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AIBU?

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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:
SpanThatWorld · 28/04/2025 10:43

I am well into my 50s now but I am still grateful for the fact that my parents remained amicable long after they divorced. I have no idea what any of their partners thought but I know it nattered to me that there was no animosity and my dad was always relaxed when he came to my house.

Seriously, grow up

WearyAuldWumman · 28/04/2025 10:42

It's difficult, but you have to accept it when there is a child in the equation.

My late husband's children were adults and had left home when the marriage broke up. (DH left when the ex admitted she'd spent the night with a colleague. He'd long suspected that something was up.)

The ex was rather manipulative and used contact with the kids as a form of control. I'll not sidetrack by going into it all.

Just be prepared to put firmer boundaries in place when the kids are older, OP. I did - but not as much as I should have. There's such a a thing as being too nice, but you're in a no win situation while the child is underage.

PrettyPuss · 28/04/2025 10:42

I hardly think that him doing the school run 1 day a week is 'like them playing house, like nothing ever happened and they never separated'. How can he do this if he doesn't drive to his sons home?

I think your partner sounds like a good father. At age 9, his child needs routine and he needs his dad around. I would view the fact that he does these things for his son as a big positive. I would be more concerned if he did not want to be involved in his sons life.

The fact that things are amicable with his exW and that his family also still visit her and the son is also a positive. Life is far too short for bad feeling and family fall-outs, especially when a 9 year old child could be affected.

ShortyShorts · 28/04/2025 10:42

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 expect they're wise enough to understand there are very much two sides to a story when a marriage breaks down?

Why would they not want to be in the same room as the mother of their grandchild?

Surely that would be putting the feelings of the most important person last?

TheCountofMountingCrispBags · 28/04/2025 10:39

He is with you. His marriage broke up 3 years ago. If he wanted to back, he would have done so by now.
He and his parents are just keeping the peace for the sake of the child.
Try to be mature about this.

Iwontlethtesungodownonme · 28/04/2025 10:37

I am assuming his mother visits to spend time with her grandchild?
How long have you been together?

Smallmercies · 28/04/2025 10:34

You have a choice - leave him, or accept that he has a lifelong bond with his ex via his child. You have no right to police where he sees the child. Plus you have to assume her side of the story re the marriage and breakup is very different from his 🤷‍♀️

Maybethisallthereis · 28/04/2025 10:33

I’d assume he’s doing it for his child.

He’s with you not her so trust him! One day a week to dress his child for school is quite sweet and it’s kind of him to go.