For context: My ex and I were together for 13 years and have a few kids together, the youngest being 2. We separated about a year ago, and since then, we’ve tried to maintain a decent friendship for the sake of the kids. However, my ex tends to go through cycles where we get along until he tries to sleep with me or rekindle the relationship. When I turn him down, he gets mad, insults me, and blocks me for a few days or weeks. He’s a so-so parent at best.
A few months ago, he had the kids for a few hours. Before and during the drop-off, he texted me inappropriate remarks about wanting to take me out and “f***” me. I completely ignored his advances. Later that day, when I picked up the kids, they told me they had met his girlfriend for the first time. Apparently, it was a disaster, and he even tried to bribe and beg our oldest not to tell me about her.
I honestly don’t care that he has a girlfriend, but I was confused and frustrated. I asked him why he was making inappropriate comments to me if he was seeing someone serious enough to introduce to our kids. Instead of answering, he chose to ignore me—and, more importantly, he ignored the kids. For the next two months, he only saw them for four hours and didn’t return their calls or messages.
One night, I was particularly upset and hurt by his behavior, so I sent a screenshot of the inappropriate text he sent me (on the day the kids met his girlfriend) to her Instagram. I included a message saying, “Since you’re okay with being with a man who doesn’t see his kids anymore, I figure you’d also be fine knowing he cheats too,” and then I blocked her.
Two days later, my ex was back to seeing the kids on his scheduled times and talking to them regularly.
Now, I find myself feeling guilty. I can’t shake the feeling that I may have ruined his relationship. Despite everything he’s put me through, I don’t like the idea of hurting him or someone else getting caught in the crossfire.
So, did I do the wrong thing?
