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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

Co parenting / betrayal? Help ?!!

11 replies

Sanabel · 03/02/2024 14:05

Hi all

I’m really struggling co parenting with my ex wife and looking for some advice of how to manage it .

We were together for 14 years and have 3 children together , she carried 2 and I carried 1. Throughout the relationship she was controlling , domineering and now I’m out I can see she was emotionally and sometimes but rarely physically abusive .

i filed for divorce almost 2 years ago it was an awful time , we had to live in the house for a year whilst going through the divorce as we didn’t agree on the children arrangements she wanted to move them to her family 200 miles away . We almost went to court but eventually with a lot of £ and solicitors letters later she agreed to 50/50. It was probably the most painful and difficult time of my life imagining life away from my children , I read terrified she would take them away and even the thought of not putting them to bed every night killed me .

To cut a long story short the day I moved out I found out that she had been having an affair with her friend . I always thought it was strange as I never met the women in the 6 years she was friends with her but she was straight with a partner and son so I didn’t read too much into it .

This women was also an estate agent and was the women who sold our family house so she was in the house doing viewings and dealing with the sale , behind my back whilst I was still living there . I’ve since found out they spent time together watching films when I took the kids to see family. We had agreed on our parenting plan not to introduce new to our children for 6 months . I said 3 months but she enforced 6 so I went with that , however she was taking our children to meet this woman and in particular our youngest , who was a year old at the time that I carried, she was taking the baby to see her every weekend .

It gets worse .. I live in small community and ended up meeting this woman’s ex partner who was devastated by the affair and even more traumatised by the fact that her 13 year old son had found out and began texting my ex wife things like “ I hate you , you’ve ruined my family and taken my mum away from me “ etc . My ex wife called the police on the 13 year old for harassment and his mum stood by my ex wife , they now have no contact .

I feel completely traumatised by the fact I was with someone for all this time who could be so disrespectful and act so poorly not just to me but also the poor boy whom she had known for years .

Since all this happened and I found out my ex denied the whole thing ( even though there’s loads of evidence ) and tells everyone I’m a psycho stalker and obsessed with her . She’s kept the woman away from my children but it’s coming up to 6 months ( officially since she claims she started seeing her ) so according to the parenting plan my ex can have her around our kids .

I feel sick about her being around our kids , sick at the thought of the toxic environment the whole thing is , like how do you put 3 young kids that aren’t even yours to bed when you don’t see your own son? What kind of mother is she ? Also our 3 are pretty wild and very young and are a lot for anyone to take on .

People keep telling me to let it go and it will be what it be but it gives me so many sleepless nights ..

Any thoughts , words of wisdom or advice would be appreciated .

sorry for the long rant !!

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 03/02/2024 14:23

Quite simply, you do need to let it go. She can do what she wants with them on her time, unless it’s dangerous/abusive.
I know it’s hard, but you are going to have to let it go. Send the kids off with a smile, and don’t ask too much about what they’ve done when they get back. It will get easier.

Sanabel · 03/02/2024 14:32

Good advice .

thank you

OP posts:
Smooshface · 03/02/2024 15:16

Yeah, i hate having to share my kids with affair partner, it is shit,especially when they are so awful to their own child. You just have to hope they will be kind to yours, keep being their safe place and feel like they can come to you to be their advocate if they need. I've struggled to keep my feelings about them hidden but hope my kids feel like they can still come to me.

About them spreading lies about you - the truth usually comes out, just try and keep your dignity and don't stoop to their level.

Sashya · 03/02/2024 16:26

Yes, it's hard for you.

Maybe think about trying to do what you can to make it easier for your kids? As in - the more they sense animosity between you and your Ex - the harder it will be for them. Divorce on itself does not harm children. But hostility between parents does a lot of harm.

In many ways it doesn't matter that much when the new partners are introduced. Young kids don't really care, and really young ones do not comprehend the situation. If this woman is to stay in your Ex's life - it's not a bad thing they'd meet her.
The new partner doesn't need to be putting your kids to sleep. I am guessing your Ex would be doing that. And - only when ex and her GF would finally start spending more time together with the kids - would the penny drop for all of them. Affairs are often fun for people because they take them away from real life. But when real life with daily responsibilities and drudgery resumes - this is a real test of the new relationship.

So - do try to stop living in the past and focus on your kids' present and future.
It does not matter anymore how the affair unfolded. It happened. You are now divorced.
Start re-building YOUR life

InspectorGidget · 03/02/2024 16:35

I have a friend in a very similar situation.

Her ex is now married to her best friend. It's been awful to watch at the new step mum has literally cuckooed her life.

She's handled it admirably in the main all the while the ex and new wife have taken every opportunity to manipulate the child.

They communicate via a family app - our family wizard - so everything is documented.

As pp have said, be their safe space and avoid all drama.

It's incredibly hard so vent away on here.

OriginalUsername2 · 03/02/2024 16:48

Ugh I remember this feeling very well. You realise in the end you don’t have a choice but to let it go. It’s not in your control.

What you can control is showing up consistently as a solid rock for your children. That’s what I made my mission. I will always be the reasonable, sane, supportive adult throughout everything. With every move I make, I’ll be absolutely sure I’m doing the right thing. It has well and truly paid off.

Sanabel · 03/02/2024 17:42

Thank you it is really shit having to share your kids with someone you think has no morals .

sorry you have to go through it too

Im doing my best to be safe place for kids , getting them play therapy and having therapy myself too .

OP posts:
Sanabel · 03/02/2024 17:46

Yes apparently the woman has said to her ex husband she has no interest in being around our kids but reality is we have 3 young children and they are hard work !

im struggling then to understand how she can abandon her own child knowing full well there’s 3 other little children in the mix that surely she can’t avoid !!

OP posts:
Sanabel · 03/02/2024 17:47

@OriginalUsername2 that’s good advice and I’m so glad it’s paying off .

Will keep this in the front of my mind

OP posts:
CheekyHobson · 03/02/2024 21:27

Sanabel · 03/02/2024 17:46

Yes apparently the woman has said to her ex husband she has no interest in being around our kids but reality is we have 3 young children and they are hard work !

im struggling then to understand how she can abandon her own child knowing full well there’s 3 other little children in the mix that surely she can’t avoid !!

I know it's hard to believe right now, but realistically your ex's new relationship will probably not end up having longevity.

Chances are that this woman will be in and out of your kids' lives within a couple of years. Cold comfort now, I know, but try to play the long game.

Sanabel · 03/02/2024 22:21

@CheekyHobson yes part of me is curious to see what happens when reality of soft play and sleepless nights kick in !

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