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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Emotional tone-deaf exH

16 replies

Giantsandcastle · 05/08/2025 21:01

I could really use some advice.

My exH and I split up 18 months ago. I moved out six months later, once I'd found a suitable place I could afford.
Amicable split. We just reached the end of the road. Although I was the one to instigate it, he didn't put up a fight.
Now, with hindsight, I think he had checked out long before me.

DC are young adults. Away at uni, often home at weekends and in the holidays. They stay in the family home but I see them every other day or so.
They've asjusted as well as can be expected.

I've been in a new relationship for nearly a year. We have been taking it slowly. It's long-distance. I waited to be sure before I told my kids and ex, and beczuse the kids needed time to adjust to the zlready huge upheaval. I told them about six weeks ago. I just wanted to be honest. There's no pressure for them to meet him.

Last Sunday, so not even 10 days ago, exH phoned to tell me he'd met someone and it was serious. They met on Elite three weeks previously and had met in person the day before. He's smitten, blown away by how compatible they are, according to the results of the questionaire they filled out. So, even though I was a bit taken aback by how quickly he'd told the kids, I told him I was happy for him and wished them well. (Apparently they hadn't even told each other their real names until they met for coffee!).

The next day I found out from my kids that the Saturday evening, having been out all day without telling them where, he phoned at 10.30pm to tell them he was coming home to get changed (more likely to pick up condoms and Viagra!) and that he was bringing a woman back with him, but then would be going back out. When my older son said fine, I'll go into my bedroom, exH said no need, you can meet her. They didn't as they both felt really uncomfortable with this, that their space had been invaded.

ExH spent this weekend just gone in his new GF's hometown. And has told the kids this is the plan going forward:all weekends spent with her.

They (kids and ex) are supposed to be visiting old friends of the family in the town we used to live in. I would have taken them (they were more my friends than his) but I'd already arranged to visit family.

Anyway, exH announced to the kids when he got home Sunday evening that he's hoping to bring his new girlfriend along, have lunch together on the Saturday "so that he can introduce her to everyone", then bugger off to an airbnb with her, and pick the kids up on Sunday on the way home.

They are understandably disgusted. They've told him how wildly inappropriate it is, to them but also to our family friends. It will be the first time they've seen them since we split, so already awkward. ExH is apparently stunned that this has not gone down well. Is telling the kids they're being difficult. They've said they'll call the whole thing off if he tries to force it on them.

So, my question is, do I call him and ask him to reconsider? Do I call my friend and give her a heads up?

My kids have said no to both. I want to respect them because they are technically adults and it's between them and their dad. But they're still my kids, and he is being so obtuse.

Edited for SPAG.

OP posts:
Giantsandcastle · 05/08/2025 21:03

Aaaargh! Sorry for all the typos. Hope it makes sense.

OP posts:
Eyesopenwideawake · 05/08/2025 21:05

They're adults, no need for you to be involved in such minute detail. Step back.

44PumpLane · 05/08/2025 21:06

Don't call the ex, he's an adult and free to make ridiculous choices on his own.

Call your friend to give the heads up.

Mehmeh22 · 05/08/2025 21:08

Don't get involved. You will only be blamed. Let him hang himself with his own noose

sciaticafanatica · 05/08/2025 21:09

You do neither
your children are old enough to say no and your ex can sort his own shit out

Giantsandcastle · 05/08/2025 21:13

Thanks.

I know you're right.

I het that he's in the whirlwind ofca new romance, but how can he not see that introducing his new woman to his kids for the first time, at our family friends' place, is so inappropriate?

OP posts:
Treacletartfart · 05/08/2025 21:16

he is rushing into things. My suggestion is say to keep things separate while the enjoy getting to know each other, and then everyone can meet etc when they are ready. If he is serious about her then there should be no problem with this. In any event, the kids come first, as they are adults, they are able to decide what they feel comfortable with it and this should be respected. Sorry I haven’t directly answered your questions, the rest should work it self out if the starting point is what’s best for the kids. Good luck xxx

ZenNudist · 05/08/2025 21:17

I think you need to ask yourself why you are so desperate to rain on his parade. You've been broken up a while. You ended it. Kids grown up. He deserves happiness presumably. He might not have got the memo thst these are more your friends.

Piknik · 05/08/2025 21:18

I should be surprised by his obtuse thinking around the new woman, but sadly, I’m not.

He’s being giddy and thoughtless whilst you have been measured - I can see why you are frustrated.

As others have said, not your circus, not your monkeys. Unless the DC specifically ask you to say something, step back and let him be the master of his own mess.

stayathomer · 05/08/2025 21:22

Another that says don’t but do warn the friend, tbh hopefully at some stage someone on her side will tell her to slow it down that they barely know each other a minute

Lemniscate8 · 05/08/2025 21:25

Just stay out of it, it isn't anything to do with you

Giantsandcastle · 05/08/2025 21:25

ZenNudist · 05/08/2025 21:17

I think you need to ask yourself why you are so desperate to rain on his parade. You've been broken up a while. You ended it. Kids grown up. He deserves happiness presumably. He might not have got the memo thst these are more your friends.

I don't want to rain on his parade, and I am happy he's met someone, truly. And from what he told me about her she sounds lovely.

I just wish he'd be a bit more sensitive to how the kids feel about it. It's so sudden. Surely he should give them time to get used to the idea first, then introduce her to them, let them start to build a relationship with her, and then introduce her to friends?

OP posts:
AnneLovesGilbert · 05/08/2025 21:27

The kids have said their piece, you don’t need to get involved. He and the new woman will last or not, the less you say the better.

Giantsandcastle · 05/08/2025 21:28

And believe it or not, I don't want him to look a fool in front of our friends. More importantly, I don't want him to fall out with the kids.

But you're right. I need to step back.

The kids can handle it.

OP posts:
lostmyearringsagain · 05/08/2025 21:31

This is your young adult children’s relationship with their father. Leave them to sort it out. They’re wise and have told him how they feel. You no longer have to protect them.

BigDeepBreaths · 05/08/2025 21:54

OP, kindly, its not your problem.

All you can do is continue to be there for your kids, as in, let them vent and find a way to support their decisions that doesnt involve actually getting involved.

What they will appreciate right now is at least one parent modelling emotional maturity. I fear that if you try and talk to your ex, this is at risk.

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