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After divorce

4 replies

HenriettaG · 13/09/2026 13:30

Ex H and I divorced three years ago. He had two affairs and refused to stop pretty much, so that was that. Our children 9 and 12 don’t know why we separated - they have lived through and I have reassured them as best I can. We coparent although strictly speak only about the children. I don’t know what is going on his life. I am settled. No new partner but happy. Ex has history of passing by my home and trying to speak to the children on random days of the week. Just an example of his behaviour. One thing that is really concerning me is the change in my DS 9. He used to love me so much - this isn’t me boasting - we were just really close. Now he’s rude, dismissive of me, says criticisms that are clearly not his thoughts. At drop off, he will look towards his father’s car if I go to hug him. I know some of this is partly growing up too. But I’m worried. He also can be quite dismissive of women already despite me trying to encourage him to be empathetic and understanding. What can I do to salvage this as he goes into the teen years?

OP posts:
millymollymoomoo · 13/09/2026 14:44

He’s not 9 anymore

hes at secondary school, changing hormones, puberty etc he’s going to change. My boy stopped wanting hugs then even more if he even thought someone might see!

kids get pushy, test boundaries, get argumentative etc as they grow.

skin’s quite ‘normal ‘ to me

does he have good friend group ? Plays sports ?

whippersnapper55 · 13/09/2026 15:28

millymollymoomoo · 13/09/2026 14:44

He’s not 9 anymore

hes at secondary school, changing hormones, puberty etc he’s going to change. My boy stopped wanting hugs then even more if he even thought someone might see!

kids get pushy, test boundaries, get argumentative etc as they grow.

skin’s quite ‘normal ‘ to me

does he have good friend group ? Plays sports ?

He is 9 - OP states she is worried about DS9 not DS12! Did you read the post?

whippersnapper55 · 13/09/2026 15:34

OP I would be worried too - about what his father is saying to him about you and about his attitude to women in general rubbing off on your son.

Does he have an uncle/grandad/family friend he can spend time with to counter-act his father's influence? Someone with a decent attitude towards women who can model behaviour that you want him to see and hear?

I would challenge any rude or dismissive behaviour or signs of misogyny, not angrily but matter of factly and robustly. And I would monitor what he's watching online carefully.

HenriettaG · 13/09/2026 16:11

Yes - he’s 9. It is worrying. Especially the looking back at pick up to see if his dad is watching. I do keep trying to set a good example of being a strong female, but it is hard.

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