Ex Sister in Law (And Friend) Now with Sister's Soon to Be Ex-husband?

Updated on July 14, 2008
B.J. asks from San Francisco, CA
10 answers

My sister just told me that she is getting a divorce from her hubby of over 15 years. They have been separated for a year but for her kid's sake, she wanted to give the marriage one more try. It turns out he started seeing someone already. Come to find out it is my ex-sister in law that happened to be one of my bestfriends. A little history of my ex sis in law, we haven't spoken in 2 years due to drama. She betrayed one of our other bestfriends and although I did not take sides, she discontued our friendship as well. My sister is hurt because of the sixth degree of separation. Although they were not as close, she feels betrayed because this girl attended my sisters wedding, went to her kids birthdays and of course they would see eachother at my functions. My sister feels like she should have respect and not go after her husband. I feel the same way but with my sister in laws track record, (cheating on her husband, hooking up with bestfriend's man) I am not surprised it happened. For some reason, it has been bothering me for the past couple of days. I felt sick to my stomach when I heard about the relationship. Do you think my sister's soon to be husband was fair game? He is scum as well because it takes two. I just don't know why it is affecting me so much. Can you imagine what my sister is feeling? What are your thoughts?

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So What Happened?

Thanks for all the feedback ladies! It helped tremendously. I was this close to confronting my ex sis in law/friend to give her a piece of my mind! But you are right, I will take the high road and of course support my sister because it does take two. The soon to be ex-husband should have known better as well. Plus, even if I say something, it does not mean she will stop seeing him. It might make things worse esp. since the relationship is none of my business. But yes, that is the reason she is an ex-friend because she oversteps boundaries and has no loyalty. Thanks again ladies!

More Answers

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M.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi B.,

Try to support your sister the best that you can. Listen to her and be there for her emotionally. It sounds like the ex sister in law is a piece of work and has no respect for herself or for others. Stay away from her and try not to get yourself tangled in the drama. They are adults and unfortunately she is meddling in someone elses relationship. But I would focus your attention to your sister, her kids and how to help her stay strong.
Good luck!

Molly

2 moms found this helpful
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T.M.

answers from San Francisco on

My friends and I had one of those friends and thank God we all saw the light soon enough and broke away from her. The situation is awful, but what can you really do. The ex sis in law should have known better but she obviously has a track record of inappropriate behavior. The husband - wow - he should know better. Either way you or your sister can't do much. Maybe your sister can ask that she not be around the kids for awhile and hope that it doesn't work out between the two of them.

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A.P.

answers from Sacramento on

my thought is: they really suck.

Your poor sister needs to hold her head up high and do some deep breathing, because like it or not, she is probably going to have to deal with this immature and desperate chick and her lame, lame, completely lame, separated soon to be wuzband.

Also, I know that stomach sicky feeling that you get, the dread stuff. I hope you and your sis go to a great day spa together and get some serious positive energy flowing. You both need to get away from the stench of crappy behaviors. And maybe make it a regular thing, for when he and his new winner of a gfriend take the kids for pony rides and burgers, and if the kids start complaining about anything that could look bad for him in court, record their information on a digital recorder.

That's what I think about it.

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P.H.

answers from San Francisco on

A woman in a position to go after a married man isn't necessarily going to have the "decency" to make sure it's not a man married to someone she knows. Your sister's STBX isn't fair game until he's divorced. You yourself said that you haven't spoken to your ex-sis-in-law for two years because "of the drama." I'd steer clear of this drama. I'm sure your sister wants to talk about it, but I think you'd both be best served if when she brings it up, you empathize with her, but try to change the subject to something she actually can do something about instead of encouraging her to dwell on something she can't.

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S.Y.

answers from San Francisco on

I think you need to drop your ex sister in law as a friend, and stand by your sister. Your ex sister in law dropped you as a friend when the going was tough, instead of talking it out. Your sister is your family, and she needs your support. Tell her how you feel, and how your all tied up in knots, she doesn't know how you feel.
And yes it does take two for something like this to happen, both of them are scum. There should have been a little voice inside of each of them telling them not to do this but they're weak. Good Luck to you, it's not going to be easy.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.B.

answers from Chico on

Hi B.,

It is important to understand that in a long-term marriage (15 years in your sister’s case) we no longer think in the term of “I”. Our partner is a part of us. When our spouse leaves, a part of us is now missing. The emotional gamut of feelings suffered is not unlike if the person who left has died. The problem is that there is no real finality of ceremony to help with the grieving process.

When the spouse who left begins to see someone else it only adds to the feelings of abandonment, loss, and betrayal. If the person they are seeing is someone we know it amplifies those feelings. We feel the friend or acquaintance should understand what we are going through and not be willing to add to our grief. It is a set back to the healing process, making it difficult to move on or to think in terms of a solution.

Your sister needs you right now. She is still in the healing stage and now been wounded even more deeply. With a year long separation she has had the carrot of hope hung in front of her that her marriage might be saved. She is going to need the help of your strong support as she learns to be strong again. It is possible to be supportive without taking sides. When she cries put her head on your shoulder and hold her. When she vents, simply listen and let her get out all that is welled up inside. Try to remind her of her personal strengths, talents, and gifts. Always reassure her she is loved.

As long as the focus is on the husband and the former sister-in-law relationship the energy needed for remedy or healing is weakened.

My prayers are with you and your sister,
L.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.V.

answers from San Francisco on

Obviously this ex-friend has no concept of boundries & is emotionally immature, hence the middle school drama she's creating. I suggest you be supportive of your sister & stay away from any drama this other woman is causing. As hard as it may be, you & your sister shouldn't stopp to her level in any way. Chances are, once the fun has worn off of having an affair w/a married man, this woman will leave your BIL in the dust, where he belongs! Good luck!

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A.G.

answers from San Francisco on

Why is it affeting you so much? Because you are a decent person who would never do that to someone. You understand that repecting a relationship with in an intimate circle (those who celebrate birthdays and weddings)assumes respect for the individuals in that circle. Her action contridict basic assumtions of friendship and intimate connection. How will this efect how you see other relationships? Will it stop you from trusting others? Your mind has to grapple with what it means and how you will use this information for your decidions in the future. I suggest you think about this; how can you best support your sister? How can you strengthen your own bonds with in the circle of friend you have to heal from the rip these people have made in the fabric of relationships you currently have? Best of luck.

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N.L.

answers from San Francisco on

Hey Biana!
There's nothing you can do to change the way you feel or your sister. Only time will heal her heart, dont worry one day she will find that man that will fill all her needs. Ex sis will brake his heart or he will brake hers because CARMA IS A BITCH and believe that carma is no joke, it really is true. Healling is just a proccess in life. It only makes us better weather you want to believe it or not, it did for me. Married, cheated on, broken hearted, healed, Divorced and now engaged to a wonderful man

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T.N.

answers from San Francisco on

I feel that is pretty crappy. I mean bestfriends are sister from another mother and how tacky do you get. She was probably eyeing him while they were still married. I would be careful and definetely say something to her, because that just should not be TOLERATED.

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