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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:
Outdamnspot23 · 07/06/2023 12:22

I can see why you wanted to make changes but I think you've gone a bit too far in the opposite direction and somewhat thrown the baby out with the bathwater. The rules you've put in place seem appropriate for someone who is a risk to you or your children, not just a bit overkeen to spend time with you all. I think it's just a case of finding some middle ground, here's what I suggest:

Old way:

  • she sometimes drops off the kids
  • she lets herself in
  • she comes in for tea
  • she sweeps up your baby and cuddles them

Current way:

  • she's not allowed at the house for any reason
  • all pickups are at her house
  • she's not allowed to see or interact with your children

New medium way:

  • she can drop off the kids or you can pick them up from hers
  • she never comes into the house when you're not there (change the locks if necessary!)
  • she can pop in for a quick chat/cuppa if it's convenient (this could be a good forum for exchange of info re the kids as well as easing tension which will be good for the children now and in future), but equally you/your partner can say no it's not a good time
  • she can interact with your children in a friendly way but (if you'd rather she didn't) not kiss and cuddle them - this will likely change as they get older and have more say in how they interact with others

In other words treating her more like a friendly neighbour than either a) someone who lives in your house b) a hostile stranger.

Sunshine0x · 07/06/2023 12:23

sourcorn · 07/06/2023 12:20

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

But why should adult relationship insecurity have to affect the children? It could have been sorted out years ago the children probably think everything is cordial now they know it isn't. It causes friction when there didn't have to be any because of two adults being too afraid to be assertive.

sourcorn · 07/06/2023 12:25

Sunshine0x · 07/06/2023 12:23

But why should adult relationship insecurity have to affect the children? It could have been sorted out years ago the children probably think everything is cordial now they know it isn't. It causes friction when there didn't have to be any because of two adults being too afraid to be assertive.

Well yeah it could have but it wasn't. The kids are surely not stupid and will work it out so just tell them. Dads moved on now and it's only right the new family home is a bit more seperate from the ex

JanetheObscure · 07/06/2023 12:27

I'm a second wife and stepmum and think a middle way would have been preferable. OP - you find the ex overbearing and inappropriate, but by your own account she and your DP had had an amicable arrangement for some considerable time. The wholesale change to this arrangement was unilateral and it was bound to upset her.

You were well within your rights to ask her not to let herself in. But couldn't you have negotiated for occasional cups of tea and a little less communication? And not completely scuppered the relationship between your DC and their siblings' mother?

You haven't said much about your stepchildren, but the boundaries have created changes for them too. What do they think?

Sunshine0x · 07/06/2023 12:30

sourcorn · 07/06/2023 12:25

Well yeah it could have but it wasn't. The kids are surely not stupid and will work it out so just tell them. Dads moved on now and it's only right the new family home is a bit more seperate from the ex

Er what ? The whole situation is fucked both op and her boyfriend are cowards. Change the locks say yeah I think I only want immediate family having keys but you are welcome to come for a cuppa occasionally if convenient when SC are here. OP has only hit the nuclear option because she's scared the ex will want shag her dp because of rumours things have soured in the exes new marriage.

Nordicrain · 07/06/2023 12:33

Sunshine0x · 07/06/2023 12:30

Er what ? The whole situation is fucked both op and her boyfriend are cowards. Change the locks say yeah I think I only want immediate family having keys but you are welcome to come for a cuppa occasionally if convenient when SC are here. OP has only hit the nuclear option because she's scared the ex will want shag her dp because of rumours things have soured in the exes new marriage.

Exactly.

It's all such extrememes. Putting up with the ex letting herself in for 5 years and hten suddenly she isn't even allowed to step foot on their road. This is to do with OP's insecurities. It could have been managed sensibly and maturely, there's plenty of compromise to be had as many people have outlined, and a good coparenting relationship could have been mantained for the benefit of the kids.

Hellno45 · 07/06/2023 12:34

Sorry YABU. You have put these boundaries in place and in my opinion they are a bit over the top. She's going to be on your lives forever so why not try and get on for the sake of the children? I don't see any reason why she shouldn't drop off at your house or pop in for a tea. She's being too nice to your kids. Would you prefer her being mean to them or cold? Coparenting doesn't need to be acrimonious.

forrestgreen · 07/06/2023 12:36

Did you move into the old family home?

Wenfy · 07/06/2023 12:42

You don’t come across as very mature. You’ve basically ruined your DP’s kids relationship with you for no reason other than your ego. If your DP can drop his kids to her house, why can’t she do the same at yours? I think it’s lovely that the Ex gave a shit about your baby and was considerate about her and wanted to give her cuddles: that is what normal people do to / for babies.

Not sure why you switched so suddenly but I think there’s nothing you can do now. You have permanently soured the pot for yourself and set the foundations for your DP keeping secrets from you. I bet he will end up taking your child to see his ex when he takes the other kids.

SemperIdem · 07/06/2023 12:43

Wenfy · 07/06/2023 12:42

You don’t come across as very mature. You’ve basically ruined your DP’s kids relationship with you for no reason other than your ego. If your DP can drop his kids to her house, why can’t she do the same at yours? I think it’s lovely that the Ex gave a shit about your baby and was considerate about her and wanted to give her cuddles: that is what normal people do to / for babies.

Not sure why you switched so suddenly but I think there’s nothing you can do now. You have permanently soured the pot for yourself and set the foundations for your DP keeping secrets from you. I bet he will end up taking your child to see his ex when he takes the other kids.

Now seriously - why on earth would he do that?

Bafflingpineapplecow · 07/06/2023 12:46

Good lord OP, should have posted in the step parenting board. Replies have been a bit batty tbh. No, mum doesn't need to be so overfamilar with your baby. I'd not allow it to happen and have no interest in my baby ever even meeting mum. My partner and I could split and she wouldn't see us for dust. Letting herself in whilst you're not there, what's that all about and who does that? My partner doesn't have a key to his exe's either because why would he. Cuppa at dropoff maybe. But only at invitation.

malificent7 · 07/06/2023 12:48

It's a very tricky one op.

I like dps ex wife a lot bit i still used to get jealous due to lack of boundaries.

Olive19741205 · 07/06/2023 12:53

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…

Ah I see, you're not a step-parent...but yet you think you know what you're talking about. You have zero experience in a situation like this so perhaps you should "chill out" with the 'advice'. Also, where does OP say she doesn't respect the DSC?

Heronwatcher · 07/06/2023 12:57

Yes YABU. It’s fine to have boundaries over your own DC, but not letting her collect her DCs and pop in for a cup of tea is going much too far. It sounds like she and your DP were doing well Co-parenting before this so I think you need to try as hard as you can to get back there- it will be much easier for you all. Put yourself in her shoes- if you and your DH separated and your DC was going to see him for access would you really want to be banned from the house? Wouldn’t you think that was a bit rude?

Also I don’t see what’s really that wrong with her hugging your DC if your DC doesn’t mind. She is the mother of your DC’s brothers and sisters. You might not like it but she is part of your DC’s family (to me in the same way as an aunt by marriage is etc).

Ihatepickingausername3 · 07/06/2023 13:00

I think there is a middle ground. It’s the fact that it’s such a sudden change which has created the animosity. Better to have been gradual and perhaps not quite as rigid.

malificent7 · 07/06/2023 13:05

My dp's ex had a strop when she wasn't invited to our wedding ceremony ( she's coming to the reception.)
She thought we were one happy family. Admittedly it is very tough to enforce boundaries when entering anew relationship with a co-parent. No-one wants to be the bad guy and everyone wants what is best for the kids. Having a key for your house is a step too far and it's normal to change boundaries when one has more power.

Spacecadet123 · 07/06/2023 13:09

beachcitygirl · 07/06/2023 11:14

Frankly I don't believe there's been abuse.

She left him. OP probably resents their close bond. So she tried to power play to destroy it.
She's only harming the kids.

It seems to me (and similarly in a lot of these types of posts) that the wife is insecure.

She'll never be the first.
First person he proposed to
First person he started a home and married life with
First person he went through the excitement of pregnancy and new baby with
First real partner in life.

It seems to really really bother them. A lot (not all) want to pretend the ex wife and kids don't exist.
Remember the mad woman on here who didn't want her dsc at her wedding (although their baby was going ) to the point she booked an overseas wedding (with fancy tiki torches) so she could avoid having his kids their & just be their "little family"

So they play weird little power games.

Secure women don't care about the ex.
Water off a ducks back.

As so many have said, the only real issue was key to the house & everyone has agreed that should have been stopped sharpish.

oh wow, you sound a lovely, lovely person... how vile!

"She'll never be the first.
First person he proposed to
First person he started a home and married life with
First person he went through the excitement of pregnancy and new baby with
First real partner in life"

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 07/06/2023 13:13

Nordicrain · 07/06/2023 12:19

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.

Telling a woman to ‘calm down’ is misogynistic. It harks back to calling women hysterical.

And what exactly in my post would suggest I’m not ‘calm’?

It’s probably more that you feel a bit silly and are lashing out.

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 07/06/2023 13:17

This reply has been deleted

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PussInBin20 · 07/06/2023 13:19

I don’t think you are unreasonable at all. It’s just that your DH had no boundaries in the first place (that he should have put in place from the beginning).

That’s what has made it tricky for you, as he (and you) have simply just gone along with her wishes, so of course she won’t like the change.

I think it’s perfectly normal to drop the kids at the door or from the car. Why would you or your DH want any kind of relationship with her?! I certainly wouldn’t.

sourcorn · 07/06/2023 13:19

Spacecadet123 · 07/06/2023 13:09

oh wow, you sound a lovely, lovely person... how vile!

"She'll never be the first.
First person he proposed to
First person he started a home and married life with
First person he went through the excitement of pregnancy and new baby with
First real partner in life"

It's also a bit stupid as no one who gets together with a divorced person is stupid enough to not realise any of that!

beachcitygirl · 07/06/2023 13:21

@Spacecadet123 simple statement of fact but it sure as hell bothers a lot of women.

Especially when like in this instanceC there is an ex wife, and she's the mother of his kids and not married.

And yes marriage matters for women. We all say it on here, all the time. So understandably it makes some v insecure.

Boomshock · 07/06/2023 13:24

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 07/06/2023 06:59

Women on here are constantly being laid into for having weak boundaries. A woman (who has stepchildren for half the week) puts in gentle and fully understandable boundaries (ex-wife is not to barge into their house, demand tea and become weirdly territorial about their new children 😳) and she’s torn to pieces by posters, who are likely triggered by their own broken down relationships.

Sort it out, Mumsnet.

Gentle boundaries? 😂
What would you consider 'harsh' boundaries if these are gentle?

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 07/06/2023 13:28

Boomshock · 07/06/2023 13:24

Gentle boundaries? 😂
What would you consider 'harsh' boundaries if these are gentle?

“Don’t fucking look at me, you mad twat, you kept letting yourself into my house when I wasn’t there,” would probably be a harsher boundary.

Asserting the parameters of appropriate behaviour towards accessing the OP’s private home and the territorial grabbing of the OP’s child is ‘gentle’ in the sense that they very much needed to happen.

SerafinasGoose · 07/06/2023 13:36

beachcitygirl · 07/06/2023 11:53

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

Meow! This one wins 'Saucer of Milk Award' of the thread. 🎖

OP is mother to her partner's subsequent child. She has a right to her boundaries in her home.

Marriage isn't a guarantee of anything.

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