AITAH for considering moving back into the house I shared with my ex for my kids?

A few years ago when I (34F) got divorced, my ex-husband kept the house we owned. The plan was for him to stay there until our kids (14F, 15F) graduated high school so they could have some stability and have one parent remain in the home where they spent most of their childhood. Now he’s looking to sell it.

I’m not in a position to buy it myself, but my mom offered to buy it and rent it to me for about what I’m currently paying for my apartment. So financially, it would make a lot of sense for me too, while also giving my kids the chance to stay in the home they grew up in for their last few years before college. My fiancé is currently not working, so the financial stability this could provide is especially important to me.

The problem is my fiancé is really against the idea. He doesn’t want to live in a house that holds so many memories of my previous marriage. I honestly understand why that would be uncomfortable for him, and I’m not trying to dismiss his feelings.

At the same time, my kids have already experienced a lot of changes. If I can give them some stability while keeping my housing costs about the same, it feels like something I need to seriously consider.

His argument is that the kids will be fine because they’re resilient. I agree they’re resilient, but just because kids can handle change doesn’t mean we should choose it when there’s an opportunity to avoid it.

He says he feels betrayed and like I’m pushing him out because he doesn’t have a choice. But I haven’t even made a decision yet. I’m trying to figure out if there’s a way to make this work for both of us.

AITAH for seriously considering taking my mom up on her offer? WIBTAH for doing it even if my fiancé is really hurt by it?

TLDR: My ex is selling the house where my (34F) kids (14F, 15F) spent most of their childhood. My mom offered to buy it and rent it to me for about what I currently pay for my apartment, which would give my kids stability and make financial sense, especially since my fiancé (40M) is currently unemployed. We’ve been together 2 years. He’s strongly against living there because of the memories of my previous marriage and feels like I’m pushing him out because he doesn’t have a say. I understand his discomfort, but I haven’t even made a decision yet and feel like I need to seriously consider this for my kids and our financial stability. AITAH for seriously considering taking my mom up on her offer? WIBTAH for doing it even if my fiancé is really hurt by it?

Posted Sep 23, 2026, 9:20 PM UTC

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