Is a divorced wife still called "aunt" by her husband's family?

Question

My brother's family insists that the appelation "aunt" be used to address my ex-wife only despite her no longer being part of my family. Further, their children do NOT use "aunt" when addressing my current wife. What's correct?

Answer 1

It depends on how much they like her. I have an aunt that is divorced from my biological uncle and I just love her. I couldn't imagine not calling her "aunt". I usually justify it by noting that, although she may no longer be my uncle's wife, she is still my cousin's biological mother and, therefore, my aunt. :)

Answer 2

When you marry, you marry a family. When you divorce, you only divorce your spouse. This is especially true if children are involved in the union in any way. You do not divorce your in-laws. Would you not want to continue calling your ex-wife's nieces and nephews by those titles? And would you just assume to call your current wife's nieces and nephews by those titles? It is not out of disrespect that these children call your ex-wife and not your current wife "aunt", it is more for what is comfortable for them. I don't know how old your brother's children are, but I am assuming your wife is an adult and should be able to understand the situation for what it is. Don't make a deal out of it, and eventually the children will call your current wife what is most meaningful to all concerned.

Answer 3

I don't know what's "correct" but I still think of my uncle's first wife (she died several years ago but long after they were divorced) as Auntie (B), and his second wife as first-name only. I was about 12 when they separated and the new wife came into the picture very shortly thereafter (ok probably before).

It probably does depend how much everyone likes each other, and how old the children are at the time. Two of my sisters and my brother-in-law were all coupled by the time or shortly after my kids were born, so those partners were automatically uncles/aunt--but if my other sister gets married I think they'd find it weird at this point (they're 8 & 11 and haven't met her current boyfriend) to call or even think of that person as "uncle".

Answer 4

Yes, a divorced wife should still be addresses as an aunt, including your current wife. But other circumstances may be involved. If the children have always called your ex "aunt" over the years, it may be hard for them to adjust to also calling your current wife aunt. Let it be and just accept how they word things and continue enjoying their company.
Take care.

Answer 5

I continue to call the aunts I grew up with as Aunt, even after the death of my uncles, and the aunts' remarriages. I think as children we want to keep that bond if we love them; and it makes no difference to us what the blood relationship is.

Begining to call your new wife aunt, maybe seems foreign to them and I'd let them call her by her first name, or another nick name, but not push the issue, it really isn't very important.

Answer 6

your children and her children are first cousins, there fore their mother ( your ex ) is their aunt and that doesn't change even in a divorce.

Your current wife might have to earn the title. It helps if everyone addresses her as aunt so and so.

Answer 7

I think that if you are uncomfortable with it and your current wife is too then there should be a discussion with these famil member to let them know that it is painful and disrespectful on your end to hear about her all the time or not letting your current wife feel welcome or at ease in the family, everyone deserves a chance in life and in Families!

Answer 8

My ex- husbands niece and nephew call's me aunt still. So does his niece's son. My opinion is, once family always family until you choose to take yourself out of said family. My ex-s niece and nephew don't call his present aunt either. I guess it is a personal choice.

Answer 9

Its up to you or you can just call her by her first name.

Answer 10

This is dependent upon the family. God bless****