The mom who abandoned her family and went off to "discover herself" abroad for seven years before attempting to reintroduce herself back into her kid's lives is a pathetic excuse for a mother.
Kudos to the dad and his family & friends for stepping up to bat and providing the three kids with a loving and wholesome upbringing.
Odysseus
I love the statement, those kids were raised by a wolf pack. It's awesome that his buddies stepped up and became "punching bags and horsey's for the twins and tea party attendees for the little girl."
robertiams
Story 1: This is the start of OP’s villain arc, and I wouldn’t be able to blame him.
Also, something tells me the wife tried to get with the best friend behind the scenes after leaving OP and he rejected her, and that’s why she offed herself.
eldredge_ape
For the last story, the in laws were right that it’s her fault. RSlash implies they were bankrolling OP, but actually they were offering money to the boyfriend and he minimized their contribution/ presence in the kid’s lives so that when OP *did* come back, they couldn’t use it as a springboard to sue for custody. So I feel bad for the in laws while completely understanding why the boyfriend did what he did
jakuth
She dumped her kids for 7 years and then couldn't understand why they didn't clamour for her when she decided to come back. Diamond tier narcisist.
kevinmckenzie
The second story is almost exactly what my step-sisters’ mother did. Right down to the “it’s so I can be a better parent” excuse. She returned several years later engaged and pregnant. She got split custody and my step-sisters are still struggling to this day.
keeganlillith
The update on the first story: She self deleted and a lot of people speculated that she told OP this wild story so he would hate her and not be devastated when she did it.
bbjjbb
I always love when Karens snitch on themselves and then get destroyed in the comments.
horseluverever
Story 1: Who knows if she even meant what she told OP? I may have actually read a comment on r/BestofRedditorUpdates suggesting she didn't even have feelings for the guy, but was struggling with suicidal thoughts and told him lies to make it "easier." I'm not sure if it was this story, but if not, it was a similar situation. Could be that she was in fact pushing him away, or was having an episode of some sort.
Even if that's not the case, it still isn't OP's fault. Clearly she was struggling. I wish him the best. :(
test-kfzv
What's crazy is that I don't even think the OP of the second story realizes that she ACTUALLY abandoned her children. She probably just thinks "I'm just taking a vacation, everyone takes them. No harm, no foul. I'll be back when I'm done." It's absolutely insane to me she is in the brain area to think she say she wants to see her children so nonchalantly as if she just took a weekend vacation or something. Awesome Dad, btw
Lolveud
Story 2: _Assuming_ OP could find a lawyer to take her case, I would love to see what the judge had to say when he dismissed it 'With Prejudice.'
condorboss
11:51 this evidence doesn't fully confirm Dabney's suspicions, but does solidify the speculations
Josh_the_jester
"I left my kids to travel for two years and now I don't understand my ex won't let me see them????!!!" yeah that's your problem lady, you abandoned them for two years...
JenniferLeeTacy
I wonder if the wife was being truthful about being in love with the best friend. OP brought up a baby and his wife just stopped. Like if there was a kid she couldnt just leave. She leaves, goes to a different county (which meant she had the money and plan to do so) and took her own life. That's so premeditated. Like she said EXACTLY what it would take for OP to not try and stop her.
alexanderhenby
In the second story, those kids are so lucky. They might have not have their mother or maternal grandparents, they have an amazing father and at least 3(most likely more, the commenter specifically pointed 3 people so thats the minimum) fun and helping uncles. I think those kids are happy, and will be functioning members of society, especially without the mothers influence.
cemilerenogucu
6:44 I do. She's a stalker. She needed to be close to him, even if from afar. OP was collateral.
Her suicide could even be because she realised how much damage she did or because now she had no way to be close to the friend any more.
AtotehZ
Last story: W dad. He's the dad that stepped up and decided to be a good dad despite what OP did.
ReedDaOG
The dads friends are extremely based and are absolute gems.
darakin
11:30 why am i imagining those rowdy men as bald and having motorcycle club jackets and exesive amounts of tatoos ? :D
McGayveR
Story 2 I wish we could have heard some of the comments ripping into her.
