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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

For husbands ex to be mentioned at FILs funeral

155 replies

Mama1209 · 13/09/2024 10:54

I’ve been with my husband for 11years, we have a child together. He split from his ex 15yrs ago who he also had a child with. All is very amicable. Sadly my FIL has just passed away. MIL is having a separate funeral car for her grandchildren and their mums (her sons ex’s) fine, I get the children who are teenagers may want their mums with them. Now she tells me, along with me her DIL being mentioned in the eulogy, my husbands ex will also be mentioned/ thanked and my BILs ex. AIBU to find this embarrassing and upsetting? It’s bad enough she’s there for every family event and occasion and I put up with this for the sake of my stepchild and to keep things civil and tell myself she was part of their family, it’s nice to stay in touch etc. I’m just going to be publicly mortified in the church when this is read out and people will be wondering who she is and why she’s being mentioned. Very interested to see what people have to say about this, but please be kind I’m going through a hard time as it is!

OP posts:
MartinCrieffsLemon · 14/09/2024 22:47

Mama1209 · 14/09/2024 20:41

Not reading all this lol good bye ex girlfriend lol

Mature

Are you old enough to actually have multiple children with multiple men and have been with the current one 11 years?

SarBe · 18/09/2024 10:23

Not about you love!

CosyLemur · 18/09/2024 10:28

@RareLemur I love the name!

Lickityspit · 18/09/2024 10:34

You are being unreasonable. This is about your father in law and not about you (said gently). If it’s all amicable I don’t see why you feel this way

CosyLemur · 18/09/2024 10:35

Mama1209 · 13/09/2024 12:09

My son goes to his dad’s family events with his dad and step mum that’s how it should be. Respectfully, I have my own family, I don’t need to show up at my exs family events it’s odd to me, but obviously they were close with her so I just keep these thoughts to myself. Do I wish she had been respectful like me and took a step back when they split up? Yes!

I go to my ex's family events, he comes to my family events. I have been helping his mum and dad while his mum going through chemo. In fact even my partner has been helping and going to events as well. I go to my partners family events and also to his ex's family events.

Why wouldn't we. It shows the kids that just because we don't love each other anymore we're still a partnership for them.

It also shows them that it's okay to have a relationship with mum or dad's new partner and their family and it's not betraying their parents!

Throwawaygh · 18/09/2024 10:49

She’s still part of the family through the child she had with your husband. When my MIL died, I spent the wake with my partner’s ex and gave her a hug after the funeral as she was upset. She’s also at family days like Christmas because my stepkids (her children) are part of the family. We aren’t friends or anything, but I want the kids to see us treating each other well and getting along because I’d hate for them to think their mum was outcast because of a relationship failure. What happened between her and my partner is nothing to do with me, just like what happens between my partner and me doesn’t affect her. It can be hard at times, but they were together and had a life that included extended family and pretending it didn’t exist doesn’t make the past go away.

Scandie · 18/09/2024 11:04

Very much her wishes and her choice and nothing to do with you.
YOUR funeral would be different - you can ask for exes not to attend that one.
You're being rather selfish and entitled.

YerArseInParsley · 18/09/2024 11:10

Mama1209 · 13/09/2024 10:54

I’ve been with my husband for 11years, we have a child together. He split from his ex 15yrs ago who he also had a child with. All is very amicable. Sadly my FIL has just passed away. MIL is having a separate funeral car for her grandchildren and their mums (her sons ex’s) fine, I get the children who are teenagers may want their mums with them. Now she tells me, along with me her DIL being mentioned in the eulogy, my husbands ex will also be mentioned/ thanked and my BILs ex. AIBU to find this embarrassing and upsetting? It’s bad enough she’s there for every family event and occasion and I put up with this for the sake of my stepchild and to keep things civil and tell myself she was part of their family, it’s nice to stay in touch etc. I’m just going to be publicly mortified in the church when this is read out and people will be wondering who she is and why she’s being mentioned. Very interested to see what people have to say about this, but please be kind I’m going through a hard time as it is!

"It’s bad enough she’s there for every family event and occasion and I put up with this for the sake of my stepchild"

You really don't like her, do you? Maybe a bit jealous?

You say you are all amicable, isn't that a better way of life than resenting her?

Creamteasandbumblebees · 18/09/2024 11:40

You can't rewrite history. She was/is a part of his life, why wouldn't she be mentioned?
It sounds to me like your MIL is doing a great job of making all of the family feel accepted and welcome.

AnnieSnap · 18/09/2024 11:53

The funeral isn’t about you. Think about others.

Gillywoo1978 · 18/09/2024 12:49

It isn't about you.

JohnSt1 · 18/09/2024 13:00

She's not the ex-mother of their grandchild.

Flextime · 18/09/2024 13:13

You feelings are pretty valid about her being at family events. I think her being at the funeral is fair though .But you won’t get any sympathies here . Ex wives influence lingers on for a very long time. Forever actually. No one seems to move on. I don’t agree that ex wives or husbands have to continue to be part of the wider family , sure if they mutually want to be then absolutely fine . Doesn’t always happen , apart from on mumsnet where first wives must be worshipped/ appeased at all times .

FckTheSchGateHuns · 18/09/2024 13:34

"I'll be mortified"
...yeah surprisingly the day isn't about you.
YABU

Welshmonster · 18/09/2024 16:37

Are you getting a mention? Is the ex still close with the in laws as sometimes people stay in touch after break ups
its a bit weird to be honest.

JaneEyreLaughing · 18/09/2024 17:10

@Mama1209

Have you spoken to your husband? What does he think?

Swissvisa · 18/09/2024 17:15

How lovely for the children that their mum continues to be included in the family this way. It sounds very healthy and excellent for role modelling. I also imagine it helps prevent jealousy amongst the children, and feelings of being left out.

If I was in the church I would think it was wonderful that all the adults could be so mature about the situation. It’s sad you’ve taken it personally.

beanii · 18/09/2024 18:01

YABU.

They were as much a part of his life as you were.

beanii · 18/09/2024 18:03

JohnSt1 · 18/09/2024 13:00

She's not the ex-mother of their grandchild.

Exactly!

YellowphantGrey · 18/09/2024 19:12

Flextime · 18/09/2024 13:13

You feelings are pretty valid about her being at family events. I think her being at the funeral is fair though .But you won’t get any sympathies here . Ex wives influence lingers on for a very long time. Forever actually. No one seems to move on. I don’t agree that ex wives or husbands have to continue to be part of the wider family , sure if they mutually want to be then absolutely fine . Doesn’t always happen , apart from on mumsnet where first wives must be worshipped/ appeased at all times .

Edited

It's not about protecting the mother of the children the ex.

It's more the brass neck of someone joining a new family and trying to push someone out of the family that the in-laws want around. They have a relationship with the mother of their grandchildren.

Would it be better if she was pushed away, ignored and pretended she doesn't exist, just so the insecure new wife is happy?

Fabulousdahlink · 18/09/2024 19:18

I was married to my exh for 25years. After many years and several affairs he left me.
When his parents passed away, I felt I could not go to the funeral as my ex would be there with his new partner. I did not want to be the ghost from the past, with people looking at me and wondering why I'd showed up. It was a long way to go and would have been very awkward for me, so I stayed away.
I missed the funerals of two people I loved and knew for quarter of a century, just to 'keep the peace'. And to not make an awkward scene for my teenage children.
I sent letters to my ex and his brothers and sisters saying how much I cared about thwir departed parent, my in laws and shared some treasured memories I had of them, and put it in a condolence card.
Please think about her in this situation too. She could be me, missing grieving the loss of someone she cared about.

As others have said, it is not about you. This persons funeral is all about them and their relationships in life - of which she was a part. Be gracious and be kindly. There is room for you all at this celebration of their life.

I heartily wish I had been able to attend and I'm sorry I stayed away.

ForgottenPalace · 18/09/2024 20:12

Boomer55 · 13/09/2024 11:04

I mentioned my DH’s ex at his funeral, although they’d been divorced a long time. She was part of his life, and mother of his adult children.

I had no problem. 🤷‍♀️

Exactly.

Poppalina37 · 18/09/2024 20:24

She’s part of the family…. She’s the mother of his grandchild…. Regardless of what you think or like, the funeral is about him and not you… and clearly the family are fond of her…. A lot of families lose these bonds because of divorce through no fault of their own… they clearly worked hard and genuinely must have cared for each other if they continued to see each other. Your in laws sound like good people x

Merryoldgoat · 18/09/2024 20:26

I wish more families were like this tbh.

My cousin has managed similar and it’s made it much easier for their children. I am full of admiration for them.

YerArseInParsley · 18/09/2024 21:47

Exactly!

How many times do we read about the difficult ex of dh. If more ex's got on like this life would be less difficult

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