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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

Struggles in a blended family

44 replies

RoloMom · 28/01/2025 14:13

Hi, I'd really like to hear the perspective of others in similar situations. We have a blended family, I have two boys and my OH has one. While my co parenting relationship is a bit strained, he lives abroad and calls with the boys 3 times a week, and has visits 5 times a year, apart from arranging calls, there is little need for contact between us. My other halves situation is very different. They text daily, work together, she asks for life advise, he lends her money, they have a dinner together, with thr rest of us, once a week, and still celebrate all occasions together. Which means all occasions with my boys (apart from their own birthdays) are spent with his ex, her new child and her partner. To say I find this all very difficult is an understatement, I feel like there are no boundaries and we have no private life. It has caused significant strain on our relationship, and while our time toehyehr was always last on thr list, it's becoming less and less of a priority. He is frustrated with me, nd says I am immature and too insecure to deal with the situation, and has always maintained he does all for his son only. He has told me his son comes first , and always will. On top of that, He has never wanted me to know his income, says its his money and that thr house is his also. I feel increasingly unloved. I continue to make his dinners, his lunches for work and I do all the cooking for the kids , all the washing and cleaning of thr house, along with working full time, all without thanks. I feel a bit lost and alone. I just would love people's opinions, specifically if you have any personal insight to a smiliar situation. Thank you.

OP posts:
nocoolnamesleft · 28/01/2025 23:56

It sounds like he has far more of an actual relationship with his ex than he does with you. This is not healthy. I honestly think you are being emotionally abused. And possibly also financially. This really doesn't sound like a good environment for either you or your children.

NorthernGnashers · 28/01/2025 23:59

@RoloMom
OP, you have said your OH has never wanted you to know his income, and reminds you that the house is his, meanwhile you do all the cooking and lunches. He is treating you like a housekeeper, while not wanting to let go of his ex.

Sneezeless · 29/01/2025 00:01

So basically you are the live in nanny/housekeeper and are paying for the privilege. You know you have to end this don't you?

suburberphobe · 29/01/2025 00:03

I feel increasingly unloved. I continue to make his dinners, his lunches for work and I do all the cooking for the kids , all the washing and cleaning of thr house, along with working full time, all without thanks. I feel a bit lost and alone.

You don't need this man in your life. He's treating you like a skivvy.

Find your inner strength and fuck him off. He doesn't love you. A man who does would not treat his woman like this.

Onthemaintrunkline · 29/01/2025 00:20

As suburberphobe above says….he is using you like a skivvy! A servant, housekeeper call it what you want, he, the ex & her kids are treating you like the hired help! He sounds totally disengaged with you, but happy to use you. His demands and expectations are quite absurd. My bags would have been packed a very long time ago.

outerspacepotato · 29/01/2025 00:30

His primary adult relationship is with his ex.

You're being financially taken advantage of as well as being the bangmaid. Get out now.

Itiswhysofew · 29/01/2025 00:44

He's not even speaking to you now. You're tolerating a lot from this man. His expectations of you are way too high. He actually sounds callous.

He puts his son first, fair enough, but he puts his ex before you and that's not on. Now not wanting to parent your boys, I think he's making his positron clear. He's treating you like a housekeeper.

notatinydancer · 29/01/2025 01:13

What's your housing situation @RoloMom ?
You need to leave asap.
How did it come to it that you pay all the food and meals out ??

ChateauMargaux · 29/01/2025 03:00

Are you in Ireland... some phrases lead me to believe you might be...

Therapy.... self worth.... protect your self and your children.

You are not an object on his arm, she is not worthless because she is older, you should not be paying for everyone's food, cooking for everyone or being around when he says so while he takes no part is supporting your children.

Leave... if you are not married and do not own your own home, you might be in a vulnerable position but staying will not improve matters.

Bibi12 · 29/01/2025 06:54

OP I don't see what you being younger has anything to do it with it? I think you felt into illusion that just because you're 10 years his junior he will adore you and treat you like a prize. Did you go for someone older because of your own insecurities?
"Child comes first" is a convenient get away card for people who want the relationship without having to fully commit and invest in it.
Of course often children's needs and wellbeing has to be prioritised over adults. However there needs to also be special place for relationship and a sense of being a strong unit.
You don't have that with this man and he thinks having feelings for you and living with you is enough. Unfortunately it's not enough to build a lasting happy relationship and you know that so don't let him manipulate you.

Bibi12 · 29/01/2025 06:59

And why are you doing all the cooking, cleaning, lunches while working full time? It doesn't make men love you more it just makes them use you more.

RoloMom · 29/01/2025 07:17

Yes we live in Ireland and unfortunately we are married. It is his house, as he often reminds me and my boys, but not his son, makes sure he knows its his home.
Nothing came into the decision of my partner beyond somebody who I thought would love and respect me and my kids, treat me as an equal and be a unit and be a good role model for my boys.

For anybody with the knowledge or experience, how does one leave a situation like this? What are the steps i should take?

OP posts:
Unexpectedlysinglemum · 29/01/2025 08:17

RoloMom · 28/01/2025 22:55

Thanks for the feedback.
I knew they got on from the beginning yes, I did not know that it went beyond that, to co dependence. There is zero privacy, she knows all details of our lives, and also has him on tap for financial, emotional, co parenting support and they still dine together and spend all special occasions together. It's beyond all that at this stage though, he has become so frustrated with me 'not just getting on with' what he wants to be the norm for all of us, that he doesn't even speak to me, goes to work without a word, comes back without a word, oh but he'll eat the lunches and meals i cook, and his son does too (although he might occasionally tell me he prefers his mother's cooking). I was out of the house recently when he expected me home, nd he gave out to me for not being there when his son was dropped off, he had not asked me to be, and essentially told me I do what I like and abandon all my responsibilities. He's also told me he no longer wants to have a parenting role for my two boys and that they are fully my responsibility. I pay for all their expenses, while he pays at the very least half of his sons, s well as paying a generous maintenance to her. He has a 6 figure salary, i have a salary that is 20% of his, and I pay for all groceries for the household, including the meals with his ex..... I have become invisible in my own home, and my worth is diminishing rapidly.

You act as though you're powerless (he has made you feel like this I'm not blaming you) please get some counselling and start to think about what boundaries you can put in place.

  1. If he wants to eat with his ex and doesn't care that you don't like it there's no a lot you can do. But you do NOT need to pay for and cook the food for this!
  2. If you are each in charge of your child only then tell him that works both ways. It doesn't sound very blended family more flat mates. Stop parenting his son but still be kind to the son when you're at home obviously.
  3. You might not feel ready for this yet but please make a plan to leave him- saving up etc
Unexpectedlysinglemum · 29/01/2025 08:18

RoloMom · 28/01/2025 23:17

For further context, this woman brings her other child to these meals too, so we also have to feed her, she's got a significant promotion and raise at work through him, she texts/calls at any hour of thr day, and has all demands met, advise for work, what new car should I get, I'm looking at buying this house, what do you think, relationship issues, there's no limit, it's like she thinks she owns him. He'll give out to me about her asking for various things or complaining about work, but she'll get what she wants from him regardless.

He is ten years my senior, and she is older still, so it is not like i should feel threatened by anything about this woman in any way, but she will not release him from her grasp, nd he's not putting up a fight to get out from under her.
I don't know what I have done to deserve the 180 in his behavior, from adoring me and showing me nothing but respect and affection and support, to this. My friends tell me that he should feel lucky to have somebody 10 years younger on his arm, and instead I feel completely taken advantage of.

Read a book called 'it's not you' by dr ramani

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 29/01/2025 08:20

RoloMom · 29/01/2025 07:17

Yes we live in Ireland and unfortunately we are married. It is his house, as he often reminds me and my boys, but not his son, makes sure he knows its his home.
Nothing came into the decision of my partner beyond somebody who I thought would love and respect me and my kids, treat me as an equal and be a unit and be a good role model for my boys.

For anybody with the knowledge or experience, how does one leave a situation like this? What are the steps i should take?

That's brilliant that you're married it means that you would get a chunk of the value of the marital home

SECRETLY seek legal advice and make a plan to leave

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 29/01/2025 08:21

Do you have your own bank account? Get one. Save as much as you can. Call a dv charity for advice about this - in the uk you could get occupancy rights potentially and he'd have to go if you reported to domestic abuse. You need a discussion with dv charity and lawyer

Secondstart1001 · 29/01/2025 08:47

Does anyone know here if Women’s Aid cover Ireland as would like to recommend this tom@RoloMom

MsDespard · 29/01/2025 09:12

Yes, www.womensaid.ie/ - please call them, and don't settle for this.

Bananalanacake · 29/01/2025 11:07

What would have happened if you'd made it clear to him early in your relationship that you didn't want to live with him as you needed your own space, would he have said 'if course, let's enjoy a relationship living separately as I love you ' or would he have been off looking for another woman to be his live in nanny and housekeeper.

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