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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is DM moving to fast?

21 replies

Dasher789 · 06/12/2021 10:48

My parents had a difficult marriage for as long as I can remember. They legally separated after 20 years of marriage - around 15 years ago and subsequetly divorced at some point during that time. During the last 15 years, they have remained mostly amicable although there have been periods of difficulty. Overall, for the sake of siblings and I, they do their best to tolerate each other. They both share the cost of birthday and Xmas presents. One parent is an only child and has no living family so we still have Christmas as one family and with my Aunt and Uncle who only child parent gets on with really well. They also both attended graduations together and when their respective parents died they attended each others parents funerals etc.

During the past 15 years neither has had a long term partner. Both have had short term partners but they don't speak to siblings and I about these people. DM owns a holiday flat in Spain following some inheritance she received around 5 years ago. She has not been going over much recently, due to covid restrictions but managed to go in June for 6-8 weeks. During this time she met a man who she spent lot of time with and picked up new hobbies with etc. She seemed to have a great time and was sad to come back to UK.

She returned again around end of Sept. Pre covid, she only used the flat for holidays. She was now considering going for extended periods (something she had spoken about for a long time) and planned to stay until Xmas, this would be her longest stay. When she got back to spain, the man she had been seeing was back in UK until only a few weeks ago. During this time, she wasn't doing her new hobbies and whilst she was enjoying being out in Spain, when I spoke to her on the phone, I didnt get the impression she was that sure about staying there or that she was particularly having a great time. She did seem to be focusing mostly on the negatives.

The man has now returned and DM seems much happier, is out doing the new hobbies again and is now thinking of staying in Spain for Xmas (partly due to covid concerns about getting back and costs of testing etc but the man being there is no doubt playing a part).

The man has his own property in Spain but is currently staying with my Mum. Mum said they are going half on food and bills etc so it is an arrangement that is helping them both. She said she considers this last chance saloon for herself and she hadn't had someone make her happy for a long time and she feels like he is (she certainly sounds it). They have also spoken about him moving in permanently although an agreement has not yet been reached as I understand.

I am happy for DM. I would love both parents to meet someone new. Selfishly, it would take some pressure of me as my siblings live abroad so I tend to help parents and make more effort seeing them etc but also because who wouldn't want their parents to be happy?!

I went to Spain on holiday during the summer when DM was back in UK. I have been going out to the area for a long time and know many people DM does. I enquired about the man and other than being considered tight, he seemed to be well liked.

AIBU to worry that things seem to be moving quickly? I don't want DM to be reliant on one man out there and to put all her eggs in one basket. What would happen if something went wrong. Is it crazy to have someone move in after knowing them for at most around 2 months? I am happy for DM, I just want her to be safe and secure. Not sure i can do anything but I feel a bit worried.

OP posts:
FortunesFave · 06/12/2021 11:35

How old is she? If I were you, no matter how old she is, I'd be doing some extended detective work. Only because it does seem very swift...he SAYS he owns his own property...but does he really? You can look up bankruptcies and all sorts of information on people. I would.

I know some people might say this was interfering but many older women can be a bit naive...I'm 50 myself so not being ageist...I just know women of 60 who aren't that streetwise...so I'd be careful.

If you want advice on how to find out more about him, let me know.

junebirthdaygirl · 06/12/2021 11:43

The being tight is worrying as l wonder is he renting out his own apartment while living at your mom's. Can you get to meet this man as it would be good for him to know your mom has a family looking out for her . Is he English?
Hopefully it's all just lovely and your Mom is happy.

Dasher789 · 06/12/2021 11:45

@fortunesfave DM is early 60's and I could see her being niave. She left her career job many years ago and when her parents died, she lost a lot of confidence. She had supported her own mother intensly for a long period and I think she lost her sense of purpose. In the UK she drinks every day, she is a functioning alcoholic imo. In Spain she claims to drink a lot less which I think is true but I also think the years of abuse have affected her mind.

I am reasonably confident the man owns his own property. I am under the impression he owns a few and they are mostly let out. I know one man who lived in one of his properties for a while.

I feel like if I told DM after knowing someone for a couple of months that he was moving in with me, she would be up in arms.

I will dm you for details of how I can look up the man. Thank you

OP posts:
Acheyknees · 06/12/2021 11:48

Will she apply for residency? I understand she can only stay out there for a limited time as a British citizen.

Dasher789 · 06/12/2021 11:49

@junebirthdaygirl my mum says the place he lives is currently empty but I think he would rent it out if he moved in. Its not a massive issue if he contributes to my mums bills because she would be there anyway but I don't want him thinking she is a cash cow. Her finances are largely not a huge worry in reality, she doesn't have loads of savings and what she does have, I invest for her so she would need to speak to me if she wanted any of her funds as she wouldn't no how to access them.

I am more worried she will end up v hurt than anything else

OP posts:
Dasher789 · 06/12/2021 11:50

@acheyknees she got residency following brexit. It is an easy process and doesn't stop her moving back here at any time

OP posts:
brittanyfairies · 06/12/2021 11:52

If she's already done 6-8 weeks in Spain will she even be allowed to stay for Christmas, post Brexit isn't it a 90 day stay in a 180 day period. She may have to come home just because she's not allowed to stay that long.

I have no words of advice about the relationship, maybe for the time being if she's happy with life just watch from a distance. Maybe she feels after all this time to grab happiness and hold onto it. Life's too short and all that,

Dasher789 · 06/12/2021 11:52

Man is also from UK although not anywhere nearby.

OP posts:
brittanyfairies · 06/12/2021 11:53

Sorry cross post, I see she has residency

Dasher789 · 06/12/2021 11:55

@brittanyfairies DM has Spanish residency, she can stay for as long as she likes.

Residency was arranged before meeting the man if it matters because she had always considered as she got older she may look to spend more time out there.

OP posts:
FortunesFave · 06/12/2021 12:51

Dmd you OP.

Dasher789 · 06/12/2021 13:27

@fortunesfave thank you so much, very helpful!

OP posts:
Chasingsquirrels · 06/12/2021 13:35

I am more worried she will end up v hurt than anything else

Unfortunately this is a risk for everyone in pursuing a new relationship.
ALL relationships end, albeit some of them don't end until the death of one party.
Do we let fear of the pain and hurt than can accompany the end of a relationship stop us from pursuing it?

Sometime after DH died I started seeing someone new, the emotional turmoil I went though in doing so was quite intense, basically working through this question. But in the end, life is for living and shutting off possible avenues of happiness because of the potential pain which may accompany them leads to a smaller more closed life.

I'm not commenting on this man and this relationship specifically, nor on what your involvement could or should be. Just on the general principal.

Whatever happens, keep being there for your mum - which from the tone of your post I am sure you will.

Dasher789 · 06/12/2021 16:39

@chasingsquirrels I sincerely hope that is the case for my mum. I spoke to DH about it last night, he said that if DM comes to love the new man, it will be different to what she had with my dad. Ultimately this new guy, however nice he is, it all quite convenient but if they can offer each other some kind of companionship in later years then great. My DM has always said she will never marry again, she owns her own home and is financially independent so it’s not like she is looking for someone to build a life with or to aspire for better with. If it is the case that this new man can make my mums days a bit more fulfilled and stop her feeling lonely then brilliant. I really hope that is the case. I just hope it’s not all rushed for an ulterior reason.

I really hope that you can live your life to the fullest too. Everything you say, I completely agree with. Sorry about your DH

OP posts:
DeeCeeCherry · 06/12/2021 16:46

Well anyone can end up hurt, all relationships are a risk. At your Mum's age if she wants to go for some happiness then good luck to her. Presumably she's not a silly woman. & life is short.

Mischance · 06/12/2021 17:05

many older women can be a bit naive ... or maybe not - perhaps we have been round the block a few times and have our heads screwed on!!! Smile

As people get older their attitude to risk can change: some get more cautious and set in their ways; and some subscribe to the "Oh, to hell with it!" school of thought and realise that life is slipping away and want to grab every chance of happiness before they shuffle off.

Unless you see your Mum as being especially vulnerable I would say nowt and just be happy for her. If she is switched on sufficiently to manage a property in Spain and to go back and forth as she does, then it sounds to me as if she is switched on.

She is a grown compos mentis woman, not someone with early dementia in need of protection - good luck to her!

I am widowed and perforce live alone - if, in the fulness of time someone nice showed up, I would wish my family to simply be happy for me and let me take my own risks.

Dasher789 · 06/12/2021 17:11

Thanks @mischance I wouldn’t say she is fully switched on. I set everything up for her in terms of the Spanish property and usually book her flights etc. That being said, she isn’t a complete buffoon and It’s perhaps unfortunate that I help whenever asked because it means she doesn’t need to try and learn how to do new things.

Thanks everyone, il try and do some background checks but ultimately will need to sit back and see how it plays out, well, I hope!!!!

OP posts:
0blio · 06/12/2021 17:12

@DeeCeeCherry

Well anyone can end up hurt, all relationships are a risk. At your Mum's age if she wants to go for some happiness then good luck to her. Presumably she's not a silly woman. & life is short.
100% this.
DeeCeeCherry · 06/12/2021 17:15

Not sure which pp said this but, many older women can be a bit naive

Oh please. Ageist, much? Many older women have worked and raised families and lived a full life. Women dont lose their brains and turn stupid at 60🙄.

Judging by the relationships posts/threads on MN some of which Im utterly incredulous at, older women don't exactly have a monopoly on being "naive" anyway. You are who you are.

Aquamarine1029 · 06/12/2021 17:28

I'd be very concerned that he sees your mother as a meal ticket. She could end up with a cocklodger on her hands.

tara66 · 06/12/2021 17:49

Has she sent you photos of this man - so you get an ''idea''? Do they have much in common? As long as they get along, have similar interest and he has his own resources - it should be fine.

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