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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:
beachcitygirl · 07/06/2023 11:23

Hi @sourcorn me too.
I'm a first wife and a second wife.

But his first wife didn't want to be his wife, that's why she left him for someone else.

The only person insecure in this instance is the OP.

No secure woman gives a crap about being ex wife or wife.

sourcorn · 07/06/2023 11:24

Nordicrain · 07/06/2023 09:36

It's very unfriendly.

Who cares. She shouldn't be wanting to go in anyway? She must be really insecure and untrusting to be insisting on going in.

beachcitygirl · 07/06/2023 11:25

@Tiddlypomtiddlypom nope but nice try 🤣

I'm a first wife to an arse & a second wife to a man whose first wife is a doll.

I see how wonderful my DH ex has behaved & hats off to her.

CandlelightGlow · 07/06/2023 11:25

OP you have to remember that most of the people on here will be in the position of the ex partner, so advice will be biased toward saying the ex in your situation is doing nothing wrong.

I don't think she's doing anything terrible and if your partner has an amicable relationship then I think that's really positive for the boys, however as your DC's mother you don't have to let her interact with them.

I would say some perspective is perhaps needed though, presumably she is only dropping off the boys once per week and at a scheduled time, so perhaps you can simply be busy, out, bathing the baby etc during that time.

I do agree with you that she is comparing apples with pears though, she has no place in your family unit with your DH, so I don't know why she thinks it is comparable.

Sunshine0x · 07/06/2023 11:26

sourcorn · 07/06/2023 11:21

Ha! I don't want to be the first wife. I'm happy being his current wife.

The ex is happy being the ex or the marriage wouldn't have ended. Women initiate majority of divorces. I'm not an ex but that sounds ridiculous. By the time divorce and stuff has happened women don't want to shag their ex or get back with him they are relieved he's someone else's problem.

neverbeenskiing · 07/06/2023 11:26

I know I would find it really difficult to tolerate my partner's ex being a frequent presence in our lives and that of our DC. I'm not proud of that, but its the truth and I wouldn't choose to enter into a relationship with a man with DC or 'blend families' for this reason. I think if you're going to do that, all the adults involved need to make a commitment to get along and be civil for the sake of the DC. As pp have said, she doesn't need a key to your home and shouldn't be letting herself in when you're not there. That's intrusive and I can see why you needed to knock it on the head. The other stuff just seems like two adults trying to co-parent properly and keep things harmonious for the DC's sake. By making a fuss of your DC, might she not just be acknowledging the importance of their role as her DC's siblings? Maybe she just loves kids and is naturally affectionate with them?

Surely there is a balance to be struck between her waltzing in and out of your home as she pleases and being banned from your home altogether? That seems very extreme and the kids would surely pick up on it.

sourcorn · 07/06/2023 11:26

beachcitygirl · 07/06/2023 11:23

Hi @sourcorn me too.
I'm a first wife and a second wife.

But his first wife didn't want to be his wife, that's why she left him for someone else.

The only person insecure in this instance is the OP.

No secure woman gives a crap about being ex wife or wife.

I'd argue the ex wife is insecure here otherwise she wouldn't give a crap that she's not allowed in her ex husbands house and to see her children's sibling. Surely she has enough going on in her own life to not be bothered by this.

Fupoffyagrasshole · 07/06/2023 11:29

hmmm my husbands ex stays at our house sometimes and we have stayed over at hers (we live far from each other!)

she has babysat my child a few times too

Similar situation - left my husband for someone else when their child was only 1 year old - was difficult for many years - but everyone is over it now

her new partner and myself get on well - and she and my husband get on well now too!

I have no issues with her in my house and can't see the benefit of putting up boundries!

beachcitygirl · 07/06/2023 11:30

@sourcorn I suspect she's hurt by the volte face out of the blue.

She thought she was maintaining co-parenting. Let's be realistic her ex didn't give her reason to believe there was an issue then bolt from the blue.

Ps I would want anyone in my house either & OP right to stop that but she's taken a hammer to a nut & hurt people.
Mostly the kids & probably herself moving on.

There WILL be events with his older kids later in life that she will want to attend with her husband and probably won't now be included.

For example - one of their weddings? My DH ex insisted I was at top table as we get on well

Who here thinks the ex wife in this situation will shout for the OP inclusion in absolutely anything.

Shame.

BlossomOfOrange · 07/06/2023 11:31

OP if you do decide to talk with the woman, may be start with the goal of hearing what she has to say, and really understanding her perspective. Then go away and reflect. No decisions/agreements need to be made, instead a useful fact finding exercise. Important for you and would take the pressure off, a bit

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 07/06/2023 11:31

Often, and I've seen it over and over again just not in my own life, 'healthy co-parenting situation' is code for 'Parent 1 has absolutely everything their own way and Parent 2 goes along with it because they know WW3 will break out if they express a different opinion'. Usually it's a continuation of the dynamic they had in their relationship.

//

This is a good point especially as it was his ex wife who made her kids life implode when SHE had the affair

So actually I think the ex maybe needs to meet in the middle a bit more

SunshineAndFizz · 07/06/2023 11:31

The ones that really suffer here are your husband's DCs.

They've gone from seeing a healthy and mature relationship between their parents (and OP), setting an example of getting along, to a very negative scenario.

I'm sure there's more to the story, but from the info you've given, your response to the ex was OTT in my opinion. I can't really see what she did was that bad. She comes round for a cuppa and cuddles your baby.

Sunshine0x · 07/06/2023 11:31

sourcorn · 07/06/2023 11:26

I'd argue the ex wife is insecure here otherwise she wouldn't give a crap that she's not allowed in her ex husbands house and to see her children's sibling. Surely she has enough going on in her own life to not be bothered by this.

I personally wouldn't care about the offspring if my DH remarried remarried someone else. I'd be more worried about the impact on my DDs inheritance and stepmother taking all the cash. The ex is a better person than me, I'd never say it out loud but yeah I wouldn't want anything to do with it. I still love my DH dearly so perhaps that's the reason but no I wouldn't want to be lavishing attention on any half siblings of my DDs.
The ex is a good person to even give the half siblings the time of day.

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 07/06/2023 11:32

I would also not be happy her kissing my baby.

zingally · 07/06/2023 11:34

She's annoyed that you've put in boundaries.

Either she'll get over it in time, or she won't. Either way, carry on as normally as possible. Continue with the kids as you always have done, and leave any direct involvement with her to your partner. She's allowed to have feelings about the changes, as much as you are allowed to make them.

Either way, it'll be the kids who will ultimately decide/say who has acted well, and who hasn't. And they'll show that with actions and time spent as they become adults.

Sunshine0x · 07/06/2023 11:34

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 07/06/2023 11:32

I would also not be happy her kissing my baby.

Why are you a never married person with no past or a FTM? As long as baby has had jabs and isn't a newborn It's jealousy more affection never did a baby any harm, in fact it's positive for baby.

Olive19741205 · 07/06/2023 11:35

Tekkentime · 07/06/2023 11:01

I know! Who would actually tolerate this in real life?😂

Exactly. They're pretending they'd be ok with it just as an excuse to bash a step-mother. I've seen people on here complaining about their own mothers letting themselves into their house 😂and the advice was to take the key back.

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 07/06/2023 11:38

Married with one DD 15 actually. Family and friends littleies would shower her with kisses as a baby and that's all good. In the same way I would my baby nieces and nephews.

I just wouldn't have wanted others to kiss her. Hardly makes her starved of love.

Each to their own though, I get that

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 07/06/2023 11:39

Now I have to wrestle to get a cuddle Grin

Sunshine0x · 07/06/2023 11:42

Olive19741205 · 07/06/2023 11:35

Exactly. They're pretending they'd be ok with it just as an excuse to bash a step-mother. I've seen people on here complaining about their own mothers letting themselves into their house 😂and the advice was to take the key back.

Nah the problem is OP is a coward, instead of being assertive to begin with she pretended all was fine until she got her feet under the table. Now she's given birth she feels her position is more secure so she can start throwing her weight around .She should have said many years ago about how she really felt. It will feel like a shock to the SC suddenly their mum is banned from even pickups. It's pathetic.

dutysuite · 07/06/2023 11:43

You sound jealous and threatened by you partners ex.

Olive19741205 · 07/06/2023 11:47

Intriguedbythis · 07/06/2023 11:06

Also, as a step mother you do actually have real duties to your step children. You did them a great disservice by making their mother go from having a friendly cuppa and fuss of your kids ( their siblings !) to being banished outside…

I would imagine your partner must be pretty disappointed that you went from a healthy co parenting situation to this mess borne by insecurity / being bored of playing along as a willing step mum now you had your ‘real kids’.

I never understand this way of thinking. You're bashing a mother because she has her own kids? Literally. My step-kids are in no way "my kids". They have 2 parents who make all decisions for them. When they're here, I might cook for them but that's about the height of my 'responsibilities' for them.

I certainly would not allow another woman to come and go as she pleases into my home, I don't care who she is or whose mother she is. You're either a liar, pretending you'd be ok with this and taking this opportunity to bash step-mothers or you're a complete and utter wimp if you'd allow this.

Yousee · 07/06/2023 11:48

Sunshine0x · 07/06/2023 11:42

Nah the problem is OP is a coward, instead of being assertive to begin with she pretended all was fine until she got her feet under the table. Now she's given birth she feels her position is more secure so she can start throwing her weight around .She should have said many years ago about how she really felt. It will feel like a shock to the SC suddenly their mum is banned from even pickups. It's pathetic.

Or alternatively, maybe now she's his wife and also mother to his children (not just a current girlfriend or an ex wife) OP feels she deserves a bit more respect and say in what goes on in hers and her childrens home?

Olive19741205 · 07/06/2023 11:50

Sunshine0x · 07/06/2023 11:42

Nah the problem is OP is a coward, instead of being assertive to begin with she pretended all was fine until she got her feet under the table. Now she's given birth she feels her position is more secure so she can start throwing her weight around .She should have said many years ago about how she really felt. It will feel like a shock to the SC suddenly their mum is banned from even pickups. It's pathetic.

Oh is that right? So you'd give your DHs ex a key to your house would you? Let her come and go even when you're out. Liar😂

Lobelia123 · 07/06/2023 11:50

To be fair, I wouldn't like my husband's ex-wife walking into our shared home as if it were still hers. That is definitely a boundary that's being overstepped. Its one thing to welcome her in and offer her tea or a glass of wine, quite another to come home and find she's let herself in with the kids and made herself at home. How would she feel if the positions were reversed, and you started acting the same way? She really should have the sensitivity to know that that's a step too far. She should most definitely NOT be letting herself in without your invitation or knowledge and when you are not there, even if it's to collect something for the kids. Its not her house anymore. I get the point people are making about the good co-parenting relationship thats always existed and the fact that husband is no longer interested in her etc etc - all the more reason to set some boundaries....good fences make good neighbours.