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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Relationship with ex’s mum

42 replies

coronade · 17/05/2020 16:47

Just wondered how many people still have a relationship with their ex partners/husbands mum after you split? Did problems occur once you started to move on with your life?
I’m finding it hard as although ex had an affair and was emotionally abusive his mum (he is an only child) thinks the sun still shines out of his backside and doesn’t want me to talk about him at all (I obviously don’t have anything nice to say). She doesn’t know he used to say he wished he was an orphan and the 20mins with her once a week when he dropped her home was hell.
She can be very woe is me and hard done by (her social life is 100 times better than mine) and sulks over the slightest thing. She is on the phone to me every day and gets the hump if I don’t answer. Pre lock down she came over every week. I’m really not sure how much of a relationship I want to have with her once lockdown ends.
I know if she gets ill in the future my ex will want to dump the responsibility on me. He’s also planning a future with the women he had an affair with and I don’t want to hear about their new life from her or have her telling him anything about mine. Is it normal to feel like this or am I just being mean.

OP posts:
DontLookBackYappityYap · 19/05/2020 14:37

Wow. I'd have cut all ties when the marriage ended.

Greenkit · 20/05/2020 10:09

She sounds a nightmare, block her number, don't feel guilty

ILoveWillSmith · 20/05/2020 10:21

Sorry, I just don't understand why you still have anything to do with her Confused

NamechangeOnceMore · 20/05/2020 10:23

You have agency here. If you don't want to continue this level of contact, don't. Take some responsibility for your own happiness.

pollysproggle · 20/05/2020 10:26

I have a great relationship with my ex MIL and see her all the time. My subsequent child (not biologically related to her) calls her grandma.
However she's a wonderful lady and you couldn't get a nicer more loving person and ex and I didn't split on bad terms.

If she were like yours though I would set some boundaries and focus on her seeing the kids regularly. Just tell her you don't wish to know about ex's new life thanks and don't tell her things you don't want ex to know.

Alsonification · 20/05/2020 11:04

I was with my ex for 8 years in total. My in laws are very good people. I had a 4 yr old & was pregnant on my second when me & ex split & I know they were worried I wouldn’t let them see the kids. I’m not that type of person though. They were excellent grandparents & I didn’t have any problem with them. Their son had an affair & they took my side which was very good of them. My kids are now grown (dd is 22, ds is almost 18) and they are still very much in their lives (well fil passed away 18mths ago). We have gone to them for dinner every 2nd Friday for the last 18 years. They (and now just mil) come to me for dinner too. My brother in law I consider another brother (I have 4 brothers but if anyone asks I say I have 5). Mil is not intrusive in any way. Yes she can be annoying sometimes but so can I Grin. I’ve been at many family parties over the years. My ex is there with his second wife & their 2 children and it’s all very friendly. I’m very lucky I know.

sunflowersandtulips50 · 20/05/2020 17:01

What makes you think that your ex will expect you to look after his mum? I am shocked that you have tolerated his mum calling you every day. Its time for you to put some distance, the relationship has changed, she is not your friend

coronade · 20/05/2020 17:33

Thanks. I know I’m a people pleaser and do things just to keep the peace or not upset others even if I don’t want to.

I need to stop this and start putting my happiness first and I am trying to (really hard to break the habit).
Ex will try and dump his mum on me if she is ever ill as he doesn’t do illness or hospitals (didn’t come with me for an op just dropped me outside and I had to get a cab home and my parents were in hospital for months on and off and he never offered to come with me once).

OP posts:
EggysMom · 20/05/2020 17:47

If she's calling the house phone, put the volume to silent or buy an answerphone. If she's calling your mobile, block her.

TorkTorkBam · 20/05/2020 17:52

The daily phone calls do drive me nuts as I have nothing to tell her (she just keeps ringing if I don’t answer

This is stalking. Make it stop.

Send her one message saying you've decided you need a break with the past and thus you have decided to break contact with her. Then block her number. Literally never see or speak to her again. You are keeping the abuse in your life. Cut it out.

Happynow001 · 20/05/2020 18:04

@coronade
You know this is only happening because you allow it - sorry if that sounds harsh but this is the truth. Why do you feel unable to break the chains which your Ex and his mother have wound around you? It's not as though your children were very young and you felt you need to make an effort on their behalf. They are old enough to make their own decision.

In your place I'd start putting myself first and most definitely scotch any thoughts if your ex-MIL being foisted on you at a later date. She is her son's responsibility- not yours. You have responsibility for yourself and your children. Take care they don't follow your current example and also become over-enmeshed in this unhelpful relationship - they have lives of their own too.

I would really recommend making yourself much more unavailable by blocking both your Ex and his mother on all platforms (house phone, mobile, email, Facebook etc) at least for a while, to get some mental space and peace for yourself. Warn your children you are doing this so they are not ambushed, so if/when they are approached they have an answer ready, which you can discuss and agree with them, if necessary.

Take control of your life OP - things will not change until you do.

coronade · 20/05/2020 18:43

I’m still financially tied to my ex (unfortunately). Have property to sell (in process) and I gave up my career to bring up the children. I had just started job hunting when the virus struck (still looking but there is hardly anything about). I feel like I have to be civil as he is currently being ok with money, so I can’t just block him on everything. I wish I could.
This is probably why I’m still putting up with his mum.

OP posts:
TorkTorkBam · 20/05/2020 18:46

Appeasement. Hmm.

Meh, I think I'd block her number then feign ignorance.

sunflowersandtulips50 · 20/05/2020 19:11

I remember your old post about his affair Coronade your ex was awful to you. I understand you keeping the peace however you owe him nothing and his DM is being extremely insensitive to say the least to expect you not to feel anger towards her DS. Sort out the money with your ex and distance yourself from this woman

TorkTorkBam · 20/05/2020 19:16

I heard that your ex's new girlfriend is desperate to be friends with her soon to be MIL. You should share her number with MIL.

SandyY2K · 20/05/2020 19:18

Cut the cord, so there's no expectation of you looking after her. She's not your responsibility, regardless of you still being financially tied to your ex.

If she calls relentlessly start blocking her intermittently. Unblock her once or twice a week. If she calls your DD saying she can't get hold of you, say your phone is playing up.

You really need to pull back from this relationship.

sunflowersandtulips50 · 20/05/2020 19:34

Coronade you are no longer his partner. He has a new woman, she can look after his mum if he doesnt deal with illness. You are not responsible for his mother. Please protect yourself and move on

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