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breaking off contact with dp's exw- WWYD

52 replies

BandanaBanana · 24/08/2021 08:53

dp's exw is incredibly demanding when it comes to her kids coming round and staying at ours. For context, they split up in 2004 and dp and I have been together since 2018. I have 4 older kids, all adults so it's not like i haven't parented before!

every time they come and stay she complains about something. Usually it's the fact that we let the dc lie in on the weekend when she thinks we shouldn't - she thinks they should keep their school routine on the weekends otherwise it's harder to get them up on Mondays. She sends pages long whatsapps telling me what they can and can't eat because they have allergies. 2 of my dc had v severe allergies that meant we always had to carry around epipens everywhere so I am v well versed in this. She sent me a list with gluten, dairy etc. I asked dp if the kids were coeliac and he said it was the first he had heard of it. Turns out they can eat pasta and chocolate and ice cream but must be dairy and gluten free in all other foods Hmm and then of course, it turns out it's not actually an allergy at all, it's just a preference.

She is v organised with dates and sends them months in advance (which is fine) but then we arrange everything around those dates (and with lots of other kids and commitments, it's quite a big thing) but when she changes the dates, which she does frequently, she then sends pages of rants accusing me of being too inflexible to move things around (even when it might not be anything to do with me).

I have just been muting the conversations as they were starting to do my head in when she sent her latest diatribe which is about the behaviour of my dog and how she finds it unacceptable and it's not trained properly and behaves badly with her kids. She claims her children are amazing around animals - despite the fact they have never had a dog - and how they know everything there is to know about dogs and they tell her things about the dog that lead her to believe i have no clue what I am doing. This is despite the fact that I caught one of the kids smacking the dog on the nose when it wouldn't do what they wanted and had to take them to one side!

I have now had enough and have told dp so. She sends these messages to a group whatsapp she has set up to discuss all matters relating to the kids arrangements with me, dp and her in the group. I want to leave this group now as even muting it is not enough in my mind.

dp is desperate for there not to be a scene and says if i leave the whatsapp group it will ramp her up more and make matters worse and she will probably just text me anyway or message me directly.

WWYD?

OP posts:
ElspethFlashman · 24/08/2021 08:57

So just to clarify, those kids are at least 17?!

BandanaBanana · 24/08/2021 09:00

no they are 11 and 9 (mine are all much older)

OP posts:
Pinkyxx · 24/08/2021 09:00

I'd say the simply solution is to have your DP agree a set schedule and / or for him to manage communication with his ex wife. If the kids are older maybe they could arrange dates with their Dad directly? All sounds like far too much drama / hard work.. and really not something you need (or would want to) be involved in..

I don't have ex's wife's number, why would I need to? The idea of a whatapp group fills me with terror and I can't see the need for it... I don't blame you for wanting to leave!

BandanaBanana · 24/08/2021 09:01

sorry they split up in 2014 not 2004 (!)

OP posts:
GoogleWhacked · 24/08/2021 09:02

Leave the group and block her. God almighty, I couldn't deal with that. Leave it to your DP and her, their the parents.
What ages are the kids, if they spilt in 2004 they must be at least teenagers? Can your DP deal directly with the children?

GoogleWhacked · 24/08/2021 09:03

Crossed post! So he still has to deal with her, but you don't need to get involved!

Blueskythinking123 · 24/08/2021 09:03

I would leave the group. They are not your children and it is not your ex. I would not expect my partner to be in a group chat with my ex.

Also, how old are the DSC? Now that my DC are older communication between myself and ex is minimal. My ex contacts our DC directly to make any plans. Your partner needs to start reducing contract with his ex.

ItsAChallengingWank · 24/08/2021 09:04

Leave the group and let your dp deal with her. Block her number. She sounds intense, but she doesn't need your number or need to tell you anything.

It can all be done through your dp. He'll need to step up a bit and deal with the ex

Blueskythinking123 · 24/08/2021 09:05

@BandanaBanana your dates they split do not add up with DSC ages. If the split 2004 the youngest would be around 27 if a baby when he left.

AlmostSummer21 · 24/08/2021 09:05

Are you sure it's the whatsapp group you need to leaving? I think you need to seriously think about leaving DP! He's been fine with her treating you like this? FTS

rjacksmiss · 24/08/2021 09:06

I wouldn't interact with her at all. Leave the group chat and tell her to speak to your DP with anything child related. Don't take anything to do with her and certainly don't bow down to any of her crazy demands. Don't let an ex wife control your life! Christ! Thanks

ElspethFlashman · 24/08/2021 09:06

Leave the group, and block her everywhere.

You do not need his permission! Just leave it now and say nothing to anyone. She might not notice for a little while. And if she does, if you have her blocked on everything else (including FB), then all she can do is bitch to your partner.

He is their parent, she clearly does not need to contact you in any way.

Blueskythinking123 · 24/08/2021 09:07
  • would be 17 not 27
LynseyLoses · 24/08/2021 09:07

Yeah, leave the group and block. If she kicks off, not to sound harsh, your DP will just have to deal with it. You shouldn't have to be doing all this for his kids.

BandanaBanana · 24/08/2021 09:08

Thanks, yes it's ridiculous. I've been ignoring it but it's now winding me up! Think I will just leave it and make my life a lot simpler!!

OP posts:
BandanaBanana · 24/08/2021 09:08

@Blueskythinking123 apologies, it was 2014 not 2004 !

OP posts:
RedMarauder · 24/08/2021 09:09

I second/third leave the group and block her.

Tell your DP to tell his children's mother to only contact him about their children.

In addition if the children are secondary age and NT then it is up to them to do most of the communication with both their parents. Regardless it is nothing to do with you.

Theworldisquiethere · 24/08/2021 09:09

[quote Blueskythinking123]@BandanaBanana your dates they split do not add up with DSC ages. If the split 2004 the youngest would be around 27 if a baby when he left. [/quote]
She’s already clarified that she meant 2014 not 2004, but also 2004 was not 27 years ago!

TheAverageUser · 24/08/2021 09:10

I would leave all contact to your DP and her. They aren't conversations you have to have IMO. They're your partner's and her kids.

Theworldisquiethere · 24/08/2021 09:10

Oh haha I see everyone corrected themselves in the time I took to type that

Blueskythinking123 · 24/08/2021 09:10

@BandanaBanana just seen updates. That does make it harder if they are younger.

I would still advise you leave the group. Dealing with the ex is not your responsibility. How soon after you got together were you included in this group?

aSofaNearYou · 24/08/2021 09:12

Your DP needs to grow a spine. Don't leave him a choice, tell him it's too much to ask of you to put up with this, and block her. Then he can either explain it to her, or let her not realise.

BandanaBanana · 24/08/2021 09:18

They are NT. it was about a year after we got together that she added me grrr

I have left the group Grin

OP posts:
EL8888 · 24/08/2021 09:18

Leave the group, life is too short for this batshittery. She uses the group as a tool to beat you with. So what if she doesn’t like you leaving it, she’s not the boss of you

LynseyLoses · 24/08/2021 09:19

@BandanaBanana

They are NT. it was about a year after we got together that she added me grrr

I have left the group Grin

I bet that felt great! Well bloody done you!