New here? Register in under one minute   Already a member? Login244965 questions, 1084303 answers  

  DearCupid.ORG relationship advice
  Got a relationship, dating, love or sex question? Ask for help!Search
 New Questions Answers . Most Discussed Viewed . Unanswered . Followups . Forums . Top agony aunts . About Us .  Articles  . Sitemap

My husband can't see the problems with his ex wife ...

Tagged as: Big Questions, Family, Friends, Social Media, The ex-factor, Troubled relationships, Trust issues<< Previous question   Next question >>
Question - (31 January 2017) 13 Answers - (Newest, 8 February 2017)
A female United States age 30-35, anonymous writes:

My husband and his ex have not spoken in years because of all the trouble she caused at the beginning of our relationship. She called begging him to come sleep with her, she kept asking to come over claiming she needed closure (she was the one who ended their relationship by cheating on him and deciding she wanted someone else) and she even had her dad call my husband the day before our wedding to tell him he was making a mistake, and her dad begged him to go back to her (she was dating her husband at the time--her parents were also the ones who told her she needed to date other people before they broke up). The week before Christmas, they reconnected and became friends on Facebook. I told him this really bothered me and told him I thought he had cut those ties permanently long ago. Even though he tells me I have nothing to worry about, he just won't block her. I told him that our life was none of her business and I made sure to block her so she couldn't see anything on my page nor the things I tagged him in. My constant fear is that they are talking. That alone has consumed my thoughts pretty much every minute of every day. I trust him completely. I do NOT trust her however because of her history of trying to break us up. His behavior has changed somewhat, because he tends to get ill with me very easily. He even bought me diamond earrings and roses, both of which he NEVER does. I'm not sure if he's feeling guilty or if he's just trying to reassure me nothing is going on. He really did love her and she did him dirty and it took him a long time to get over her. They broke up 11 years ago though, and thankfully she moved several hours away.

Anyway, How do I get him to see how much it bothers me, because every time I try to bring it up he gets defensive saying "When I said 'til death do us part' i meant it!" I just had baby number 2 a month ago and this has really caused some serious postpartum depression. Or how can I move past this? (We've been married almost 8 years)

View related questions: broke up, christmas, facebook, his ex, wedding

<-- Rate this Question

Reply to this Question


Share

Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question!

A reader, anonymous, writes (8 February 2017):

This is verified as being by the original poster of the question

"...maybe he just wants her to see that he is happy now (with you) from his photos, and get satisfaction from that knowledge."

I really hadn't looked at it that way but that does make me feel better.

He never ran to her when she came calling/crying/begging, he told her to never come over, he even flat out told her dad he was much happier with me and that his daughter was not the angel they thought she was. As far as facebook, they never "like" or comment on each other's things, and he says they do not message each other. She can't see my page because I have her blocked and our life is none of her business.

Maybe I'm just overthinking things and worrying over nothing. He has never ever given me a single reason to doubt his fidelity in the 8 years we've been married and the 10 years we've been together.

<-- Rate this answer

A reader, anonymous, writes (4 February 2017):

No, I don't think it sounds like he is going to cheat (although there is limited information here-- just how did they "reconnect" and decide to add each other on facebook?) If he says he is committed perhaps he is just idly keeping the contact.

I think given how aggressive she has been in the past, they should not stay friends though.

Back when she was trying to split you two up, did he acquiesce to any of her demands? Did he spend the night at her house? Did he entertain the notion of a reunion with her? This should give you an idea of how trustworthy he is.

Just how friendly is their current communication on facebook?

If he has always stood firmly against her I wouldn't worry too much. Especially if he is not messaging her on facebook (and they are just facebook friends without contact), maybe he just wants her to see that he is happy now (with you) from his photos, and get satisfaction from that knowledge.

<-- Rate this answer

...............................   

A male reader, Billy Bathgate United States +, writes (3 February 2017):

Sounds like he's keeping his options open and that he has no respect for you or your marriage. Keep an eye on him. Good luck I think you're going to need it?

<-- Rate this answer

...............................   

A female reader, aunt honesty Ireland +, writes (2 February 2017):

aunt honesty agony auntIt is clear that he does not want to stop talking to her, whatever his reasons are that is the cold truth. He knows deep down it is bothering you but he still refuses to stop. To me that is completely disrespectful to you and your family. I could never hurt my partner like this. He needs to decide what it is he wants. Am sorry but ex's are not friends.

<-- Rate this answer

...............................   

A female reader, Aunty BimBim Australia +, writes (2 February 2017):

Aunty BimBim agony auntI am sorry about the confusion OP ...

I agree with Honeypie's advise that you should see your doctor about your PPD and also ask family for help if you are not getting enough sleep.

That being said I still feel you should line up your ducks in case your husband continues to fail to see he is putting his marriage and family on the line for an manipulative ex girlfriend. He needs to see his priorities are way out of wack.

Maybe next time your husband give you the old "til death does us part" line tell him its not just his decision, and as far as your concerned it could very well be "til ex girlfriend do us part"

<-- Rate this answer

...............................   

A female reader, anonymous, writes (1 February 2017):

Ask him about the other parts of the wedding vows 'love and cherish'? This is not loving and not cherishing you. He KNOWS how this is hurting you and how her behaviour has been aimed at threatening your relationship. She is not just a casual friend, she has an agenda.

Which is why this situation is dangerous to your relationship and which is why you are being advised to be on your guard.

Not how the 'male anon' seems to see it as controlling. There is a difference between being controlling and allowing a third party in, who has definitely tried to break the relationship in the past. Until the 'male anon' sees this difference I don't think he should be posting on this site.

<-- Rate this answer

...............................   

A female reader, Honeypie United States + , writes (1 February 2017):

Honeypie agony auntOP, for now, FOCUS on the PPD and the new baby but DO ASK your husband HOW he would feel if YOU were busy getting reacquainted with an ex-BF who had been a cheat and dumped you and who are tried to create much drama in the beginning of your relationship. That you INSISTED on keeping this ex in your life and on your Facebook.

And tell him you feel overwhelmed dealing with 2 kids, PPD AND feel you have to worry about this woman too. Her actions have been nothing short of negative for you.

There is ABSOLUTELY no reason for him to have her as a "friend" not even on Facebook.

This has nothing to do with "til death do you part" it has to do with RESPECT. And he is NOT respecting you by adding her back in his life.

I agree with Auntie BimBim - this is not something you should just "let go and suck up".

BUT first trip to your doctor. Have your hormone levels checked and if you can have a family member come help you a few hours here and there so you can get your SLEEP back on track.

I went through PPD and the worst part was NOT getting enough sleep for nearly 17 months. But hormonal imbalance can wreck havoc on everything. And talk to your doctor about what level of exercising will be good for you. I did baby swimming (when my oldest was around 6 months) and it did us both good.

Chin up OP.

<-- Rate this answer

...............................   

A female reader, anonymous, writes (1 February 2017):

To be fair, male anon, if the said friend of spouse turned out to be an ex who actively dissuaded the wife from marrying the husband and kept interfering in their lives to the point stated in the post, I doubt the advice would go any differently.

<-- Rate this answer

...............................   

A reader, anonymous, writes (1 February 2017):

This is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Let me also clarify, when he said "til death do us part" he meant his vows to me. I'm his first and only wife

<-- Rate this answer

...............................   

A male reader, anonymous, writes (1 February 2017):

I totally agree with abb but will say it is amazing how advice differs if the op is male. How many guys have been told to stop controlling their partners when they are uncomfortable with the spouse's male friends

<-- Rate this answer

...............................   

A female reader, Youcannotbeserious United Kingdom + , writes (1 February 2017):

Youcannotbeserious agony auntFirstly, are you looking after yourself properly? Are you getting help for the depression? I am sure you know how important this is, especially as you have two young children to care for.

The last thing you need at the moment is the worry of what your husband may or may not be saying to his ex wife. I think you need to sit him down, when it is quiet and the children are asleep so there are no interruptions, and ask him why he feels the need to keep in contact with is ex. Tell him how it makes you feel - don't let him fob you off with the "til death" bull***t - and point out to him that his priorities should be you and his kids, not some ex who cheated on him. Tell him you love him very much but find his need to keep in contact with her disturbing and stressful.

Sending HUGS. Tricky situation and I hope you get it sorted.

<-- Rate this answer

...............................   

A reader, anonymous, writes (1 February 2017):

This is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Just to clarify, it's ex girlfriend, NOT ex wife.

And thank you Aunty BimBim!

<-- Rate this answer

...............................   

A female reader, Aunty BimBim Australia +, writes (1 February 2017):

Aunty BimBim agony auntAsk your husband if he meant it when he said at your wedding "til death do us part" .... ask him if your two babies and your health and peace of mind really are expected to come AFTER his statement of only death parting him and his ex wife?

Do the few years he had with his cheating ex who left him really take precedence over the 8 years he has been married to you.

You are right to not trust this woman, or, based on her father's phone calls before you married, anybody associated with her in any way. AND, while I hope it doesn't come to this, start planning for your and your babies futures by preparing for a future just in case it goes pear shaped, get your financials and all paperwork in order, make sure you have access to all the bank accounts and that you can close them down in an instant if necessary. Also make sure nothing "funny" has happened with regards to shared assets.

In other words, plan A is getting your husband to see sense and put you and your family first. Plan B is making sure if Plan A flops you and your babies will be safe and secure.

Sending positive vibes, I think you will need them

<-- Rate this answer

...............................   

Add your answer to the question "My husband can't see the problems with his ex wife ..."

Already have an account? Login first
Don't have an account? Register in under one minute and get your own agony aunt column - recommended!

All Content Copyright (C) DearCupid.ORG 2004-2008 - we actively monitor for copyright theft

0.0312556999997469!