Potential new boyfriend - putting it off

[Regreteitherway]

I've been seeing a new guy on and off since March when I split with my childs father. Only on and off because I wasn't ready for anything serious, no other reasons.

Over the last couple of months it has gone from seeing each other every couple of weeks to 3 or 4 times a week (and him staying the night at mine when DS is at his Dads). This wasn't a discussed plan, just happened as things naturally progressed and we wanted to spend more time with each other.

He recently told me that he thinks he is in love with me. This has made me want to run for the hills and I have no idea why! I could definitely see me being with him seriously and long term. In fact, I'm pretty sure I've fallen for him too. So why do I want to run away?

Would I be unreasonable to let my fears ruin this and just run away?

What is the "it" you're putting off? Being with him in a ltr?

I suggest don't run away, that's a polarising extreme and you could end up feeling more hurt than benefit.

Why not speak to him about how you're feeling. Share the truth and depth of it all, that you really feel hugely for him, and want to enjoy more and more time together. Saying that, you have had a lot to deal with in the space of a calendar year, and you will need more time to acclimatise to everything emotionally.

Don't feel pressure to tell him you love him, there's no need for it to be immediately reciprocal. If he really does love you he'll understand you need time.

I don't really know what the 'it' is. He is away at the moment (forces) back at the beginning of next week so we will have a talk then I suppose.

I think running away would make me feel more hurt, I'm just scared of the possibility of it going wrong I suppose.

This year has been completely emotionally draining, that's probably the problem. When I'm with him I forget about all the crap that's gone on recently. I guess I'm just worried about the dynamic changing and him no longer being that safe place where I can be me and not just Mummy.

I’d just say to him, when you have a convo, that you really like him but want to take it slowly. And live by that. If he’s worth it he’ll understand and not do or say anything to make you feel pressured.