Coleen advises a reader whose marriage has ended, and is struggling with the aftermath. Her ex has a new partner, who is spending time with her children and it's a tough pill to swallow.14:10, 04 Aug 2026Dear Coleen,I’m in the process of getting divorced from my husband and we have two children together, aged six and eight.I’m relieved the marriage is over, as I couldn’t stand the sight of him by the end, but I’m really struggling with the fact that he’s with someone else now, and they have our kids two nights a week, which kills me.This woman – a longtime friend of my ex – has been in the background for the whole of my marriage, and I could tell she was desperate to be with him. I never trusted her and she always saw me as competition.When I take my kids over to theirs, she always looks so self-satisfied. I want to scream, “You’re welcome to him! He’s a nightmare!”, but I fake a smile.‌If my ex was a decent person, she wouldn’t even be in the picture when our kids were staying with him, but he’s not, and my main goal right now is to keep the peace. What would you do in this situation?Coleen says,This woman is in his life now so, as hard as this is for you, you have to accept she is going to be around the kids. But I think you’re doing an amazing job. Despite how you feel about her and your ex, you’re handing over the kids without any drama and that’s right for them.You’re happy to be out of the marriage – don’t lose sight of that – but he’s the father of your kids and it’s good he’s having them twice a week, so you’ve established a routine.‌If the kids were coming home saying their dad’s girlfriend was shouty or mean, then that’s a different conversation to have with your ex. If they’re coming home, having had a nice time with their dad, that’s what matters.As someone who’s been in a similar situation, I’d recommend you carry on dropping the kids off with a smile because, honestly, I think that’s more irritating for your ex than if you were angry.I remember sitting with my boys, helping them colour in pictures for “the other woman” to take to her, then I’d send them off to their dad’s, smiling. Then I’d slide down the back of the door in a heap of tears, frustration and anger. But it felt good to get it out of my system and I was smiling when they came home.‌I’m thankful I was able to do that – my kids have a great relationship with their dad and they appreciate how hard it must’ve been for me. It takes a lot, but you can do it. Good luck.Coleen's words of wisdomPlanning feels like you’re getting stuff done, but it doesn’t change things unless you act on those plans. So don’t wait for the perfect moment (it doesn’t exist) and take the first step now.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌