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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

His ex clinging on!

101 replies

Twink12345 · 17/06/2020 08:45

Hi,
My Oh’s ex still has major involvement with his family. His mum is more like her mum atm. She doesn’t bother with her own family that much. His mother isn’t interested in getting to know me, because I assume she feels a loyalty to the ex as they have a 4 year old child together. The ex went on a day out with his mother yest with the child, and facetimed my OH to show him his LO. She said I’m FaceTiming because your mother doesn’t have her phone Apparantly. She has a boyfriend of her own + I find it all a bit odd. Anyone been through similar??

OP posts:
BarbedBloom · 17/06/2020 16:56

She will likely always be part of the family, she is the mother of their grandchild. My parents split up a long long time ago but my mother still saw my grandparents once a week and was there at the end for both of them.

I am not saying she is innocent here and isn't manipulating the situation, but when there are children involved the ex will often continue to be invited to family events long term.

FizzyGreenWater · 17/06/2020 18:47

You are going to have to look at this another way or you're going to just be permanently unhappy.

Firstly, to his mother, you and she are not 'equal'. You are a current girlfriend who may be around in a year, may not. She is the mother of her grandchild, a member of the family. Right now and pretty much unless you and her son also had a child together, the ex is, and is going to stay, a lot more important to his mum than you are.

And, 'clinging on'? No, she's building a new relationship with her DD's grandmother/her MIL, now that the original link is severed/altered. She has to do this on some level; if she wants to have a harmonious wider family life for her daughter; if she's always been closer to her MIL than her mum etc then it's going to matter to her on a personal level too. The joint link was your BF, now it's the child. The two women clearly want to build a new closer relationship because of their shared family child. The only real point of interest to you here should possibly be what that says about your BF - his mum seems clearly very keen to maintain her own link with her GD's mum, and that's quite a sign really that she doesn't really expect your BF to take on the active link/parenting role and she doesn't want to miss out.

But to see that situation through the lens of the dad's new gf - 'she's clinging on' - is laughable. Right now, I doubt either of them are really giving you much thought in this, as they redefine the new way their family can be made to work. You MIGHT one day end up a part of that family. Right now you really aren't.

You MUST see this differently or you'll end up miserable, and if you try and influence things, it will be very hard to come back from - you'll be resented from all angles and (quite reasonably) be seen as poking into relationships which aren't your business.

It's hard. I would never have had a relationship with a man who already had children - it would not work for me.

backseatcookers · 17/06/2020 19:17

Firstly, to his mother, you and she are not 'equal'. You are a current girlfriend who may be around in a year, may not. She is the mother of her grandchild, a member of the family. Right now and pretty much unless you and her son also had a child together, the ex is, and is going to stay, a lot more important to his mum than you are.

And, 'clinging on'? No, she's building a new relationship with her DD's grandmother/her MIL, now that the original link is severed/altered. She has to do this on some level; if she wants to have a harmonious wider family life for her daughter; if she's always been closer to her MIL than her mum etc then it's going to matter to her on a personal level too. The joint link was your BF, now it's the child.

You MUST see this differently or you'll end up miserable, and if you try and influence things, it will be very hard to come back from - you'll be resented from all angles and (quite reasonably) be seen as poking into relationships which aren't your business.

Super sensible points here.

The fact is even if they're being bitchy and slagging her off, your partner and his mum are on board with the relationships as they are facilitating it.

A year is not long at all, you are a relatively new girlfriend and as PP said she is the mother of his child and will definitely be in his life forever.

Phrases like 'weekend mum' are so dripping in judgement it's laughable. You know full well you meant she's not a very good mum, which is such a shitty thing to say about someone when you don't really know the background fully.

You only have your boyfriends side of the story, as does his mum to an extent.

You sound too immature to deal with what is a complicated dynamic that requires people to put this child first. It's in their interest to have close relationships with family especially if they only have them on one side.

It's petty to bring up she cheated, if she did. That's utterly irrelevant to them coparenting now or your boyfriends mum being the little ones grandma.

Children come first. If you can't deal with it you can't date someone who's married. A year is early to live together when there are complications like this.

His mum might not be that bothered about getting to know you yet because she doesn't know if you'll be a long term girlfriend yet and it sounds like she's really busy helping your boyfriend and his ex out to be honest.

backseatcookers · 17/06/2020 19:18

Sorry massive typo there!

Children come first. If you can't deal with it you can't date someone who's a parent (not married).

Molteni · 17/06/2020 19:51

His ex isn’t part of the family – now she’s just the woman that gave birth to his child. Children should come first but I don’t see the added value of play-dates with GM and the child’s mother. She’s already seeing the child multiple times a week, so she doesn’t hold any sway over her relating to contact. Everybody should just get along in the most frictionless way possible. He should be quite able to tell his mother to tone it down. Why would she continue meeting up with the woman that cheated on her son (would be different if the relationship had ended amicably). If she persists I’m sure he could arrange different child-care.

backseatcookers · 17/06/2020 19:55

His ex isn’t part of the family – now she’s just the woman that gave birth to his child. Children should come first but I don’t see the added value of play-dates with GM and the child’s mother.

This is such an unbelievably unhealthy approach to coparenting. "Just the woman who gave birth to his child" 😂

The child's mother and grandmother and father obviously do see the benefit in it or they wouldn't be doing it...

Each to their own I guess!

Festivalgirl83 · 17/06/2020 19:56

I do understand your frustrations and can see it from both points. I still have a good relationship with my ex MIL and will have a cup of tea with her, sit with her at school plays etc.

However, also have experience from the other side. When I first got with my DP his ex would constantly facetime, that was her way of communicating with him not texts or phone calls bit always facetime. Even on weekends away she would facetime with his DD. It's got less now but some people are big on FT which I find weird as I never have been and find it uncomfortable. It has caused lots of frustrations and tension in my relationship and I've had to bite my tongue many times.

choli · 18/06/2020 17:20

Firstly, to his mother, you and she are not 'equal'. You are a current girlfriend who may be around in a year, may not. She is the mother of her grandchild, a member of the family. Right now and pretty much unless you and her son also had a child together, the ex is, and is going to stay, a lot more important to his mum than you are.
However, don't see this as a reason to have a child with a man you've only known for a year. Jealousy is not a good reason to conceive - you will simply be the next baby mama that he bad mouths.

Twink12345 · 18/06/2020 18:43

I won’t be having a child with him, and I certainly wouldn’t conceive just to be accepted by his family. I don’t want to be more important than his ex but I am human and I find his families behaviour childish. If we ever move in together then they will be the ones missing out if they choose to not build a relationship with me. For now I’m just going to concentrate on my relationship and try and ignore the ex and the family. As my mother keeps reminding me I’m not in a relationship with them.

OP posts:
namesnames · 18/06/2020 21:34

Relationships take years to build. Think of the people you have known a short while and then those you've known for years, this is how it is for everyone.

There is nothing childish about their behaviour from what you have written. However, you deciding to ignore his family is staggeringly immature.

frazzledasarock · 18/06/2020 21:46

You’ve been together a year and you don’t yet live together. Do you not see why your DP’s mum is prioritising her relationship with the mother of her grandchild?

Once you move in together start attending family events together you become more integrated with the in-laws.

I didn’t interfere with, want or expect any kind of relationship with my in-laws in the first year of my relationship with my DP. It was us trying to build a solid relationship then as we become more enmeshed in each other’s lives and we got more serious he wanted to introduce me to family and it went from there.

What do you think your DP’s mum should be doing with you anyway. How do you want her to get to know you more?

Littlewing80 · 18/06/2020 23:55

I Haven’t read the whole thread OP but I don’t think the mother prefers the ex over you. I would say rather the mother is either controlling or she doesn’t trust the ex and checks what she is doing when she has DC or could be she is scared the ex doesn’t let her have the child that much if she doesn't keep her sweet’. That’s probably why she didn’t bother that much when they were together.
Could the mother be a MIL that won’t like her DIL no matter how good a person she is?

I think the DC asking after you is a credit to you and shows your OH his child likes you and id bonding with you. On the other hand, it might make the ex insecure and in turn controlling.

I know it’s hard but your OH seems to have your back.

Twink12345 · 19/06/2020 11:25

@Littlewing80 Think you have hit the nail on the head there. He does say a lot how concerned his mum is about his ex’s parenting + I think maybe this is why she tries to take control. Because of the childcare issue his mum has been allowed a massive part in controlling everything I guess.

I have made a massive effort with his LO, not just because I want the LO to like me but I love children + it’s natural to me. My OH said to me this morning when the DC woke the first thing asked for was if they were seeing me. I need to concentrate on building these relationships with my OH + DC and hopefully everything else will calm down and move forward.

OP posts:
ThoseBootsAreMadeForWalking · 19/06/2020 11:43

I think it’s lovely little one asks to spend time with you too, peaceful and stable environments are so much healthier for children. Continue building the bond and stay close to your OH.

Twink12345 · 19/06/2020 12:18

@ThoseBootsAreMadeForWalking It is a nice feeling, we have so much fun when we are all together with my DS too. 😊

OP posts:
dontdisturbmenow · 19/06/2020 12:59

I'm the ex if that situation so can give you some perspective if it can help.

My ex probably told his new partner that his parents and I were not much involved before we separated. This would have been a lie as even when we were together I often went to see them without him.

He also did tell her the truth about our seperation, mainly that he had lied over and over about his building debts through overspending that was nothing for the family and that because of it, we almost lost our home.

When his parents found out (not through me) they felt very sorry for me. I was working FT trying to keep a roof over our kids heads and dealing with the credit companies that were making threatening calls. He didn't feel her any of this.

My mum passed away and my dad lives abroad so yes, his parents were very supportive and wanted to be. We developed a friendship when we're together that hot even closer after we seperated

However, at no time did they consider that I came before his new partner, however, she expected them to have nothing to do with me. They had an argument when she complained about me being invited for dinner one day (not a family event) and they told her they could invite whoever they wanted in their house. After that, they tried to make amends but she wasn't interested.

We became closer and they even attended my wedding to my new partner. We see each other regularly, but I could just be a friend to them, or a niece, this in no way should have prevented her and them building a close relationship too. Sadly she didn't see it that way.

Concentrate on building your relationship without judging their relationship with her. Its their business and shouldn't affect your relationship with them. Hopefully you too will grow to enjoy their presence and maybe rely on them too.

Twink12345 · 19/06/2020 20:24

@dontdisturbmenow Thanks for the advice. I in no way want them to sever all ties with her I guess I just find it all abit strange as I’ve never been in a situation like this before. For the child it is better if we all get on and are able to be amicable.

OP posts:
Carlotacoffee · 19/06/2020 20:51

Twink I think your getting a bit of a hard time here.

This isn’t a normal situation at all.

His ex probably isn’t ready to let go of the ‘family unit’ and your partners mother is probably enjoying being in the thick of it and bring massively involved in her grandsons life.

Listen to your mum - she’s right. Your not in a relationship with the two other women. Don’t bother about his mum, she’s irrelevant at this moment. There are millions of threads in here about posters not getting on with there partners mother so don’t take it personally.

If the situation doesn’t start getting better or to a point that you can feel happy with - really consider if this relationship is for you. In the long run it just isn’t worth it. There are plenty of men with out baggage.

Tbh I’d probably shout ‘hi xxx’ and wave when they next FaceTime Grin

peekaboob · 19/06/2020 22:02

@Carlotacoffee I agree. And that ex will only dig her heels in more if she thinks she's being pushed out. By monopolising the MIL by way of trips with the child she can ensure that doesn't happen. I know as it's happened and continues to happen to me.
DPs son is currently, illegally, staying at PILs so that ex can spend time with her new boyfriend. Never once have they had our DD - My DD didn't even get a call on her birthday. MIL has ordered lunch in on Sunday - for DPs son and him. Not me and DD - it's not like DD or me would want to spend anytime with their dad is it Angry

dontdisturbmenow · 20/06/2020 09:15

@Twink12345, it is indeed an odd situation and one that is of course not overly comfortable. Its always easier when the ex is as little involved as possible, bit it doesn't have to be bad or impact on your relationship with his parents.

You are clearly open-minded, so that's already halfway to not letting it affect you.

Carlotacoffee · 20/06/2020 10:04

[quote peekaboob]@Carlotacoffee I agree. And that ex will only dig her heels in more if she thinks she's being pushed out. By monopolising the MIL by way of trips with the child she can ensure that doesn't happen. I know as it's happened and continues to happen to me.
DPs son is currently, illegally, staying at PILs so that ex can spend time with her new boyfriend. Never once have they had our DD - My DD didn't even get a call on her birthday. MIL has ordered lunch in on Sunday - for DPs son and him. Not me and DD - it's not like DD or me would want to spend anytime with their dad is it Angry[/quote]
Peekaboob that’s dreadful what has your Dp said?

peekaboob · 20/06/2020 14:37

@Carlotacoffee He's tried to address it but struggles as he is still scared of his parents and they think that I control him because he's disagreed with them a couple of times politically and morally whereas I have showed him where to fact check and make his own mind up. So when he tries to bring it up his dad will say he needs to grow a pair.
If they didn't like me I'd rather they just said, it's been many little things I've been left out of such as birthday lunches, pub lunches but soon DD will start to notice that a grandchild from the same dad is being treated completely differently. If DPs son is not taken round there then MIL sends PIL to wherever DP is working to find out why and would have turned on the waterworks beforehand. It's draining to constantly have to fight for DD to be in their lives but then I wonder why should I bother?
How do you think you'll move forward @Twink12345 ?

Twink12345 · 21/06/2020 08:37

@peekaboob oh god! I really feel for you this is awful. I can see myself being in this situation sadly without having a child of my own involved. I really hope not but that’s the way it’s headed. Sounds trivial but if my OH posts anything on FB with me involved or tagged none of his family will like it incase his ex sees.

OP posts:
Twink12345 · 21/06/2020 08:40

@Carlotacoffee I always reply to the LO if they ask for me on FT even when the LO asks for me on FT from the exes.

OP posts:
peekaboob · 21/06/2020 13:48

@Twink12345 I had that too with FB. Ex will put something on tag new boyfriend, my DP, DPs mum, DPs sister. DPs mum and sister then comment something sickly and lots of kisses - I'll put a funny video of toddler and get no whiff of a like.
I'm hoping they all get a not so mild case of the squits with their Father's Day lunch today and that there's no loo roll around...
Seriously though, if you do want a relationship with potential MIL you're going to need to push your way in with your DPs help. Offer to take DC out when you have them and invite MIL along, just like the ex does. Then FaceTime the ex Grin Don't listen to anyone who says you're not a serious part of his life as it's only been a year - you hardly get with someone with the intention of breaking up, why wouldn't you be in it for the long haul?

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