Woman Reminds Ex’s Wife The Words She Told Her 20 Years Ago When Her Kids Cut Contact With Her

It can be devastating to accept the fact that a marriage is no longer working. But if the couple has children, they must always be able to put their differences aside and do what’s best for the kids. Otherwise, they might risk losing their spouse and their little ones.

One mother reached out to Reddit recently asking for advice after having a run-in with her less than friendly ex-husband and his wife. Below, you’ll find all of the details about this situation, as well as some of the replies invested readers shared.

This woman has spent the last two decades dealing with rude comments from her ex-husband and his wife

Woman looking upset while a man and another woman argue in the foreground, depicting family conflict and no-contact issues.

Image credits: volodymyr-t (not the actual image)

So when they chose to confront her again, she decided that it was finally time to put them in their place

Text excerpt discussing a dad who destroys his marriage and blames his ex after kids choose to go no-contact.

Text excerpt describing a dad's financially reckless decision causing family conflict and children choosing no-contact.

Text excerpt describing a dad blaming his ex after divorce and kids choosing to go no-contact with him.

Child holding adult's hand outdoors, representing kids choosing to go no-contact after a dad destroys his marriage.

Image credits: freepik (not the actual image)

Text showing a father describing being told he was nobody special and the kids preferring a better relationship with the new wife.

Text excerpt from a dad blaming his ex after his kids choose to go no-contact, describing tense family dynamics.

Text excerpt discussing family conflict and kids choosing to go no-contact after dad destroys his marriage and blames his ex.

Woman sitting on a couch looking distressed, representing impact of dad destroying his marriage after kids go no-contact.

Image credits: tsyhun (not the actual image)

Text excerpt about kids choosing no contact with their dad after marriage issues, highlighting family and no-contact situation.

Text from a personal story describing a confrontation about family relationships after choosing to go no-contact with kids.

Text from a message explaining how a dad blames his ex after kids choose to go no-contact.

Angry woman pointing finger during heated argument about dad destroying marriage and kids going no-contact.

Image credits: The Yuri Arcurs Collection (not the actual image)

Text excerpt about reflecting on petty actions and blame in a dad destroys his marriage story after kids go no-contact.

Image credits: Friendly_Curve_9203

Later, the mom responded to several readers and provided more background information

Comments discussing a dad who destroyed his marriage and his kids choosing no-contact due to family animosity.

Screenshot of a Reddit conversation discussing a dad destroying his marriage and kids choosing to go no-contact.

Screenshot of an online discussion about parental alienation and kids choosing to go no-contact with their dad after marriage issues.

Screenshot of an online discussion about parental alienation and kids choosing to go no-contact after a dad destroys his marriage.

Reddit comments discussing a dad destroying his marriage and kids choosing to go no-contact with him.

Reddit conversation showing a dad blaming his ex after kids choose to go no-contact, causing marriage issues.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing self-control and absence of biological children in a family conflict scenario.

Nearly half of all first marriages end in divorce

Despite how painful divorce can be to go through, it’s extremely common. In fact, it’s estimated that between 40%-50% of first marriages in the United States eventually split up. And globally, the average divorce rate is about 1.8 per 1,000 people. Nobody wants to imagine their marriage ending when they’re in the honeymoon phase, but sadly, many factors can tear couples apart.

Divorce.com notes that marriages often end due to lack of commitment, infidelity, irreconcilable differences, marrying too young, financial hardships, substance issues and/or domestic violence. 

On average, marriages last about 8 years before couples decide to call it quits, and over two thirds of divorces are initiated by women. The majority of people who marry between the ages of 20 and 25 will end up getting a divorce, and the average age for Americans to get their first divorce is 30. 

But there are also many reasons why couples tend to stay together, even when they know their marriage isn’t working. And one of the most common reasons spouses cite for refusing to give up on a failed marriage is their children. 

Many parents worry about how it will affect their kids to grow up in two different households and to witness their parents’ marriage fall apart. But the reality is that kids are much more perceptive than many of us realize, and they are often well aware of the issues that their parents have, no matter how hard they may try to hide them. 

Freed Marcroft also warns that staying together for the kids can teach children that toxic or unhealthy relationships are normal. If the only example they’ve ever seen of a marriage included fighting, passive aggressive comments and dysfunction, they might seek out similar dynamics in their own relationships as they grow up.

Woman removing wedding ring in the foreground with a man sitting in the background, depicting marriage struggles and family conflict.

Image credits: prostock-studio (not the actual image)

Both parents should agree to make their children the priority during a divorce

At the same time, seeing their parents go through a divorce can negatively impact children as well. The Wave Clinic explains that young children may not fully understand why they now have to go between two households, and older kids might struggle to make sense of it all. They may even worry if they did something that caused the marriage to fall apart. And teenagers are more likely to understand, but they might express their feelings through anger or rebellious behavior.

It is also common for children of divorce to develop anxiety about their living situation or depression caused by the trauma of the divorce. They may also feel pressure to take on additional responsibilities at home or experience loneliness if they don’t get to spend as much time with each parent. Many kids also feel angry towards their parents for breaking up their family.

However, it is certainly possible for parents to maintain great relationships with their children after going through a divorce. HelpGuide notes that parents can make this transition easier on their children by staying extremely involved in their lives. Even if they cannot see each other every single day, they should stay in contact and always make it clear how much they love them.

It’s also best to keep situations with the other parent civil and focus on enjoying the time you get to spend with your kids. Communicate directly with the other parent, so your children don’t become messengers, and always remain respectful towards their other parent. Never make children choose between Mom and Dad, and avoid saying anything negative about your ex-spouse.

We would love to hear your thoughts on this situation in the comments below, pandas. Do you think this mother did anything wrong by telling off her ex’s wife? Feel free to weigh in, and then you can find another Bored Panda discussing similar family issues right here.   

Young girl in a pink shirt reading a book, reflecting on the impact of kids choosing to go no-contact with their dad.

Image credits: Jonathan Borba (not the actual image)

Many readers saw nothing wrong with the author standing up for herself

Screenshot of an online comment discussing a dad destroying his marriage and kids choosing no-contact with their parents.

Screenshot of an online comment about parenting, addressing kids going no-contact and family conflicts.

Comment discussing how children choose no-contact after dad destroys marriage and blames his ex.

Screenshot of an online comment discussing a strong woman and people giving others enough rope to hang themselves, related to dad destroying marriage.

Screenshot of online comment praising handling of a family conflict involving a dad and kids going no-contact after marriage issues.

Screenshot of an online comment showing a petty message about kids choosing to go no-contact with their mom.

Screenshot of an online forum comment discussing trust issues and family conflict after kids choose to go no-contact with their dad.

Comment discussing verbal abuse and restraining orders in the context of a dad destroying his marriage and kids choosing no-contact.

Text post about emotional strength and resilience of a woman after her kids go no-contact with their dad.

Comment on Reddit post about a dad destroying his marriage and his kids choosing to go no-contact.

Screenshot of an online post discussing a dad destroying his marriage and kids choosing no-contact with their parents.

Comment discussing a dad destroying his marriage and kids choosing no-contact while blaming his ex.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment reading Nah. You get once in a lifetime to get a mic drop like that about family conflict.

Screenshot of an online comment discussing a family conflict where kids choose no-contact with their dad.

Text post about adult children choosing to go no-contact with dad after marriage issues, highlighting family conflict.

Reddit comment discussing parental alienation and broken relationships after kids choose to go no-contact with a dad.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing blame and resentment from a dad after his kids go no-contact with their mother.

Comment on a parenting forum about a dad destroying his marriage and his kids choosing no-contact with him.

Reddit comment discussing kids choosing no-contact with dad after marriage issues and parental blame.

Screenshot of an online comment thread discussing a dad destroying his marriage and kids going no-contact.

Comment defending self-worth after family conflict, highlighting relationship breakdown and blame in marriage and no-contact situations.

Comment expressing frustration about disrespect in relationships after years, relating to kids going no-contact with dad.

Screenshot of a comment criticizing behavior in a thread about a dad who destroys his marriage then blames his ex after kids go no-contact.

Screenshot of an online comment supporting a dad whose kids choose to go no-contact after marriage issues.

Text discussing challenges of co-parenting and kids choosing no-contact with a parent after marriage issues.

Screenshot of an online forum comment discussing blame shifting in a family conflict involving a dad and no-contact kids.

However, some found the mother’s comment to be unnecessary

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing a dad destroying his marriage and kids choosing no-contact with their father.

Screenshot of an online comment criticizing a dad for destroying his marriage and kids choosing no-contact with him.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing divorce and control issues after kids choose to go no-contact with their dad.

Comment on Reddit discussing a dad blaming his ex after kids choose no-contact, reflecting on marriage and family issues.

Poll Question

Total votes ·

Thanks! Check out the results:

Total votes ·

Newsletter

Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls

Subscribe

By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.

Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!

Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda!