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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think he may be a cock lodger?

175 replies

Xmasiscoming2020 · 06/12/2020 10:38

Met a lovely guy a year ago who lives 90 miles away. From a few months in he started asking when he was going to move in (in a joking manner, but constant). He also said he would like us to have a child in a few years.

He is very lovely but there are issues...he is obsessed with body image, constant calorie counting to the point that it interferes with daily life (oh I'm fasting today so I won't have fish and chips on the beach as we planned, etc). He has daily health issues which are mostly in his head but dilapidate him regularly. He has ED but is 'putting off following up on doc appointments because of Coronavirus'...he says other people need the NHS more.

Now...I'm 40, had 3 children, but love the family life and wouldn't be adverse to having one last chance at a family. I own my own home through bloody hard graft. Upon meeting this lovely man and considering his wants, I explained that age is not on my side and if that's what he wants then we'll need to plan appropriately, sooner rather than later (putting aside my concerns about his various issues, which aren't deal breakers).

We had words the other day because I feel that I have tried to accommodate him and his desires...given him an office in my home to work from with a view to him moving in soon anyway, applied for a better job as we'll be needing more money (didn't get it), have him practically live here etc. I feel he is offering very little to get where we are supposed to be going. He is refusing to even consider looking for alternative work, his notice date keeps changing with no specific date set ever. He constantly talks about how wonderful his own county is. He is in debt with a repayment plan over 2 years but talks about getting several things on finance, including a car soon!

We have come to blows this week because he went home on Monday to sort things to sell, for a move here. He put some things he doesn't use from his shed up for sale and then wanted to come back here. I said I'd like him to stay there and get some significant progress done as the last I heard, he was handing in his notice in the New Year. He now says he doesn't know when he'll hand it in.

I have told him that I am more than happy to go back to dating him to take the pressure off, if he is reluctant to commit. That doesn't involve him practically living at mine though...but he's not happy about that.

I'm a very hands on type. If something needs doing then it's all hands on deck. He is very sloth. I'm getting older and this situation doesn't sit well with me. The uncertainty is making me depressed. I don't know whether I'm coming or going anymore.

OP posts:
Crinkle77 · 06/12/2020 11:19

End it now before this guy moves in permanently and you get pregnant.

AcornAutumn · 06/12/2020 11:25

@formerbabe

Think about it...you've raised three children, you own your own home, you're clearly a competent, reasonably intelligent adult.

And you're considering having a baby at 40 with a man who clearly has some mental health issues, erectile dysfunction and is also bone idle.

Are you actually mad?

This.
mummytippy · 06/12/2020 11:26

Sorry OP but it sounds like you already have your 4th child.
There is a reason he was single.
You sound like a great catch and have a level sensible head.
Do you really need all the hassles that he comes with... what does he actually come with? Issues sadly by the sounds of it.

Keep things simple and go back to how you were or end it and move on

AcornAutumn · 06/12/2020 11:26

Btw what’s his £ position?

knittingaddict · 06/12/2020 11:27

@Xmasiscoming2020

It'll be fine as long as the whole day is under 600 kcal Grin
Are you serious or semi serious about this?

What exercise does he do?

Is he very skinny or body builder type (as someone up thread said)?

It sounds like an eating disorder if he is controlling calories to that extent. Men generally need more calories than women, but even a small woman would need considerably more calories than that.

Redlocks28 · 06/12/2020 11:28

Does he live in a flat share or with his mum...?!

LividLoves · 06/12/2020 11:31

You are in the perfect position right now as he hasn’t officially moved in and still has somewhere to go.

If you leave it any longer, it’ll only get harder. When you think of him taking a step back and dating rather than moving in, do you feel relief? It’s that little feeling that tells you what to do.

TooManyDogsandChildren · 06/12/2020 11:32

Well done for realising this OP. I can only agree with the other posters. He sees a nice life ahead where you provide him with a free home and pay for and do absolutely everything while he buys himself new stuff and lolls around. He may be good company but the price seems rather high.

Having a baby with you is a great strategic way to tie you to him for life. Don't let him move in, don't fund his lifestyle and don't have DC with him. I bet he wanders off for more obliging pastures fairly swiftly.

No need to go into it with him, just say that it has all been a bit fast and you need some space and be busy doing other stuff if he wants to come round.

TatianaBis · 06/12/2020 11:34

But I'm old and wise

I think if you were you wouldn’t be with him.

The more appropriate cliché would be there’s no fool like an old fool.

whoseafraidofnaomiwolf · 06/12/2020 11:35

Long and short?

You're worth much better. Flowers

WiseOwlWan · 06/12/2020 11:35

He only wants a baby with you so you cant get him out of your house.

I agree youd be mad.

Enjoy your life now.

If he moves in, he'll never move out.

WiseOwlWan · 06/12/2020 11:36

@TooManyDogsandChildren

Well done for realising this OP. I can only agree with the other posters. He sees a nice life ahead where you provide him with a free home and pay for and do absolutely everything while he buys himself new stuff and lolls around. He may be good company but the price seems rather high.

Having a baby with you is a great strategic way to tie you to him for life. Don't let him move in, don't fund his lifestyle and don't have DC with him. I bet he wanders off for more obliging pastures fairly swiftly.

No need to go into it with him, just say that it has all been a bit fast and you need some space and be busy doing other stuff if he wants to come round.

This. 100% this. 😥
MrDarcysMa · 06/12/2020 11:41

Honestly I'm usually a bit of a 'saviour' type in relationships but even I wouldn't bother with this.
You're already parenting him. I'd run a mile. It's also not fair on your kids to take on care and responsibility of a grown adult who will contribute nothing to their home or family situation.

Fluffycloudland77 · 06/12/2020 11:41

You would have to be mad to have a baby with him or move him in.

WiseOwlWan · 06/12/2020 11:43

If he gives you a hard time for ending it, tell him "i dont love you" because it's the only thing that cant be argued with.

If you tell him he has fallen short of what you would need to expect from a life partner then it will be all about your faults.

So speed up that court case with "i just dont love you"

Popcorntoes · 06/12/2020 11:45

"I love you and want a baby with you, so to give you and baby the best start, I'm doing extra work on weekends to build up some savings. Here's how much I would get from renting out my current place, or would you prefer it if we sold it and bought somewhere better for us all, using my flat for the deposit? Your DS needs to be near school so I reckon I could stay in my current job if we moved to X area, what do you think? And darling, once I've shown you my financial plans, I would love to marry you to give you security. Look, I've taken out this life insurance policy too with you named on it. Also, I have leave to remain in the UK too and would be happy to seek legal advice now about how to protect you and the baby if we split up and I wanted to go back to my home country."

He's not saying this is he.

WiseOwlWan · 06/12/2020 11:46

Op has security!!

WombatChocolate · 06/12/2020 11:51

Op, when you look at it written down in black and white, you can see how there is very little in this for you and huge amounts for him.

Even if you’re not ready to bin him, be very careful to avoid him getting a foot in the doorway. Don’t let him fully move in, don’t commit to any purchases and definitely don’t become pregnant. So don’t tie yourself down to him longer term. If you have fun with him, keep it low level and light.

You sound pretty sensible, so don’t be fooled into thinking this is all you deserve or that someone who plays an equal role in a relationship isn’t available for you. You deserve better than someone who simply takes and expects you to support and fund their lifestyle and isn’t prepared to put in.

RollneckJumper · 06/12/2020 11:53

Definitely a cock lodger.

I honestly cannot understand what you see in him.

You know you can do so much better than him (and you deserve much better than him).

You really don't sound happy. Please don't settle for him.

Xmasiscoming2020 · 06/12/2020 11:53

He is in a secure 20k job. A half decent job, but not enough for me to consider maternity leave! He rents and has little excess for a couple of years until he repays his debt (but is looking to get more finance.. ). When we first got together he said he'd take me for a nice meal every pay cheque, great I thought...hasn't happened. Although he does buy food for himself when he's here, the balance is off. I have discussed the increased bills when he's here and after many a chat he has told me that he will contribute. I'm not sure what this would look like.

He used to be overweight but has lost a lot of weight since just before we got together. He now looks perfect, doesn't need to lose any more, but obsesses over it. He has said he'll let up at Xmas tbf to him but it's still a drag on the relationship.

I'm pretty much decided that a baby is a ludicrous idea.

OP posts:
WiseOwlWan · 06/12/2020 11:54

Where's he from? If he is planning to move in and be a SAHD, as a primary carer he could have a lot of rights to stay in your home. You might end up moving out of yr home and supporting him. Because your three kids are raised

WiseOwlWan · 06/12/2020 11:55

Phew, glad you have ruled out the baby. 🍷👍

Crustmasiscoming · 06/12/2020 11:55

He is looking for a Mummy. You already have kids. Don't bother.

ilhahih · 06/12/2020 11:56

Fucking hell. NO!
Just dump him.

What are you doing with a loser like that?
You've got your own home, 3 children, your own life.
He will just wreck everything and cause chaos.

He's future-faking with the baby business.
He's all talk and no action.

You deserve WAY better than that and btw, being single is also an option. You don't need to waste time and energy on some loser just to avoid single status.

MrsBrunch · 06/12/2020 11:57

To take on a man with debt after all you've achieved for yourself would be absolute madness. So many red flags here. The closer it gets to Christmas, the harder it will be and you will still be stuck with him in the New Year.