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AIBU?

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AIBU to think my husband's ex needs to accept the divorce and move on ?

343 replies

OneGreatFawn · 25/09/2026 18:46

My husband and I have been together for 4 years and got married earlier this year. He turned 50 a couple of weeks ago and I’m 40.I was previously married. My ex and I were together for quite a few years and the marriage ended amicably enough, although ultimately it was because he decided he didn’t want children. He wanted us to stay together but I knew I would always resent him if I gave up on having children, so I made the decision to leave. I had always thought he might change his mind after a few more years, but eventually I realised I couldn’t keep waiting for that.

My current husband has three children with his ex wife. They had been divorced for a few years before I met him. I’ve met his children and thankfully we get on really well. His eldest has just started university and she actually asked if I would come with them when they dropped her off. I decided not to because I felt that was something special for her and her parents and I didn’t want to get in between them. Her mum was quite upset at this request but I was never going to go with them anyway. She has bee at university for a week or so and has texted me every single day, we get on quite well and she asks me for advice on things sometimes I tell her to maybe speak to her mum about it etc. I of course want to have a good relationship with my husband's children but their mother seems to see it as a bad thing not sure why but I have never been a mother so maybe I wil understand when I have my baby ?

His ex wife has never particularly liked me. I’ve never really known why as they had been divorced for a few years before my husband and I even met. I’ve always been polite and have never tried to interfere with their relationship as parents. The children seem to like me, which perhaps doesn't help, but I honestly don't know.

Anyway we found out I was pregnant in July. We kept it to ourselves for a while and have now told his children. They are all really excited about having a younger sibling which has been lovely. My husband told his ex wife before the children knew so that she wouldn't have to find out from them. Her reaction wasn't great. A few days later she sent him a message and the general gist was that she was fine with him remarrying but him having another child was "a punch in the face' I can understand that it must be difficult for her. She didn't want their marriage to end and my husband was the one who wanted the divorce. I can imagine that seeing him married to someone else and now having another baby could bring up feelings she thought she'd dealt with.But at the same time what is he supposed to do?Not move on ? They've been divorced for years, he's been with me for four years and we're now married and expecting a baby. He can't put his life on hold indefinitely because his ex wife is still upset about the divorce.
Part of me thinks she just needs to move on. Maybe meet someone else and build a life for herself. I don't really know what else can be done. My husband can't undo the divorce or not have our baby to make her feel better.I don't want any of this to spill over onto the children and I certainly don't want them feeling guilty for being excited about their new sibling.

AIBU to think that while her feelings are understandable, she needs to accept that my husband has moved on and is entitled to have another family? Or am I being completely insensitive here?

OP posts:
Venusunbroken · 25/09/2026 22:03

Op congrats on your pregnancy, and fostering a good relationship with your step kids, I think you’ve hit some ex wives here or some bitterness, you’ve done nothing wrong, good luck

Merseymum1980 · 25/09/2026 22:01

Bernadinetta · 25/09/2026 21:37

The OP said the ex-wife sent a text message (which I assume she has seen) saying it was “like a punch in the face”. And that was a few days after the initial conversation so not a shocked, in the moment response. She had had time to go away and reflect and for some godforsaken reason decide that was an appropriate reaction to send to her ex husband of many years. As I’ve said, I’m not saying she shouldn’t feel like it’s a punch in the face, she can feel like that and rant to her friends about it but what really can be achieved from sharing those feelings with her ex husband other than to cause bad feeling when they still need to communicate and co-parent together.

I suspect there is more to the text response as to why she felt that way
He could of told her hed never want more kids or anything

OneGreatFawn · 25/09/2026 21:56

Stressymadre · 25/09/2026 21:50

Just adding the perspective of an exW this happened to as I didnt take the news well either and my exH suggested I needed to get over him. But it was absolutely nothing to do with feelings for him, it was worry for my kids. It would change their lives forever and meant their dad had a new priority. They had been through enough upheaval already and I knew a new baby would change things. And you know what? It did. They became bottom of the priority list. They have missed out on family breaks away as they only took their shared child, they are dragged along to days our suitable for a toddler... imagine a 15 year old at the petting zoo and soft play! But they have gained a sibling that they love too. So OP, give her time. Let her process and please do not judge. Children suffer trauma through divorce and she is no doubt just worrying for them.

I definitely understand and I care about his children a lot I want the best for them and for them to maintain their relationship with their father without my child interfering. All I can do is try

OP posts:
SweatySpider321 · 25/09/2026 21:55

3luckystars · 25/09/2026 21:25

Yeah she does need to move on. She might be one of those women still going on about it in her 70s. I would just get on with your own life and be happy, good luck x

⬆️ l have a family member like this and it’s quite wearing. They divorced in 1986 or 1987. Move on

BriarTime · 25/09/2026 21:53

OneGreatFawn · 25/09/2026 21:35

Not necessarily happy for me just more so happy in general. She doesn't need to interact or even acknowledge our child and neither do his children I would want my child to have a relationship with their siblings but also understand if that is not possible. Its not a situation anyone would want and you can say I should have known better but the heart wants what it wants. I have known from the first time we met that he had children.

What makes you think I’m going to say you should have known better? To your credit, it sounds like you went into this whole situation with your eyes wide open, and you’ve said you understand it’s perfectly possible that he will do to you what he did to his first wife, that you have your own income etc. It sounds like you ‘know’ everything it’s possible to know in your situation. I’m just not sure it is going to serve you well to aim for universal happiness. Nor am I getting the sense that she’s likely to prevent your child and his other children from having a relationship, based on what you’ve said. Which is why it seems you’re more worried about her opinion than you ought to be. It hasn’t stopped the two of you from proceeding with your plans, clearly. The kids, even the youngest, are coming into the age where they can and will form their own opinions of you independent of their mother, and if what you’ve been saying is true it sounds like you’ve already ingratiated yourself with them. I guess I’m struggling to understand why you’re so worried about this one woman’s opinion that you felt compelled to seek advice. Was it advice you wanted, do you think, or reassurance/validation?

watchingthishtread · 25/09/2026 21:52

She's entitled to feel however she feels. Leave her be.

Stressymadre · 25/09/2026 21:50

Just adding the perspective of an exW this happened to as I didnt take the news well either and my exH suggested I needed to get over him. But it was absolutely nothing to do with feelings for him, it was worry for my kids. It would change their lives forever and meant their dad had a new priority. They had been through enough upheaval already and I knew a new baby would change things. And you know what? It did. They became bottom of the priority list. They have missed out on family breaks away as they only took their shared child, they are dragged along to days our suitable for a toddler... imagine a 15 year old at the petting zoo and soft play! But they have gained a sibling that they love too. So OP, give her time. Let her process and please do not judge. Children suffer trauma through divorce and she is no doubt just worrying for them.

Calliopespa · 25/09/2026 21:48

BriarTime · 25/09/2026 21:09

Everyone isn’t going to be happy, though, because they have priorities and worries and insecurities that are different from yours. Expecting everyone to be happy for you isn’t realistic. I’m sure you don’t intend it to come off as such, but in attempting to unite everyone around your happy news you’re kind of placing yourself in the centre of everyone else’s orbit, which is not where you are in reality. Why not focus on your pregnancy and your happy marriage, and try not to let the approval of your husband’s ex live rent free in your head quite so much?

There is much truth in this OP.

Autumnalbride · 25/09/2026 21:44

She does need to move on, but her not moving on isn't really anything to do with you. She's not involving you and you only knew what she said because you asked.
Until she is actually involving you or affecting your life in any way, just allow her to feel her feelings and don't make it your business.

Allisnotlost1 · 25/09/2026 21:44

OneGreatFawn · 25/09/2026 21:43

I am but also aware that anything can happen between now and the due date.

Yes of course, fingers crossed for you.

LadyWhistledownsSocietyPapers · 25/09/2026 21:43

Heronwatcher · 25/09/2026 21:16

Come on we have no idea what the conversation went like with the ex-wife. With the main character energy the OP has he might have been thoroughly quizzing the ex such that she had no choice. Personally I’d have told them in a text message and then given the news time to land/ her time to get used to the idea. Plus if the ex wanted to express her feelings why shouldn’t she? She’s not been banging on the door at midnight or causing trouble. And why is the new wife pumping her DH for all of this info, and why is the DH telling her?

You'd tell your children they were going to have a new sibling in a text message?! WTF.

OneGreatFawn · 25/09/2026 21:43

Allisnotlost1 · 25/09/2026 21:41

Oh sorry, I thought you were pregnant?

I am but also aware that anything can happen between now and the due date.

OP posts:
Allisnotlost1 · 25/09/2026 21:41

OneGreatFawn · 25/09/2026 21:41

I do not plan to have anymore children and he doesn't either we have talked about it after the miscarriage this is the final try and anything can happen between now and the due date. I have come to terms with the fact that I might not have the opportunity to be a mum.

Oh sorry, I thought you were pregnant?

OneGreatFawn · 25/09/2026 21:41

Allisnotlost1 · 25/09/2026 21:39

So perfectly possible for your DH to have another then.

Good, then be glad he tells you things!

I do not plan to have anymore children and he doesn't either we have talked about it after the miscarriage this is the final try and anything can happen between now and the due date. I have come to terms with the fact that I might not have the opportunity to be a mum.

OP posts:
OneGreatFawn · 25/09/2026 21:40

Allisnotlost1 · 25/09/2026 21:39

So perfectly possible for your DH to have another then.

Good, then be glad he tells you things!

I do not plan to have anymore children and he doesn't either we have talked about it after the miscarriage this is the final try and anything can happen between now and the due date. I have come to terms with the fact that I might not have the opportunity to be a mum.

OP posts:
Allisnotlost1 · 25/09/2026 21:39

OneGreatFawn · 25/09/2026 21:36

My view might be skewed because my father was 54 when I was born and 58 when my younger brother was born. I have grown up with older parents.

I wouldn't want him to keep secrets from me ?

So perfectly possible for your DH to have another then.

Good, then be glad he tells you things!

Greenmouldycheese · 25/09/2026 21:38

Neither of you are wrong. She cant help how she feels and I dont think its uncommon. Its heartache for her and a change for her children. All you can do is carry on and live your life.

Bernadinetta · 25/09/2026 21:37

Heronwatcher · 25/09/2026 21:16

Come on we have no idea what the conversation went like with the ex-wife. With the main character energy the OP has he might have been thoroughly quizzing the ex such that she had no choice. Personally I’d have told them in a text message and then given the news time to land/ her time to get used to the idea. Plus if the ex wanted to express her feelings why shouldn’t she? She’s not been banging on the door at midnight or causing trouble. And why is the new wife pumping her DH for all of this info, and why is the DH telling her?

The OP said the ex-wife sent a text message (which I assume she has seen) saying it was “like a punch in the face”. And that was a few days after the initial conversation so not a shocked, in the moment response. She had had time to go away and reflect and for some godforsaken reason decide that was an appropriate reaction to send to her ex husband of many years. As I’ve said, I’m not saying she shouldn’t feel like it’s a punch in the face, she can feel like that and rant to her friends about it but what really can be achieved from sharing those feelings with her ex husband other than to cause bad feeling when they still need to communicate and co-parent together.

Calliopespa · 25/09/2026 21:36

RockyFraggles · 25/09/2026 18:58

I don't really understand what your problem is. He told her, she has feelings about it, she told him those feelings. And that's it.

It seems you are making her reaction a bigger thing that it was. She may not be over it or have moved on but doesn't sound like she's doing anything wrong

I agree with this OP. It does seem as though you are quite keen to make rather a lot of this.

I suspect it is quite likely that she has "put her life on hold" in order to protect her dc from a blended family situation and complications, so naturally she may be disappointed that her ex has not done so too. I guess that if he is 50, this will have come as more of a shock, as she probably expected it was a less likely decision at that stage of life and was not expecting it.

OneGreatFawn · 25/09/2026 21:36

Allisnotlost1 · 25/09/2026 21:26

One child is a stretch to be fair, so not an unreasonable question.

Shes allowed to have feelings and express them, it’s nice that she feels she can tell him and good for you that she shares it with you. Would you prefer he kept secrets from you?

My view might be skewed because my father was 54 when I was born and 58 when my younger brother was born. I have grown up with older parents.

I wouldn't want him to keep secrets from me ?

OP posts:
OneGreatFawn · 25/09/2026 21:35

BriarTime · 25/09/2026 21:09

Everyone isn’t going to be happy, though, because they have priorities and worries and insecurities that are different from yours. Expecting everyone to be happy for you isn’t realistic. I’m sure you don’t intend it to come off as such, but in attempting to unite everyone around your happy news you’re kind of placing yourself in the centre of everyone else’s orbit, which is not where you are in reality. Why not focus on your pregnancy and your happy marriage, and try not to let the approval of your husband’s ex live rent free in your head quite so much?

Not necessarily happy for me just more so happy in general. She doesn't need to interact or even acknowledge our child and neither do his children I would want my child to have a relationship with their siblings but also understand if that is not possible. Its not a situation anyone would want and you can say I should have known better but the heart wants what it wants. I have known from the first time we met that he had children.

OP posts:
OneGreatFawn · 25/09/2026 21:29

Coconutter24 · 25/09/2026 21:25

Maybe he was being honest with his wife?

I asked him because I wanted to know, and I don't think there's anything wrong with that. Before he spoke to her in person, he told me he was going to have the conversation and when she subsequently sent him that message, he told me about that too.

He didn't say anything negative about her or speak badly about her at all. In fact, in the time I've known him he's never badmouthed her. She's the mother of his children and, despite their marriage ending, he still cares about her and wants them to have a good co parenting relationship.

OP posts:
Allisnotlost1 · 25/09/2026 21:26

OneGreatFawn · 25/09/2026 18:50

She also asked him if we plan to have more than one child....come on he is 50 another child would be a stretch

One child is a stretch to be fair, so not an unreasonable question.

Shes allowed to have feelings and express them, it’s nice that she feels she can tell him and good for you that she shares it with you. Would you prefer he kept secrets from you?

Coconutter24 · 25/09/2026 21:25

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Maybe he was being honest with his wife?

3luckystars · 25/09/2026 21:25

Yeah she does need to move on. She might be one of those women still going on about it in her 70s. I would just get on with your own life and be happy, good luck x