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Relationship ended but not what I want :(

758 replies

ccat1901 · 31/08/2021 11:27

My partner of 9 years has just told me that he loves me but not in a romantic way anymore. I asked if we could try the sexual side again and he said he doesn't feel it and that he doesn't want any counselling. I am going through the menopause and we talked and I was depressed for much of last year so our sex life suffered. I started new vitamins and now I feel great and was up for sex but that is when this happened and he wanted to end things. We live together with my 2 children my 15 year old has autism) and his 16 year old daughter (who has suffered mentally when with her mother). He wants us to live together and nothing change apart from not being a couple. He said he wants to go to the gym and try yoga and hang out with me as I'm his best friend and wants us to be closer than before. I'm absolutely devastated - I love him and want him but he blankly said no. We can't cause the kids upheaval at the moment with exams and final years in school but do you think spending "more quality time together than before" as he said means he may change his mind? Or is he saying this to soften the blow? I'm so confused and sad.

OP posts:
nancyonthebike · 09/09/2021 15:46

Quite honestly this man that you thought so much of thinks so less of you he is using you now to enable himself to make his transition. For gods sakes show him and yourself your worth more than this and let him go.

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 09/09/2021 17:44

@ MadamBatty What would Cher do? I bet She’d be singing “Believe” #CherLeading Smile

ccat1901 · 09/09/2021 19:36

@DuckbilledSplatterPuff or maybe “turn back time “

OP posts:

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youvegottenminuteslynn · 09/09/2021 20:34

Channel Cher's response to the question at 0.22! God I love vintage Cher, what a badass.

FlowerArranger · 09/09/2021 21:29

A lot of women could learn a lot from Cher...

You don't have to be rich and/or famous to live by her motto.... for what???

ccat1901 · 10/09/2021 09:24

So I was a bit foolish last night and said to him I was feeling cut off and lonely (as can't really drive). He has the day off today and so we are going to get shopping, a coffee then picking up his daughter then mine from school. He is taking me to tk maxx on Monday (I won't be able to walk much further) to get some clothes (I have a voucher) as I have lost just over a stone in the past 2 weeks and jeans falling down.
I asked him if I was the best person he know and he said yes, and we are soulmates. I also said he wouldn't find anyone better than me and he said there was no one better. I'm watching and listening to how he is and trying to step back a bit to really understand his actions. He seems genuine in staying best friends but as someone else put, how could you break the heart of someone you love? He said he had been struggling mentally before the letter so I think this is comfort for him too but I'm trying to watch him and I'm listing down questions I want answers to.

OP posts:
thingymaboob · 10/09/2021 09:36

@ccat1901 I'm sorry but you just sound desperate. So you're the best person and there's no one better? But he's not in love with you? What do you think he's going to say to you when you ask those validity seeking questions? He's obviously not going to say "No, there are better people out there". He's going to tow the party line and tell you what you want to hear. Why are you even asking those questions? What are you hoping to achieve?

Zerrin13 · 10/09/2021 09:36

Anyone who has suffered the agony and heart break of a long relationship ending will totally understand how unbearable the pain is. Many of us on here have had to go through this experience and it is utterly dreadful. Only you OP will know when us the time to accept the inevitable and let this huge part of your life go. This man has detached from you. He had dialled you back to being a good, honest reliable old mate. He is lucky also because you are still looking after him and the kids and the puppy whilst he goes and entertains people. You will know when to accept defeat. You will eventually accept that this relationship is over and you will slowly start to see a new future for yourself and your children. I'm so sorry. It hurts like hell. Its something I wouldn't wish upon anyone.

ccat1901 · 10/09/2021 09:40

Yes, maybe I'm just trying to show him that if all he says to me is true and that he loves me then why is he wanting only part of a life with me? Yes, maybe desperation but maybe if I don't try then I'll regret it, but also delaying what he wants in the end, it's a physical hurt I've never felt before. I need more time but thank you all for your comments, they are sometimes hard to read but that is helpful too.

OP posts:
ccat1901 · 10/09/2021 09:49

Everything is the same, he’s doing loads more for me as I can’t drive but we still share house work and balance things out like always.

OP posts:
Marni83 · 10/09/2021 09:55

Good grief op

You need a friend to give you a shake

This is pathetic bow
Harsh but trueb

Marni83 · 10/09/2021 09:56

Focus on short term should be to learn to drive
Pronto

thingymaboob · 10/09/2021 10:08

@Marni83

Focus on short term should be to learn to drive Pronto
I think she can drive but not currently due to broken toe.

After all he's said to you asking him "am I the best person you know?" is so cringing. Seriously, have some self respect!

ccat1901 · 10/09/2021 10:25

Yep that's where I am right now

I can't drive due to broken big toe and 6 stitches still recovering.

I feel I'm spiralling out of control. I need to stop saying what is in my head

OP posts:
dogmandu · 10/09/2021 10:45

Seriously OP, how would you feel if you really didn't fancy someone and they continually asked these kind of questions? It's such a massive turn off that he could well not even bear to look at you eventually. without feeling sick.
Please pull yourself together and look this awful situation the face and deal with it. You can do it.

dogmandu · 10/09/2021 10:53

Also wanted to say it's not his fault he doesn't fancy you any more. Over the years there have been people fancy me that I just didn't fancy at all. There is no way I would have even considered having sex with them.
However many times they would have begged me to do it, I never would as I just couldn't bear the very thought.
I'd guess nothing is going to change his mind as he just can't do it. It's his right to feel like that. He can't help it. just let him go.

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 10/09/2021 11:06

You have a list of practical things

  1. Have you made the appointment with the Heath insurance people yet? You desperately need outside support because at the moment it sounds like the only people you come into contact with are the DC (who don’t yet know what’s going on) and Him. So the only insight into this situation that you are getting is from Him. Can you see why that might only reflect his priorities? Make getting an appointment in your diary an absolute priority. And don’t discuss it with him. Get a taxi if you have to.
  2. You said he would easily put you on the deeds. Find out how you legally start that process and what is involved and then ask him or better still hand him the paperwork.
  3. review your finances. What have you paid for. What does he pay for. Is it fair? Or does it need to change. Do you have savings, a pension?
  4. talk to citizens advice about your legal rights in this situation so that you know what they actually are. What benefits could you claim? What could you do about accommodation. They will be able to give you info or where to look next.
  5. ask gp for info about local services that help people in your situation, eg what help available for your DS if you split up or maybe some MN people can suggest. Talk to Women’s Aid? Or look at their website.

Even if everything he says is true, you cannot afford to ignore the vulnerabilities in your situation. I understand that you are hurting but at least research a back up plan or even a plan for going forward that protects you more than the current situation- which is entirely reliant on his continued good will into the long term.

You owe it to your two children to do that. They are dependent on you. It’s not enough to think/hope/pray that he will change his mind.

You need to at least research what your options are so that you can made informed decisions so that you can protect them as well as yourself.

Really they are your priority because legally he doesn’t have any responsibility for them at all.

He’s said very clearly a number of times that he doesn’t want a romantic relationship anymore. He’s even tried to persuade you that he said this months ago. When in fact it only landed on you last week.
Another concern is that you have said several times that you are seeing, talking to and getting on so much better with him since he made his announcement and that it is so much nicer.
So what was it like before? How long for? You seem to blame yourself for this, menopause, etc. But I’m betting you tried really hard to connect with him and were rebuffed. So why is it suddenly so nice now? How long can you rely on that continuing?

Make a list of the practical, financial, legal information you need to research and work your way though it but by bit every day.

You don’t have to act on it but you ought to have this information at your fingertips if the situation becomes unsustainable. Do this for your two DC.

ccat1901 · 10/09/2021 11:10

I hear you, but when we firs =t met, just friends and it was a while before anything else.
I know you will all say desperation and denial but if he fancied me once I was hoping maybe if I was back to my old self (pre depression/menopause) then maybe that would change back. I know it;s not always just physical but having fun and laughing and enjoying each others company can't mean nothing at all? If it's an act 24/7 then wow, just wow.
I guess I thought if he remembered what it was about me that drew us together before it would do again, especially as he says he loves me so much. It's just a hard pill to swallow when you have been feeling at your lowest.

OP posts:
ccat1901 · 10/09/2021 11:14

Before we got together he even helped make me a dating profile on a dating site - although at this point I had strong feelings for him but he obviously wasn't into me at that point. So as it happened before, maybe again.....in my dreamworld.....

OP posts:
youvegottenminuteslynn · 10/09/2021 11:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn - posted on wrong thread.

LetterOfTheLawFella · 10/09/2021 11:23

Another one who thinks he might be gay. Ask him if he is attracted to other men.

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 10/09/2021 11:26

@youvegottenminuteslynn did you mean that for a different thread?

youvegottenminuteslynn · 10/09/2021 11:28

[quote DuckbilledSplatterPuff]@youvegottenminuteslynn did you mean that for a different thread?[/quote]
Shit sorry! Have reported - wrong thread, my bad!

Mariell · 10/09/2021 11:31

We are only hearing your side and I’m now looking at this situation from a different angle and wonder if all the nice things you keep thinking he does and says are being misinterpreted or even twisted as your complete obstinance to let him go makes me concerned that he wants to get away from you as far as possible but he is aware of your intense infatuation with him and fears you could turn into a crazy stalker should he try and head for the hills.

With each passing post you are sounding more like Annie from Misery.

Either he is playing you along as we have all told you repeat early or there is a lot more to it as to why he has not simply broken up with you.

ccat1901 · 10/09/2021 12:22

To be honest if he really wanted to go I think he would.
The life we have is great just the sex part.
Surely it would be rather extreme to say we have an amazing future want to travel and make plans? He must know me better than that as when he has had to work away and it’s not been a good time for me I supported him and told him to go, same when he meets up with his friend I never say don’t or you can’t

OP posts:
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