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Notthedoormat's picture

Thank goodness this place exists!

So...my DH and I have been married 5 years. His kids are 24 yo (MTF trans) and 20yo dau. The oldest sort of lives in their own world, but my SD is another story. I have tried to get her to like me, but she only seems to act like she does when it suits her interests. Long story, but Thanksgiving weekend  2019 DH got a message from BM that their daughter ran off with her new boyfriend....after a physical altercation with her mom that left BM with bruises and a black eye. DH and I were shocked,  never imagined SD would/could do this. DH made calls and got info to find her so we then went to find her (they live out of state). After we found her, we took her to her BM's house...my first time meeting her. Since that time DH and BM have developed what I thought was a good co-parenting relationship, considering that even though SD was 18 at the time, she was still in high school and lived at home. BM seemed like someone I could be friends with and I didn't feel threatened.  My ex and I have a good relationship and work well co-parenting so I know for some people it is possible.  Anyway,  fast forward a bit and SD leaves again and basically moved in with the boyfriend at his grandmother's house. She doesn't call her dad often at that point,  doesn't answer when he calls...DH and BM are communicating and to me seems normal in that situation of checking on SD. Well...one night DH and BM are on the phone and I hear DH telling BM he's sorry to hear that....and when they hang up I asked about it.  BM told my husband that her boyfriend cheated on her....I let that marinate a while.  I can't find that to be appropriate.  I just can't. But I didn't say anything about it yet.

Fast forward to this past October...SD marries the boyfriend and their baby is born in November. We went for the wedding and I volunteered to make her bouquet and other flowers for the wedding. We were of course in the presence of BM. Nothing odd happened,  but I was not very comfortable around her because she thought it was ok to tell my husband about her BF cheating on her. But I made it through the day. Well...the baby was born in November,  a bit early but healthy.  We go visit and have to spend some time at BM's house in order to see the baby. Then we go visit  again at Christmas time and we spend much more time at BM's than I am comfortable with....even playing games, Family Feud of all things! At one point I'm  holding the baby and they all decide to go into the kitchen to play another game that they need more floor space for...meanwhile,  I'm  still there, in another room, holding the baby....which made me VERY uncomfortable. 

After that, on our next visit my husband could sense I was not a happy  camper.  I told him why...back to BM telling him she BF was cheating on her. He brushed it off. Said she probably just needed a friend and that it was nothing....that he just wanted a relationship with her like I have with my older kids dad. But the difference is we only get together for events...like school concerts...and we don't sit together.  We have never played games.  The one time we had a meal together is when we were having issues with a child and w we re at their house discussing things. My ex and I do not discuss our relationships...its not appropriate. 

Well, we went a few months ago and it happened to be SDs birthday.  We took her out to dinner several times and the day we were leaving was her actual bay. DH wished out loud that we could have a cookout to celebrate.  I was being sarcastic and said maybe we can have one at BMs house.  He thought it was a great idea! Called her up and added her. She thought it was fantastic! The next morning he left our hotel and went grocery shopping to get everything. I was fuming.  But I smiled through it. He knew I was uncomfortable, though.  

And we recently went again,  this time for SD high school  graduation.  And we sat with BM. And we were all together at SD's apartment afterwards.  But while at the graduation,  I was sitting between  DH and BM....until I made a DH trade with me because I was tired of leaning back while they were talking.  DH would speak, first looking at BM, then at me and honestly I felt like I was in the way.  Later DH said he thinks I get jealous when BM is around....  I bit my tongue.  I already told him once I was uncomfortable.  I don't know why he can't  get it.....

I'm sorry for venting sooo long, but I really  don't have anyone I can talk to about these things. 

Any thoughts or advice?

Also,  I am sure SD LOVES it....seeing me uncomfortable and her parents googly eyed talking to each other about the grandchild.  Also, BM has a new BF and SD seems to enjoy talking to her dad about it, telling him how often her mom is out on dates, like she's trying to make her dad jealous of the new guy....

Oh, and BM said we need to do another cookout next time we're there....I don't know if I can handle more of this!

Comments

Stepdrama2020's picture

This has to stop. It makes you uncomfortable, that is enough reason for NOT getting together for minor events. Period.

Cook outs NFW!

They still have an emotional relationship with over sharing their personal that does not pertain to the kids. Read your DH the riot act.

Read my blogs if you want. MY ex DH and BM and SD all got cozy without me. I kicked him to the curb and he went to live with BM. I am certain SD has never been happier. SD always inserted BM in our relationship. MY ex DH was to blame though.

Not saying you are me but DANG listen to your gut PLEASE.

Notthedoormat's picture

Thank you  for that! I really  needed some validation  that I'm not being a petty B!TCH. 

DH and BM had no contact for years so it really took me by surprise that they were ready to be buddies like this.  

LittleCloud9's picture

It kind of boils down to this: You are uncomfortable with this and he needs to respect that.

If he and BM are not hatefilled enemies well that's very nice. That doesn't mean you have to accept her as a friend or share meals together. This isn't a sitcom where ex's and everybody are completely cool being wrapped up in each other's lives. In real life people have a right to their feelings and a right to expect their partner to care about them and show loyalty. You're his family now, you come before her. This is a boundary he needs to respect even if he doesn't agree. 
 

CLove's picture

Yeah, thats a big fat he!! no.

My husband will also overshare (in my opinion) and has very much overshared in the past. I got into him about this.

However, he will NEVER ever sit next to BM, or share things now about our relationship. We used to do swim parties for SD15 B/M birthday. That was too much and thank goodness that stopped. After 2 horrible times doing this.

You are not one big happy family. You need to have a discussion.

Notthedoormat's picture

Yes,  DH definitely can overshare at times! But he's never said (that I know of) anything about  our relationship to BM...and I was so shocked when he told me she told him her BF cheated.... I had only met her once and she didn't seem like the kind of person to overshare or step out of line. Now I see her more as a snake.

A conversation  will definitely happen before we go visit  again. I am all for visiting his kids and the baby, but I don't see any reason to chill at BM'S  house. SD will probably try to find a way to have her mom around,  though.

I made concessions before because SD and her husband were living with his family  and it wasn't a good place to have visits. So our choice was our hotel room or BM's house. Now that SD and husband have an apartment,  we should not have to go to BM's house.

I'm  soon glad to see I'm not asking too much.

hereiam's picture

You need to have a sit down with your husband and tell him how you feel. Being cordial to BM at weddings, grandkids' birthday parties, etc., is one thing, but hanging out, barbecuing, and playing games is quite another.

Really, why would he think you would be okay with all of this? Why would HE be okay with all of this?

My DH has no animosity towards his first ex wife but he doesn't want to hang out with her.

Notthedoormat's picture

Absolutely! When I told him I was uncomfortable with this he said he just wanted a friendship like I have with my older kids dad.  But its not really  a friendship...is a good co-parenting relationship.  We don't sit together at events.  We don't go to dinner together.  We don't have BBQs. When we have conversations,  it's  about an issue with one of the kids. I wouldn't dream of telling him or of him telling me something personal like that. 

I don't know how the conversation will go, but I hope DH has enough  sense to see its not good for me and its not good for our marriage.