Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

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:
candlesflamesandbrooms · 07/06/2023 18:39

SerafinasGoose · 07/06/2023 18:22

Well. That rapidly went to shit, dinnit?

More holes upthread than in the A1.

Probably one of my favourite comments on this thread.

The problem is people come to the internet when situations have escalated to extremes and it's more than a let the ex wife have a cup of tea.

Ops been called all sorts on here based on the little information given. Complete character assignation (and that's fine ?) but when other posters point out mums not acted great, those same people who thought it was ok to rip op a new one start saying "well she supposedly cheated" and we don't know the whole story.

Like of course it's MN not a court room where we can call up witness.

Again constructive criticism is not the same as outright character demolition. Which btw we don't know ops character or mums or dads. But out of the three op has been torn apparat.

I know must people won't care but some of you should really be ashamed of what you have put and it shouldn't need MN to come down and delete things. I'm sure they are thinking they don't get paid enough for what they do.

CurlewKate · 07/06/2023 19:53

Come back after a day out to see that the OP allowed the status quo to be maintained for 4/5 years before she tried to impose her boundaries..

EasterBreak · 07/06/2023 20:00

Hate to say it but similar situation growing up here and my half siblings mum is part of my family now we are all grown up. She's my niece and nephews nan. See her often. My mum and her hated each other back in the day but they've learnt now they're extended family, and get on.

candlesflamesandbrooms · 07/06/2023 23:23

CurlewKate · 07/06/2023 19:53

Come back after a day out to see that the OP allowed the status quo to be maintained for 4/5 years before she tried to impose her boundaries..

It's like the tea explanation with sex and consent.

You can offer someone tea, you can offer them tea for years, you can make the tea and then one day go - ah no today I don't want to offer you tea and that's perfectly fine.

Same here. Ffs - consent for the ex wife to come into their home has been withdrawn.
Doesn't matter if it went on for decades.
Actions have consequences and frankly based on the ex wife's reaction and using her kids to spill venom, I think ops more than ok to say ok no thank you not anymore.

bakebeans · 07/06/2023 23:48

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.

She's being named called? Would you happily have someone in your house is calling you behind your back?
do kids have to be dumped at the door? Why does not allowing someone to invite themselves in being unreasonable?
this seems like a control situation here . Either that or jealousy. She wants to control her ex still but to be fair I think the boundaries should have been put in from
the start and the situation wouldn't have got to this stage

workemails · 08/06/2023 00:53

There's seeing my children and there's cuddling and kissing my children. Would you be happy with that for your children?

I wouldn't care. As long as the children liked her and didn't mind the cuddles/kisses then crack on. If she was calling herself mummy and demanding to have them overnight that's also different. I would embrace the fact my step children saw this woman loving their siblings and would hopefully follow suit. It takes a village and this woman will be in your children's lives (via their siblings) forever! In the future, if tensions with their mother resumes, there's a chance you wont be invited to step children's events yet your children and husband will be. You have made her feel not a part of this blended family and one day that could be you. Your children's children will be cousins so days out etc may not involve you. You may have to check if mums at your step childrens house before you go round as things wont be easy and there will be animosity. Yet your children will go round freely. I think you have just shot yourself in the foot to be honest and would be repairing the relationship. You could have done things differently by getting dad to pick up/drop the step children off "on his way" somewhere. Or you taking your DC to your families when she comes by etc. Avoidance rather than an outright banning.

Boomshock · 08/06/2023 03:04

bakebeans · 07/06/2023 23:48

She's being named called? Would you happily have someone in your house is calling you behind your back?
do kids have to be dumped at the door? Why does not allowing someone to invite themselves in being unreasonable?
this seems like a control situation here . Either that or jealousy. She wants to control her ex still but to be fair I think the boundaries should have been put in from
the start and the situation wouldn't have got to this stage

Would you want your kids around a woman who suddenly seemed to take a disliking to you and said you weren't allowed in the house or to the door and you weren't allowed near her children?

They are like the type of boundaries you bring in for someone who's a complete monster. No doubt the ex must think that the OP now hates her.
Personally I'd be very upset to think my kids were around a woman all the time who hated me.

Yousee · 08/06/2023 04:01

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

Why would OP want her children around the person described? Why can't the woman be trusted to accept new boundaries without causing a scene at the doorstep with an attitude like that, I wonder?

When my DSDs Mum is at the door it's all light and breezy and she sometimes even brings a little treat for DS, who aways rushes to see her. It's all very civilised and yet at no point has she ever behaved like the character OP has been dealing with. It's completely unnecessary to having a nice relationship for the kids.

RosettaTheGardenFairy · 08/06/2023 05:17

She broke up her marriage and family, upended her children into a 50/50 lifestyle, and now wants to call all the shots? No, there's consequences to putting your own selfish needs above those of your children; you lose the right to control them 50% of the time. That means she can drop them off at the kerb and leave you & your partner alone. I wouldn't be having her wandering around my house and cuddling my kids; next she'll be suggesting your kids call her 'Auntie'... bleurgh!

Dazedandbemused0 · 08/06/2023 06:26

I think YABU. It’s like their relationship was TOO amicable for you and you were jealous so you made rules to make sure you wouldn’t feel jealous, even though this isn’t in the best interests of anyone but yourself. Definitely not the children, your husband or his ex.

SemperIdem · 08/06/2023 07:14

CurlewKate · 07/06/2023 19:53

Come back after a day out to see that the OP allowed the status quo to be maintained for 4/5 years before she tried to impose her boundaries..

And?

Boundaries are allowed to change with time. It is not all about the over bearing ex wife.

bakebeans · 08/06/2023 11:28

Boomshock · 08/06/2023 03:04

Would you want your kids around a woman who suddenly seemed to take a disliking to you and said you weren't allowed in the house or to the door and you weren't allowed near her children?

They are like the type of boundaries you bring in for someone who's a complete monster. No doubt the ex must think that the OP now hates her.
Personally I'd be very upset to think my kids were around a woman all the time who hated me.

As I stated, boundaries should have been put in place from the start however I stand with what I said and would not want someone who is insulting me letting themselves into my house when they felt like it!

candlesflamesandbrooms · 08/06/2023 11:31

I don't know how hard it is for people to grasp.

Consent can be removed at any time by any reason.

Just because op a sm and mums a mum doesn't change this fact.

THIS THREAD IS BONKERS

CurlewKate · 08/06/2023 12:00

"THIS THREAD IS BONKERS"

Ain't that the truth!

Boomshock · 08/06/2023 14:01

bakebeans · 08/06/2023 11:28

As I stated, boundaries should have been put in place from the start however I stand with what I said and would not want someone who is insulting me letting themselves into my house when they felt like it!

Neither would I but likewise I can also see why the ex doesn't want the OP being around her kids either now.

candlesflamesandbrooms · 08/06/2023 15:06

@Boomshock can you explain why ? (Because I truly can't see it tbh and want to understand)

funinthesun19 · 08/06/2023 15:14

Boomshock · 08/06/2023 14:01

Neither would I but likewise I can also see why the ex doesn't want the OP being around her kids either now.

And that is just such petty behaviour, and not the same at all.

The mum will soon be moaning when OP isn’t including the dscs in stuff because OP is told she can’t see them. Will be her own fault.

Boomshock · 08/06/2023 15:39

candlesflamesandbrooms · 08/06/2023 15:06

@Boomshock can you explain why ? (Because I truly can't see it tbh and want to understand)

It would make me feel deeply, deeply uncomfortable to have a woman be such a big part of my kids lives if she treated me like I was some kind of monster.

Boomshock · 08/06/2023 15:43

funinthesun19 · 08/06/2023 15:14

And that is just such petty behaviour, and not the same at all.

The mum will soon be moaning when OP isn’t including the dscs in stuff because OP is told she can’t see them. Will be her own fault.

It's not petty in any way.

I could understand it being petty if the OP just didn't want regular cups of tea etc. and said let's cool that a bit.

But you're not allowed in the house, or to the house and you're not allowed anywhere near my kids??

The ex had a strong reaction to it because it is hurtful, offensive, a real fuck you and she was made out to be an awful person.

So her reaction is far from petty.

funinthesun19 · 08/06/2023 15:57

Boomshock · 08/06/2023 15:43

It's not petty in any way.

I could understand it being petty if the OP just didn't want regular cups of tea etc. and said let's cool that a bit.

But you're not allowed in the house, or to the house and you're not allowed anywhere near my kids??

The ex had a strong reaction to it because it is hurtful, offensive, a real fuck you and she was made out to be an awful person.

So her reaction is far from petty.

She may well be hurt, but using her children to try and do some pay back is petty. It will only be her children who suffer when they can’t be in their father’s home and they can’t have a stable life with him, so I really do think the mum should stop thinking of herself and put her kids first.

Boomshock · 08/06/2023 16:04

funinthesun19 · 08/06/2023 15:57

She may well be hurt, but using her children to try and do some pay back is petty. It will only be her children who suffer when they can’t be in their father’s home and they can’t have a stable life with him, so I really do think the mum should stop thinking of herself and put her kids first.

Unless OP posted it in an update I don't think the kids haven't been allowed in the fathers home?
It's just words, and the mother saying she doesn't want the OP around her kids from what I saw. It doesn't sound like she's stopped her.

The kids would have noticed something was up initially when the mother stopped being allowed in the house or near the siblings etc.

Perhaps they also are now picking up on the tension that has followed on from that, but it doesn't sound like the mother has actually done anything expect complain (to the father I assume).

Lachimolala · 08/06/2023 16:07

Boomshock · 08/06/2023 15:43

It's not petty in any way.

I could understand it being petty if the OP just didn't want regular cups of tea etc. and said let's cool that a bit.

But you're not allowed in the house, or to the house and you're not allowed anywhere near my kids??

The ex had a strong reaction to it because it is hurtful, offensive, a real fuck you and she was made out to be an awful person.

So her reaction is far from petty.

I would question the judgement and maturity of someone who took such an odd and cruel way of getting the point across.

I can completely understand (and agree) with the no entering unless invited and cooling off on the cups of tea etc. But to unilaterally ban her from even dropping off the kids and being banned from even clapping eyes on her kids siblings is quite the change. It’s what’s caused the strong negative reaction. Especially after it only seemed to change 4-5 years in after the birth of OP’s child, that would make me feel very worried about the treatment of my children in light of said new sibling.

Personally if my ex (and no I’m not a bitter first wife) I’m actually the second wife after the first wife and we detest him equally 😂 yet we do manage to co-parent very well. But if he allowed his girlfriend to ban me from dropping off my kids I would be asking him for an explanation and wondering why he’s allowing the co-parenting relationship to be destroyed.

You catch more flies with honey after all, I would have gone for a subtle cleverer approach to pull back from certain things, one that centred the existing children. Because these kids have gone from seeing mum and dad calm and present to seeing mum and dad very separate and angry with one another. For that I would be very angry and disappointed, I would’ve noted that not much will have changed for the new child in the family. Just dads children from another relationship, that’s very sad.

Dressydress · 08/06/2023 16:16

I haven't read all as its long now but I think it was a good co parenting relationship and you don't like it. I wish my parents and step parents got on even if it was pretend! Ours was rocky volatile and just horrendous

Bathintheshed · 08/06/2023 16:33

I would never be as over familiar as the ex and I agree boundaries were needed but I would imagine she has gone from feeling like they are pretty much friends to not allowed on the street, when behaviour has not changed quite unsettling. She may also be concerned about OPs mental health given the sudden huge change in behaviour and concerned she could turn on the DCs in the same way.

Bathintheshed · 08/06/2023 16:35

And obviously this must have been unsettling for the DCs, they may think something bad has happened that the adults are keeping from them.