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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not be ready for the OW to meet my kids despite her being pregnant with their step sibling

57 replies

Mmmbop23 · 02/10/2024 11:29

STBXH and I split, just found out the OW is pregnant. I've not long given birth myself and there will be months between the two babies. I have a 7 year old with autism. Am I being unreasonable that I don't want him to have to deal with a step mum and step sibling just yet within less than a year of his dad leaving and him having a new sibling already even though the new baby will be his half sibling.

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Toomanysquishmallows · 02/10/2024 13:48

@FasterMichelin , that is exactly what my ex did , dd1 considers my dp to be her Dad .

hoglets · 02/10/2024 13:42

Also, how does the OW propose to stepparent a baby and a child with autism alongside her own new born?

FasterMichelin · 02/10/2024 13:35

OuterSpaceCadet · 02/10/2024 12:58

What an utter selfish pricks they both are OP. What a shitty position they've put you and your kids in. I feel sorry for their baby, who is blameless in all this, having two such parents.

How does he propose to be a proper father to your shared baby, right now and also when the next baby is born? As he understandably cannot do extended periods of care due to feeding, presumably he's stepping in with frequent short support?

Is it OW's first baby? If so how does she plan to cope with that whilst supporting her partner's ongoing relationship with his other baby and child?

Or are they both hoping to pretend it's just the three of them?

My money would be on him soon abandoning his first family. He sounds like a piece of s*.

FasterMichelin · 02/10/2024 13:34

Eww, what a twat.

I'm also embarrassed for the woman. Having a baby with a man she probably barely knows. And if they were together longer, even more embarrassing having a baby with a man who was clearly still shagging his wife despite "not being loved" or whatever crap he told her.

You have definitely won in this OP, I promise. She has to now raise a child with someone she KNOWS is a cheat. At least you got to be ignorant to his ways through your relationship and have the chance of meeting someone honest in the future.

I would take a step back, breathe, and let your child lead the way. I would say it's probably best for them to maintain good contact and get to know the OW. You can hate him, understandably, but your child will always love him.

PassingStranger · 02/10/2024 13:27

Why do people keep having children?

hoglets · 02/10/2024 13:05

Mmmbop23 · 02/10/2024 11:59

Not very currently but would like to improve this. Fractured relationship with eldest currently.

i would keep him at arms length until things are more stable. What a mess he and OW created esp with you having a baby. Nobody needs such people in their lives! Let him get a place and sort out proper regular contact then.

OuterSpaceCadet · 02/10/2024 12:58

What an utter selfish pricks they both are OP. What a shitty position they've put you and your kids in. I feel sorry for their baby, who is blameless in all this, having two such parents.

How does he propose to be a proper father to your shared baby, right now and also when the next baby is born? As he understandably cannot do extended periods of care due to feeding, presumably he's stepping in with frequent short support?

Is it OW's first baby? If so how does she plan to cope with that whilst supporting her partner's ongoing relationship with his other baby and child?

Or are they both hoping to pretend it's just the three of them?

mumtotwo11 · 02/10/2024 12:57

I think your ex is a prize idiot. I'm so sorry you've been left in this situation. It's awful for you and your Dc

Does DC know dad has a new partner? I kinda think he should meet OW before she has a baby ... not because I'm taking your exs side but I think it would be easier to meet her and then get used to the idea of a new baby coming before it actually does.

SerafinasGoose · 02/10/2024 12:57

Mmmbop23 · 02/10/2024 12:04

Without going into detail as very outing my 7 year old is having emotional issues due to current scenario of dad leaving and I worry it's going to be too much for him. Dad and new partner currently don't have their own place to build a relationship with him prior to baby being born. Baby is too young to be away from me as breastfeeding on demand with no established pattern yet. It's all a big mess.

Edited

I'm sorry, OP. It all sounds very difficult, especially with autism thrown into the mix and the need for calm, routines and continuity this demands.

Hard though it may be to think of the OW objectively, this isn't about her but about your child's right to know both new siblings. Try to leave her out of the equation if at all possible, albeit if ex is as useless as he sounds, he's not unlikely to foist all the childcare onto her. But if it came to it, a court would only judge on the basis of what's in the child's best interests, and I believe most courts would deem a relationship with his father and both new siblings would tick that box.

It causes a whole heap of anguish for you to sort out and your ex is a shit for landing all this at your doorstep. A new baby is an exhausting enough prospect especially when you have an elder child with high needs. Life really isn't bloody fair. Flowers

5128gap · 02/10/2024 12:44

Personally I'd try to keep it as low key as you can. It's a colossal mess for sure, but luckily, your DC are too young to know that, and all they will know is what their 'normal' looks like iyswim? I think I'd be saying to 7 year old that daddy has a baby just like mummy does, and would he like to meet them? Then I'd be guided by his reaction. At 7 he will take much of his cue from you, so if you present this, the meeting and any ongoing relationship with his half sibling in a matter of fact, casual way, emphasise the security of his family unit with you and your baby, hopefully you can steer a calm course through the chaos your irresponsible ex has created. (And no, you shouldnt have to. But sometimes the bastards leave us no choice.)

error404notfound · 02/10/2024 12:39

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cuddlebear · 02/10/2024 12:35

He’s a POS, but no, you can’t stop his father from introducing DS to the OW.

I hope you make it through this stronger and happier on the other side. 💐

DoIWantTo · 02/10/2024 12:35

Everyone seems to forget that it doesn’t matter what you, he or the OW want. What’s best for the children is the only correct option and in this case not suddenly meeting the OW and a child born of an affair is what’s best. His father can come to see him, rebuild the relationship between him and his son and only once that’s been established should he be introduced to OW and sibling.

Toomanysquishmallows · 02/10/2024 12:34

I would be cautious about contact because my ex barely saw dd1 , but when he had his second child he dropped her completely, he has had no contact for 20 years despite threatening me with court once !

RareLemur · 02/10/2024 12:34

I join the chorus of what an absolute shit you STBX is. It's a shit situation and very upsetting you and your children. The only avenue available to you is to find the way that is best or least bad for your children.
How is communication between you and STBX? Are you in a space where you can have a discussion as to what steps going forward are best for DC? What degree of involvement will he have with your children? What will be arrangements be like after the baby is born?
My autistic DD (10) struggles with the unknown, she needs to know what to expect, how things will happen, what the plans are, ... so that she can prepare herself for it. So, for her, agreeing to a plan and sticking to it sooner rather than later would be best. But obviously you know your child best and the way they cope with things.

pinkfleece · 02/10/2024 12:33

Let's face it - he's going to be a crap dad to your kids, give them no stability and be off with his new family. Maybe best to not push him to see your kids and let them get used to the idea that he has gone now, rather than having years of repeated small disappointments?

Hyperbowl · 02/10/2024 12:32

Viviennemary · 02/10/2024 12:25

I would have nothing to do with any of them. And do my best to see my son was kept away from OW and her child.

I’m sorry to say it as I agree they’re all one big unfair mess on everyone involved but this approach could leave the OP open to being taken to and rinsed in court should STBX wish to go down that road.

Family court don’t care for how much emotional pain and disruption a parent causes their children in situations like this. The court system is a joke and believe that facilitating contact with both parents is in the best interest of the child even when a mother has been badly abused and raped by the other parent. It’s an utter disgrace but it can’t be changed and the OP would be classed as a bad parent who was manipulative and actively trying to cause parental alienation if she doesn’t try and offer and facilitate at least some form of contact with the father regardless of a child’s needs or level of neurodivergence.

Dinoswearunderpants · 02/10/2024 12:30

Just to clarify, your new baby is with your ex?

That's a lot for a 7 year old with autism to deal with. Rightly so you want to protect him. I would be led by him, ask how much contact he wants with his Dad.

WowSpeechless · 02/10/2024 12:27

Apart from your ex being a shit
my bigger concern is if your 7 year old does not feel included it might set up pattern for him feeling his dad has replaced him

Fluufer · 02/10/2024 12:26

Mmmbop23 · 02/10/2024 12:19

Yes that's what's killing me.

You just have to do what is best for your DS.
Personally, if it was my kid, I would tell him what is going on, but contact right back and be led by my DS.
The babies are almost irrelevant for now, babies don't know any different, they don't need to meet anyone. Those relationships can be built when everyone is ready.

Viviennemary · 02/10/2024 12:25

SemperIdem · 02/10/2024 12:19

So your ex left you pregnant for another woman who he then promptly got pregnant as well?

What a colossal tosser.

I would have nothing to do with any of them. And do my best to see my son was kept away from OW and her child.

Toomanysquishmallows · 02/10/2024 12:25

Hi my ex left when eldest was 3 months old and had another child within two years. I was so angry , so it is hard to just be told to suck it up . I sometimes feel on mn that women are expected to behave with a huge level of sainthood, while men behave appallingly .

LifesNotEnidBlyton · 02/10/2024 12:24

In your position OP all you can really do is attempt to reason with your ex. There probably isn't much hope he'll be amenable, given what a disgusting thing he has done to his wife and children, but you can only attempt it.

If he surprises you and is open to it start by working out a set contact schedule, so your DS knows exactly when he's seeing his dad. Suggest that he builds his own relationship with DS back up for a couple of months before introducing the partner.

Then she can begin joining for brief meetings, before your DS begins to spend his time with his dad with both of them. Hopefully he will get used to this set up, of going to his dads on set days and seeing his dad and the partner, before his new sibling arrives.

If your ex, as he sees likely to, ignores your request then all you can really do is support you DS. If it comes to it and your ex won't even agree to a set schedule you might be best to consider court. This obviously comes with the risk of him asking for more time with the children, but given you yourself have a newborn and he is busy creating a do over family he and his partner probably won't want the hassle of having your two children much of the time.

The reason court might be beneficial if because set days would then be pit on place. He can't just swap amd change as and when he chooses. He can decide not to show up or take the children on his days, but this would serve as good evidence of his lack of commitment if he ever went for more in future. Then if he did stick to it it would mean you know where you stand, and what your responsibilities are with regards to sharing holidays and making the children available to him.

He isn't putting his children first. Even his unborn baby is going to be born into this chaos and to a father who is moving about between women and not taking into consideration any of his children's needs. All you can do is minimise the damage the best you can. Thankfully your children have you to hopefully compensate for their fathers inadequacy.

Cornflakelover · 02/10/2024 12:24

Am I right
your ex left you while pregnant forbgid ow and now ow is pregnant

if so he’s a colossal shit head and I hope he has 1000 sleepless nights full of shit and sick

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 02/10/2024 12:24

Your ex is disgusting. This is awful for you.

As someone with a lot of ASD experience, I know you know your own child best, but in some ways autistic kids are more able to handle shit shows like this from their parent. They are less socialized to how things 'should' be and judge less.

Your main concern should be addressing what time your 7 year old and baby spends with dad and ensuring that this will not change just because a new baby has arrives - it's on them as a new couple to ensure that they can support a postpartum mum at the same time as providing proper care for the baby's older half siblings. They may need to organize family support or pay for a maternity nanny etc. it doesn't suddenly fall on you when their baby arrives as that's not fair on you but also would be disruptive to the existing children and make them feel rejected. Mediation or family therapy might be a good idea to plan for this.

Basically he should only commit to a level of access now that he is willing to continue when the new baby arrives, like any other couple that decides to have a baby when there are older siblings to consider too has to do.