I Discovered My Wife's Secret Messages And I'm Going To Confront Her

[@AndyyWithAY]

Why are people telling OP not to file and to try to stay with this cheater? For some people cheating is a dealbreaker. If my future spouse cheated and it was one time and I was told very quickly, I could probably forgive it. But, if I caught him cheating, it would be over no questions asked. People should have their dealbreakers in mind before relationships start and stick to those convictions. She is not remorseful. She doesn't want to save this.

[@LetholdusKaspyr]

Cheating SHOULD be a deal breaker. If not, you're a doormat who will be abused for the rest of your life.

[@rubymeaddle]

Nobody said that?

[@WhitneyDahlin]

People don't take cheating seriously. Cheating ruins people's lives. It's leaves scars that they will carry forward into every relationship afterwards. People ended themselves over it. Cheating is abusive. Because in order to cheat you have to betray, lie, trick and manipulate your partner for your own benefit. That is textbook abuse. And that's why people say cheaters never change. Because cheaters are abusers and abusers never change. They believe you are the problem, the victim is the problem not them. It can't possibly be that they're so selfish and entitled they're willing to ruin innocent people's lives. People who they tricked into a relationship to begin with! Especially if you have children. You are selfishly ruining your children's lives as well. Better to just get a divorce. This isn't the 1700's where you're forced into an arranged marriage with someone you didn't love. If you CHOOSE to get married or CHOOSE to be in a monogamous relationship there's no excuse to be a cheater. Ask for an open relationship, ask for a separation. There are a million other options that don't involve being abusive. There's no excuse in the year of our Lord 2023.

[@thomasjoseph5876]

If it was a one-time slip I can almost see people willing to reconcile (I couldn't and wouldn't but that's just me), but to repeatedly do it basically over all of the years you have been married and with numerous different guys is not only a dealbreaker but an insult. This dude in story 1 KNEW she was doing it, he was just too weak and a simp to call her out on it. THAT'S WHY it kept happening and getting worse. Once again, but just me, there would be severe retribution and at some point later in life, she would suddenly just go out and never come back some night. People disappear all the time. With that said, these BS stories Mark has been putting up lately with no endings are getting pretty old. There are a core group of channels I watch because they mostly have stories with several updates and endings. There are plenty of other BS channels with no updates and ending and less than 20k subscribers to show for it with most of them having between 3k-8k subscribers after over a year. That says people don't want stories without updates and endings. C'mon Mark, DO BETTER.

[@marsalwin5101]

Reddit has this weird tendency to tell people to break up over nothing and try to work on relationships that are basically beyond repair.

[@carlrood4457]

It seems odd the lawyer told him to discuss everything with his wife. Lawyers usually tell clients to keep their mouths shut

[@thethirdtime9168]

Might be a different country different rules, dunno. I imagine some places it might be considered sensible to see if they can't figure out agreements alone, without additional pressures or having to pay a lawyer for it, and it's only when shit hits the fan you cut contact.

[@goawayleavemealone2880]

Yeah, I am concerned about that... think OP might have gotten a crap lawyer.

[@BW022]

@@thethirdtime9168 Specific country laws aside, it's just common sense not to warn someone until you've secured personal items, warned family or friends, filed the divorce papers, secured key papers, moved money out of bank accounts, have a place to stay, etc. Why warn her and give her time to empty the bank accounts, take your children away, spin abuse stories, tell the children you were cheating, etc. Sorry... no sane lawyer would suggest this.

[@dementesf]

Hi, lawyer here. The advice pretty much depends on how do you expect your divorce to go. Amicable divorces are way cheaper, faster and less traumatic for all parties involved. You can hire just one lawyer and split the cost. Most jurisdictions nowadays are not "at fault" so cheating is usually not taken into consideration. If wife is unhappy and is already sleeping around, there's a good chance she'll go for amicable divorce.

[@sentientcardboarddumpster7900]

Seems like a bad lawyer especially with the proof OP has 😂

[@caelum8160]

Story 2: As soon as OP said "I would have killed for an opportunity like that" alarm bells rang through my head. The stepson's criticisms about the school are valid. Him not wanting to give up his phone and password is completely valid. Being too busy to babysit, debatable but most teenagers don't want to be stuck on babysitting duty lol, if they really want their date nights they should hire a babysitter. Not liking the food before trying it, yeah that's kinda bratty but find work arounds, and try to find food he likes. OP isn't trying to set boundaries he's trying to steamroll T's.

[@jusminejustice2794]

I wonder the not eating food part is him being resentful of Op's strict treatment? ether way glad OP and stepson worked out their relationship.

[@RuminatingRaptor]

@@jusminejustice2794 I think that’s it exactly.

[@Rose-yt5hi]

That was what I thought too. OP wasn’t trying to set boundaries, he was just trying to control someone he didn’t consider worth considering. Glad he did come around and that it went well in the end.

[@MdMzzz]

@@jusminejustice2794 Or it can be just the stepson knowing he can't eat that. I throw up if I eat cauliflower, no matter what recipe or ingredients you use, or what recipe it's part of. As a result, I won't even try to eat anything that contains it. It's not pickiness, I love trying out new food, but it's not worth it if I throw up from it. It could be something similar for the stepson, since OP didn't give the impression that he knows about his stepson's eating preferences or reactions.

[@wmdkitty]

@@jusminejustice2794 Or he just knows what he likes. It's not a crime.

[@Russman67]

Story 2: Stepfather had to get his ass kicked in Reddit to learn to parent his stepson. I'm glad he took the advice rather than demanding "respect".

[@susankaempfer8427]

Seriously, his idea of respect is insane. Passwords to his social media? Unreal. 13:34

[@shadamyandsonamylover]

@@susankaempfer8427 my parents were the same way, and I was their real kid. Passwords, mandatory friends with mom, no access to the internet in general without explicit permission, and only Facebook (this was back in 2010). I hated it and hate them but it’s a little crazy to me how many people think it’s so far off the deep end for strictness. I feel like I have no actual measure for what’s strict and what isn’t.

[@kemonono]

@@shadamyandsonamylover yeah because that's wack tbh, passwords I get up until say 15-16+ because you just wanna keep your kid safe, but askin perms for internet? ridiculous. Sure there's worse out there but there's also a LOT better too, I got on the lighter end of things, dad would just randomly check my messages and wouldn't let me out the street when I was like 14 [thanks now I don't go out further than town because now am too anxious~] so yeah lighter end [I saw a post saying ''If I had fun today I can't have fun tomorrow sorry'' which is exactly what my dad was/is like which I find so fkin weird like why? why do you love saying no?] saluting you my dude

[@shadamyandsonamylover]

@@kemonono haha yeah, I had these restrictions all the way up until I moved out for college at 17. When I was 16 I got blacklisted (basically grounding but worse) cuz I had secretly learned the internet password and used it to connect my school iPad. I do honestly feel socially stunted in a lot of ways since I was so sheltered.

[@immortalsofar5314]

My step dad tole me he was throwing me out when I was 14. 40 years later, he pointed out how impossible that would have been but the damage was done and my relationship with the two of them was, at best, distant from then on. Also, frankly, OP sounds like an overbearing bully who has zero respect for his stepson.

[@jbgra2566]

2nd. Story: I'm glad OP reflected on his actions and actually became a parent to his step son instead of a tyrant. Hope their relationship continues being as great as it currently is

[@WobblesandBean]

We only have his word that he did any of that. For all you know, he only said those things to get Reddit off his back and didn't change anything.

[@jbgra2566]

@@WobblesandBean ok

[@RuminatingRaptor]

@@WobblesandBean You could literally say that about any story on here.

[@jojoa694]

@@WobblesandBeanThis is just a weird assumption. Why would he do all that for only internet validation?

[@Russman67]

Story 1: I wonder how much of the wife's efforts were just centered around seeing how long she could get away with it. For her to cheat not just once, but over multiple years and be that comfortable, it almost had to feel like a game to her.

[@paulastiles5507]

Some people have impulse control issues. She probably got to the point where she figured she wouldn't get caught or the thrill of possibly getting caught was too much to resist. Either way, the usual pattern is that they freak out once the consequences hit, as if they had no idea that those consequences would ever happen.

[@fandomfan2800]

lol who cares?

[@michamocha]

S2: YTA. The step son isn't even being disrespectful. It's just Op isn't getting his way and decided to call that disrespectful. He came into this boy's life and decided to make changes because _he_ thinks it's better without actually listening to the person these changes are affecting directly. After the update, it's good to hear that he genuinely listened to the comments and changed.

[@RekiTheRyvian]

The story about OP "setting boundaries if he won't respect me" reminds me of this thing I read: "There is respect as in treating someone like a person, and respect as in treating like an authority. And those who are used to being treated as an authority will say 'if you refuse to treat me like an authority then I will refuse to treat you like a person'." Plus, you as a parent/step-parent do not get to set "boundaries" if you refuse to follow the ones the kids set. That just makes you a tyrant and you deserve whatever comes your way. This just happens to be a story where this person learned early enough, but you can still see the permanent damage it caused though the updates.

[@peachesnsht]

I just wanted to let you know that, after all this time of listening to Mark daily, it finally happened. Last night, my dream was narrated by Mark lol 🤦‍♀🤣

[@peepoteep365]

Can't escape this man 😭😭

[@CasualVFlowerEnjoyer]

That's so funny, was it a good dream?

[@Nathan_Bookwurm]

Haha that's so funny. 😄

[@peachesnsht]

@@CasualVFlowerEnjoyer yes, a weird one 😂

[@strandedinseattle9931]

Did you tell him to "kick rocks" and get out of your head?

[@jeancarbonneau6966]

In story 1, OP is just the security blanket for his wife. If I was him, I would go out to get DNA tests done on both of the children to see if they're really his or not. OP stated that his wife told one of her affair partners that she's been doing this for a long while and with multiple partners as well. This means that the children may not be his if you calculate the times of conception for the children and the times for the affairs she had. The worse part right now is that OP is living with his wife's family and this could cause more problems for him then anything good. He should go out to get a better lawyer because the one he consulted with told him to talk to his wife and not prepare for divorce. Depending on the state, if it's in the USA, because his name is on the children's birth certificate, he may be stuck to pay child support even if they're not his children biologically. I think this type of law is seen in a small amount of countries as well.

[@user-wr3vt8uq4s]

I think he should try another lawyer. Perhaps the legal insurance at work only covers some lawyers, so he may not be getting the best of the bunch. "Go talk to your wife" is bad advice since she's already lying and cheating. The very intertwined family situation is concerning too. She automatically has a big support net who'll stand by her regardless of her culpability. No clue on the money issues, who makes more, etc. DNA tests should be mandatory, because misrepresenting fatherhood is straight up fraud. It is in the "best interests of the child" to have a mother who isn't a lying cheat.

[@mweathers79]

S1: “my wife and I are in terrible financial debt, she deals with it by going out…a lot.” I think I found one of the problems, lol.

[@samanthaorologio6866]

Good on that stepdad. If it’s true, I’m very proud of his genuine effort and care. There’s nothing better than a step parent or adoptive parent ACTUALLY choosing you.

[@jackspring7709]

Story 2: I'm treating my stepson like dirt and trying to manipulate and control every aspect of his life: am I the AH? Even when he tells it from his point of view he comes across as a gigantic one: I can't even imagine what the unfiltered version is like. I hope his stepson gets away from this bully and his mother is a disgrace for going along with it. EDIT: Well, at least he finally realised.

[@thomasjoseph5876]

He makes changes in the kid's life that he doesn't want and acts like a Dick-tator to him and then can't understand why the kid won't "Respect my Authoritah". Who is this loser, Eric Cartman as a Stepdad???

[@jackspring7709]

@@thomasjoseph5876 Funny I was thinking of Eric Cartman, too, when the old fool was talking about respecting his authority :D

[@MaryTheresa1986]

​@@jackspring7709 Me too! 🤣🤣

[@ScarabD]

12:27 You know, I read something on one of the various hellsites recently... "Never trust an adult who won't apologise to someone just because that someone is a kid."

[@AndyyWithAY]

I have a hard time believing OP really changed that much in story 2. I'd love to hear stepson's side. But, I hope the update is honest.

[@HaliaStone]

Yeah, I’m getting unreliable narrator vibes with that one.

[@Nathan_Bookwurm]

I'm also wondering what the mum's role is in all of this. Why did she just let the stepfather dictate all the rules, and after he went to reddit, suddenly all the rules changed cuz stepfather changed them?

[@rivertam7827]

I'm honestly surprised someone with such astounding lack of self awareness was able to take the reddit ripping and learn from it, I truly hope he did though, and that lad is getting a decent stepfather in his life.

[@AsheQuinn]

I also wanted to comment again to thank Mark for continuing to upload so faithfully. These videos really bring me a lot of joy and comfort. I am pretty much alone all day so having a constant presence throughout my week is really comforting. My depression and gender transition have been kicking my ass, but having Mark's positive presence has brightened up my day, everyday. Thank you Mark! I hope you have a great day.

[@justaperson4656]

Depression and dysphoria buds! I hope things lighten up for you soon. Might I ask how your transition is going?

[@AsheQuinn]

@@justaperson4656 Yay! Buds! My transition is going pretty good! I started testosterone in september and ive been going thru some great changes. But the one change i do not like is my cystic acne. lmao. Plus the confusion and sometimes willful "forgetfulness" from family members about my pronouns. I'm looking forward to top and bottom surgery in the next couple of years! My state has a series of laws where my insurance has to pay for it, so thats great!

[@GrumpyOldFart2]

@@AsheQuinn OMG, I’m so glad you live in a state that has those legal protection wrt insurance. Reading, I was thinking please I hope this person doesn’t live in Florida (or any of the other states that are wackadoodle). It’s so effin’ scary to be LGBTQ+ right now, not that it was all unicorns and sunshine in the past. It just seemed like we were moving FORWARD for a time. Now we have morons that want to take us back to the 1930s. All hugs and love to you and I hope you have a good emotional support system. 💕💖

[@AsheQuinn]

@@GrumpyOldFart2 thank you dear! i am lucky enough to live in the northeast US, in a relatively progressive state. I wish the best for you too!

[@stephaniehowells6364]

I hope your transition is going well!

[@RenEmell]

Story 2: I really appreciate the step dad’s willingness to accept he did wrong and change. Sucks he needed to hear it from a bunch of strangers, but better than nothing

[@broken_queer_but_fighting8589]

Hey you yes you, take a deep breath let it out slowly, and lower your shoulders. Know that you are important to someone even if you feel like no one loves you, guess what I do. I'm so proud of you being here. Thank you. Now make sure you take care of yourself and drink some water, eat something and take a stretch break.💜💜🤗🤗💜💜🤗🤗

[@thatdellgirl14]

This is just wholesome and I love it

[@broken_queer_but_fighting8589]

@@thatdellgirl14 much love m8💜💜🤗🤗

[@MasterBuilderDragon]

Thank you 😊 You’re awesome! Don’t let the world ruin that big heart of yours like it almost did mine (I’m doing better now). We judge each other too quickly now and so many people are so close-minded. Stay strong! I love you too! 💕

[@broken_queer_but_fighting8589]

@Master Builder Dragon thank you so much and im glad you're doing better, much love m8 I hope your year will be sweet 💜💜🤗🤗

[@MasterBuilderDragon]

@@broken_queer_but_fighting8589 Yours too! 💜🤗

[@LaineyBug2020]

Story 2: Every sentence you read I'm just shaking my head, saying 'No, no, no, no...🤦‍♀️, Oh my god, no, no, no....🤦‍♀️" Very glad it worked out!

[@carolsh1983]

I love when people take advice on board and sincerely change. So wholesome.

[@1tiptip187]

I heard another story similar where they used a threat of my house, my rules, watch your siblings or GTFO and it ended up with paying a couple years child support to the late mother's parents who came and picked the kid up and took the dad and step mother to court for custody over emotional abuse.

[@LayfonDragnia]

Story 2: JFC, talk about controlling! Like, never once did I hear op ask the step son what he wanted! Edit: Wow, the op actually listened and made changes. That’s rare.

[@streamerssaymyname]

He finally realized he was wrong when strangers told him, but 2 years of his stepson showing him hes wrong he declared it disrespect.

[@babygirl_lunaa9096]

I think one of my favorite things about these episodes is hearing the familiar names and aita commenters, was happy to see nut me shell back

[@vanguardangel6912]

Story 2’s update is the best kinda update I could hope for. I genuinely hope OP and his family continue to be happy and healthy!

[@TheIronwil]

Step-dad: YTA. I’m glad he listened to reason. When listening to him rant about his step-son’s disrespect, I was slack-jawed in disbelief. I thought it was going to end very badly, because someone that clueless wouldn’t be likely to listen to the community’s verdict. But he did, and things seem to have worked out.

[@Purple_Dragonfly2002]

Story 2: OP sounds like a early 2000s movie Villain. Are you gonna threaten to send him to military school next??

[@beautybard]

I have been a fan for so long (like Daddy Cringe long) and the fact that you stay so sweet and humble makes me so sad I live across the pond. I wouldn't even want a picture, id just want a hug as you sing " aM I tHE bUTtHolE?"

[@GrumpyOldFart2]

Since you’ve been a fan for so long, do you know the origin of the whole waffle thing?

[@beautybard]

@@GrumpyOldFart2 absolutely. I even participated in the first Xmas art competition on discord. I painted a waffle stuffing it's face with a ham.

[@beautybard]

@@GrumpyOldFart2 why you wanna gatekeep?

[@GrumpyOldFart2]

@@beautybard WTF? Gatekeep what? I was just curious as to how the waffle became a thing.

[@chloecamille5390]

@@GrumpyOldFart2 I think it's just because in England we refer to talking too much or going off topic as 'waffling on'

[@nikkid7838]

Crazy that the first story is 10years old! 😮 with no further updates

[@unicorn1655]

A friend of mine was sent to private school because it's "better" but was brutally bullied for all of her time there. She spent her last two years in public school, she found friends, fell in love and for the first time experienced what it was like to be part of a community where nobody has anything in common but people still respect each other

[@rubymeaddle]

Story 2: yeaaah no wonder why he hates you dude "I moved him to a private school" you uprooted a 14yo from his lifelong friends "I take his phone at 9pm" he's 16, that's how you treat a grade schooler "He won't babysit his stepsiblings" they aren't his kids bro "I demand his social media passwords" you aren't his parent, you're the guy his mom married You tried to push yourself into the father position of a 14yo, that will never work

[@SoicAngellis]

If all the bits in the second update on the stepfather story are true- The stepson *offering* to babysit his step siblings made me go "D'awww!" That shows that maybe they really are starting to form sibling bonds, and stepdad OP is doing a MUCH better job.

[@destinedtogame]

OP in story 2 is such a rare gem. They came into their post open to criticism and weren't being defensive. They listened and things changed for the better. Wholesome ending.

[@RuminatingRaptor]

Wow. A stepparent that recognized their mistakes and changed. Colour me surprised!

[@Tiger54658]

I applaud the op in the second story for reviewing his actions and listening to people who offered genuine honest answers instead of writing *everyone* off as people who are being hateful to be hateful. Because in every story there are those people. People who spew vitriol expecting the op to take it and be like "Oh shit, you right" when it doesn't always work like that. Fire has never beaten fire, it only makes it burn brighter. Putting a flame over an icecube however, will help a person ease into understanding the change they need to make and work to do that. And I'm sincerely glad the Stepdad made a change for the better and I'm happy to see he managed to gain a better relationship with the son.

[@Silence-1170]

Hope all of ya amazing waffles are doing well for the rest of your day! Stay safe and stay positive waffles!

[@broken_queer_but_fighting8589]

You too m8 much love 💜💜🤗🤗

[@LooseDeuce]

Story 2: a complete 180 after being "Vibe Checked" to the shadow realm? YOU LOVE TO SEE IT!

[@kristinecollier9155]

Isn't this the 3rd post today, Mark? WOW! Thank You!!

[@carlrood4457]

NEVER make a threat you're not willing to back. You've already undermined your authority by doing that.

[@GLoLChibs]

Story 2- YTA. OP took it upon himself to transfer his stepson high schools without even talking to the kid. Surrendering phone at 9pm? Family time is fine and effective when you INCLUDE the kids' input. Ffs his wife needs to start advocating for her son. OP has zero concern for his stepsons boundaries and is trying to force himself into father role.

[@BraveryWing26]

You are NOT setting boundaries SECOND OP YOU ARE BEING ABUSIVE.

[@JO_Artificial]

That story has left me hanging, what happened, these are the kind of stories I enjoy the most.

[@OmniscientlyMe]

3. This was pretty refreshing. He didn't sound like the type that was open to feedback in the original post; at least, as far as I got before realizing this was a 100% YTA situation.

[@NeroTheDarklord]

About the second story, it is always incredibly relieving to hear when someone who's being objectively bad realizes their behavior and changes it for the better. It happens far too rarely these days. These moments are precious and give me faint glimmers of hope that maybe not all humans are terrible, selfish, stubborn, self-centered asshats.

[@paulastiles5507]

Story #2: Oh, look, yet another parent who will be all Shocked Pikachu Face when their kid refuses to ever have any future contact with them once he hits 18 and leaves the house.

[@Lillypop93]

Last Story update when he said respecting my authority all I could think of was Eric Cartman

[@kiwifreund]

Some things to think about regarding the 16 year old kid who is struggling: 1) private schools are not always the best environment, especially when a kid is dumped into them knowing zero other students. Kids are ay-holios. I am pretty sure no one has been overly kind or patient with him of their own accord. 2) One of the biggest issues we face is that men think the worst crime you can commit against another man is disrespect. DISRESPECT. You are threatening to make this kid homeless because you think he is disrespectful. You have made his life miserable, and now you are threatening to make him homeless. Really think about this. We have so much violence between men and between domestic partners because someone wants to command power and respect. I moved out of my parents' house when I was 16, my upbringing was incredibly strict. It's not impossible.

[@brie1162]

16:54 “respect your authority”…ok Cartman

[@Rose_Bride]

The real *AH* in the stepfather story is the MOM for allowing this man to come in and BULLY her child. I doubt he treats his bio kids like this. The issue is that he wanted to be the top dog/man in the house and saw this little boy as competition. It's ironic he gives advice at the end telling people to "listen" to their kids, when HE never did. It took being torn to shreds online before he saw what an *AH* he was.

[@kiraphobia222]

Oh you know he protects his kids, that's why he wants the stepson to care of them.

[@VoidWalkerOblivion]

They've been a family for two years, and yet OP2 still calls it *his* house instead of *their* house.

[@NCAnon]

Mark, the waffle scarf is almost complete! I'll be making Twitter account so I can tag and share it with you

[@sharyebethancourt3660]

I can kinda see how OP thought he was in the right. He was still TA, but I can see how he thought he was doing everything for the benefit of his stepson and maybe over enthusiastically jumped into the roll of dad.

[@andersrkeness2721]

Story 2: This is an Perfect Example of, Some of the Worst Things Imaginable were done with the Best Intentions.

[@joeschmo622]

Wow, a stepparent actually *learned* from his mistakes, instead of doubling-, tripling-, quadrupling-down!

[@elcholo83]

Story 1: Make things up? Reconciliation?!!! LOL

[@JohnSmith-xq1pz]

In before Mark can say you cheeky so and so 👍

[@vampire9545]

Ill NEVER understand people trying to fix a relationship after cheating

[@D123-f9k]

I’m glad things turned around in story 2, but he really should have a bedtime and at this point I WISH my mom had taken up electronics at bed time.

[@paulclay4229]

Story 2. Is that Cartman? Respect my Authoritah. Passwords to his accounts? Yeah, id be acting way worse.

[@sherryflanigan7680]

So glad Stepdad finally "got with it." I've been there and sometimes it's hard to parent a child that is not yours or even know how to parent a child who is almost grown and even though I apologized to my stepdaughter a few times for doing things wrong, I was never as ridiculous as this guy was. Just so glad everything worked out. I consider all my girls, biological or not, a true blessing and know what a loss it would be to not have them in my life.

[@AsheQuinn]

Hey Mark! I'm still playing Dragon Age 2, and now i've got some barbecue chicken pizza! Its been a happy day

[@broken_queer_but_fighting8589]

Ooo fun and yum, glad it's been a happy day 💜💜🤗🤗

[@cb9825]

Money was tight and her way of dealing with the stress was going out all the time😳 spending money in some bars and restaurants while financially struggling would be a huge red flag for me personally even without cheating suspicions.

[@missamanda2703]

My husband and I were having issues. I started going out it was close. I got a divorce, and he was crushed. I never cheat. I refused to date others and be separated when he begged I said it was still cheating. This Saint and I became good friends raising our son. We had no hate or animosity because I didn't cheat. Still a Saint, he still loved me, and after years of family time with our son, I realized my awful mistake. He remarried me because we 1. because friends are not married because of a pregnancy. 2. I didn't fight him over co parenting and didn't financially ruin him. I wanted our son to have financially stable homes. 3. I would not cheat. I would not separate and sleep around. No.

[@missamanda2703]

BTW our 2nd marriage had been 3rd person free 18 years. I needed to learn his value. I was a selfish ass.

[@evarodriguez4319]

Step 1:. Dr. appointment Step 2: Lawyer appointment for options and plan and all documentation in order Step 3: Get all financials in order and important papers in safe place Step 4: Therapy

[@BraveryWing26]

I am so glad Second OP corrected course in a BIG WAY.

[@hauldencottenfield869]

Cuck

[@veezopolis]

Story 2: "My step kid is acting like a kid. How do i traumatize him just enough to get him to shut up."

[@ginihall1234]

Everyone wants to say it’s invasive until the kid goes missing

[@joydavis3089]

Thanks Mark, give Poppy a cuddle

[@Tammohawk1]

1. Sounds to me as if OP married a cheating 'ho. I don't know how you can fix that relationship after breaking trust to that extreme. 2 Great update. I'm glad OP listened to the advice he was given because the alternative would have been ugly. As a mother, I couldn't have allowed that nonsense to go on though.

[@colleens1107]

Story 2: op is right, he was VERY lucky his stepson was willing to forgive him for his draconian rules and demands and actually develop a relationship with stepdad. The boy would be well within his rights to tell OP to pound sand for the crap he pulled, 9pm curfew for a SIXTEEN YEAR OLD? I am glad he realized he was being a goddamn dictator to this kid and backed the hell off

[@Sg190th]

I won't lie, I was gonna say he's not the asshole until I realized how bad the stepson had it. I myself always have a nighttime curfew and it's crazy.

[@Fred_Die]

I don't understand why people say domestic violence is always a bad thing. In the case of the first story, it's very well deserved

[@farrahkhalid9138]

Story 1 needs to make sure his kids are his

[@cheskydivision]

Don’t confront a cheater. Get your ducks in a row. Gather more proof.

[@One.DeSanctis.]

OP in story #1 needs to be less blase about his marriage to a serial cheater. Before they stopped being intimate, OP was sharing time with a promiscuous bed partner. That is dangerous. Get tested OP and get angry that your (stb?)ex-wife would be so reckless with your health. At least ex should have been safe for the sake of their children.

[@gigga143]

S2: YTA. He has no reason to respect you. You took me out of a school he liked, took him away from his friends, and want him to not even talk to them so he can spend “family time” with a tyrant who doesn’t care about him and took away every other part of his life that didn’t have to be changed because you felt like it. Now you’re treating to kick a child out. WTF is wrong with your wife? She should be divorcing you for the way you’re treating her child. Both you and her are the AHs and no, he will never thank you for you distancing him from the people he cares about who care about him. And watch your own kids, he didn’t have them.

[@zoe9190]

When confronting her, i would tell op when getting her to write out all her cheating partners, each time she hads it to you, tell her i know thats not all of it, keep going or i leave, keep on doing it until she completely breaks. Never show your hand with a serial cheater

[@jennilynne1977]

I hope everyone is having a great day/afternoon/night! Peace ☮️, hugs 🤗 and love 😘!

[@nicoleposada7916]

Reddit stories about step parents, most of them feel entitled to make step kids remind them about the whatever is the situation, when is about accepting a step parents, boundaries, bio parents who put their partner and new family first, and of course step and half siblings.

[@PikalaxALT]

OP in the second story sounds like something out of r/insaneparents and I hope Reddit knocked some sense into him. ETA: Looks like they did, good job OP.

[@Lady_Rowan_MacGyver]

Nope. Cheating a choice & a deal breaker for me.

[@evavocative6975]

The step father who is making his stepson babysit seveal times a week, not letting the stepson go to the school you wanted, and then doesn't let him talk to his friends? YEESH. He's so effing controlling. So glad he turned that attitude around and actually get to know his stepson.

[@crazypyp5871]

I hope everyone is doing well today! ^^

[@pcsala648]

I don't enjoy incomplete stories. I bet the op of the first post kept the marriage and didn't report back out of shame.

[@rf159a]

Lawyer for us in the U.S. And I'm guessing Solicitor for you Mark in the U.K.

[@anonymouslee2083]

Story 2: louder for the people in the back: PARENTIFICATION 👏🏻 IS 👏🏻 ABUSE!👏🏻

[@mixmmick]

The whole cheating thing, once is bad enough but understand that some couples can move on. But multiple affairs after the already forgiving is just plain disrespectful and there’s no coming back. Divorce is the only option.

[@AndyyWithAY]

Resting in bed because I have a migraine. It's really hot today so I'm sure that's playing a role.

[@broken_queer_but_fighting8589]

Oof I'm sorry, I hope it will get better 💜💜🤗🤗

[@theespartanff3188]

I'm so tired of hearing about these childish step parents. How can you treat a child like that? How can you be so damn selfish

[@wildridegaming]

Story 2 (pre updates): WTF OP, You yanked him out of his school environment where he has friends, people he knows, likely the classes he wants to be in. To RESTART in another school where he has no friends, has to take classes that happen to have room available, not necessarily the classes he wanted. This is fine in earlier years (up to about 14) as theres no exams and you arent locking in electives. But after that, unless the student in question (T) wants to move school, or its impractical to remain where they are because you are now out of state. DONT MOVE THEM!!! Youve pushed him into a school that he now has no friends, no rapport with teachers right before his having to do exams, which nulifies any extra work he may have done in his old school on projects. These exam scores are not just the test but the stuff leading up to the test. So effectively you may have taken away 50% of his final grade depending on how far into the exam year you uprooted his life. BTW practically nothing? 15 minutes, thats 30 minutes a day. His having to wake up 15 minutes earlier, and has 15 minutes less time in the evening. Just because you would have killed for this opportunity does not mean everyone would have. Like I said before if this was 2 years before this might have been a good opportunity, but you may have torpedoed the opportunities HE wanted. What I dont get is why did you move him without talking to him and RESPECTING him. You are demanding respect where you have shown zero towards him. I mean WOW you come across as an overbearing and controlling person. I myself am exactly your age, I have a stepson (now older, but I new mine at the same age as yours) I also have my own daughter. I would NEVER ask them to hand over passwords to social media, etc. Talk about abusing your power. Have you no respect for their privacy? No wonder they are acting out. Do YOU give your social media passwords to your parents? Or to your boss? or even your wife? If you say no to those then why are you trying to invade his privacy so badly. 9pm family time? No.. no no thats getting ready for bed time. 7 and 9 year olds, at what time do they go to bed? Id expect 9ish. The 16 year old maybe around 11. I find it hard to believe its about spending time with family, thats more about swinging your dick around and showing whos boss. Family time is 6-8pm if every night, centred around dinner. As for watching the kids, hire a fucking babysitter. Or offer to PAY HIM, he can still refuse. You are interrupting HIS time so you can have Your time, he didnt sign onto this marriage and if you cannot make it work without relying on him then dont. 1 or 2 nights a week? No he has plenty more to do, studying being one, but being a teenager another. If you cant tell from the above you are a world class asshole. Everything you do is considered abusive behaviour. You are the "Adult" you should foster the relationship and EARN respect. He isnt an employee where as his Boss you can demand respect. Respect is earned, once earned you may become his father, but I do believe no matter what you do moving forward you will always be "not my dad". Post Update: Schools can have VERY different opportunities, where I grew up there were 3 schools I had a choice in going, one that needed to pass a test to go to and was for high achievers, 15 minutes away one that was big in the STEM fields and right next door to it another one that was more tailored to performing arts. Depending on what I wanted to pursue for a career these schools each would be the better school. Maybe your stepson doesnt want to go into a STEM pathway, and thats ok. Im glad that things have improved, you just cannot go into a step-parent role and start laying down the law, it will only end with rebellion. You have to approach it as being a friend not a parent until you have earned their respect and trust. As you have seen you changed to this approach and magically his doing things how you want. Unfortunately a lot of step-parents go into the role and start a power struggle, you cant let it get like that and as the more mature person its you that has to be less aggressive in your approach. I say this as someone who had a stepmom and am a stepfather myself so I have lived both sides of the relationship.

[@L3adb3lly]

Mark, when you say update, can you specify if it's an actual update or just a mini update, because the first story wasn't updated.

[@Midgetbear-nk1fe]

Story 2 confuses me, 9pm is family time? when I was teen my parents were getting ready for bed at 9pm XD

[@navycorpsman744]

He needs another attorney. I can't believe he actually went along with that shit advice

[@ondank]

Story 2 : Op is a pretty nasty piece of work in the beginning. There are things there that he couldn't repair and OP really didn't deserve to be forgiven.

[@SuperCleopatrajones]

Story 2: OP was the AH, however l disagree with the comments about babysitting. Asking your teenager to watch their sibling for a few hours every now and then is NOT parentification. I pay my son to watch his brother on date nights, maybe once or twice a month. Other times he offers so that they can just hang out instead of going out with us (i.e.we still LOVE to go out exploring new housing developments in the area). Learning self-reliance and responsibility for others are important skills for later in life. Plus, we are showing our children that we can TRUST them to make good choices in our absence.❤❤❤

[@melosidhe779]

I'm all for cooling off to think straight, but always ALWAYS leave a cheater Should also get paternity tests

[@yvs6663]

if the law allows and he can do so without the wifes premission(or even if he asks for it, he is divorcing her anyways) he should ask for a paternity test. i know its a taboo topic but it sounds quite a bit like he could be one of the people who aren't the father.

[@lkuhhdsfgasdgvdadfg]

Story 2: he already undermined his authority by 1) asking for unacceptable things, like passwords. And 2) threatening to do something he wasn't actually willing to do. You NEVER make a threat your not willing and ready to emedeitly carry out. Hes a joke, and he made himself look like that. His ONLY hope is that the boy beleaves him, and doesn't test it. Otherwise op's fucked.

[@mweathers79]

S2: lol, OP messed up posting about his 16 year old stepson on Reddit. Everyone on Reddit is around 16, of course he’s TA. He might as well had went and asked the kid himself is he is TA, same response no matter.

[@lfriasurzua]

are we not doing pet tax tuesday's anymore 🥺

[@MasterBuilderDragon]

Hey Mark, if you’re reading this, I love you and your videos. You have such a big heart and you never let stories like these ruin that like other Reddit readers have. Keep being you, ya cheeky so and so! 💜