I have 17 year old, a 13 year old and an 8 year old.
I initiated a divorce with their dad 6 years ago, he wasn’t horrible or abusive but it was like having a 4th child.
Just as we were separating his brother met the woman he went on to marry. I have met this woman twice in passing and not at all for five years. My kids really like her and my eldest was her bridesmaid and will be the Godmother of the child she is expecting later in the year. They entertain about three times in 18 months and my kids love these occasions although apparently my former MiL is irritated by the fussiness of these occasions. They have something planned on Bank Holiday Monday.
My ex moved in with a new partner and her 9 year old at the beginning of the year and this has not gone down too well with the children full stop but he is now trying to stop them going on Monday because new partner and her child aren’t invited.
My two eldest have told him that they are going and youngest begging me not to stop her going.