I did! My uncle had a wonderful GF whom we considered our "Aunt." We loved her! One day I learned that he had moved a younger woman into the house while he was still with GF #1. This was horrifying to me! Soon after, our "aunt" moved out and we never saw her again. I still hate my fucking uncle and think my parents should have shielded me from this horrible situation. I never liked the new GF either. Now he is 70 and has a GF in her 20's. Lovely. |
Oh btw, I was 5 or 6 at the time. Kids are smarter than people think. |
I completely agree with this poster. Your brother is in couples therapy with his ex. He needs to close this chapter of his life before he moves on. It ain't closed! |
This is the OP, and I thank everyone for the spirited debate! Lots of good points to consider here, besides the ridiculous homophobe post. I've decided that I've already expressed to my brother that this will be awkward for all of us and not our first choice to have her. And I'm just going to let him chew on that and roll with whatever decision he makes, hoping he'll come to his senses. If he brings her, fine -- we'll welcome her. I don't want to damage my relationship with my brother by forbidding him to bring her. Although I will encourage him to tell the ex-partner what's going on so we don't feel like we're keeping secrets from him. The ex-partner actually reached out today to tell me he is coming to town for work and wants to come by to say hello to the family, which I only feel awkward about because there's this secret I'm now in on. Uhg.
And as a previous poster pointed out, it's still six weeks away, so who knows what new drama will have developed in his love life. Pass the wine! |
Tell brother about the impending visit from the ex and suggest that he come clean and tell about his new life so you won't have to tiptoe around secrets or potentially have to lie. Also tell him to anticipate your kids asking about ex during the holidays and that he - and the GF- be prepared to deal with that comfortably. |
I think this sounds like a great solution. Gracious, while still standing up for the important principles. |
I absolutely would not lie for my brother and I'd make that clear to him. You don't have to go out of your way to tell ex about new GF but if he asks, be honest. It's not your mess to worry about and it sounds like the ex deserves respect.
Also, I'd be leery about having this "strange" girl come to your house. You don't know anything about it; she could be a thief or nutcase or anything. If nothing else, she's going to feel really awkward sitting there while everyone else is opening gifts. IT sucks watching that when it's your own extended family, but double sucks when it's friends or people you don't know. And it's awkward for your family sitting there feeling sorry for how awkward she is. In any case, maybe he hasn't even asked her if she wants to go and was just feeling it out w/ you first. Or maybe they'll break up by then. Who knows. |
I'm wondering if your brother realizes that the kids might tell the ex partner about the woman their uncle brought home for Christmas. I know my daughter would have talked about it. She had a knack for bringing up everything at the exact worst times. |
So, you could choose to be gay if you wanted? What's that? You couldn't? I see. |
The brother has moved on. Get over it. It's not your life. If you don't want to invite the woman over, fine but you don't get to decide who he is allowed to be with. |
This is a win , no weird gay kissing or any other gayisms |
Yes ! Times have changed! Sorry this is stressing you OP. But, yea for humanity! |
+1 here. Kids do have a hard time with this and they are more important in your home as they are your responsibility. Set the boundaries you are comfortable with, state them, then it is his choice. |
OP you sound like a very reasonable person. But I don't get why your brother is still in counseling with the Ex, and why he doesn't want ex to know about new gf. Sounds very fishy. Maybe he is trying to keep that door open and just have some fun? Sounds like such a d#ckish thing to do. I agree with others that you should let him know that you won't lie for him. Don't get caught up in this web of deceit. |
Give me a break. People's actions do not happen in a vacuum and have consequences.y house , my rules. No, you dont get to just invite a stranger to my home without asking me. Maybe I want to have ex drop by at some point, he is family too and my kids' uncle as well. You made him that to them, so now you change your mind I have do so too at the drop of a hat. I do not care to be complicit in your secretive relationship and lies to your ex. You can do what you want, just not at my house. |