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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU Not wanting my partner to go to his ex's house?

183 replies

ThreeM · 28/04/2025 10:31

My partners ex is quite manipulative - they've been separated 3 years this summer (she took no responsibility for the failure of their marriage even though it didn't sound like she contributed much to it) but seems intent on punishing him for leaving forever more.

They have 1 child who is 9, who spends every other weekend and 2 nights a week with us. There's one day per week where she insists he drives a 50 mile round trip to go to her house, to get the child ready for school, and he just does it. She doesn't come in our house, so I don't think he should go in hers, what was their marital home. I think its confusing for the child - and if I'm honest, it makes me uncomfortable. Like them playing house, like nothing ever happened and they never separated.

There are also often phonecalls, which just sound like cosy little family chats. She NEVER lets the child speak to Dad unspervised, she's always there, taking over the conversation, trying to just chat to him and tell him about what she's been doing. He says he doesn't care, but he also never really stops her, albeit he sometimes guides the chat back to his child.

I don't know if I'm being the unreasonable person, but I think there should be much clearer boundaries. He seems to let her walk all over him, but always agrees with me if I bring it up.

She invited him over to visit last week, I'm not sure exactly why, but he didn't go - and instead his parents went. I also find this really strange. She was awful to him when they were married, his mother will openly admit that, but yet they go and sit and drink tea and have these visits. If someone had treated my son that way, there's no way I could be in the same room.

I just don't know where I fit in - the ex won't talk to me, because I'm obviously a road block to her ever getting back with her ex, so its just like they pretend I don't exist. I'm a jealous person by nature, and I don't know if its just jealously taking over, or if I am justified in my feelings.

OP posts:
arethereanyleftatall · 28/04/2025 12:10

ThreeM · 28/04/2025 12:03

I think he's scared of the backlash, or her kicking off again so is just avoiding it

This might be true, but I’ve got to be honest, it’s entirely plausible he’s spinning you a line. He’s making himself out to be an absolute hero isn’t he, and her the evil witch. And yet. He married her. And yet. He hasn’t applied for full custody.

Packcold · 28/04/2025 12:09

Smallmercies · 28/04/2025 12:08

I'm separated from my ex since 2020, but divorce is expensive. Not a red flag at all.

Divorce isn't expensive...

Smallmercies · 28/04/2025 12:08

JenniferAnistonForReals · 28/04/2025 12:07

I was also separated for three years before we decided to get divorced. It’s not a massive red flag in my opinion (but I guess I would say that! 😁)

I'm separated from my ex since 2020, but divorce is expensive. Not a red flag at all.

WinterBones · 28/04/2025 12:08

You're allowed to have feelings, don't be daft.. however you asked if you were being unreasonable to not want him to go into her house.

You decided to start a relationship with a man with a child, that means you're going to have to tolerate whatever relationship he feels he needs with his Ex that benefits his DC.

If you can't handle that, then don't date dads.

Smallmercies · 28/04/2025 12:07

ThreeM · 28/04/2025 12:06

Thanks for your kindly worded response, I appreciate it.

I guess I do have to decide whats right for me, and perhaps just leave them to get on with it. I do feel unhappy and hurt, but it seems like adults aren't allowed to have feelings - or maybe I am being completely unreasonable. I can't help feeling how I feel though.

ha, life feels very long at the moment!

Of course you're allowed to have feelings - no one has said you aren't. But you aren't allowed to police your partner's movements or relationship with his child. This is not the man for you.

JenniferAnistonForReals · 28/04/2025 12:07

I was also separated for three years before we decided to get divorced. It’s not a massive red flag in my opinion (but I guess I would say that! 😁)

ThreeM · 28/04/2025 12:07

Smallmercies · 28/04/2025 12:03

Double-posted for some reason!

Edited

maybe two crystal balls are better than one!

OP posts:
ThreeM · 28/04/2025 12:06

JenniferAnistonForReals · 28/04/2025 12:03

I think you need to let go of any concern over what his parents are doing and why. That’s completely up to them. And whether having his dad take him to school from his mum’s once a week is confusing for the child. He might love it.

All you can do is decide whether this relationship is a good fit for you. We can’t change other people, we can only decide our own boundaries, what we’ll accept. You’re the only one living this, and you sound unhappy and hurt. Maybe you are a bit jealous, that’s very human. Maybe you’re being completely unreasonable, I don’t know.

Life is complex and short. Things may stay this way for years. All you can decide is if it’s what you want.

Thanks for your kindly worded response, I appreciate it.

I guess I do have to decide whats right for me, and perhaps just leave them to get on with it. I do feel unhappy and hurt, but it seems like adults aren't allowed to have feelings - or maybe I am being completely unreasonable. I can't help feeling how I feel though.

ha, life feels very long at the moment!

OP posts:
WinterBones · 28/04/2025 12:04

on the divorce comment, it took us 7 years to actually divorce, a mix of cost and trying to build back our amicable relationship to the point the rocky thing of actual divorce didn't rock the boat.

Leaving it a while doesn't mean you need to run for the hills.

arethereanyleftatall · 28/04/2025 12:04

Separated 3 years and not divorced?!?

milkshakeman · 28/04/2025 12:04

It’s great that your boyfriend is stepping up to parent his child and give the lad a good life with both parents fully involved…

ThreeM · 28/04/2025 12:03

KrackerPolly · 28/04/2025 12:02

That’s probably why he’s playing nicely with her then? Why on earth is it taking so long?

I think he's scared of the backlash, or her kicking off again so is just avoiding it

OP posts:
JenniferAnistonForReals · 28/04/2025 12:03

I think you need to let go of any concern over what his parents are doing and why. That’s completely up to them. And whether having his dad take him to school from his mum’s once a week is confusing for the child. He might love it.

All you can do is decide whether this relationship is a good fit for you. We can’t change other people, we can only decide our own boundaries, what we’ll accept. You’re the only one living this, and you sound unhappy and hurt. Maybe you are a bit jealous, that’s very human. Maybe you’re being completely unreasonable, I don’t know.

Life is complex and short. Things may stay this way for years. All you can decide is if it’s what you want.

Smallmercies · 28/04/2025 12:03

Double-posted for some reason!

ThreeM · 28/04/2025 12:03

KrackerPolly · 28/04/2025 12:01

YANBU, it’s weird, and I’d feel like a spare part too.

But you can’t change it unfortunately. Your options are to accept it or call it quits.

Thank you for your reply - feel a little bit attacked at some of the other responses, nothing like the opinions of strangers that I shouldn't have asked for 😣

OP posts:
Hoydenish · 28/04/2025 12:02

ThreeM · 28/04/2025 12:00

Not yet, no

Ah. Be wary.

Smallmercies · 28/04/2025 12:02

I have looked in my crystal ball, and it shows very clearly that your relationship has no future.

KrackerPolly · 28/04/2025 12:02

ThreeM · 28/04/2025 12:00

Not yet, no

That’s probably why he’s playing nicely with her then? Why on earth is it taking so long?

KrackerPolly · 28/04/2025 12:01

YANBU, it’s weird, and I’d feel like a spare part too.

But you can’t change it unfortunately. Your options are to accept it or call it quits.

Smallmercies · 28/04/2025 12:01

ThreeM · 28/04/2025 12:00

Not yet, no

Read our collective lips: CUT YOUR LOSSES AND MOVE ON!

ThreeM · 28/04/2025 12:00

Hoydenish · 28/04/2025 11:55

Are they divorced yet?

Not yet, no

OP posts:
Packcold · 28/04/2025 12:00

I don't think you're ever likely to be happy in this relationship, or any relationship with someone who already has a child. Which is fine, if it's not for you, it's not, and it is undoubtedly difficult, but it means you need to move on.

WinterBones · 28/04/2025 11:59

You are being entirely unreasonable.

I have been separated from my ExH for 8 years, we always go into each others houses, sit and have a chat about life, have a coffee and a catch up.

He was VILE to me, abusive, the marriage was shit, but as separated parents we function and co-parent much better, and get on much better because the shit that caused our issues isn't a thing any more.. not being in each others company has been a blessing for our communication.

It's important when you have a child together that you make the effort with the other parent to get on after the break up, it makes it SO much better for EVERYONE concerned, yourselves and the children concerned.

I would never get back with him, hell will freeze over before i touch that man with a barge pole, but being amicable is making things work well for all of us, especially the children.

BlondiePortz · 28/04/2025 11:56

Smallmercies · 28/04/2025 10:59

This is all coming from a place of insecurity and jealousy on your part, so either address that or leave.

This sums it up, if you can't be mature for the child's sake then leave

cadburyegg · 28/04/2025 11:56

Also op you said “she insists him driving 50 miles”.

But the ex has stayed in the marital home, so it is your partner who moved 25 miles away. Whatever the reason, where he chooses to live is not the ex’s problem.