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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Partner's ex wife upset over boundaries being introduced

512 replies

Stickytofpud · 07/06/2023 00:25

New here so please bear with me. I came to search confirmation that I am not completely mad for what I have done/seek unbiased opinion. Apologies for long post, I felt that context and reasonable detail was needed so that people can inform their view.

I have two young kids with my partner, and his two older kids from previous marriage stay with us for half a week. The marriage broke down due to partner's ex wife's infidelity; she went on to marry the man she cheated on my partner with, no further kids born in that relationship.
When I moved in with my partner, I sort of 'jumped onto the running train' of established routine of my partner's ex featuring heavily in his life through constant messaging, but also physical presence, dropping off the kids and inviting herself in and ordering my partner to make her a cup of tea, dropping in to get stuff while we were not in the house, that kind of stuff. The infidelity and divorce upset my partner, but he's a man who's able to forgive so over time their relationship has become reasonably amicable and allowing for the above, but definitely not romantic (from his side anyway). As a newcomer, I was putting up with all that, though knew that this level of intrusion and presence from his ex was definitely not normal. To maintain the peace I tolerated the situation. Me and her would get on ok, and I get on well with the kids; she said numerous times how lucky her kids are to have me in their lives.

Me and my partner then had our first child who she would see when dropping off or collecting the kids, she would take the child in her arms etc etc. Some time after we had our child, things started to change for me, particularly after some information reached me related to her current husband (relationship not going too well) and our child (her having a bit of an obsession with the child, like the child was hers).

I have then suggested to my partner that it was time to put some boundaries in place as there should be, and put a bit more distance between her and us. This was supported by my partner, though he wasn't overly keen to introduce all these changes as he did not want to 'rock the boat'. The boundaries mostly revolved around her presence in our place (no longer invited in, kids being dropped off/collected by their dad from her place). Nothing, I believe, that should be a problem for a former partner to respect and accept as their ex partner has moved on and started a family with someone else. The boundaries also include as little contact of my children with her as possible; she's of no relation to them, other than being a mother of their siblings.

It's been about a year now since the boundaries have been introduced and it didn't go down well with her, and it is actually getting worse. I have been name called by her, all of a sudden it's not kids are lucky to have me in their life but poor kids to have to endure me while staying with their dad.. the latest being that if I don't want her to be involved in my kids' lives then she doesn't want me to be involved in her kids' lives either.... completely ignoring the fact that she's comparing apples with pears; her kids are part of our household and my life for half a week each week, whereas my kids have nothing to do with her.

It's wearing, it's frustrating, it's upsetting and I don't know where it will end. It's also putting a strain onto my relationship with my partner as he is caught in the middle of it. It's all been fine for as long as it was on her terms. When the terms changed, I have been made the bad one, for asking nothing more than to be given space and peace for our family life.

For those who managed to read until the end, I would appreciate your views, AIBU?

OP posts:
Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 07/06/2023 09:21

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Snoopysimaginaryfriend · 07/06/2023 09:24

Well DH’s ex partner has only ever done one pick up in circa 12 years so we don’t have that problem!

Why can’t she make your DH tea in her house when he picks up/drops off if they want to model a good relationship? Or at least have it 50/50?

I understand why you don’t want her hugging and kissing your children. My DHs ex would call me names, abused us both, had a long list of things I wasn’t allowed to do with her child, told my DSD my DDs with DH weren’t her real siblings when I was pregnant etc. The we saw her at an event when my DD was eight weeks old and she she wanted to hold her. No fucking way!

And no. I was not the other woman and there was no overlap.

I know I will get abuse for this but Mumsnet is full of people that tell you to set boundaries, that no one has a right to kiss and hug your child regardless of their relationship, waltz into your house or generally be a CF unless of course you are the ‘second wife’ or the ‘second child’ and then you should just tolerate everything the ex wants because it’s ‘best for the kids’.

marapournumber4 · 07/06/2023 09:24

Soz OP but you sound bonkers - " she can't cuddle my baby".
The only real issue I can see was her coming in to your house when you weren't home. I wouldn't want anyone to do that. Just ask for your key back or as pp suggested change the locks and don't give her a new one ( or get a keypad lock and don't give her the code). If she desperately needs to get in one day you can give her the code - and then change it when necessary. Not super hard.
It sounds like she tried hard to be friendly for years and suddenly you have turned on her.
Also, remember kids grow up. Very fast. Are your children going to be happy with the decisions you are making now when they are a bit older? Worth thinking about.

SummerLovingDays · 07/06/2023 09:25

You are in the wrong. She sounds like she was making a real effort with your kids and you stopped that good relationship.

SleepingStandingUp · 07/06/2023 09:26

Stickytofpud · 07/06/2023 01:12

I am sorry that i have come across as hideous. There's seeing my children and there's cuddling and kissing my children. Would you be happy with that for your children?

Is she disease ridden? Perfectly acceptable to limit kisses to not newborns but that's anyone, and to if the child wants the thereafter but it's s a massive drip feed to declare she's forcing your child to be cuddled against their will

Daffodil18 · 07/06/2023 09:27

I totally understand where you are coming from however that set up was in place from the beginning so you should have either walked away or accepted it. I know you may feel uncomfortable with your children around her but she probably feels a connection as they are her childrens siblings. I know people who have such a good relationship with their exs like this where they come around and see their new children. I think you should maybe have some counselling to see if you can work around this. The best solution would be for you to speak to her on your own and tell her how it made you feel but you realise that this wasn’t the right way and your messed everything up. She will then have a lot more respect for you and going forward will hopefully be aware of how you feel and try not to overstep the mark but you definitely need to be friends with her as she’s going to cause you a lot of misery for the rest of your life if you don’t. As they say keep your friends close and your enemies even closer.

Feraldogmum · 07/06/2023 09:27

You are not being unreasonable,this woman has overstepped the mark and likely has designs on getting her ex back since her marriage isn’t going well, I’d suggest her being all over your kids ,is an act for your husband.
Your husband needs to grow a pair and have serious words with her.

Changechangechanging · 07/06/2023 09:29

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 07/06/2023 07:59

She is! She’s just not allowed to waltz in and make demands anymore.

well no, she's not allowed to drop her children off anymore. That's one of the 'boundaries' that has been put in.

I don't agree she should be coming in the house - probably ever - but the OP really shouldn't be stopping her and her exDH being able to effectively manage the movement of children between houses.

MinionsHooray · 07/06/2023 09:30

Block her and just ignore her.

I wouldn’t let my kids near dsd mum let alone give them a kiss. She’s no one to them.

MinionsHooray · 07/06/2023 09:31

She should be allowed to drop the kids off but she doesn’t need to go in your house either.

Why would she even want to?!

Nordicrain · 07/06/2023 09:32

continentallentil · 07/06/2023 00:39

I am sorry to say, because she does sound like a PITA, but I think you are being unreasonable.

You knew you were getting into a step family situation, and that means being tolerant and working with the X to step parent. You might not like her in your kitchen, but it’s not good for the kids to be just dumped on the doorstep as if they were parcels.

Not to say you can’t have boundaries eg she doesn’t stop for tea unless asked, and she leaves your baby alone (if that really bothers you), but I think you’ve gone too far.

I agree with this too.

For the kids involved an amicable and friendly relationship between their parents is hugely beneficial. I know lots of families where the exs stay friendly and coparent really well, my aunt even has christmas with her ex (includign new families on both sides) every year. Those types of situations always seem to wor out better for the kids and, I think, for the grown ups too.

It's fine to have some boundaries, but banning her from your house is extreme. I think you are doing damage to the coparenting relationship and to your step children by being so rigid. I also think that putting up with the mother of your SC is part and parcel of getting in to the type of relationship y ou entered into,.

beachcitygirl · 07/06/2023 09:34

Feraldogmum · 07/06/2023 09:27

You are not being unreasonable,this woman has overstepped the mark and likely has designs on getting her ex back since her marriage isn’t going well, I’d suggest her being all over your kids ,is an act for your husband.
Your husband needs to grow a pair and have serious words with her.

Do people really feel so insecure that they think everyone "wants"
Their ex back.

Ha ha ha ha

She didn't even want his golden cock when it was hers.
She preferred someone else's & married him!
She didn't love him then
She doesn't want him back now

A LOT of current wife's on here are clearly so so so insecure. Jesus wept.

MinionsHooray · 07/06/2023 09:34

Nordicrain · 07/06/2023 09:32

I agree with this too.

For the kids involved an amicable and friendly relationship between their parents is hugely beneficial. I know lots of families where the exs stay friendly and coparent really well, my aunt even has christmas with her ex (includign new families on both sides) every year. Those types of situations always seem to wor out better for the kids and, I think, for the grown ups too.

It's fine to have some boundaries, but banning her from your house is extreme. I think you are doing damage to the coparenting relationship and to your step children by being so rigid. I also think that putting up with the mother of your SC is part and parcel of getting in to the type of relationship y ou entered into,.

Banning someone from your house isn’t extreme. She has no reason to go inside. It’s not her home anymore.

rrrrrreatt · 07/06/2023 09:36

Setting boundaries is fine but banning her from the house entirely and minimal contact with your children (a cuddle at handover isn’t exactly high contact) seems excessive. You’ve caused the issue here by changing something that worked for everyone else because of rumours and your perception of what’s normal.

My parents both had families before they met and then had me late. I have lovely childhood memories of my dad’s first wife, she was always really kind to me and interested in how I was doing - she even used to come and visit (we lived 4+ hours away) and bring me colouring books! As an adult I found out my dad was pretty awful to her so she could easily have cut off that contact completely.

My dad passed when I was a young and the relationship I had with her made it easier to maintain a relationship with my older half brothers and made it less awkward when I attended family events on my own as a young adult. Their relationship is my blueprint of how you navigate blended families to protect children from adult problems.

Nordicrain · 07/06/2023 09:36

MinionsHooray · 07/06/2023 09:34

Banning someone from your house isn’t extreme. She has no reason to go inside. It’s not her home anymore.

It's very unfriendly.

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 07/06/2023 09:37

I know I will get abuse for this but Mumsnet is full of people that tell you to set boundaries, that no one has a right to kiss and hug your child regardless of their relationship, waltz into your house or generally be a CF unless of course you are the ‘second wife’ or the ‘second child’ and then you should just tolerate everything the ex wants because it’s ‘best for the kids’.

You’re absolutely right. Only certain posters won’t admit that to themselves because they’re having a good time venting at the OP as though she’s the new partner of their own exes. It’s making them feel better, I suspect.

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 07/06/2023 09:38

Nordicrain · 07/06/2023 09:36

It's very unfriendly.

Jesus wept, why not just go the whole hog and demand that the OP #bekind to the ex wife.

CurlewKate · 07/06/2023 09:39

"I wouldn’t let my kids near dsd mum let alone give them a kiss. She’s no one to them."

But the OP has let this happen for 5 years.....

CurlewKate · 07/06/2023 09:40

"Banning someone from your house isn’t extreme. She has no reason to go inside. It’s not her home anymore."
But she has been going inside for 5 years.

Nordicrain · 07/06/2023 09:41

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 07/06/2023 09:38

Jesus wept, why not just go the whole hog and demand that the OP #bekind to the ex wife.

What's wrong with adults being friendly and kind to each other? When they are related./ connected forever thorugh the SC? Why not make the best of that relationship, it will make it so much easier and more pleasant for everyone in the long run.

I find it so bizarre that adults can't figure out how to be mature and grown up about these things.

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 07/06/2023 09:42

CurlewKate · 07/06/2023 09:40

"Banning someone from your house isn’t extreme. She has no reason to go inside. It’s not her home anymore."
But she has been going inside for 5 years.

Why are you so against the OP finally putting in boundaries? Who cares when they get put in, they clearly needed to happen.

Why should the OP retain the weird status quo? The ex is an adult, she can cope. Or she should be able to. She’s clearly not very self aware.

ZeroFuchsGiven · 07/06/2023 09:43

When I had a nervous breakdown 17 years ago, not only did my step kids mum cuddle my kids, she took them into her home, fed, clothed and loved them till I was well again.

Glad I wasn't on MN back then asking for advice, As my kids would have ended up in care as obviously she was overstepping boundaries Grin

Lachimolala · 07/06/2023 09:43

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 07/06/2023 09:38

Jesus wept, why not just go the whole hog and demand that the OP #bekind to the ex wife.

You really hate first wives don’t you? Your anger is astonishing and a little unnerving to be honest.

Chill out a bit.

Robinni · 07/06/2023 09:45

Sorry to say OP as I know you feel you’ve had a hard time here.

But, from an outsiders point of view, it looks like you have ruined a really good thing you had going.

Previously you had your partner on good terms with his ex, a friendly relationship whereby she felt comfortable to come in for a cuppa and the children were able to witness a happy blended family.

That is what you are, collectively. You say she is nothing to your offspring. That isn’t true; she is the mother of their siblings.

It actually sounded nice that she was so supportive of your babies, hugging and kissing them - as a friend or relative would do. It sounds like she was really happy for you and was prepared to make your children feel as loved as you’ve obviously made hers feel.

I don’t know if you are overwhelmed with new motherhood or something else is going on. But you have let your insecurity destroy a very healthy environment for all the children involved.

I think you need to work on your relationship to feel more secure. And I think you owe the ex a whopping apology for being so rude and alienating her from the family - that she is part of.

Fair enough, don’t let her into the house as and when she feels like it, have keys incase an emergency with one of the kids or you’re away on hol and need the cat fed or whatever….. but everything else you described sounds healthy.

If you didn’t want an ex around then you shouldn’t have had children with a man with kids from a previous relationship.

BreviloquentBastard · 07/06/2023 09:47

Your mistake here OP was expecting an unbiased opinion from Mumsnet. Didn't you know stepmums are loathed here?