Divorced Man Gets His Teenage Daughter a New Phone as His Obsessive Ex-Wife Keeps Tracking Her, Redditors React

What won't you do for love? For love, some people might travel across seven seas, while others could even relocate and pursue new occupations to be with their romantic partners.

There are people who go to extreme lengths to be with their partners. Many believe that love is to blame for the strange things it causes individuals to do, but this is untrue because everyone reacts to emotions differently.

Of course, there have been some spooky real-life instances involving obsessive lovers. However, being in a relationship with an obsessive lover does have its drawbacks.

You see, the foundation of a relationship is trust. However, some people have a bad habit of monitoring the whereabouts of their significant others.

Furthermore, stalking someone is now just as simple as keeping tabs on their activities at home, all thanks to social media. Your partner's stalking behavior might range from something as basic as using GPS to track your whereabouts in real-time for your protection to something more serious, like showing up at your friend's party uninvited.

The OP got a divorce because his wife suddenly turned into this obsessive person he couldn't recognize. Now, she has bought a phone for their 17-year-old daughter and is still tracking her movements with the same phone.

OP's daughter reported it to him, and he got her another phone, but his ex found out about it, and it turned into a completely different situation.

OP writes

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OP was more than okay with that because it’s a free phone

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OP told his ex this is the reason they got divorced

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The Effects of Parental Conflict on Children

Parental conflict, especially in the context of divorce, can have profound effects on children, often leading to issues with trust and attachment.

Dr. Robert E. Emery, a clinical psychologist, notes that children may feel caught in the middle, which can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and confusion.

His research emphasizes the importance of minimizing conflict in front of children to protect their emotional well-being.

OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the AH:

I got my daughter a new phone without telling my ex so she wouldn’t be able to track her, as it was becoming obsessive and weird.

The Reddit post got hundreds of comments, and here are a bunch of them

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The tracking has to be consensual

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The best way to keep the daughter safe

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Attachment theory suggests that children’s experiences with parental relationships can shape their future relationships and emotional responses.

Dr. Madeline Levine, a renowned child psychologist, emphasizes that "children who are exposed to high levels of conflict between parents often develop insecure attachment styles, which can hinder their ability to form healthy relationships later in life" (source: madelinelevine.com). This dynamic is critical in understanding the divorced father's motivations for protecting his daughter from tracking behaviors.

She needs to get help for her condition

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The OP is the parent with custody

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The OP had this to drop in the comments

Anna likes her mom, at least until this tracking situation started. Now I’m not sure, but I think she shares my views.I do strongly dislike her and what she thinks is acceptable, but I have a lot of practice being neutral towards her. Admittedly, this recent resurgence has made that difficult, but I did try to be as unbiased as I could in my post.

It's not right, and the OP shouldn't allow it

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Strategies for Healthy Co-Parenting

Healthy co-parenting requires clear communication and consistent boundaries to support the child’s emotional stability.

Experts recommend establishing a parenting plan that outlines expectations and responsibilities, minimizing opportunities for conflict.

Dr. David A. Wexler, a co-parenting specialist, emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the child's well-being above personal disputes, which can significantly improve the co-parenting relationship.

She is the threat the daughter has

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She is making her own way

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The ex can be legally banned from this nonsense

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It baffled many Redditors that OP's ex still hasn't learned the lesson of what her invasive and controlling behavior will yield. The OP is the legal custodian here, and only he has the right to track or not track his daughter.

As you can already tell, the OP was declared not the AH, and you can share this story with your loved ones to get their own verdict as well.

Psychological Analysis

This situation underscores the complexities of co-parenting in the context of divorce. It’s vital to prioritize the child's emotional needs while navigating the challenges of past relationship dynamics.

Analysis generated by AI

Analysis & Alternative Approaches

Parental conflict can significantly impact children's emotional health, but with effective co-parenting strategies, it's possible to mitigate these effects.

Fostering a collaborative and respectful relationship between parents is crucial for the child's well-being.