AITAH for not letting my kids new step mom have them, while their dad is prison?
A Redditor shared their dilemma involving their ex-husband’s new “prison wife,” who is insisting on spending time with their young children while their father serves time. Despite a short relationship history and questionable communication, the new stepmom demands visits, even on holidays and for sleepovers, causing tension. Read the original story below to explore this unique situation and share your thoughts.
‘ AITAH for not letting my kids new step mom have them, while their dad is prison?’
So my ex (father of my 5yo and 3yo boys) went to prison in April this year. Before he went to prison he had the kids half the time , for about 8 months. Before that, I had them full time. Since he’s gone to prison I obviously have them full time again. He had a girlfriend he was living with while he was out, not a very long term relationship, like a year.
Well since he’s gone to prison, they did a little “prison marriage” 😂. After months and months of no communication or asking about my children, now she is claiming she’s their stepmom, requesting to have visitation with them, continuing to ask me if she can have them on holidays, for sleep overs in another city, repeatedly, several times a week asking to have them.
Now I find this extremely weird considering they haven’t been together that long, only got married after he went to prison, and she didn’t bother to even ask about them for awhile after he went to prison. Little background- their father has not called them once other than if they happen to be with gramma when he calls her.
He refuses to see them unless SHE is the one bringing them, which I will not allow since he is 7 hours away. I’ve agreed to let their gramma take them to see him, but his “wife” won’t allow their gramma to go. (She’s basically alienating him from his entire family.) Anyways long story short, am I the a**hole for not letting her have my kids??
Here’s the comments of Reddit users:
MrPKitty − No way in HELL that b**ch gets your kids alone. Who tf does she think she is? Do your kids even know her? Tell her if she wants visitation rights, she can take you to court. It’d be worth it to watch her try to explain to a judge she’s their co-mom now.
quizzicalturnip − NTA. Don’t let her near your kids.
teresajs − NTA. This woman is essentially a stranger to you. And it’s creepy that she’s trying to “play Mommy” with your kids whom she hasn’t seen at all in 8 months. Weird. Always, always, always err on the side of what is safest for your kids. Letting a stranger spend time with your kids isn’t safe… And this woman is a stranger to them/you. So, no, she doesn’t get visitation or custody.
AlwaysHelpful22 − She has no legal right to kids that aren’t hers, and is being creepy about it as well. You’re definitely not an AH for keeping her away from your kids.
facinationstreet − I mean, I would have headed directly to the court to petition for full custody the day he was arrested but that’s just me…
PeopleShouldBeBetter − NTA – she’s not the parent, she has no rights
LibraryMouse4321 − Report her actions to the police as insanely suspicious and tell them that you fear for your kids. Get a restraining order.
Do not let them anywhere near your children.
Middleburg_Gate − Obviously NTA, but where the heck do you ladies find men like this and why procreate with them? (that’s more of a general question – not targeting the OP with my comment)
JTBlakeinNYC − NTA. A judge would laugh her out of the courtroom.
Wait-What1327 − NTA. Don’t let that woman see your kids.
Do you think the Redditor’s decision to withhold visitation is reasonable given the circumstances, or should the stepmom be given a chance to bond with the children? How would you navigate co-parenting when one parent is in prison? Share your thoughts below!