| Women are crazy. |
But OP's ex-wife is in a relationship herself. Why is she suddenly acting this way when OP finally is starting to date. Why would she even care???? |
Because she still cares and is not ready for him to be moving on. HE should not be over HER yet! |
No point in "documenting her meltdowns." |
Dating is one thing. "Can you watch the kids for me during the time I'm supposed to have them this week so I can go on a date" is another. His ex is clearly jealous, and overreacting, and seems volatile. Going to court over this is nuts (unless he's dating a child molester and left that out or something). But OP was stupid to 1) arrange a date during his custodial time, and 2) ask this particular person, of all people, to be his free babysitter and tell her it was for his date. |
It's not a gender issue. If she did the same thing to him (soon after their divorce, ask him to babysit for her during her parenting time because she had a date), it would likely be triggering. That's just stupid behavior that is designed to elicit hard feelings. |
| In many custody agreements you are required to give your ex first shot at having the kids if you are not going to be with them during your custody time. Parent before babysitter, grandparent, siblings etc. Making a date during his custody time and then telling ex why not available was the error. |
Agree |
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I hope you learned a lesson, keep your dating life private from her.
It's unlikely she will get any change in a just-settled divorce/custody. Remain calm, get through this, from now on pretend you aren't dating, keep her out of your private life. This will make YOUR life easier. |
PP is right. How is the man’s behavior defensible in this case? |
Also, date on your free time, not your custodial time. That's what I did for yeeeaaaarrrrss. |
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This behavior is a typical woman's behavior. Men will simply not react this way. Sure they may be triggered as well and act jealous but they are less likely to send a volley of 20+ text messages and/or using the kids as a bargaining chip.
I hope OP learns. |
Oh you are wrong about that. My ex would get really irritated if he knew the reason I was doing x y z was to be with another man. I did exactly what is advised on here, keep it to myself. Date on my non custodial time. It's not a gender thing, it's an exes thing. It's normal for people to have mixed feelings about their exes. You may think you are over everything then a new situation brings up feelings. Normal. But OP can skirt the conflict by being wiser. As I did. |
Why are you pestering her for babysitting to go on dates? Is this some right of first refusal thing? Does she do the same to you? Or does she make sure her dates are not during her custody time ( like most divorced adults do). |
Most divorced moms don’t date the first year or two nor care to. This post makes less and less sense. Why is it even so long? Is the supposed male Op a YA writer? |