentage of people like myself, who are neither ex or new ones, but can totally understand and support your absolutely normal and logical point of view😁

Agree.

CremeEgg1983 · 07/06/2023 14:29

I might be overinvested because my situation is similar but I think this is a harsh and simplistic view.

Often, and I've seen it over and over again just not in my own life, 'healthy co-parenting situation' is code for 'Parent 1 has absolutely everything their own way and Parent 2 goes along with it because they know WW3 will break out if they express a different opinion'. Usually it's a continuation of the dynamic they had in their relationship.

And the new partner 'crapping all over it' is code for a pair of fresh eyes looking at the situation and pointing out that it's unhealthy.

Controlling spouses make controlling exes and they REALLY hate losing that control as the person who left them and their controlling ways tries to break free and make a new life without them at the centre of it.

@Seddon ^ this with bells on and fringes round the edges 👏