My DC don't know about my 1st marriage

[playthesweetclarinet]

So I have been married to my wonderful DH for 20 years and we have 2 DC aged 18 and 16. However, I was married before for around 5 years when I was in my 20's. My DC do not know this, AIBU to think I need to tell them? I don't want them to think I am hiding things from them.

It’s because marriage is different. For one it’s a matter of public record which (as many have said) will crop up on family paperwork for years to come. A one night stand I had in 2012 isn’t likely to be mentioned on any certificate (I hope)!

it’s the sort of thing that is mentioned in obituaries. And it’s a memory of an event which most family members will have attended or known about (again for me this wasn’t a feature of any one night stands I’m thankful to say). Plus it’s a big “emotional deal” because people stood up in public and committed to each other for life. There’s generally a big back story to this and some story of why it didn’t work out. It doesn’t have to be gone into in gruesome detail but kids will find out and they will wonder.

i would tell them, if you dont, and something happens you or they decide to do a family tree or something like that they will feel cheated and can never ask you any questions. I think things like that are easier to do when your kids are children because they accept everything you tell them.