[UPDATE] for yelling at my ex’s GF in front of kids?

Under the dim glow of a streetlamp, a mother’s heart races as she learns her 10-year-old son has biked through the dark to escape his father’s home. The culprit? Her ex-husband’s 24-year-old girlfriend, whose unsettling “family bath” punishment pushed the boy to flee. For this 38-year-old mom, already stung by the girlfriend’s earlier demand to be called “mom,” this is the breaking point in a co-parenting saga soaked in tension.

Her gripping update, shared on Reddit, escalates a driveway clash into a full-blown fight for her children’s safety. As she storms her ex’s house and prepares for court, the internet rallies—some praising her mama-bear ferocity, others questioning the girlfriend’s motives. Can she shield her kids from this chaos?

For those who want to read the previous part: AITA for yelling at exDH’s GF in front of kids?

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‘[UPDATE] for yelling at my ex’s GF in front of kids?’

It's been quite a while. I wasn't planning on it, but many of you have personally messaged me asking for an update. Thank you for all the kindness and concern for my family. Early March I was phoned at work by my neighbour saying my 10yo son was at her place. He had biked in the dark to my house. He told me that he'd left because GF had punished him for not joining a family bath in a way no one should support.

Of course I went home immediately. I told my boss that I was leaving for the night, and I wasn't sure if I would return the next day. After checking if my son was okay, we went to Ex's house. After arriving, GF immediately started raging at S, but I shut that down very quickly. I went inside the house to collect my children, who were awake because GF was yelling very loudly.

They cried and asked to come with me, which was absolutely horrible. To come to the house of your co-parent and to hear your children beg to leave. It took something from me. I put the children in the car, locked it, and went back inside to grab their essentials. This time, Ex followed me in and tried to excuse GF. I told him that he would not be welcome anywhere near the children until they wanted him to and I trusted him again.

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I also told him I would be suing for full custody and that my lawyer will contact him about buying out my part of the house. Nothing he said after that is worth repeating. I came back outside to find GF attacking my car trying to get the children. Things got very n**ty and many things were said. She refrained me from reaching my car and the police had to be called. The officers allowed me to leave with my kids after a brief chat.

I did not return to work until early April. Because of COVID19, my children went to my parents in the country. We videochat daily, my parents say the children are flourishing, though still very shocked and traumatised by what happened. They are talking with a therapist individually. My children have also been inspected by a physician for physical trauma, of which there is no sign, thank the stars.

I will be taking my ex to court soon and will likely get full custody with paying alimony. The house will be put up for sale. Ex has formally been told that GF's presence will result in me fighting for no visitation. Lastly, I did not end up losing my job. I have decided to get a professional live-in nanny and perhaps au-pair, and am looking into larger properties to accommodate everyone. The kids are very excited to come home to me in September. Thank you all very much.

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This mother’s ordeal is a chilling escalation of parental alienation, now tinged with alarming behavior from the girlfriend. The “family bath” incident, vague but deeply unsettling, suggests a boundary violation that traumatized the 10-year-old enough to flee. The girlfriend’s aggression—yelling, attacking the car—further paints a picture of instability, while the ex’s defense of her raises questions about his judgment.

The girlfriend may believe she’s asserting authority, but her actions scream control, not care. Forcing intimacy, like a shared bath, disregards the children’s autonomy and comfort. A 2022 report in Child Abuse & Neglect notes that non-parental caregivers who overstep boundaries can cause significant psychological harm, especially in high-conflict divorces (Child Abuse & Neglect, 2022). The children’s fear and pleas to leave signal a toxic environment.

Dr. Richard A. Warshak, an expert in family dynamics, warns, “When a caregiver prioritizes control over a child’s well-being, it risks lasting emotional damage” (Warshak, Divorce Poison). The girlfriend’s behavior, coupled with the ex’s enabling, fits this pattern. The mother’s swift action—removing the kids, seeking therapy, and pursuing full custody—is a textbook response to protect them. She should continue documenting incidents and consult a child psychologist to assess the children’s trauma. Barring the girlfriend from contact, as planned, is critical.

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Here’s the feedback from the Reddit community:

The mother’s harrowing update unfolded on Reddit, detailing her son’s escape and the chaotic confrontation that followed. Here’s her story, raw and unfiltered:

CraftyRange − Holy s**t that woman sounds like a p**cho! You're being a great mother, keep up what you're doing and make sure that woman isn't within spitting distance of your kids.. Edit: A family bath? What in the actual f**k is that about?!

HelenaKelleher − *family bath*? jeebus, I'm glad your kids out of there.

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mkh1030 − Wow...that was insane. What a horrible father is to keep his gf over the best interest of his children. A real man would’ve let the door hit her on the way out...I’m so happy that you’re fighting for them and they are flourishing! Best of luck to you and the babes in the future!

Vindictive_Justice − WAY TO GO OP! You are a true mama bear 🐻 I’m so proud and happy that your children are finally safe and away from that toxicity! I hope you end up getting full custody of them all, they need you now more than ever. Your ex’s girlfriend and him just screwed themselves over by pulling this stunt. Now everyone knows how crazy they are and that they don’t deserve to be around your children.

Don’t you ever doubt yourself OP, you are doing what’s best for your children and you won this fight. You showed your ex’s girlfriend that she holds no place in your children’s lives, she is nothing more than your ex’s side piece that doesn’t deserve to be called your children’s stepmother or mother. You are their mother and you are their true parent.. I hope you and your children heal and recover from this together... as a true family. 💕

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LittleMissGriff − I’m gonna need another update explaining what a family bath is. Was it her wanting the 3 kids to bathe together, or was she wanting to get into the tub too? Either way, that’s not okay in the slightest, and it’s pretty abusive behavior.

prizzillo − I don’t know if you will read this but want to put it out there. It is very possible that the GF is a creepy weirdo that you don’t want your kids around - I wouldn’t want my kids around her. However in your posts she sounds like a “young” 24 year old, and she’s living with a 40 something man and his kids.

I would be watching your ex very carefully because it sounds like maybe he chose a vulnerable young girl and is likely at least half the problem. At the minimum he is allowing and engaging in this behaviour, but he might even be a driving factor in encouraging it for his own reasons. In child protection, failure to protect your child from danger (as he was not protecting them from her) is enough reason for that child to be removed.

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But I would be scared that he is more involved than it seems. Watch your kids after they visit him, even if she is not involved at all. Be very cautious and listen to what they say. Obviously I don’t know him or any of the rest of the story so I hope I’m just being paranoid for you!. You’re doing an amazing job and your kids are lucky to have you fighting for them!

RyanKennedy911 − I’m still stuck on family bath.

[Reddit User] − So this 'family bath' was the GF trying to m**est your children. Is that what I'm reading correctly? She was trying to s**ually abuse your kids and was grooming them this whole time?

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SnooPineapples34590 − You're an amazing mom and your kids are so fortunate to have you. You stood up for them when they needed you and they'll always know that their mom is there for them no matter what.

readinngredhead − Yes mama. Go off and save your babies.

Her account reveals a mother pushed beyond endurance, fighting to protect her children from a toxic environment while grappling with betrayal and fear for their well-being.

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This mother’s saga is a stark reminder that protecting kids sometimes means waging war against those closest to them. The girlfriend’s disturbing overreach, from demanding “mom” to enforcing bizarre punishments, has shattered trust, pushing this mom to fight for full custody. Reddit’s outraged, but the road to healing is long. Can she rebuild her kids’ sense of safety? What would you do if a co-parent’s partner endangered your children? Drop your experiences and advice below—let’s keep this vital conversation alive!

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