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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:
2bazookas · 07/06/2023 13:37

Are you and DP living in a property she still part -owns? Is that why she feels entitled to let herself in when you're not?

If not, then I would insist that the locks are changed so she no longer has access to your home.

Boomshock · 07/06/2023 13:37

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 07/06/2023 13:28

“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.

Territorial grabbing 😂

OP is going to ruin her relationship with her stepkids with that kind of OTT attitude.

Spacecadet123 · 07/06/2023 13:37

sourcorn · 07/06/2023 13:19

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!

exactly, its already thoughts they battle with.

Honeychickpea · 07/06/2023 13:39

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.

All these firsts don't keep a marriage together, as we've seen all too often.

Spacecadet123 · 07/06/2023 13:43

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.

Its mad to me that you would hurt someone like that, you sound like you have been really hurt by it. But to put another woman down like that, its not right!

Like you keep mentioning " but it sure as hell bothers a lot of women." ... so why keep saying it? Its so wrong. Whats your insecure? could we rip you apart for that? I wouldn't dream of it...

Sunshine0x · 07/06/2023 13:45

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.

Nah its sneaky and underhanded. I wouldn't be with such a weak man who gave the ex a key to the home. Then to put up with it to get the ring on the finger and impregnated. In fact its desperate is a man such a prize someone would tolerate that for years? Just say what you think to begin with then dump if it's too enmeshed.

Sunshine0x · 07/06/2023 13:50

Boomshock · 07/06/2023 13:37

Territorial grabbing 😂

OP is going to ruin her relationship with her stepkids with that kind of OTT attitude.

Why would anyone need to territorial grab their own baby? I'm guessing the ex visited once per week if they halved pick ups so not long . Babies know their mothers scent and voice so they wouldn't think the ex was their mother.
It's so insecure I was happy if people held my DD , it gave my arms a break she still very much knew I was her mother.

Shallistayorshalligo · 07/06/2023 13:56

I guess, your poll will be around 50/50 in the end, OP😅
one half of the voters are going to be controlling exs, who would want to poke their noses in their ex martial homes and have a cup of tea with their ex husbands, another half will be the new wifes, who find this kind of intrusion very upsetting.

And of course, there will be a small percentage of people like myself, who are neither ex or new ones, but can totally understand and support your absolutely normal and logical point of view😁

Nordicrain · 07/06/2023 13:58

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 07/06/2023 13:13

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.

Telling me off for telling me I being sexist, then accusing me of lashing out because I feel silly? Pot, kettle, black.

And I don't feel silly at all, strange thing to suggest.

Yousee · 07/06/2023 13:59

Calling the OP "sneaky and underhanded" for not allowing a cheating wretch free access to her home 😂 what a laugh this thread has become!

CremeEgg1983 · 07/06/2023 14:23

Poor OP, these comments are awful.

I read it as she wasn't comfortable with it all along but didn't want to say anything because she didn't want to cause issues. But then it got to the point where it was really bothering her so she felt she had to say something.

It is possible to co-parent without inviting the ex in for a cup of tea and a chat. To be honest, I don't understand why anyone would even want to sit and talk to someone who cheated on them and ruined the family unit. People on here are saying OP ruined the co-parenting relationship but actually the ex wife put strains on that relationship before the OP even came on the scene.

It's OPs house too and she has every right to say what makes her uncomfortable. I wouldn't allow my husbands ex in our house either, I never have due to her personality and vindictiveness.

I doubt OP will come back on the thread now with the amount of hostility and abuse aimed at her.

Blossomtoes · 07/06/2023 14:24

Yousee · 07/06/2023 13:59

Calling the OP "sneaky and underhanded" for not allowing a cheating wretch free access to her home 😂 what a laugh this thread has become!

The “cheating wretch (?) whose ex husband - you know, the one she cheated - is happy to have in his home?

CremeEgg1983 · 07/06/2023 14:29

I might be overinvested because my situation is similar but I think this is a harsh and simplistic view.

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.

And the new partner 'crapping all over it' is code for a pair of fresh eyes looking at the situation and pointing out that it's unhealthy.

Controlling spouses make controlling exes and they REALLY hate losing that control as the person who left them and their controlling ways tries to break free and make a new life without them at the centre of it.

@Seddon ^ this with bells on and fringes round the edges 👏

ButterCrackers · 07/06/2023 14:55

Shallistayorshalligo · 07/06/2023 13:56

I guess, your poll will be around 50/50 in the end, OP😅
one half of the voters are going to be controlling exs, who would want to poke their noses in their ex martial homes and have a cup of tea with their ex husbands, another half will be the new wifes, who find this kind of intrusion very upsetting.

And of course, there will be a small percentage of people like myself, who are neither ex or new ones, but can totally understand and support your absolutely normal and logical point of view😁

Agree.

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 07/06/2023 14:58

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Lachimolala · 07/06/2023 15:06

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DJHelena · 07/06/2023 15:28

Reading this thread with interest. I’m a first wife and also a second & fall somewhere in the middle.

I am amicable with my ex. He is invited in if DS is faffing about getting his stuff together at pick up and we are all civil and polite and functioning but not close and certainly not in each others pockets. DS is very happy with our situation.

When I met current DH, he was surprised by how little contact I had with my ex because he was extremely close to his ex (SD’s mum) at that point. I mistakenly thought this was a great sign we would all get on, however she objected to me meeting their DD a year in, gave DH an ultimatum over Covid times to leave me if he wanted to maintain contact and basically has tried to control and sabotage our relationship at every stage. She continually threatens us with court action even now their DD is an adult because she can’t bear the fact that she no longer controls their relationship & wants the university money we pay to SD to go to her!

Basically they were close because DH had followed her rules so as not to cause upsets. We’ve had to work so hard to stop any impact from the fallout harming relations with SD.

In summary, I love that blended families can be amicable and friendly. However this is often only possible if sensible boundaries (and a little distance) have been in place from the start & these must be boundaries that work fairly for all involved. To try to implement these a while down the road unfortunately often ends in mayhem.

candlesflamesandbrooms · 07/06/2023 15:30

What the fuck have I just read....

Op has he DSc half the week. She knew she was getting into when getting dh and he had kids. That's fine.

But she hasn't signed up to have the ex wife drop by whenever she wants.

This is mad. Actually mad.

Sunshine0x · 07/06/2023 15:38

Yousee · 07/06/2023 13:59

Calling the OP "sneaky and underhanded" for not allowing a cheating wretch free access to her home 😂 what a laugh this thread has become!

He was happy to have her in the home. Yet op put up with it for 5 years then goes nuclear both the ex , op and dp are immature with the power plays and passiveness. Just keep it civil, say immediate family only have a key, occasional cup of tea with SC there makes things civil. This is adult jealousy and battle for dominance when there doesn't need to be. The op is in a committed relationship with the man and has had his DC she should be secure in that. Going nuclear and banning her completely from pickup makes things toxic and awful.

candlesflamesandbrooms · 07/06/2023 15:45

@Sunshine0x This is adult jealousy and battle for dominance when there doesn't need to be.

Your absolutely right - when normal people divorce they don't often have a key to the others house, and if one of the owners decides to withdraw that (for whatever reason) a reasonable person who isn't power playing doesn't kick off and accepts it with grace not ramp up weird behaviour and involves their children in a slanging match which mum hasn't done here ....

Oh wait 🙄

prettypoki · 07/06/2023 15:46

The default shouldn't be that she's allowed access - she should be aware it could be removed at any time. She needs to grow up.

Blossomtoes · 07/06/2023 15:55

They all need to grow up.

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 07/06/2023 16:17

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‘Mad woman’, ‘astonishing anger’…

If using hyperbole makes you feel better, have at it.

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 07/06/2023 16:18

candlesflamesandbrooms · 07/06/2023 15:30

What the fuck have I just read....

Op has he DSc half the week. She knew she was getting into when getting dh and he had kids. That's fine.

But she hasn't signed up to have the ex wife drop by whenever she wants.

This is mad. Actually mad.

It really is. But the First wives Club will tear you a new one and call you names for standing up for the long-gone OP.

CaloundraBlues · 07/06/2023 16:24

Are people choosing to ignore this bit from the OP, her DP agreed but was too cowardly to say anything there it was left to the OP

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'

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