Divorce can have devastating consequences, especially when children are involved. The emotional wounds often linger long after the paperwork is signed, and things can become even more complicated when an ex-spouse starts a new relationship. While blending families can work with mutual respect, it can quickly turn into a nightmare when new partners ignore boundaries and parents stop listening. One of our readers discovered just how painful that can be.
This is Emma’s story.
Hello,
My ex and I have been divorced for two years now, and we have two kids together. Recently, he started dating someone new. When he introduced us, I honestly thought she seemed friendly and respectful. I wanted things to stay civil for the kids’ sake, so I welcomed her into their lives with an open mind. But what I discovered over the past few weeks completely changed the way I see her—and now I’m questioning everything.
It started off small. She posted a photo of my kids at the park. I felt uncomfortable seeing my children on someone else’s social media, but I kept quiet because I assumed she simply didn’t realize it bothered me. I didn’t want to create unnecessary conflict over what could have been an innocent mistake. Then, just a few days later, she uploaded photos and videos from my children’s school performance, including a video of my daughter singing on stage. My stomach dropped the moment I saw it.
That was a bit too much for me. It no longer felt innocent. It felt like she was inserting herself into moments that belonged to my children—and sharing them with strangers as though they were her own family memories. I politely reached out and asked her to stop posting my kids online. Instead of understanding, she dismissed my concerns with, “It’s just harmless fun.” The way she brushed me aside made me feel completely powerless.
Two days ago, things got even worse. She tagged my kids in a meme that made them look silly. They laughed about it because they’re young and didn’t understand why it bothered me, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that their images were becoming entertainment for other people. I immediately texted my ex and asked him to speak to her. His response hurt almost as much as her actions. He simply shrugged it off and replied, “She’s part of their life now, get used to it.” At that moment, I realized I was fighting this battle alone.
After our conversation, I was furious. I went onto her Instagram, partly out of curiosity and partly because I wanted to know whether this was really as harmless as everyone kept insisting. I started scrolling through months of posts, and with every swipe, my heart sank a little further. I found photo after photo of my children, videos of family outings, captions describing their personalities, and stories about their daily lives. Then I found something that genuinely horrified me.
I discovered she had been using photos and videos of my kids as content for a small blog about “modern parenting.” She wasn’t just sharing occasional family moments—she had built an entire online presence around children who weren’t even hers. She wrote parenting advice alongside pictures of my son and daughter as though she were documenting her own parenting journey. That wasn’t even the worst part.
What made me feel physically sick was realizing she was actually making money from it. The blog contained sponsored posts, affiliate links, and advertisements. Companies were paying for engagement that was being driven, at least in part, by images of my children. My kids had unknowingly become part of someone else’s personal brand, and no one had ever asked for my permission. I immediately showed everything to my ex. He claimed he had no idea she was profiting from the blog and promised he would talk to her. But I honestly don’t know whether to believe him anymore. He defended every other post she made about our children, so why would this suddenly be different? The more I think about it, the harder it is to trust anything he says.
Right now, I’m furious, heartbroken, and honestly scared about how much of my children’s lives might already be online. I keep wondering what else has been shared that I haven’t even found yet. I don’t know whether confronting her will accomplish anything, or whether I need to stop hoping they’ll do the right thing and start protecting my children another way. So, what should I do? Should I confront her directly? Should I get a lawyer involved? Or am I really overreacting, as my ex keeps insisting?
Regards,
Emma P.
Some advice from our Editorial team.
Dear Emma,
Thank you for reaching out and trusting us with your story. We can only imagine how upsetting it must be to discover your children’s private moments being shared online without your knowledge, especially when the people who should be protecting them dismiss your concerns.
You are not overreacting. What you’ve described goes far beyond “harmless fun.” This is about your children’s privacy, digital footprint, and your role as their parent. The fact that your ex’s girlfriend appears to be using your children’s images to build an audience—and potentially earn money—raises concerns that deserve to be taken seriously.
Before taking any further action, document everything. Save screenshots of the posts, videos, blog entries, captions, advertisements, affiliate links, and any evidence suggesting that your children’s images are being used for financial gain. If content is deleted later, having a record may prove extremely important.
Next, communicate your boundaries clearly and in writing to both your ex and his girlfriend. State that you do not consent to your children’s photos, videos, or personal information being shared online or used for blogs, promotional content, or commercial purposes. Keep the message calm, factual, and focused entirely on your children’s well-being.
If they continue ignoring your requests, this moves beyond a simple disagreement between co-parents. Many jurisdictions have laws protecting minors’ privacy and regulating the commercial use of children’s likenesses, particularly when consent has not been properly obtained. Consulting a family lawyer can help you understand your rights, determine whether any laws have been violated, and explore what legal remedies may be available. In some cases, the court may also address social media boundaries within custody or parenting arrangements.
Most importantly, keep your focus where it belongs: on your children’s safety, privacy, and dignity. This is not about jealousy, control, or resentment toward your ex’s new relationship. It is about ensuring that your children are not treated as online content or used to build someone else’s public image without proper consent or consideration for the long-term consequences.
The situation Emma finds herself in is far from easy, and navigating co-parenting after divorce is rarely simple. But she isn’t the only one struggling with an ex who refuses to take serious concerns seriously—and sometimes, protecting your children means refusing to let those concerns be brushed aside.
