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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

Ex introduced OW to daughter-am not happy.

43 replies

SpiritualKnot · 16/05/2010 23:00

Hi there,
another update to end of marriage (18 years married, H left for OW mid March, now lives alone in flat, OW lives in same town as him with parents and kid).

We are getting divorced, started proceedings about a fortnight ago.Last week dd (age 10) went to stay at H and he arranged for OW to meet my dd, without telling me, ofcourse I no longer exist in his head, but felt this shouldn't have happened.

Dd hadn't told me and H told me tonight. I went mad and said how dare he make all this all normal for my dd and that he should've waited till divorce finalised. H came out with, "oh I can't do anything right can I?"

I questioned whether this OW was a bit thick if she thought that this was ok as well. I've been very tolerant of him during the whole goings on, depite being mega upset.

He started saying things like he had to leave and it was in part my fault he was unhappy. Told him I didn't care anymore about the marriage breakdown anymore, it was the fact that he'd lied and been deceitful about the affair.

Anyway, was I right to go mad with him? Should I have expected this to happen coz I hadn't laid down this as a ground rule?

I didn't cry or anything, just felt this wasn't right. He says he won't do it again, until after the divorce.

SK

OP posts:
ChislersMummy · 17/05/2010 08:43

The divided loyalty thing is a real issue imo.

My x took the kids off for the day and when they came back I noticed their were four ice lolly sticks in the bag and also 2 coffee lids. (only have two children). NOT damning evidence but my mind was thinking hmmmmmm. So about three weeks later I said to my dc1 'how many of you went on the picnic?' and she clammed up. Changed the subject. Went into another room and knocked a load of toys off a shelf. I'm afraid now that her Dad put her in an awkward positions, and I compounded it by asking her if there'd been a woman along for 'the ride'. I have since told her that I would be pleased if Daddy met somebody else. (I didn't say because he is a total fuckwit and no other person could be as awkward and as weird, so an gf would rein him in a bit - that's the hope).

ChislersMummy · 17/05/2010 08:43

.. and this was two years after split btw!!

nickschick · 17/05/2010 08:47

Im really sorry that this has happened SK and I understand that your feelings are all over the place.

By the wording in your OP I can see that your really trying to be strong but perhaps you are being a little dictating (in the nicest way) you told H that he doesnt do serious?? etc etc.

Its inevitable that your DD will meet other people in her Dads new life and in time your new life,she will cope and if the OW treats her well that can only benefit DD the thing is although its hurtful to you- you have to let this happen.

Its ok that her Dad has friends that arent her Mums friends.

ChislersMummy · 17/05/2010 08:50

eh,,,,,, sorry nickschick but are you serious!? They only split up a few weeks ago!! The ten year old has been asked not to tell the 18 year old because it's too upsetting jsut before his exams, and she's gone along with that which proves that she fully grasps that it is an upsetting situation.

I don't think a ten year old (or an 18 yo) should have to deal with meeting daddy's OW a few weeks after they realise their parents' marriage is over!!!

CelticBanshee · 17/05/2010 08:59

Agree with ChislersMummy.

They are parents FIRST, they both need to be agreeable about the best way to handle the break-up in regards to the children and what is best for their emotional state.

A few weeks is FAR too early to introduce a fling that ended the marriage.

(I say fling as he told the child it wasn't serious, whether it is or not is irrelevant in this context)

sungirltan · 17/05/2010 09:03

hey op. yanbu at all.

if it was me i'd go up the wall about it. he could have had the courtesy to sound you out about dd meeting ow. i mean its not as if ow is a secret. that he chose not to makes him either v insensitive or just thick.

what hes doing is trying to normalise the affair/marriage breakdown asap because he feels v guilty/awkward about it.

i read some research for a paper on divorce back along that said that most kids will hang on to the hope that their parents will get back together and go on hoping for up to 5 years after the split. with that in mind introducing new partners so soon is like forcing the kids to move on emotionally.

ChislersMummy · 17/05/2010 09:06

Thanks celticbanshee, also, nickschick, see my DC1's reaction to handling a secret two years after her parents split up.

nickschick · 17/05/2010 09:15

I am not disagreeing with anyone.

The fact is that the marriage is effectively over ,the Father has already introduced the child to the 'OW' and so there is no 'return',I merely suggested the fact that if handled carefully this shouldnt upset the 10 year old,the fact remains that he is still her Daddy as much as SK is still her Mummy.

gillybean2 · 17/05/2010 09:15

You are hurt and angry and that is understandable.

Ask yourself this though. If you introduced your children to a new friend (male or female) would you expect your ex to be informed.
If he introduced your dc to a work colleague, or other friend they had not met before, would he need to inform you each and every time? No because that would be plain silly.

So the issue really is that he introduced the 'OW'.

If, as he claims, it is not serious, then it is just like introducing another friend is it not? And therefore nothing to get concerned about.

But as you rightly point out he is probably lying to you and to himself about it all. You just have to accept that he will (as will a lot of men), lie about things to keep the peace and to make things 'easier' for themselves everyone. He had an affair and lied to you about your relationship, and you think you can trust him to do the right thing now? Don't listen to what he is saying, look at what he is actually doing.

He has moved out after an affair, he is introducing the children to the OW and he is lying to you about various things and has no empathy or consideration of your feelings or state of mind. Of course it is serious with her!

As far as the OW goes don't judge her without knowing. I was the OW once. The man involved wasn't married but had a child with his partner. He told me they had been separated for over a year and that he saw his dd regularly. He introduced me to his family (parents and brother) the same weekend I met his dd at his house, which was quite soon after we met but we had been talking to each other for weeks before we met (we met on an online dating site). I was happy for him to meet my ds, I didn't see why there was a reason I shouldn't meet his dd in the circumstances he had given me and that we were quite seriously in a relationship very quickly after meeting having had several weeks of online and phone calls before that. Plus he didn't give any reason there might be an issue.
His ex went crazy when she found out, stopped all contact with dd and embarked on a hate campaign and length court process. It transpired later that the 'over a year' separation was 'in his mind, I always intended to leave when dd was a bit older' (she was 18 months at the time) and he had in fact been living with her up to and including the weekend I finally agreed to meet him in person. He also admitted he didn't tell me any of that to start with because he knew I wouldn't of agreed to meet him. How right he was! But by then I was suckered in, was supporting him through the court process and my ds was very attached to him.

In hind sight his ex's behaviour was completely understandable, but not at the time when I believed what he had told me and had no reason to doubt him. I still can't believe his parents didn't say something at the time!

In your case I would imagine the OW thinks things are very serious between them. He has afterall left his wife and dc for her. He is rushing through the divorce for her. He is protecting her by keeping her name out of things. Why would she have any concerns about meeting his children when their relationship must appear to her to be very serious when he has done all that for her.

At the end of the day you can not force your ex to do what you want him to do. Just becaue you want him to wait to introduce the children to OW doesn't mean he will, no matter what your reasons for it he sees things completely differently. In the same way you can not make him be honest with you, or to consider your feelings. The best you can do is deal with the fallout from it and try your best not to influence your dc in their opionion of her (hard I know).

Things won't start to be any better till you stop trying to get him to do the right thing and simply accept he is going to do exactly as he wants pretty much regardless of what you say or what is best for other people as you see it. He sees things differently and is probably only agreeing with you for a bit of peace. Afterall, if he had turned around and said 'no i'm not waiting to introduce them to her' when you discussed it together he could pretty much expect you to fly of the handle and name her in the divorce etc. But by saying, of course I will wait, he has bought himself some time and less arguments.

It's a terrible situation and I do feel for you, really I do. But stop believing what he says, stop worrying about him, and simply do what is right for you and the children at this time. I would say rushing through the divorce when you're clearly not able to make any serious long term decisions is not a good thing. Some time to let things settle and to make sure you get the best deal for yourself and dc may be wiser. Although I completely understand why you want to be legally separated from this man given what he is putting you though.

Be kind to yourself, don't run before you can walk, and stop believing him to be a decent and honourable man! He's not.

dignified · 17/05/2010 15:16

Sk, mine set up an elaberate accidental meeting with my dcs, and although he introduced her as a freind they all knew , it was very very upsetting .

I think your more than entitled to be upset, its not on , its thoughtless behaviour towards your daughter and you. Ignore the rubbish hes saying about crap marriage , as usual hes trying to justify what hes done , this really isnt about you , people who have affairs can be very blinkered and selfish.

It might be best to expect him to act like an arsehole , dont expect him to be decent because hes not. Did you speak to your daughter about it ?

Hope your first day back goes well sk.

And nickschick --I merely suggested the fact that if handled carefully this shouldnt upset the 10 year old,the fact remains that he is still her Daddy as much as SK is still her Mummy.

Are you being serious ? Any little girl will be distressed at her daddy moving out, and even more so at being introduced to his new girlfreind just 8 weeks after her parents breaking up. Shouldnt upset her my arse.

nickschick · 17/05/2010 15:37

What I actually meant before you decided to rip into me was that if the OP handled it gently then any actions of the dh shouldnt upset her.

FGS mumsnet is so critical these days.,

ChislersMummy · 17/05/2010 16:02

I didn't rip in to you nickschick, and I certainly don't represent "mumsnet". I'm sure you meant no harm, but your post did seem to invalidate the OP's perfectly normal upset reaction (imo). I just thought I would counter that a post that was a little bit 1) more supportive, and 2) had personal experience of parenting a conflicted child.

dignified · 17/05/2010 16:32

I cant understand why you think that a little girl shouldnt be upset by her fathers actions .

Daughter is seperate to her mother , she is not going off her mothers feelings , but her own. I think any child would be upset by her dad leaving then shoving his new girlfreind down her throat after only 8 weeks.

To suggest the child shouldnt be upset by " any actions " from her dad as long as mum is handling it gently is a bit daft imo. Sk is handling things brilliantly, she cannot possibly prevent her daughter being upset.

SpiritualKnot · 17/05/2010 19:14

Hi again

Thanks for all the comments. sorry to hear others have had bad experiences, though reassuring in a way.

I am handling things gently, sorry, that's what I meant when I said I was being tolerant of it all. It's a bit much though when he puts a spanner in the works and my careful work starts to unwind.

It's his 40th tomorrow and I've got him a cake, 2 presents and bought presents for my daughter and dog to give him. Son has bought him a present with his own money.

He's actually just phoned to say how sorry he is about it and his OW has also said he shouldn't have done it....how kind of her.Asked him when the next bombshell would be, said that dd and I are going on holiday in a few weeks time, perhaps, if the OW is pregnant he'd be kind enough to tell me the night before we go.

Did speak to dd about it, I said I was upset that he'd done it and she was very clever not to tell me coz she knew it would upset me. Told her that was very thoughtful of her.

Some people commented I was rushing the divorce. I don't want any man who cheats on me,so just want it as quickly as possible. Not sure what the best deal would be for the dc and myself, but think the option I'm taking will work quite well. Yes, I am paying him off so that the house will be in my name and I will own it.

Celticbanshee: I love what you said here: "As for being Religious and waiting on the divorce.......if he really is Religious then you'll always be married in the eyes of God regardless!" Hadn't thought of that, that might come in useful, when he starts going on about religion again.

Work went well, took it very easy. Everyone said I looked great...new hair do, weight loss, tan and laser eye surgery, so no specs. So that was good, back 1/2 time this week, then 3/4 time next week, back to full time after that (actually on holiday the first week I'm full time). So not going too bad overall. Work are being very supportive. All women and quite a few, including boss are divorced.

Thanks again for your all your support. A special hi! to Dignified. Appreciated as always!!!

SK

OP posts:
dignified · 17/05/2010 20:11

Hi Sk, so pleased work went well , and i bet you do look fab ! How nice of you with the presents ect , what a fantastic example to your dd .

Not much consolation but as least hes said sorry , and at least ow got to see what a thoughtless arsehole he is. Dont listen to any more rubbish about how crap your marriage was , next ime he starts on about it cooly state that yes, you agree , you were miserable for years too , watch his ego be offended and him furiously backtrack.

Mine would often do similar -
" I dont think we shouldve got married dignified "
Me " I agree , it was a mistake wasnt it. "
Him " Wtf ! Thanks a fxxxxxx lot you tight cow ".
Me

Im afraid i would let the dog lick his cake !

dollius · 17/05/2010 20:24

Christ on a bike. What is with these men. Why is it always the same old story? Total inability to set aside their own needs and prioritise those of their small children? Sorry to sound so disgusted of Tunbridge Wells but really I feel like I just read about one selfish arse after another on here.

dignified · 17/05/2010 20:27

Lol at christ on a bike , conjured up images of jesus furiously peddling away.

fyimate · 18/05/2010 07:03

You seem happier from your post, glad work is going well. And hope you have a great time on holiday!

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