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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Ex h and new baby

75 replies

user194850 · 12/10/2018 19:12

Hi all. Don't really know where to start - I'll try the beginning but keep it short as possible!

Ex h and I split up back in 2016. He got with new partner mid 2017. We have a toddler DC together and we are still legally married - divorce is imminent.
He doesn't really talk about her much, will answer questions if asked etc etc I have no idea if she is at all involved in our ds life but I imagine she is.

This week I have found out they have recently had a baby together. No one told me (certainly not him) I found out on my own but I'm confused as to why he would keep it from me? We are no way near best mates or anything but I think we're amicable/friendly enough but it's my DS's half sibling? I understand I have no right to know, it's his life etc etc.

But atm he doesn't know yet that I know.... I have no idea if my DS has met the baby yet or anything like that - I just feel a little, I dunno, weird about the whole thing.

I feel like I'm still in shock to be perfectly honest. Should I be doing anything? Should I say anything? I'm very confused right now so Any ideas/advice greatly appreciated!

OP posts:
Mondaytired · 12/10/2018 21:07

It would impact on maintenance but hardly, maybe a deduction of £7 a week- tops: if he was to split with her her then more yes.

Maybe sent a very outing message? Ie I have heard you might have had another baby, really pleased for you if this right... bit sad that DC and I couldn’t congratulate you and partner X (if you know her name), looking forward to hearing more about him / her?”
It will be weird for you as this person you share a child with, were married too, has kept this huge secret. Your DC brother/ sister. Realistically in the future you will need to be at events all together which he needs to get and be understand!

user194850 · 12/10/2018 21:13

I suppose the thing is, the main problem, is that I'm not supposed to know!!!! If he tells me/if I do ever say anything then he'll want to know how I know/how I found out. Then it could get awkward..... I really don't know - we have an odd kind of relationship, I'm pretty happy to be friendly etc but sometimes he goes weird, or he'll do/say something that really pisses me off and it's hard to be nice to him!

Tbh I don't even know if I'd want to give him a card/present I'm not sure we're those kind of separated parents

OP posts:
user194850 · 12/10/2018 22:29

Ill have to see what happens/if anything is said tomorrow! I'll update you all!

OP posts:
Dontjudge · 12/10/2018 22:45

I've had 2 kids and 3 mc since my divorce. I have always told exh immediately despite an awkward relationship.
He had a right to know as we share 3dcs and it was part of their lives.

Darkstar4855 · 12/10/2018 22:52

I agree it’s wrong that he didn’t tell you - it affects your child both personally in that he has a new sibling to deal with and financially in that your ex now has two children to provide for and may not be able to give you as much maintenance for your son. So therefore I think you had a right to know.

I also think it’s a bit weird that he waited so long to start the divorce proceedings despite having a baby on the way with his new partner.

Is he worried you might be judgemental/difficult about the fact that he’s having another child so early in the new relationship? I can’t think of any other reason why he wouldn’t have just told you!

Jimdandy · 12/10/2018 22:54

It is a bit odd and very odd you haven’t heard through the grapevine, but ultimately it is none of business.

MrsStrowman · 12/10/2018 22:58

Maybe the baby is hers but not his, now that would be a can of worms...

GreenLantern53 · 12/10/2018 23:03

Meh, I wouldn t tell my ex if I had a new baby/

puzzledlady · 12/10/2018 23:09

Strange indeed (of him) I dont know, maybe he just didnt know how to tell you. Maybe his new partner didnt want him to to tell you because you are not really a part of his life anymore (romantically). Maybe he still has feeling for you and doesn't know how to tell you. Maybe he thinks telling you will hurt you. It could be a whole host of reasons OP. Are you still in love with him - do you think thats what it might bother you a little? Maybe you thought your happily ever after was with him, and now hes had a child with someone else and you realise what you thought you had is finally no more? Either way - take it easy OP. :) Flowers

POPholditdown · 12/10/2018 23:22

If the baby’s only just born, maybe he’s planning to tell you when he sees you. She could have had a difficult pregnancy and requested herself to keep it quiet, or the baby was at risk so they wanted to wait until it had arrived?

I’m assuming it’s on social media, as you say photo related? Now that the baby is here, they might not be fussed about keeping it secret.

Bananasinpyjamas11 · 12/10/2018 23:27

That’s rubbish that he didn’t tell you. I think it’s important to pass on big events, or your child will feel very odd. I’d say something. Just get it out there.

Though, reading between the lines, he may be keeping gf quiet as he still harbours feelings for you and/or like a lot of men, have no idea how to deal with it and compartmentalise it. It doesn’t show him to be treating his gf very well either, he’s keeping her practically under wraps. She’s probably feeling insecure too.

Of course it’s weird for you. Even if you don’t love him anymore, you created a child, you are still married, those bonds take time to shift. Everyone feels strange, my ex couldn’t look at me pregnant! Don’t worry, it’ll pass and will be fine.

OhLookHeKickedTheBall · 12/10/2018 23:27

Its very odd.

Imagine you hadn't found out and DS was talking about his baby sibling. You're Hmm and telling him he doesn't have a baby sibling. Sounds to an outsider that you're trying to be an arse and also screws with DS' head.

MadeForThis · 12/10/2018 23:29

Your Ds is potentially going to feel jealous and displaced. If you aren't aware of the new sibling you won't be able to help him through this.

Dollymixture22 · 12/10/2018 23:36

It’s weird he didn’t tell you - are you not supposed to know that your child has a sibling?

He sounds like an immature knob. It’s an awkward conversation so he’s just not going to have it and wait until your child can talk and mentions his little brother!!

Are you up I touch with his family, or any mutual friends? It’s odd you havpdnt heard about this.

UniversalAunt · 12/10/2018 23:39

Maybe he has known her for longer than you might have thought. So having a baby, planned or not, does not seem so hasty if they have known each other for more than 18 months.

I think it would sensible for yr STBX to have mentioned new baby, let alone pregnancy, because of the changes coming for yr DC. Imagine if DC had announced new baby?

Also as mum of toddler DC you have reasonable expectation to know new partner of yr STBX, at least be introduced so you can be assured yr DC is in safe & secure environment when staying with STBX.

Graphista · 13/10/2018 02:32

Honestly op I suspect she's pushing for a wedding due to being a new mother, she was probably pushing throughout the pregnancy (understandable) but he's not keen. I suspect it's entirely possible he's told her its YOU delaying hence telling you "don't worry I'll sort it all". My ex pulled this shit.

If you want divorce sorted I'd recommend telling him to pull his finger out in a way/at a time that ensures that his new partner knows it's HIM delaying not you. That's what I did and within a few weeks things were finally shifting (I'd filed but he was stalling on signing/returning paperwork). It still does take time but you don't have to tell her that, and you never know it might go through quicker, my ex quibbled over EVERYTHING even bloody punctuation in the part where I stated reasons!

He did tell me ow was pregnant (bawled his eyes out on me to be honest - last thing I needed!) then to add insult to injury tried to make out she was less pregnant than she was.

Legally entitled or not, a decent adult tells their co-parent of things which have a major effect on their joint child. And a new sibling is a HUGE upheaval and toddlers are nowhere near mature enough to explain why and what they're feeling. You could've noticed odd behaviour in your DC and ended up wondering all sorts. He's a twat! And a selfish one at that!

I'd ask him if there's anything that as a co-parent he thinks he might need to inform you of? And if she says no I'd just come out and tell him I know. Don't need to tell him how (any number of ways you could've found out, sounds like you both live quite local to each other. Eg Certainly where I live all it would take would be a friend of mine who knew what he/she/they looked like seeing them in supermarket or post office with baby, news of a baby tends to spread fast anyway). Then say to him in a calm way that in future you expect the respect paid to you as his co-parent even though you're not together now, but you need to know about events that will have an effect on your child.

It doesn't matter that it was your decision to split, nobody goes into a marriage expecting to divorce, it's still a hurtful, tough thing to deal with. It's a type of bereavement and you've been in something of a limbo in the meantime. So don't give yourself a hard time that you're finding this difficult.

I can only speak for myself Re the "weird" feeling of ex having more DC. It was a reality hit thing, no turning back but also for me very hurtful that he went on to have more DC when I couldn't (medical issues). Personally for me it was a twisting the knife feeling, he was getting to do something with someone else that I couldn't do either with him or anyone else. It was me having to see him have the life with someone else that I wish we could have had. But everyone's situation is different. And yes the DC looking alike really doesn't help.

The feeling did dissipate though didn't go altogether. I've even taken his other DC for days out and babysat. Not for ages now though as he's other end of the country and no longer sees our dd.

I'm so sorry you're going through this its rotten!

SandyY2K · 13/10/2018 02:57

I actually wouldn't say anything to him about the baby. If he wants to keep his child secret...that's his issue.

No need for a card or gift either.

He'll tell you when he's ready. When he does...tell him you've known for a while and don't tell him his you found out.

moredoll · 13/10/2018 03:07

Agree. If/when he tells you just say "Yes, I've known for a while. I wondered why you didn't tell me because he's DS's brother."

If I were you I'd be seeing a lawyer asap. Don't worry wait for him to fill in forms or whatever. Just get on with it.

It's a bit weird. You need better communication from him if you're going to co-parent effectively.

user194850 · 13/10/2018 08:51

@Graphista I really connected with your post. That's how I feel exactly!!!

I dropped DS off this morning and not a word was said but his mum (Ex mil) was stood right behind him so maybe that's why I don't know.

I'll be picking him up later tonight so will see if anything is said. Still feel a little in shock this morning too. I'm sure I'll get over it eventually!!

OP posts:
Graphista · 13/10/2018 16:03

It's a horrible feeling. But it doesn't last.

I've had people in real life and on here try and tell me I'm odd for not feeling negatively toward exs DC especially the eldest who was conceived during our marriage.

But I love children and it's not the child's fault how they were conceived or by whom. Those DC are also my child's half siblings and I would never want dd to feel negatively about them.

It does get easier, but it takes time. And exs being twats about how they handle this stuff doesn't help.

Personally with ex mil in background I'd have taken that as a perfect opportunity to ask him. But then depends on the ex mil too!

I'm lucky mine is fab, she and exs dad are shocked and disappointed with his behaviour then and since and if she'd been there in your situation and it had been clear ex hadn't told me about new baby she'd have torn into him for being such a dick about it!

But I appreciate not all ex-mil's are the same.

I would say, while I understand not wanting to confront him over this it's much better to clear the air and know exactly where you stand. Not in an aggressive way, but assertively saying to him

"As our child's other parent, and frankly primary carer, I NEED to know of events which WILL affect him so I can appropriately support him in dealing with it. Your not telling me makes that impossible and could well have led to misunderstandings and even my being concerned about behaviour of his related to difficulties adjusting to a new sibling - which can happen even in families that are not separated. In future you need to let me know so that we can co-parent properly".

user194850 · 13/10/2018 17:21

Well it's Defo true. Came from him today. Turns out he was worried what I'd say

OP posts:
Dollymixture22 · 13/10/2018 17:24

How old is he baby? And how old is your little one? He must be old enough to at least know things have changed, and even mention a baby?

LokiBear · 13/10/2018 17:30

Its cowardly on his behalf. In your position, I'd rise above it and congratulate him.

Graphista · 13/10/2018 17:32

What an idiot! He's had at least 7/8 months to tell you before baby born, exactly what did he think you'd do/say?!

At least now you know, what did you say to him?

user194850 · 13/10/2018 18:27

My DS is 2. Baby is literally a few days old....

He said he thought I'd stop him seeing DS if I found out (completely not true and still not planning to dunno why I would??!)

Just don't get why it all had to be such a big secret when he genuinely had plenty of opportunity to tell me too with things we've been talking about over the past couple of months

OP posts:
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