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Step-parenting

Connect with other Mumsnetters here for step-parenting advice and support.

Mum’s chaotic love life

95 replies

YeezyBreezy · 11/04/2024 12:38

I’m simply here to vent to anyone that can sympathise as I have no one in real life that has any experience with my situation.

DH’s exgf and mother to my SDs is a whole mess. On social media she looks like she’s living the high life… she’s pretty, has cosmetic work done, designer clothes, lavish holidays, always out etc. You’d be convinced she had her sh*t together and was doing well in life.

The reality is that she is incredibly lazy and lives a hedonistic lifestyle where she puts her own wants and love life above the stability of her daughters.

She flits between not working (through choice, she’s able bodied and capable) or working part time, never more than 2.5 days a week in her entire adult life. She dates men willing to lavish cash on her and support her lazy lifestyle, not choosing men who are good partners or actually care about her or the kids.

In the 8.5 years I’ve been with DH, she has had at least 4 boyfriends that she’s introduced to the kids or cohabited with that we know of. It’s a revolving door of new “stepdads” and we have tried our best to not interfere as the kids don’t appear to have been in any danger, but obviously it’s an unstable home life.

SDs are now 19 & 15 so there’s very little DH can do about it in terms of custody as one is an adult and we’ve been advised that kids over around 11/12 years old generally get to decide which parent they want to reside with and unfortunately they both idolise their mum.

Their mum’s most recent bf seemed pretty nice… good job, had a nice daughter of his own, my SDs like him, he treated them well. So when my SDs said they were all moving in together into a new house we were so RELIEVED.

Their mum has a history of lying, it’s bizarre and almost like she presents what she wishes would happen as factual. This has ranged from SDs being told they’re getting a puppy more than 5 times (and obviously it never happens), to declaring they’re going on a lavish holiday to Dubai for a month, to telling them she’s been offered a job paying £100k per year, and the latest lie she told the kids is that the house they were moving in to with the new bf was equally and jointly purchased by her.

Immediately I knew this was a lie, her house was rented previously and she would never have saved the £40k+ for her to be put jointly on the mortgage whilst being unemployed or working for NMW part-time.

She’s a complete fantasist but the kids adore her and despite her wild promises never materialising, they always appear to trust and believe in what she’s telling them.

Getting to the most recent sh*t show, they did end up moving into this lovely big new house. The kids were proudly telling everyone about their new home, how pretty it is, how lovely their new big bedrooms are etc.

We could not have been happier for them! Like I said, we were relieved things seemed stable and nice.

Until last night. SD15 came over for dinner and when DH was dropping her home she told him to drop her at their old house, not the new one. He was obviously confused and SD burst into tears and told him mum’s bf had kicked them and their mum out.

Mum and SD19 had behaved so appallingly and entitled towards the new bf that they lasted less than 2 months all living together.

SD15 is humiliated and embarrassed that her mum lied to them about co-owning the house, that she excitedly told all of her friends and family about their new home, and their mum has yet another failed relationship under her belt.

So now they’re back in their old rented house… which begs the question of why hadn’t their mum given up her tenancy (they knew they were moving for over 6 months) or any of her furniture? Did she expect this to happen? If so, why did she put SD15 through it knowing it was as likely to go pear shaped?

We asked SD15 if she wanted to stay with us for a while, she said no but we have her this weekend anyway and intend to spoil her with love and attention.

I just feel so bad for her.

OP posts:
Candyfloss99 · 11/04/2024 12:52

How on earth do you know so much about your partners ex's life? I'd really take a step back from knowing anything about her. Concentrate on your step daughter not his ex. She's not your concern.

YeezyBreezy · 11/04/2024 12:59

Because the kids talk to us, we are their safe space to vent when they want to. Everything written in my OP has been told us by the kids.

I am concentrating on my SD, I just needed to vent about her mum’s appalling decisions because it’s having a direct impact on SD.

OP posts:
YeezyBreezy · 11/04/2024 13:00

…And I was hoping to get some advice on how to handle SD’s upset regarding the current situation.

OP posts:
rainraingoaway6 · 11/04/2024 13:03

4 relationships in 8.5 years isn't excessive, maybe she knows her worth and isn't prepared to settle if things don't work out.
I don't see anything crazily ott about their mum so I'd just step back and concern yourself with your own relationship with them.
It sounds very toxic on your part, do the children feel their lives are chaotic?

vanillaclouds · 11/04/2024 13:06

You sound quite high and mighty as though you're goading to her children that she doesn't meet your high expectations so isn't as good as you, are you jealous?

YeezyBreezy · 11/04/2024 13:09

You don’t think having 4 different men living with the kids or staying over/ being introduced as stepdad in 8 years is excessive? And these are just the ones I know of during my relationship with DH, she was engaged twice before I met them.

No judgement on her dating, it’s involving the kids and moving in with them so quickly that’s problematic.

Mum constantly lies to them and gets their hopes up about things that will never materialise, and moving twice in 9 weeks is pretty chaotic imho.

OP posts:
YeezyBreezy · 11/04/2024 13:10

@vanillaclouds goading? Not at all.

Her behaviour is having a hugely detrimental effect on the girls which is where my concern lies.

SD was in tears last night, did you miss that part?

OP posts:
DreamyCritic · 11/04/2024 13:14

YeezyBreezy · 11/04/2024 13:10

@vanillaclouds goading? Not at all.

Her behaviour is having a hugely detrimental effect on the girls which is where my concern lies.

SD was in tears last night, did you miss that part?

And what is her father doing about this in order to support his DD?

My advice as a SM would be to pass no negative comments at all about the mum to DSD.
You can support your DSD but just be very careful with the advice/solutions you offer ad anything that can be seen as remotely negative towards mum could make things very difficult for your relationship with DSD.

bumpsinthenight · 11/04/2024 13:14

What does your dh say about this?
Teenagers can be known to play each other off against each other.
I'd like to hear her version tbh, she probably hears a few tails about you and the puppy thing is probably that she said no and my guess is a sympathy ploy to get you to buy them one.

Pantaloons99 · 11/04/2024 13:15

I think the very best thing is to just listen and re enforce what the SDs have said. ' That sounds really tough for you'. ' How do you feel about it' .

My son is so perceptive as most kids are that he picks up on even the slightest change in tone , like ' oh really ' when I hear something from dad's side. I learnt I have to do everything in my power to show zero opinion other than ' yeah I can see why that was tough for you'.

Getting involved in her personal life will not go down well. You don't want to be seen to be slating her at all. I really dislike social media. I think you're getting too involved in bits that aren't relevant - e.g her appearance and clothes etc. It doesn't matter. She's still their mum whatever she's doing.

RosieCosy · 11/04/2024 13:17

You sound very overinvested in her. These are not young kids. They're adults and older teenagers. If it's been eight years, why so worried about them now and not when they were young teens. The mum does sound chaotic but also you sound like you love their drama

YeezyBreezy · 11/04/2024 13:21

To be clear, I have never and would never say anything negative to my SDs about their mother. Hence me venting on here because I would never say these things out loud in real life.

DH is doing everything he can to support SDs, which is why he asked if she wanted to stay with us for a while when she expressed how upset she was.

DH’s life and our home life is a lot more stable and calm. He speaks to them both everyday and listens and offers support. He lets them know they can come here any time and invites them out to spend time with him 1-on-1.

What else would you advise? He really wants to do the best he can for them.

Has anyone else been in this situation?

OP posts:
ThreeEggOmlette · 11/04/2024 13:23

I think it's the old serenity thing - accept the things you can't change & put your energy into loving your girls & providing a stable home for them if they need it.

The mums not going to change & you can only try to minimise any fallout for the kids. They probably adore her because she's a 'fun mum'. Her lifestyle sounds more aligned to theirs as young women - boyfriends, clothes etc.

Sadly, you & DH get to be the boring, stable adults. The children will see that as they grow into young women & mum's choices will be reflected on. For now you can only be there for them.

neilyoungismyhero · 11/04/2024 13:24

She sounds like a train wreck to be fair. A KP clone. There's really nothing you can do, she is who she is. Pretty sure the 19 year old must have some idea about her Walter Mitty world but it sounds as if the apple didn't fall far from the tree if the 15 year old is to be believed about their behaviour.
She knows she has a safe space with her dad and you and that's the best you can offer.

Illpickthatup · 11/04/2024 13:25

Oh it sounds like my DHs ex and this woman would be amazing friends!

My DHs ex sounds so similar it's scary!! They've only been separated 4 years though and there's only been one boyfriend. The boyfriend is married and has 3 kids and he had an affair with her for 1.5 before his wife found out and he moved in with her. The kids were given no notice that he was moving in and went home to find some guy on their couch.

The picture she paints on social media is the exact opposite of what she's really like. She claims to be a hard working business loving mum when the reality is she's lazy, unhinged and palms her kids off at every opportunity. Her older son barely speaks to her. She has always put herself before her children.

She's been telling people she's taking DH to court because he owes her money (he doesn't). I've heard various figures from different people about how much DH is having to pay her from 50k - 100k. She made out on social media that she was studying to be a lawyer when she was actually at the local college doing a 1 year court in legal services. She was unemployed for 4 years by choice and now works in a call centre. She promises my DSD things all the time which never materialise. She told her she was going to buy her a horse. DSD has told us loads of times that mummy is getting a new car but she's had the same one for 4 years.

Some of the lies she'd told are unbelievable. The woman has some imagination!

My advice would be to try and let go of what the ex is doing as much as possible. I used to get so wound up at everything the ex did and drove myself mad wondering why she behaved like she did. It gets you nowhere. Accept what you can't control and just continue to be there for your stepkids. Don't try to win favour because their mum does. They need stability, consistency and someone they can trust. Don't badmouth their mum but listen to their concerns. Hopefully they will see for themselves what their mum is really like. It sounds like they're already there. My DSS did after years of hanging on every word his mother said. It all clicked into place for him what his mum was really like, what her priorities were and that my DH wasn't the nad guy he'd been painted as.

I feel so sorry for those kids but they are lucky they have stability in you and their dad.

YeezyBreezy · 11/04/2024 13:26

@RosieCosy you couldn’t be further from the truth. The “drama” is awful and stressful and I’ve only come here to have a safe space to vent and ask for advice in the latest situation which unfolded last night.

All we want is for them to be happy, like I said we were happy and relieved about the latest bf as he seemed lovely!

It’s disingenuous to imply we haven’t cared until now, of course we have. I’m just posting today about the current situation. It seems to be escalating and often problems don’t appear to be problems until it becomes a repeated pattern of behaviour.

OP posts:
DreamyCritic · 11/04/2024 13:26

Has anyone else been in this situation?

Honestly no because I didn't involve myself in the children's mothers love life/social life/clothing style.

When the SDC needed support I generally let DH take the lead and I supported from the background. I mostly supported my DH so that he could support DC if that makes sense?

DSC new I was there for them but not being so involved helped me keep my distance from the drama and allowed them to come to me as a neutral person which I think helped them

YeezyBreezy · 11/04/2024 13:28

ThreeEggOmlette · 11/04/2024 13:23

I think it's the old serenity thing - accept the things you can't change & put your energy into loving your girls & providing a stable home for them if they need it.

The mums not going to change & you can only try to minimise any fallout for the kids. They probably adore her because she's a 'fun mum'. Her lifestyle sounds more aligned to theirs as young women - boyfriends, clothes etc.

Sadly, you & DH get to be the boring, stable adults. The children will see that as they grow into young women & mum's choices will be reflected on. For now you can only be there for them.

I’m quite happy to be boring and stable to be honest! It’s a lot easier and less stressful.

We will of course be there for them, they know we’re here if they want to see their dad.

DH is going to take them out for dinner over the weekend and have a bit of time on his own with them.

OP posts:
Illpickthatup · 11/04/2024 13:32

YeezyBreezy · 11/04/2024 13:26

@RosieCosy you couldn’t be further from the truth. The “drama” is awful and stressful and I’ve only come here to have a safe space to vent and ask for advice in the latest situation which unfolded last night.

All we want is for them to be happy, like I said we were happy and relieved about the latest bf as he seemed lovely!

It’s disingenuous to imply we haven’t cared until now, of course we have. I’m just posting today about the current situation. It seems to be escalating and often problems don’t appear to be problems until it becomes a repeated pattern of behaviour.

People love to point the finger at stepmums. They're always somehow the bad guy. We've never actually concerned about the welfare of children we care about we just love to be judgey and live for all the drama.

You could have wrote that their mum was shooting heroin infront of them and someone on MN would tell you to mind your own business.

lunar1 · 11/04/2024 13:34

Keep doing what you're doing, be there, be stable, it's exactly what she needs.

I can't believe there are people who think 4 stepdads isn't too much! New partners mean massive changes for children every time, no loving parent should put their children through that much disruption.

TwinklyRoseTurtle · 11/04/2024 13:36

You sound jealous and masking it as you’re worried about the children.mind your business

Pantaloons99 · 11/04/2024 13:36

It sounds to me like you and their dad are doing loads. They're very lucky to have stability and it's so much more than other kids have. Maybe look at how lucky they are to have you both, including a SMum who cares and isn't cruel to them. Maybe you'll worry less about the mum and impact if you look at it this way.

It's not pleasant for them at all but when you think what some kids endure, they're lucky with both of your support. No other action needed I reckon

YeezyBreezy · 11/04/2024 13:36

@DreamyCritic I haven’t involved myself, I’m posting here anonymously because I can’t talk to anyone about this in real life.

I am letting DH the lead, I’m very much in the background with his kids and just there if they need me.

I have my own 2 kids from a previous relationship so DH and I generally just get on with parenting our own and letting the actual parent take the lead.

I just feel so awful thinking about SD being so sad. She’s such a tough, strong willed girl that her crying is really out of character so she must be really hurting. I know she really like this new boyfriend too.

OP posts:
Illpickthatup · 11/04/2024 13:39

TwinklyRoseTurtle · 11/04/2024 13:36

You sound jealous and masking it as you’re worried about the children.mind your business

Jealous of what? A woman who's just be dumped by her boyfriend and tossed out his nice big house. Sure. 🙄

YeezyBreezy · 11/04/2024 13:39

TwinklyRoseTurtle · 11/04/2024 13:36

You sound jealous and masking it as you’re worried about the children.mind your business

Jealous? Of SD’s upset? What on earth is there to be jealous of?

OP posts:
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