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What do you tell kids about the split?

7 replies

itlod · 28/11/2021 19:15

Ok so should caveat this by saying I have absolutely no intentions of telling my daughter the truth but I'm really struggling at being painted out to be the bad one....

My ExH had an affair, started 2 weeks after DS was born, took me over a year to found out at which point he left. Now lives with the OW and although they are not married, she's basically a stepmum to DS.

I (obviously) really struggled initially but 5years later and I've moved on & feel completely over it, although don't have that high an opinion of exH or his DP.

I've never made any of this obvious to DS and he is oblivious. I'd like it to remain that way as after a couple of years of him not wanting to spend time with his dad, he's now quite settled and much happier.

My problem is that DS has been asking us both (separately) why we're not together anymore. I give a stock answer of "we didn't love each other anymore and are happier apart but both love you etc"
However, my DS has just been telling me that his dads version is that I was the one who was hard to live with, made his life so hard, always arguing with him etc

This all came out as earlier I was getting on to DS for his cheek and saying he wasn't playing his console until his room was tidy. His response was "no wonder my dad hated living with you, he said all you did was nag and argue and he's right"

DS has only turned 8 so was just reacting to being made to tidy his room.
However exH is very much a Disney dad so no wonder I come across as the strict and 'less fun' one.

Any advice on how to handle this? I don't have a relationship with exH that I can discuss it with him and don't want to enter a tit for tat and start slagging off DS' dad as it's not fair on DS.

Not actually sure there's much I can do without impacting DS but just wanted a rant!

OP posts:
TurnUpTurnip · 28/11/2021 20:29

It seems a bit odd to me he’s asking why are not together anymore if you’ve been broken up for so long? Probably as long as he can remember and he has another partner, I think I would ignore any further comments about why you’re not together anymore

CiaoForDiNiaoSaur · 28/11/2021 20:33

DC were 5 and 3 when we split. I told them that sometimes adults aren't friends anymore and that's what happened with me and their daddy.

Turtletaub · 28/11/2021 20:38

No advice, but think you're a great mum for not reacting and trashing his dad, and think it's shitty that that's what is being said. Just know you're the better person and trust that when they grow up they will see that and all you did for them. Daffodil

itlod · 28/11/2021 21:09

@TurnUpTurnip

It seems a bit odd to me he’s asking why are not together anymore if you’ve been broken up for so long? Probably as long as he can remember and he has another partner, I think I would ignore any further comments about why you’re not together anymore
I think because we've been broken up since he was so young he always just accepted it as normal. I think he's reached an age where he's questioning things more in general (not just this).

He's also started socialising much more out of school rather than just school and after school clubs where he's seeing more of his friends home environments . Pre lockdown he was at an age where most play dates were a group of boys and their mums meeting at the park & soft play. Post lockdown he's been having friends over and spending time in friends houses which means meeting their dads and seeing their mum & dad together

A few weeks ago he had a friend over for dinner and I overheard a conversation where his friend was almost quizzing him about why his dad didn't leave her etc

Until recently I think DS has been almost oblivious that he's got a "different" set up as it's so "normal" to him

OP posts:
itlod · 28/11/2021 21:11

@CiaoForDiNiaoSaur

DC were 5 and 3 when we split. I told them that sometimes adults aren't friends anymore and that's what happened with me and their daddy.
I'd be more than happy with that explanation if exH would at least be big enough to do similar. This is more or less what I've told him but he then has his dad making out I was the bad one (which is a bit rich given then real reason).

While I've not said anything my instinct is to at least defend myself but so that DS doesn't grow up blaming me for it and then resenting me

OP posts:
itlod · 28/11/2021 21:14

@Turtletaub

No advice, but think you're a great mum for not reacting and trashing his dad, and think it's shitty that that's what is being said. Just know you're the better person and trust that when they grow up they will see that and all you did for them. Daffodil
Thanks @Turtletaub so nice of you to say.

If I'm honest it's taking a lot for me to bite my tongue but I don't want DS upset or caught in the middle. None of this is his fault and he doesn't deserve it.

I think this is what I needed to hear. While I always want him to have a good relationship with his dad, I hope he does realise in time that what he's being told isn't accurate

OP posts:
gonnabeok · 28/11/2021 21:18

To be honest, when I caught my ex having an affair I was honest with my 9 year old dd. I'm not lying to a child. I told her her dad had a new girlfriend but he hadn't told me first and whilst that is not the right way to treat someone, he was her dad still and he loved her very much. Job done. She was fine.

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