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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 11:53

Ah just realised. She's not the wife. Just the girlfriend. Thus the insecurity. Understandable.

MinionsHooray · 07/06/2023 11:58

Nordicrain · 07/06/2023 09:36

It's very unfriendly.

So?

Intriguedbythis · 07/06/2023 11:59

@Olive19741205 wow chill out, I’m not a liar 😆.

I am not in a step family situation but i would also never have children with a man who had kids if I was not able to be friendly and Mature and respect his other kids/ their mother like a reasonable adult…

SweetiePi3 · 07/06/2023 11:59

I'm with you OP, it's your home and your boundaries. Perhaps discuss them one by one with her and explain how her actions affect you.

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 07/06/2023 12:00

And while she is still mum to their kids and certainly while kids are still young it makes sense to keep co-parenting smooth, the ex lost all her moral high ground and continued "access all areas at all time" privilege when she shagged someone who wasn't her husband. Although he does sound a bit of a doormat tbh

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 07/06/2023 12:02

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gogohmm · 07/06/2023 12:03

It sounds like the issues go both ways, you need to relax a bit too. Having her into your home occasionally really helps family cohesion in step situations, also why does it matter if she she's or cuddles your child, having extra adults to love them is a good thing. I'm getting vibes that you don't trust her not to be after your partner?

nats2010 · 07/06/2023 12:07

Hi OP. I have shared custody with my exH. Have been doing so for the past 6 years. We are amicable for the sake of the kids. I do not go into his (our marital home) and he does not come into mine. There is absolutely no need.
I have a new baby with partner of 4 years. My exH has seen her and opened my car door to peek in and say hello but that is as far as it goes.
I would not wish to go into his home as I feel it is no longer my place, nor would I invite him into mine. The kids are dropped on doorsteps. My kids have a bigger issue that that live out of their bags all of the time. As long as we remain amicable for them, that's all they need. I agree with PPs that you probably should have set some boundaries earlier, however you need to gauge how happy the kids are and work from there. Wishing you luck.

Sunshine0x · 07/06/2023 12:08

Olive19741205 · 07/06/2023 11:50

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😂

I'm not an ex my DH doesn't have exes but I would never would have continued the relationship with a man if his ex had a key to his house. OP was pretending to be fine with it when she wasn't and only felt confident to say anything when she felt she had more power and had secured her position. It's a bit sneaky and underhanded spend years pretending to be OK with it then hit the nuclear option of banning her. She should have laid the boundaries at the beginning.

Confusedmumannoyedson · 07/06/2023 12:10

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?

You haven't come across as hideous @Stickytofpud . You wand and need boundaries and she wants control and your partner/husband goes for the easy option with his ex.

She is not related to your child and has no say but for peace coming in for a cup of tea etc would be maybe worth tolerating. She shouldn't just take your child from you though.

I think she likes her own way, has messed up with her infidelity and maybe yearns for the life she once had and you now have. Pity her.

Sunshine0x · 07/06/2023 12:10

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I'm not an ex my dh has no exes I'm saying how I see it. This is what has happened. OP was uncomfortable with it from the beginning but lacked the assertiveness to say her feelings and only felt comfortable when she gained more power. That's it really.

Cantstandbullshitanymore · 07/06/2023 12:12

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.

Actually OPs husband is the coward who should have put reasonable boundaries in place. It’s difficult for OP to come in and immediately start putting boundaries in place as she will be seen as the evil one and this goes on until OP can’t rake it no more and has to insist.

As she said her husband agreed with the boundaries but was still worried about backlash. He’s the cause of all this and as another PP said this is a situation where one ex does what he or she wants the other goes along with it unwillingly die to fear or rocking the boat.

Its947 · 07/06/2023 12:12

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?

Yes. If it’s kindness, I would yes.

Sunshine0x · 07/06/2023 12:15

Cantstandbullshitanymore · 07/06/2023 12:12

Actually OPs husband is the coward who should have put reasonable boundaries in place. It’s difficult for OP to come in and immediately start putting boundaries in place as she will be seen as the evil one and this goes on until OP can’t rake it no more and has to insist.

As she said her husband agreed with the boundaries but was still worried about backlash. He’s the cause of all this and as another PP said this is a situation where one ex does what he or she wants the other goes along with it unwillingly die to fear or rocking the boat.

It's bloody weird having a key to your exes house. Why would anyone put up with that , I'd dump straightway as it would be too enmeshed but OP decided to pretend they were OK with it until they gained more power in the relationship. Now the kids are going to be confused it's just a messed up situation.

beachcitygirl · 07/06/2023 12:16

@Cantstandbullshitanymore not her husband. Her boyfriend

sourcorn · 07/06/2023 12:17

beachcitygirl · 07/06/2023 12:16

@Cantstandbullshitanymore not her husband. Her boyfriend

Doesn't really matter. Father of her child. He needs to step up here and tell his ex she's not welcome inside anymore and never should have been. It's weird.

Rosesarere · 07/06/2023 12:17

Not what you will be wanting to hear but I think you are in the wrong. Sounds like everyone was happy with the old arrangement apart from you? The new arrangement seems to make everyone unhappy. Maybe would of been easier for everyone for you to work through your jealousy regarding the old arrangement

Sunshine0x · 07/06/2023 12:17

beachcitygirl · 07/06/2023 12:16

@Cantstandbullshitanymore not her husband. Her boyfriend

Ah this is where the insecurity comes from as well, ftm her boyfriend has an ex wife and existing DC.

Sunshine0x · 07/06/2023 12:18

sourcorn · 07/06/2023 12:17

Doesn't really matter. Father of her child. He needs to step up here and tell his ex she's not welcome inside anymore and never should have been. It's weird.

What if the step children invite her in? It's a normal thing for them , ffs this could all have been avoided if people didn't pretend they were OK with things.

sourcorn · 07/06/2023 12:19

Rosesarere · 07/06/2023 12:17

Not what you will be wanting to hear but I think you are in the wrong. Sounds like everyone was happy with the old arrangement apart from you? The new arrangement seems to make everyone unhappy. Maybe would of been easier for everyone for you to work through your jealousy regarding the old arrangement

OP matters too

Nordicrain · 07/06/2023 12:19

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 07/06/2023 11:08

I’m not sure what you’re struggling with. The abuse came after the assertion of boundaries. I said that.

The boundary crossing behaviour by the bolshy ex, which was really, really weird, is what prompted them to assert boundaries.

What are you not understanding in what I’ve written there?

Also, do you think the abuse is justified by the assertion of normal boundaries by the OP and her partner?

Jeez, calm down.

Hoenstly I am not sure think there's been abuse (which is an overused term in my view). What I think has happened is that the ex is pretty pissed off that the OP has decided to come in and change what has worked for the family and in terms of coparenting for years, blaming the ex and accusing her of wanting her husband and baby (which frankly sounds paranoid) So the ex is angry and reacting in the way people do when they are angry and defensuve - a la fine, if I can't come near "your" family, well then you can stay away from mine.

OP has caused all this by going to extremes. If she had left her insecurities at the door and dealt with the whole thing maturely proper boundaries could have been set without a full on ban on the ex, rocking the coparenting relationship the ex and OP's DP had otherwise found worked for them.

sourcorn · 07/06/2023 12:20

Sunshine0x · 07/06/2023 12:18

What if the step children invite her in? It's a normal thing for them , ffs this could all have been avoided if people didn't pretend they were OK with things.

then they get told she's not allowed in any more yes it could have been prevented if dad had put the ground work in but he hasn't so now it needs undoing

Blossomtoes · 07/06/2023 12:21

gogohmm · 07/06/2023 12:03

It sounds like the issues go both ways, you need to relax a bit too. Having her into your home occasionally really helps family cohesion in step situations, also why does it matter if she she's or cuddles your child, having extra adults to love them is a good thing. I'm getting vibes that you don't trust her not to be after your partner?

This. Over 40 years of dealing with my ex’s wife and my bloke’s ex has taught me that cordiality makes the whole thing smoother and better for everyone concerned.

Sunshine0x · 07/06/2023 12:21

sourcorn · 07/06/2023 12:19

OP matters too

She does matter definitely but she needs to work on her assertiveness instead of pretending to be OK with things then hitting the nuclear button. It could have been avoided by both her and her DP by using their voices

SemperIdem · 07/06/2023 12:22

This thread does make interesting reading. So many different takes.

My ex and I get on well, we’ll very occasionally invite each other in to our respective houses/go out for a meal with our child, sometimes just us 3, sometimes with one/both of our respective partners. I’ve no idea how fussed he’d be over a baby I had with my partner, probably not very. Can’t imagine him giving cuddles and what not.

My partners ex has no interest in being amicable in the slightest. We have never met in person, I have no interest in meeting her now so much time has passed. The window for the type of set up I have with my exh has passed. I’d think she’d lost her whole mind if my partner and I had a baby and she suddenly wanted to be super friendly and fuss over it.

I think hitting the nuclear option here was perhaps ill advised and finding ways to phase out coming in to the house etc (and changing the locks!) would have probably worked better. But hindsight is 20/20 and it’s always easier to see what someone could have done differently when it’s not a situation you’re in personally.

It is fine for boundaries to change with time. She will adjust.

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