My ex-husband's new fiance is acting like my baby is hers

Navigating divorce and custody battles can be a challenge even when everyone gets along, but what happens when the new fiance oversteps the boundaries?

A recently divorced new mum found out she was pregnant after she separated from her partner. She shared on reddit that she got divorced from her ex-husband Ben at the beginning of last year, finding out they were expecting not long after. The 28-year-old shared, “I decided to keep the baby and in November of last year my son Christopher was born.”

The custody arrangement means that baby Christopher is with his mum from Sunday through to Friday, and spends Saturdays with his dad who has a new partner, “My husband’s new fiancé Jenevieve (yes with a “J”) is acting like Chris is her son. She is trying to teach Chris to call her Mommy even though that is what he calls me,” she revealed.

Jenevieve likes to let her thoughts known, “She criticises my purchases in baby products and calls me cheap and even tells me she should have part custody even though she and Ben aren’t even married.”

HOW FAR IS TOO FAR?

The frustrated mum to Christopher went on to share more, “What pushed me too far was when I posted a picture of my baby. Jenevieve had the audacity to tell me I can’t take a picture of MY baby without her permission. I gave birth to the baby and I take care of him for most of the week. The worst part is that she posts pictures of the baby and when she does, she makes it seem like he is her son.”

When the mum to Christopher shared with her ex-husband that she was uncomfortable, she was put in her place, “Ben said I am being an ass and Jen is just being nice.”

Do you think she’s being unreasonable? Or have Jenevieve overstepped the boundaries?

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.

49 Comments

- - Mum.of.2. said
  - 31 Mar 2023
    7:28 am
Yeah? Nah. Not OK. Jenevive is definitely overstepping her boundaries, and it sounds like the ex isn’t being supportive of the child’s mother either.

- - TraceyGail said
  - 27 Feb 2023
    6:32 am
Definitely overstepping the boundaries. The X should see this.

- - bethmum said
  - 30 Nov 2022
    9:12 pm
Definitely not overreacting. I would be furious. I would recommend a lawyer for advice on putting boundaries into place officially.

- - charmanda29 said
  - 21 Nov 2022
    9:48 pm
100% not unreasonable to be feeling uncomfortable in this situation!

- - romvar said
  - 31 Oct 2022
    1:05 pm
No, the mum is not overreacting! The child is hers and Jenevieve should butt out!

- - mum300445 said
  - 29 Oct 2022
    2:46 am
So heartbreaking….I feel so sorry for the mum.

- - Dockerchic said
  - 26 Oct 2022
    9:23 pm
Single white female alert. She’s definitely stalker material. I’d be telling ex that this isn’t on…he needs to help set her some boundaries.

- - mom160289 said
  - 14 Jun 2022
    11:36 pm
Ok she is definitely weird and you have evwry right to be uncomfortable

- - mom167793 said
  - 15 Oct 2021
    11:08 pm
You need to get legal help right away. Copy and save all the correspondence of her telling you what to do/not do with your baby. Keep it at one day a week visits with the dad. She should not get joint custody, that is so scary.

- - Nid said
  - 20 Sep 2021
    7:29 pm
Oh my god… Boundaries lady!!! Some ppl just go so overboard.. it’s such a shame. You’re not overreacting.. it’s wrong on J

- - tessie said
  - 19 Sep 2021
    10:23 am
You are definitely NOT being unreasonable and Jenevieve is definitely overstepping the boundaries. You need to get legal aid as soon as possible before things go much further. She has no rights even as a stepmother since she is not even married to your ex. Your ex is also an insensitive jerk if he lets her do that and calls you names. Wonder what your ex would think if you were seeing someone else and your son was calling your new man Daddy? You deserve better and I think your ex and that woman deserve each other.

- - ashna9 said
  - 13 Sep 2021
    5:59 pm
Jenivieve needs to pull her head in and let Mum do what she wants with ‘her’ baby!

- - mumof3 said
  - 11 Sep 2021
    7:52 pm
Oh no, what a horrible situation. I wouldn’t want my baby anywhere near this woman in fear she would try keep my baby.

- - mom101628 said
  - 11 Sep 2021
    12:17 am
I’d be getting legal help as soon as possible – you need your child to know who its real mother is and this person is usurping the role in every way. Sorry your ex is so unsupportive, but guess that’s one of the reasons you are no longer together.
- Ellen replied
  
  12 Sep 2021 , 7:24 am
  Yes, I agree with this
  - mom468034 replied
    
    16 Sep 2021 , 12:05 pm
    
    agree with this too. Surely it is just going to confuse the baby, if nothing else? Not okay.
- - Frankiielot said
  - 10 Sep 2021
    11:58 pm
Sounds like something out of the movie the hand that rocks the cradle!!!
She has definitely over stepped the boundaries but also I guess it’s nice that she treats the baby like her own and she’s not an evil step mother like the villains in Disney movies!
- Dockerchic replied
  
  26 Oct 2022 , 9:24 pm
  Omg yes!!! I was just thinking this