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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:
crimsonlake · 06/12/2020 17:47

Where did you find this gem?
What does he bring in to the relationship?
To be honest I think your standards are pretty low.

Janaih · 06/12/2020 17:49

I'm concerned hes going to just wear you down until you give up and give in.
I really recommend a clean break here.

Seeingadistance · 06/12/2020 17:49

To be honest, OP, I was at LTB by the end of your second sentence.

Seriously, you can do better than this guy.

veeeeh · 06/12/2020 17:49

Give your head a wobble and move on love. Hard work is never easy.

BertiesLanding · 06/12/2020 18:01

@Xmasiscoming2020 - How long are you going to bargain with yourself to avoid doing the only thing that makes sense?

BertiesLanding · 06/12/2020 18:02

ED + weight-obsessive = possible steroid use.

katy1213 · 06/12/2020 18:05

Are you out of your mind? For a cocklodger who can't even get it up????
Do you want to be the single mother of a 10-year-old when you're 50, when it's all gone even more dysfunctional than it is now?
Your children are off your hands - you're solvent - you own your own home - your 40s and 50s could be some of the best years of your life, so why are you thinking of squandering them on this loser?

katy1213 · 06/12/2020 18:06

@bertieslanding
Exactly - and steroid use means a nasty temper that maybe hasn't shown up yet.

Standrewsschool · 06/12/2020 18:14

Just read your update. Good plan. Slow things down, and have the relationship on your terms, not his. Don’t be persuaded by any counter-arguements he may have. It’s not your job to fix any problems he has. You’ve only been together a few months, with lockdowns etc thrown in for good measure. How would you react if your daughter came to you with the above situation?

1forAll74 · 06/12/2020 18:31

You surely don't need a man like this in your life. You will end up like a Mother figure to him if you let him encroach into your home.

Tistheseason17 · 06/12/2020 18:40

OP, he does not sound like he will put in as much as you to the running of the family home. You are right to hk back to dating and do not have a baby with him, FGS!

anon444877 · 06/12/2020 19:07

I'd e worried about my property - if he does move in, make sure he has no claim.

AcornAutumn · 06/12/2020 19:14

@anon444877

I'd e worried about my property - if he does move in, make sure he has no claim.
This.
WiseOwlWan · 06/12/2020 20:07

Yeh, im 50, solvent, employed, my youngest dc 14 and tbh i wish he were older but at this stage in my life im longing for freedom! So i can enjoy it. Enjoy my life.

You will not get to 50 and think "i wish i had a 9 year old"

WiseOwlWan · 06/12/2020 20:08

Agreeing woth @katy1213 there!!

Compey · 07/12/2020 11:07

He has a few weird habits that are annpoying you but it's not the end of the world. He seems self-absorbed and perhaps hasn't had many long term relationships where both sides change what they do because they are taking the other person into account . If you sit down and tell him his quirks are upsetting you, he might be willing to make some simple changes.

If he won't make even small changes, then I agree with other posts and you should move on from this relationship.

billy1966 · 07/12/2020 11:54

OP, so much to lose.

He is not a man to have a child with.

He has disaster written all over him.

Flowers
Nanny0gg · 07/12/2020 12:29

@Xmasiscoming2020

Yes I am thinking I'm probably wasting time Confused.

My two eldest have moved out so it's just me and my son, who really likes him. We do all enjoy spending time together and I love him very much. But I'm old and wise Wink and don't want to be here in another 12 months time.

What on earth are you thinking?

You can see there's no future. You can also see the row of red flags waving in the breeze

Nanny0gg · 07/12/2020 12:32

@Xmasiscoming2020

Thank you for your stories. I hear what you're saying re becoming a single parent again. I have my freedom at my fingertips, I share my son 50/50 so have a lot of freedom already (and love it). My son is 10 and an absolute dream, one daughter at Durham Uni doing well and the other a mare but you can't win them all Grin. I have everything.

I have been swept away but I'm glad I've come on here and gotten a reality check.

My plan is to talk to him about everything and tell him there will be no baby. I will propose 12 months of dating on weekends only before having any more conversations about moving in. If he doesn't like it then so be it and on our own journeys we shall go. I love him so it would be difficult at this stage to give it up without trying to come to a resolution.

You love what about him, exactly?
123becauseicouldntthinkofone · 07/12/2020 15:16

It sounds like you are with a manchild, i would honestly give up on this ideal life he keeps promising to deliver. he is all talk and no action afraid. It sounds like you have worked very hard to get to where you are and i fear that if you continue he is going to drain you financially. You say he has mentioned about cars etc but given his current debt status it is highly unlikely that he will get a loan then guilting you or worse putting you on the spot in front of people to fund this. Please run for the hills. good luck x

Thefirsttime · 07/12/2020 20:24

@Gwenhwyfar

"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). And which will extend to you too as you’ll start adapting your behaviour to go along with this eg by not having fish and chips on the beach either as it’s less fun doing it by yourself."

This is the one example I don't think is fair. Would you say that about a dieting woman? I don't see why OP can't enjoy having fish and chips while he has something else.

I wouldn’t say what I said about a dieting man or woman, but I interpreted the OP as this not just being her partner being on a diet. The OP made it clear in her post that they had both planned to have fish and chips at the beach, but then he changed his mind because he had decided to fast on that particular day. If at the outset he wasn’t planning to have fish and chips because he is dieting that’s slightly different than changing plans at the last minute because he’s fasting.

Anyone with a serious body image obsession is dull and I would advise anyone not to get involved in a new relationship with someone with a serious body image obsession or an eating disorder. So yes I think I would say the same if the OP was talking about a woman.

Zerrin13 · 07/12/2020 22:21

Some of the replies to this thread have entertained me no end tonight. So funny!

ToniTheDonkey · 11/12/2020 01:41

OP, I know we have no right to expect an update from you, but if you felt like sharing I’d be very interested in knowing what you decided to do

DianaT1969 · 11/12/2020 04:23

I read this thinking that one of the OP's children should get power of attorney over her finances, because she isn't in her right mind. She already half moved him in and was planning a baby with him.
Saying the words "I love him" doesn't work like fairy dust. He still has all of those issues. It sounds as if he has a nice personality and you've had some fun. What's wrong with just dating? Why does he ever have to move into your home??

Wheresmykimchi · 11/12/2020 20:00

@DianaT1969

I read this thinking that one of the OP's children should get power of attorney over her finances, because she isn't in her right mind. She already half moved him in and was planning a baby with him. Saying the words "I love him" doesn't work like fairy dust. He still has all of those issues. It sounds as if he has a nice personality and you've had some fun. What's wrong with just dating? Why does he ever have to move into your home??
Who are you to tell OP that someone else should have power of attorney?! What a ridiculous post.
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