Nobody really prepares you for the moment your ex moves on romantically. You may think you’re okay… until suddenly there’s another person around your children, sitting at school events, helping with bedtime routines, or becoming part of your kids’ everyday lives.

And that can feel incredibly painful.

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In this emotional and deeply relatable mini episode of How Not to Suck at Divorce, Andrea reads a powerful passage from Stacey Freeman’s book I Bought My Husband’s Mistress Lingerie and opens up a conversation many divorced parents quietly struggle with: how to cope when your ex’s new partner becomes part of your children’s lives.

From feelings of anger, betrayal, jealousy, and grief to the complicated reality of protecting your children emotionally while processing your own pain, this episode explores the emotional complexity of co-parenting after divorce when new relationships enter the picture.

If you’re struggling with your ex moving on, step-parent dynamics, or navigating the emotional impact of another adult entering your children’s world, this conversation will make you feel far less alone.

In This Episode You Will Learn

✅ Why it feels so emotionally difficult when your ex moves on romantically

✅ How children are impacted when a new partner enters the family dynamic

✅ The emotional reality of step-parent relationships after divorce

✅ Why all of your feelings—anger, sadness, jealousy, resentment—are valid

✅ The difference between private feelings and public reactions around your children

✅ How radical acceptance can help during painful transitions after divorce

✅ Why protecting your children emotionally matters more than “winning” emotionally

💰“You can either spend $50 now… or spend thousands later learning the hard way like we did. Your call. Divorce Crash Course 👇

https://www.hownottosuckatdivorce.com/divorce-crash-course

Timestamps

(00:00) The emotional shock of your ex moving on

(00:41) Stacey Freeman’s story and the affair that led to divorce

(02:10) Reading from I Bought My Husband’s Mistress Lingerie

(03:08) “We Welcome With Love, Our New Step Monster”

(04:44) The complicated emotions children feel about stepparents

(05:53) Why hating the new partner ultimately hurts everyone

(06:40) The painful reality of accepting a new person in your children’s lives

(07:13) Why your feelings are still completely valid

(07:54) Radical acceptance after divorce and co-parenting

(08:39) Why your children need emotional safety during transitions

(09:36) Divorce is a marathon, not a sprint

Key Takeaways

🔹 Your ex moving on romantically can trigger grief, anger, fear, and emotional overwhelm

🔹 Children often struggle emotionally when a new partner enters the family system

🔹 You can validate your feelings without emotionally harming your children

🔹 Acceptance does not mean approval—it means acknowledging reality

🔹 Co-parenting after divorce often requires emotional flexibility and maturity, even when it’s painful

About the Hosts

Morgan Stogsdill is the Head of Family Law at one of the largest family law firms in the country, bringing expert legal insight and strategy to every episode.

Andrea Rappaport is a comedian and divorce survivor who shares real, unfiltered experiences to help others navigate divorce with clarity, strength, and confidence.

Resources:

👉 Divorce Crash Course

hownottosuckatdivorce.com/divorce-crash-course

👉 OurFamilyWizard (Co-Parenting App)

ourfamilywizard.com/notsuck

👉 Soberlink

👉 Get more support

hownottosuckatdivorce.com

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