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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to be fuming when the ex's new wife comes to the house with the ex to collect my DS.

184 replies

bananasinpyjamas · 18/10/2011 18:19

My DS has just been collected by his dad for the night and SHE was in the car. Am fuming. Why does she have to come to my space and why does he have to think its OK for her to do that. OK we seperated a year ago by his decision and he then got engaged 10 weeks later and married 6 months after that. I know the sensible thing is to think time's moved on and I should move on too but we were together 13 years and he split with me the days after my son was diagnosed with cancer. If he'd waited to introduce her for a few months maybe it would have been easier to cope with. The good thing is it keeps reminding me what a relief it is to be out of that relationship and I'm doing everything I can to stay positive about DS's dad and new wife but inside I'm fuming and don't want it in my face. So am I being unreasonable??????

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FontOfAllEvil · 18/10/2011 22:08

Fastweb is spot on.

madmomma · 18/10/2011 22:08

YABU, but it's understandable. Ultimately, she's your child's stepmum, and it's in the child's best interest for you to be civil/friendly to her and put your feelings aside. I know it must be easier said than done though.

AnyPhantomFucker · 18/10/2011 22:12

yes, very naive to say "new wife was on scene very quickly"

does anyone really think he met this woman after leaving his existing wife in the lurch with a seriously ill child ?

really ?

fastweb · 18/10/2011 22:17

does anyone really think he met this woman after leaving his existing wife in the lurch with a seriously ill child?

I have done my "benefit of the doubt" muscle an injury trying to leave room for the teenyiest sliver of possibilities that the above could be the case.

Does that count?

bananasinpyjamas · 18/10/2011 22:18

Thank you fastweb. And one thing funnyhaha that I totally get now is how the other kids mum did feel about me. and one thing I can safely say is that at least I've learnt from it whereas my ex carries on making and then destroying families.

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bananasinpyjamas · 18/10/2011 22:21

I don't buy it. In fact I know they had communication months ago via the demon facebook and at first it was just an innocent old girlfriend revisited (yep!) I even suggested she come to visit cos we were a happy family. How stupid do I feel now!!!!!

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FontOfAllEvil · 18/10/2011 22:28

I don't think that anyone is saying that BIP isn't valid in being pissed off with her ex (who is the one who made the commitment to her - not the OW) but to be fuming at someone sat in a car is not only unreasonable, it's also very unhealthy. Not only for her self but also for her ds.

OP, you do have my sypathy though and I don't blame the woman in you for being fucked off, it's the mother in you that has to get on with it though.

And springydaf I can only assume that your earlier comment was sarcastically asking me what the basis of my opinion was. So for the record I am a: Mother, Step-Mother, Step-Daughter, Step-Aunt, Step-Grandaughter, Step-daughter in law and friend to many women who are split from their childrens fathers. I'm also a teacher who see's the daily effect of split families on the children I teach. Does that make it okay for me to have an opinion?

bananasinpyjamas · 18/10/2011 22:30

Everyone's allowed an opinion. I was just having a tough time. Must try harder!

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clam · 18/10/2011 22:36

And I'm not sure I buy that other tale further back of the old friends "discovering they had feelings for each other" four weeks after the marriage breakup either. Hmm

FontOfAllEvil · 18/10/2011 22:36

Sorry, BIP, that completely wasn't meant for you, Springydaf left a rather snippy message to me further up thread! I shouldn't have risen to it though.

I really do feel for your situation.

sheepgomeep · 18/10/2011 22:36

Its a very hard situation for you banana and I do know where you are coming from as I have been in a similar situation myself. My eldest kids dad cheated on me with a girl who was 16 and still at school. We split and they remained together and both put me through utter hell. He was a dick and she gave me malicious calls, tried to turn the kids against me etc. The pain was unbelievable and it made me ill. I did get over it and we all had an uneasy truce. She used to pick the kids up from mine (unwillingly) when ex was working. I hated her though cos she resented my two and she was an immature little bitch and made my son so miserable when he went there

I had the last laugh though. She walked out on their wedding earlier on this year and ex is now with someone else who has a little boy. I have yet to meet her but my kids adore her though as she is lovely and kind and makes lovely profteroles Grin

I have also been a stepmum but never split a relationship up though and I had a good relationship with my sd's their mum used to say early on that she used to sleep easy knowing I was there for her girls as exdp was a twat!

I do think op that your exs wife being in the car is something that you will have to get used to seeing as hard as it is. I would ignore her though and I think if she got out and tried to speak with you then that would be wrong. I did used to give ex girlfriend a cheery little wave and that used to well confuse her, it took her years to look me in the face.

bananasinpyjamas · 18/10/2011 22:38

No its fine. Its been surprising how many snippy messages there have been. Strikes a chord with a lot of people I think.

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youjusthaventearnedityetbaby · 18/10/2011 22:40

YANBU. I really feel for you. I am hoping this won't happen to me. I thought ex had brought his gf to pick up ds2 the other day... ds2 is 6 months old and ex left me for her when I was 36 weeks pg.
However, it wasn't her, it was a cardigan draped over the front seat... but from a distance... Grin think I need my eyes testing...
My blood was boiling!!! At a cardigan!
Those who are posting yabu... hmmm... I hope they never have to walk in your shoes...

bananasinpyjamas · 18/10/2011 22:42

Like it sheep. I do need to toughen up. You sound like you've been through it. Well done for gettin g out the other end. Your kids can't have been much younger than her.

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FontOfAllEvil · 18/10/2011 22:43

It does, especially on AIBU. Time will get you to a place where you are happy, (corny though that sounds) be sure that everyone will fuck up a few times before now and then though.

bananasinpyjamas · 18/10/2011 22:45

I can understand getting mad at a cardigan!!!! Stay strong!!

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sheepgomeep · 18/10/2011 22:57

it took me YEARS to get to a point where I just didnt care so much. I was totally indifferent to her but she used to be totally paranoid about me. My eldest is just 12 years younger than her and his sister 15 years younger. The ex was 10 years older than her.

I have no feelings at all towards the new girlfriend and couldnt give a crap if she tangoed down my path butt naked but thats only because she has not been emotionally involved in my life at all. My children think shes great even my problematic 12 year old, if she can get round him then she must have something about her!

you will get there banana. Its a bloody hard journey but one day you will wake up and think.. 'you know what I really don't give a shit'.

bananasinpyjamas · 18/10/2011 23:18

Thank you. I've read back all the messages on this post and its been very interesting. Got me through an evening and I think I'll be stronger tomorrow. Butt naked down the garden path eh!! I'm sure that would be a sight for sore eyes especially if no one was looking!!!!

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ReindeerBollocks · 18/10/2011 23:26

YANBU, in your situation I think you've been very understanding and the point of this thread was to rant and rage so your little boy goes to his fathers none the wiser. What an amazing mum that makes you, especially after the heartache you've been through. Your Ex is a shite though, of the highest order.

My Ex did this to me too, when our little boy was very ill and had been in hospital for months, the Ex's parents had words (told him to sort his head out or lose his inheritance) and he came back to me. More fool me, I never got over his betrayal happening at the worst point in my life and we were together for about four years after that incident. For a year you are doing tremendously well to not still be breaking into tears (I was after a year).

Having been in a similar situation you will still be massively hurt, and for two reasons. Even though your DS is now on the mend, it takes time to get over such an illness, it brings everything into perspective but also makes you realise how much our DCs mean and how fragile life is. Losing your relationship during such a time means you have to give your heart time to heal, 'just getting over it' would have meant you never cared for him properly in the first place. Loving someone, even someone who hurt you so badly, is not something to be ashamed of, be proud that you were committed and loyal.

Your Ex is the one who should be ashamed of his behaviour.

Be kind to yourself sweet, you and your DS are the only people who matter and if I can (eventually) do it, then so can you!

bananasinpyjamas · 18/10/2011 23:45

Thank you reindeer. It is a very strage thing having a child who is ill to the point of really ill. I hope you too stay strong. We mothers seem to be able to sacrifice a lot and I would never behave any differently if it happened again. Mumsnet is good. You can never reach this many people from your own door. Thanks.

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FrightNight · 18/10/2011 23:54

Well said reindeerbollocks

OP I don't care what anyone says, in my book it'd be a cold day in hell before I'd wish joy and happiness on your ex DH and his DW.

Rindercella · 19/10/2011 00:09

Bananas, I am so sorry you have had such a tough time of it. You sound incredibly kind and thoughtful.

My initial reaction to your post was that YWBU. I thought back to when sometimes DH would pick DSS up from his house and I was in the car. I thought 'big deal'. But then I thought back further and remembered all the times he dropped me off at a pub en-route so that none of us would be put in a difficult position - not me, not DH, not his ex and most definitely not DSS. It was only after I had met his ex - and I am talking several years after DH and I got together - was I ever waiting in the car at pick up/drop off time.

I think they have both been incredibly insensitive, but tbh this is probably one of their minor misdemeanours by the sound of it.

I hope you manage to regain contact with your own step children. It will be difficult I am sure, but it is also important for your son - and his relationship with his half-siblings. Perhaps reach out to them gently and arrange for them to meet up with your son and take things from there.

I wish you and your son lots of luck.

Oh and your ex sounds like an arse.

scottishmummy · 19/10/2011 00:11

It's raw and recent.you need a composure,in fairness the new wife was in a car not your face.but the significance is deep you had the turmoil of what that meant to you.no easy answer,remain cordial and calm

How is son CA?hellish to go through esp if facing a break up

Take care,focus and conserve energies on you and son.the emotional hoo ha of split you need to compartmentalise

Fifis25StottieCakes · 19/10/2011 00:25

OP YANBU and under the circumstance your exoh should have more consideration for your feelings.

Your best rid if he can do that whilst your sons so ill, Shes got herself a right catch there Smile.

I hope you meet a lovely hunk and can look forward to the day he answers the door when he comes to collect your DS.

bananasinpyjamas · 19/10/2011 00:35

Thank you!!

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