'I'm done': Pregnant Woman Draws the Line with Kid's Toxic Stepmom After Enduring Endless Passive-Aggressive Digs

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    AITA for refusing to talk to my husband's ex- wife's wife?
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    I (38F) am married to my husband (50M), who shares custody of his two kids (16F and 12M) with his ex-wife (48F). His ex is remarried to her wife (48F), who has become extremely involved in the co-parenting dynamic.
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    They have been divorced for eight years when my husband's ex-wife left him for her current six wife. I met my husband almost years ago, we married earlier this year.
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    From the beginning, I've tried to be polite and respectful when interacting with his ex-wife and her wife, but over time, I've grown to avoid any direct contact with them, especially his ex-wife's wife. Every time I do engage, she finds a way to talk
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    down to me or make passive- aggressive comments—both to my face and indirectly through the kids. For example, she'll say things like, "I'm surprised you're here, with you it's always hit or miss,"
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    or, "we're too old for what you do." She's also made snide remarks about how I am not good with the kids "you can always ask me questions as I know how to parent them." The kids have picked up on it,
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    too. They've mentioned things like, "stepmom says you don't really know how kids because you don't have any," or, "stepmom and mom said you're only involved because Dad needs help." It's incredibly frustrating, especially because I've made
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    every effort to build a good relationship with the kids and respect their boundaries. I finally decided that for my own sanity, I'm done trying to engage with her. I still talk to my husband's ex-wife when
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    necessary, but I won't involve myself with her wife anymore. Of course, this hasn't gone unnoticed. Now, the ex-wife and her wife are accusing me of being "inappropriate" and "difficult" because I won't speak to her or coordinate directly with
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    her. They insist that her involvement is "necessary" and that I'm not prioritizing what's best for the kids. But here's the thing: I'm not refusing to co-parent. I'm refusing to subject myself to
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    someone who consistently disrespects me and undermines my role in the kids' lives. My husband agrees with me, but I'm still questioning whether I'm doing the right thing for the kids by drawing this line.
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    Additionally, I am pregnant and this is causing me great stress. The ex-wife is already creating conflict with my husband every chance she gets. She interferes with our custodial time every week and constantly berats him in the parenting app they use to communicate.
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    ktjbug • 1d ago A hole Aficionado [13] There's literally no reason you have to be talking to either of these women. They aren't your children and they aren't your responsibility and if the person who is responsible for them won't manage those relationships it's not your burden to take on.
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    NTA and pass the reins over to your husband. I've driven step daughter back and forth occasionally and still not interacted with mom via text or phone once; all of it is through my husband. Probably why I like her fine enough.
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    Adventurous-Smile251 . 1d ago NTA Let your husband be the point of contact with them. They're only ped off because they've enjoyed trying to belittle you and you've cut them off. Also sounds like jealousy with you being a lot younger. If in future you unfortunately have an interaction with them and they're
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    mean, call them out and say you've heard menopausal symptoms can be hard and thank god I don't need to deal with that for a long time.
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    CeramicSavage . 1d ago • Nta. She's obviously very high conflict and talking to her is nothing but stressful. There's no reason to deal with her at all.
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    Particular-Try5584 1d ago • Professor Emeritass [97] NTA. Sounds wise to go low/ no contact with them, they aren't co parenting, they are bu ying. Also consider getting a mediated parenting plan that is legally tied up properly.
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    And a parenting communication app... so everyone communicates through the court ordered app and it notes tone and insults. Will sort a lot of the nonsense out. While you are at it... get the kids into some kind of therapy, and warn the therapist that the ex/ex's wife are warming up alienation and you want a good relationship with your step kids and can the therapist help facilitate this.
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    But here's the thing: I'm not refusing to co- parent. I'm refusing to subject myself to someone who consistently disrespects me and undermines my role in the kids' lives. My husband agrees with me, but I'm still questioning whether I'm doing the right thing for the kids by drawing this line.

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