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AIBU?

To not want this woman to replace the kids she can't have with mine?

388 replies

HandsOFFplease · 10/12/2012 06:16

Get your Xmas Biscuit and Brew ready, long post to avoid drip feeding. Long time lurker, first time I'm posting.

Amicably split up with ExDP when DS was 4 and DD 6 months, was pleased that he moved on pretty quickly, but had issues with his new DP and the way she acted around my DCs straight away. Over the past 2 year she has become un-fucking-bearable and I'm at my wits end and clueless as to what to do about her. She was told at a young age she couldn't have children as she delights in telling everyone she knows repeatedly at every chance she gets and it's obviously been a major issue for her all her life, she started IVF privately less than three months after getting with my ExDP, and is constantly trying to undermine me and take over the care of my DC's.

  1. Two weeks after he began to date ExDP she had pictures of my DC on her facebook, one of which was of her bottle feeding my daughter (I didn't even know they'd met her at this point) with the tag, 'mummy time' others has tags like 'my handsome boy' I immediately texted ExDP and told him to get her to take them down. She set her facebook to private so I couldn't see if she had them up or not and then sent me text messages telling me she was just trying to bond with the children and that I was being unreasonable.

  2. I invited her and ExDP to DD's first birthday party, she spent the entire day monopolizing DD refusing to allow anyone else to hold her, insisted she was in every photograph with her and even tried to open her presents with her. When I put my foot down and refused, she told me it was unfair that I was excluding her and stormed out of the house crying.

  3. Convinced herself and ExDP that DS had a wheat allergy, no idea where this came from as he has never had any issues with allergies, started him on a wheat free diet at her house and tried to make me follow it, phoned up his school behind my back to tell them he had this allergy and she was worried that I wasn't taking it seriously enough.

  4. She took my DD for her first haircut w/o asking me and is constantly taking DS despite me repeatedly asking her not to cut his hair. She has kept DS off of school to take him to unnecessary Doctors/Dentist appointments w/o asking me, I only found out when I received absence letters from the school.

  5. Bitched, whined and moaned from day one that ExDP doesn't get enough time with the DC, despite the fact he suggested our current arrangements and has never said he's unhappy with them.

  6. Sent me nasty messages when I went back to work and chose to put DD in a nursery instead of allowing her to look after her during the day.

  7. When DS starred in the Christmas Nativity she demanded I force my DM to give up her ticket to her so she could come see him (there was a limited number of tickets per child), when I refused she accused me of trying to 'keep the children out of her life'. My DM had terminal cancer; she won't be able to see him perform again.

  8. Constantly feeds the DCs chocolate and sweets, knowing I'm trying to limit them, encourages DS to lie to me about this.
    .
  9. Tried to start potty training DD when I specifically asked her not to, as she wasn't ready for it.

  10. I'm still very close to ExDP's PIL they think she is a weirdo they invited me to a family BBQ, I left children with a close family friend for the night. She spent the entire night making comments about how she would never leave them alone and said I was selfish to put a night out before my DC.

  11. ExDP couldn't make it to Parent's Evening so she came instead; she repeatedly interrupted the teacher and ranted about how the school was not doing enough to support DS's learning. I have never had an issues with his schooling, I was absolutely mortified and had to apologize to DS's teacher.

  12. Threw a massive tantrum in front of the DC during handover and made them cry when I told her explicitly she would not be taking them out of school/nursery to go on honeymoon with her and ExDP for 2 weeks to Australia DS still hasn't forgiven me.

  13. MIL phoned me and told me she'd invited ExDP and his DP over for a meal, apparently she'd spent the night with ExDP discussing the likelihood of them getting custody of the DCs if they went to court!

  14. Is CONSTANTLY buying them expensive presents turning them into spoilt brats which they can only play with at her house. DS now tells me he wants to stay at his Dad's because it's much more fun than here.

  15. Found out I hadn't breastfed my DC and spent a family party telling all who would listen, had they been her DCs she would have done it because she's not selfish and cares about their health.

    This all came to a head tonight at handover when she revealed she's had the DC's names tattooed horribly on her chest. I admittedly lost my temper and told her she needed to stop trying to replace me and that my kids are my kids, to which she replied she was a far better mother than me and it was unfair that she couldn't have kids and I could.

    I honestly cannot deal with this headcase woman anymore. I've tried to raise this issue with ExDP and told him that I feel like she's trying to replace the children she can't have with our DC, but he completely supports her and thinks I am being unreasonable and that it's unfair of me to not let her have an equal say in how they are raised. I've warned him that if she doesn't back off I'm going to stop contact, I have no idea what she's saying to them when they are at his house. As I said, I'm not the only person who sees this, the majority of his family agree with me.

    AIBU?
OP posts:
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HandsOFFplease · 10/12/2012 10:49

Hey guys, quick update (excuse any mistakes I'm on my phone) my lovely boss let me sneak out for a fag break and call my ExSIL. Xmas Grin

Basically explained what was going on and she was shocked about the tattoo and is 100% in my corner. I knew she had fallen out with ExDPs DP (now known as fruitloop for ease) but I had no idea why, apparently fruitloop had been dropping hints to her for weeks that she didn't think I was looking after the DC properly and she'd noticed bruises and cuts on them when she'd picked them up! ExSIL flat out told her she was talking utter shit and fruitloop dropped her like a stone! ExSIL didn't tell me because she didn't want to upset me and she had no idea about all this other bullshit.

ExSIL has also heard gossip that apparently I'm not the only person who's DC she's tried to monopolize and she's possible done this to friend's DC and previous partners. So she seriously has a screw loose.

ExSIL said she is happy to come to see a solicitor with me, but she thinks ExMIL might take some persuasion as she might not want to alienate her DS. She's going to come around to night to sort out a battle plan over some Wine and we're going to try and track down these other people fruitloop has messed around with.

I'll keep you guys updated as much as I can!

OP posts:
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squeakytoy · 10/12/2012 10:52

That sounds like a good plan of action.

Perhaps your ex will listen to his own sister and see what damage this woman is doing to HIS children.

On the brighter side, if she has history for doing this with exes, you can only hope that she becomes your ex's ex sooner rather than later.

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SeasonallySnowyPeasant · 10/12/2012 10:53

She's been making up injuries and spreading stories that you've caused them? OP you seriously need to see a solicitor tomorrow if not today.

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IvantaOuiOui · 10/12/2012 10:56

Definitely keep a diary. Fruit loop may well make some kind of allegation against you if you try to limit her access to the kids. This is awful stuff. Don't suppose you could track down her ex partners with children and speak to them?

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FierySmaug · 10/12/2012 11:01

YANBU! Not one little bit!
This woman's behaviour is utterly outrageous, I am fuming on your behalf!
She has absolutely no right to try to mother your children in this fashion, she is NOT their mother.
I'm afraid I don't have anything useful to say other than you have my sympathy, yanbu to call her a head case, because she clearly is, and if I were in your position I would be doing everything within my power to stop contact, or at least seriously limit it. Don't let this mad, manipulative woman take your children from you.

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McPheastOfStephen · 10/12/2012 11:02

Making up injuries and health issues.....erm, isn't there a name for that? 'Something' by proxy Confused

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squeakytoy · 10/12/2012 11:03

munchausens

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goralka · 10/12/2012 11:03

she sounds like the type who would poison your coffee to get you off the scene or even injure your DC to manipulate the situation.
Get rid, fast.

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Misty9 · 10/12/2012 11:05

This is a terrifying thread. Not much to add as you've had great advice a.ready, but as a wheat intolerant person I know it's NOT medically advised to cut out any major food group from a child's diet without medical supervision. It can be damaging and cause more problems.

Also agree, if she's already mentioned cuts and bruises to your exsil that's a very worrying state of affairs and she may well make an allegation if she detects any curtailment of her contact with your dcs. I'd get your exsil to make a statement to a lawyer or similar ASAP. Unfortunately, ss would have to investigate any such allegation...

Good luck, and you sound like you've handled this in such a mature and respectful manner so far!

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dinkystinky · 10/12/2012 11:06

OP - lawyer up. Its great she cares for the DC - but sounds like she's becoming possessive/obsessive over them which is not healthy for anyone concerned.

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piprabbit · 10/12/2012 11:09

Um - do you know why she took your DCs to the doctor?
Was it to discuss something innocuous? Or do you think she is trying to build evidence that your DCs are being injured and/or neglected in some way?

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Whistlingwaves · 10/12/2012 11:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SmallIWantForXmasIsA6ft2Dwarf · 10/12/2012 11:13

I have literally gone cold and goosebumpy reading this thread. Please PM Kungfu and get the name of a good solicitor, don't let this woman cause any more damage than she already has.

Good luck and I'm glad to hear ExSIL is on side.

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goralka · 10/12/2012 11:19

and going back to piprabbits very good point I think you should see your GP and find out what is going on with her appointments for your DC.

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Flatbread · 10/12/2012 11:20

Poor you! I don't see how tracking down other people will help, though.

As everyone has said, definitely speak to a lawyer.

Also, is it possible for you to get a job a good distance away? Move the children with you, bring them down yourself every second weekend and stay closeby or make exP travel to you to see them. Just remove the children from her vicinity, so she cannot have access to them willy-nilly.

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Iheartpasties · 10/12/2012 11:25

good luck to you op

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blackeyedsusan · 10/12/2012 11:25

there was a case around here somewhere where social services stepped in as one parent was subjecting their child to unnecessary medical appointments. probably a lot more serious, but gathering eveuidence of what she is doing would be a bloody good idea at the mo.
you need to sdee the gp's and kick up more of a fuss.

if she is keeping the children off school unneccessarily you could inform the education welfare officer. stating that you are concernaed for your childdren's education. go and see the head teacher and discuss your concerns.

get legal advice though

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WeWilsonAMerryChristmas · 10/12/2012 11:25

This is going from bad to worse. The allegations thing is very serious indeed and I think it shows she's trying to build up a false 'picture' of you to support a custody bid. Please, please, please solicitors tomorrow. I would actually call SS too. Your children should not be with this woman. I think being proactive with SS will also be a positive thing in the long run. I would not be surprised if calling them was on her to-do list.

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Gooeyhead · 10/12/2012 11:31

carabos your thread brought a tear to my eye just trying to imagine the hell you must have gone through!! I'm a new mum (DD 6 months old) and I'm always anxious even when she goes out for a walk with her loving daddy who is my DH, its not that Hes going to take her but the thought of something happening makes me anxious. I cannot begin to imagine what you went through (I read your post holding my breath praying for a happy outcome) thank goodness you got your DS back

OP the tattoos also made me cry!!! Please please take as much advice on here as possible! See a solicitor, get your ExPILs advice and reassurance they will be there for you, keep a diary and don't give up MN will be here for you to hand hold if it gets rough but I'm sure you have the strength to fight this woman for your children if it comes to it!!! Smile

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FatimaLovesBread · 10/12/2012 11:32

Just to pick up on the IVF point, no respectable clinic would be happy carrying out IVF in a couple who had only been together 3 months! DH and I had been together for 7 and married for one, we had to answer questions about the length and stability of our relationship so that they can try ensure stability for any resulting child. Obviously they can't guarantee it. But I don't think the clinic I went to would allow it in such a new relationship

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WinkyWinkola · 10/12/2012 11:33

This is a really upsetting and scary scenario. I feel for you op. The woman is bonkers.

Keep calm and never let her see she's getting to you but contact a solicitor and tell your ex p that she is not to take certain decisions like doctor's etc without you.

It's creepy. Ironically if her IVF works, you can bet your arse she'll drop your dcs like hot potatoes.

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Flatbread · 10/12/2012 11:34

I would hesitate to get ss involved. The minute you talk about the bruising accusations, you are holding yourself and your parenting up for intense scrutiny. You should not be under trial here, and yet if you make 'real' the insinuations by bringing them out in the open, you are going to be on the defensive foot.

Just focus on the fact that only parents have rights, make the arrangement very formal through a good lawyer and get SIL perspective in recording to the lawyer.

Then move away, get a job elsewhere. Like another poster said, forget about playing nice, just remove yourself from the game. Then she can huff and puff all she wants, but will not be able to have such regular influence on your children.

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YourHandInMyHand · 10/12/2012 11:35

This is terrifying! I too was ready to come on and tell you to calm down, but she sounds quite unbalanced. The accusations of cuts and bruises are also very worrying.

How you can have her in your home and sat next to you at parents evening is beyond me. I'd have upped sticks by now and moved I think. Get as many people aware of this as you can. Ask docs and dentist WHY the appointments were made. Speak to education welfare officer and SS about her taking them out of school and her worrying behaviour. Take your ds to GPs and ask him about her claims he has a wheat allergy. Hmm If they don't already have passports I'd get some just so she doesn't start filling the forms in and decide to take them on "holiday".

Getting in touch with other people she has done this to may help as well.

There are boundaries when you are a step parent and she appears to have NONE. Shock

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WeWilsonAMerryChristmas · 10/12/2012 11:37

Flat I hear what you're saying but I bet you a pound to a penny the SM has called or is planning to call SS. That's what the bruising allegations are all about. The scrutiny is going to come - that's why I think it's better to be proactive. However, completely understand that's a big step to make.

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sue52 · 10/12/2012 11:40

I've just read this in horror. Taking your DCs to the Doctor and ringing the school behind your back shows she is working to her own ultimate agenda. So pleased you have very sensible exsil in your corner.

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