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Ex Issues ... Is it Me??

gr8Scape's picture

This is my first post so hopefully I'm doing this right because I need some advice! I have been married to my husband for 11 years. We were both married before. I have a 13 year old son, he has a 21 year old son, and we have a 4 year daughter together. My husband's ex-wife never remarried. They were married for 16 years and have been divorced now for 18 years. They get along very well.

HERE IS MY PROBLEM...My step-son is in the Marine Corp and Parent Day is this weekend. Obviously, they are both attending and I agree they should. I was not asked to attend. I would not have probably gone (becuae of our two children at home), but it would have been nice to be asked. Anyway, it is a 5 hour trip for them. They will more than likely drive together which I don't know if I totally like. Then they will spend the whole day together with their son. I'm not sure if they are spending the night or not. I don't get much information. When they went to their son's graduation from the Marine Corp, which I wasn't invited to, she suggested that they stay in the same hotel room (along with his parents). I was furious!! My husband does not understand my feelings and generally thinks I am over-reacting. She is very friendly to me, but I think she definately oversteps the boundaries. While their son was growing up, I had to tolerate the three of us sitting together at games. Sometimes my in-laws would come to the games and I'm the one who felt out of place! My mother in law (MIL) once even told me that the ex is her best friend. My MIL still has pictures of her hanging in her house and they are still very close and spend time together. My marriage is a little rocky so I am insecure when it comes to him spending any time with his ex expecially because she never re-married. He hunts on her property and he would go over and repair things at her house. I really think I have a reason to be upset and angry. He just doesn't get it though. If I say anything to him, it just starts a fight and I feel even worse. PLEASE HELP!!! How can I deal with this?

Comments

Kelly's picture

I think you have every right to be upset. The thing is you have to decide if you trust him or not to be alone with her on the drive there. If you don't then maybe you both need to go to counselling about this.
Personally I would get very upset if my husband spent the night with his ex in the same motel room.
As rude as it is that the MIL and the son treat you this way, there is not much you can do to change the way they feel about you if you haven't been able to get on their good side by now. I know it's hard but try not to let their rude behavior cause fights between you and your husband he can't change they way they act anymore than you can.

Candice's picture

My sil is bff with my dh's ex. The one thing that I picked up on in your vent, is that your marriage is a little rocky. First, and foremost, it is poor social boundaries for dh and ex to share a motel room together, and go some where and not invite you. I understand that step families have certain dynamics where adults are making huge sacrifices, however, my dh would never attend something w/o me, I am his wife, he is sharing HIS life w/me, and that means all of his children's milestones as well. If the ex doesn't like it, well tough shit, she shouldn't have created a split home for her kids then.

The first thing I would suggest you to do, is to get your marriage on solid soil. Which means your dh needs to make decisions that involve good social/family boundaries. My dh use to have some confusion over good social/family boundaries and a family therapists helped clear his head a little..ha ha.. mine too, I can't lie.

The second thing I would do is go. You are his wife, and you should be there, if you are good enough to go to games, school functions etc..you should be good enough for all the adult functions as well. I think you should be there.

Another thing that caught my attention in your vent is that when you bring up your feeings, it sparks a fight. Am I missing something? Does he have something to hide? I can deal with sitting next to the ex at games, or hunting on the property, but sharing a motel room? The answer is no, and if it starts a fight then there is a problem. I don't care how much money he thinks he would be saving, no sharing of a motel room...it's more than rude...it's f#cked up...

Question? Would her family have extended that same offer if you were going?

Anonymous's picture

Thanks so much for your response. Yeah, things get tense when I bring up my feelings about this whole situation. I don't think that he is hiding anything. He just thinks I'm out in left field when I tell him it upsets me. He thinks I should trust him and if I did then I would be upset about it. That hotel thing was way fu*ked. I didn't happen, but the idea that it was suggested makes me not think too much of the ex. We'll see how it goes. Thanks, again.

Bobbi's picture

I don't think you are overreacting. Your husband is not sharing information with you about his plans. He didn't ask you to go with him, which he should.

You said his ex suggested they stay in the same hotel room. How did your husband respond to her suggestion? I would absolutely flip out if my BF stayed in a hotel room with his ex. I think just about anybody would.

You didn't mention, or maybe I just missed it, what is your relationship like with your SS?

Do you think your husband would be willing to see a therapist with you? I think that would be my first step.

hopeful's picture

I would actually be balistic if my husband was going somewhere with his ex. It would definitely be a one way trip because I would not tolerate having him back if he minimized my feelings in that way. That is just me though. What has made your marriage rocky? Have you done things to try and resurrect that relationship? I really empathize with you...I can feel the angst in your message.

Anonymous's picture

Believe me, I am balistic inside!!!!! Lots of little things have made the marriage rocky, but I think the big thing is lack of communication and living with someone who can't believe that they might not be perfect (not me). Tried talking...not much luck. Thanks for listening. Still don't know what his plans are this weekend with her. I guess I'll find out soon...or not.
Where can I find my replies/posts. I just found this today. After I log in, where do I go? Have a great day!!

happy mom's picture

I think the 1st thing you need to do is sit your husband down and tell him all the stuff that bothers you and tell him what/how you want each of the things to be from now on. If he can't support you then leave him. I just can't see how he can't grant your wishes and support you 100% on what you want, especially because you are married to each other. I too had to do this w/my husband. I told him everything that bothered me and today he is 100% supports my wishes and lets me decide everything that pertains to SS and whatever that B**** brings up. I took us 6 yrs and still working on it day by day to get our relationship be in a better position today. How can you be truly happy w/this man if he can't support your feelings?

I'm a bit bothered about what you said, how your mother in law said she is best friends w/his ex wife! What kind of mother in law would say such a thing especially to her son's new wife. I would tell your mother in law one day, that you would appreciate it if she doesn't talk about ex to you. I can't believe she has photos of ex in her home! I had to tell my husband to tell his mother to take the ex's photo off the wall when I 1st visited her house. I told him that it was an insult to leave her photo up. I guess he told her and the next time I visited, the photo is no longer up. My mother in law knows I hate the ex wife, I told her that. Tell your husband that you feel very uncomfortable about the photos at her house. See what he says. If mother in law continues to favor the ex over you, I wouldn't talk to her anymore.

Regarding the trip....I would tell your husband to drive separately, and rent a room by himself w/out ex. If he can't do that then you'll go along too w/the children! How can he not understand that you are upset about the whole thing....????

-happy mom

Anonymous's picture

Thanks, happy mom. I can't see how he can't see my point either and support me either way --even if he doesn't think he would feel the same way in my shoes. I've been tempted to leave, but my insecurity gets in the way. I think he knows that. Anyway, my relationship with ss is okay. It has gotten better than it was. Growing up, husband gave him EVERYTHING and spoiled him to no end. He's 21 and has had 3 cars (2 brand new) and has a motorcyle. Crashed motorcycle and husband paid to repair. Lots of money. Expensive cell phone bills, failing grades in college, no consequences. So....maybe you can see what I mean. It has gotten a little better. About the mil, I would love to tell her to not talk about ex anymore, take down pics, etc. Somehow any time I try to express how I feel, I'm the bad guy. Because they're "best friends" she thinks I overreact also. Thanks for your reply. I feel a little better knowing I'm not the only one that feels the way I do.
How do I find my posts or replies. I just found them today. Where do I look for them. Log in and then go where? Thanks and have a great day!

happy mom's picture

You're welcome. We are all here for each other. I feel your pain. I can't tell my mother in law about how I would rather her not ask me about stepson's school schedule as to when he is off, because I have no idea and only his mother would know. She asks me this all the time and I just feel like telling her to call his mother yourself and ask her. But I just can't they are old fashioned and will be upset w/me too if I say that. I expressed my feelings w/my husband and he said to just tell her. But in your case they are best of friends, that must hurt you. I'm sorry you are in that situation. Stay positive and if you have to ignore it please do or you'll drive yourself crazy. We gotta do things that make ourselves happy or else what's the sense of living.

-happy mom

lovin-life's picture

Top left hand corner..there's a list of things..Book reviews, forums,etc.. Go to 'Recent Posts' to see what's new...click on which one you want to read more on. Also in the middle-ish left hand corner..is 'recent comments'..it shows the most recent replies to posts...etc... Hope this helps.. Smile

gr8Scape's picture

Well, husband and ex are leaving tomorrow for the trip. They are spending the night and returning Sunday night. I asked last night where they were staying and he said he didn't know yet. He said if it makes you feel any better, she has a boyfriend and he might go. The supposed boyfriend is his cousin! Weird. I just don't like the idea. It's gonna be a long weekend. Thanks for any/all support.

mamaceta's picture

Your dh is leaving tommorow and he doesn't know where they are staying? What are they going to do decide where they are going to stay once they get there? I know when I go on a vacation or away from home I plan all of that out before I leave. Also if her bf can go then why are you not invited?
gr8Scape I feel for you, there is no way I would be comfortable with this arrangement to go and see his son's Marine's Parent Day. If you need to vent over the weekend we are here.

gr8Scape's picture

Thanks mamaceta. I may need to vent over the weekend. Venting does help especially when you feel like someone sees your point of view.