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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Breaking it off, do I tell him the truth about why?

110 replies

ManorLord · 28/04/2024 08:54

Been seeing someone for a few months. The very first date he talked about his kids non stop. I thought it was kind of sweet but did find it a bit boring after a while. Anyway I didn’t say anything, second date was the same, talking about his kids non stop from the minute we met until the goodbye. I had tried to change the topic multiple times but somehow it always came back to his kids. After that date he started sending me photos of his kids, first few pics I replied “lovely pics” but he continued sending them and I started ignoring the messages in the end. Eventually he messaged asking what kind of day I was having so I replied talking about what my day had entailed and asked him about his … he replied “oh you are still alive! Haha you went quiet on me! I’m just trying to find you the photos from Christmas of the kids”. I didn’t reply as there didn’t seem to be a tactful way of saying I didn’t want them!

every time we’ve met since it’s been the same … talking about his kids and showing me photos. On the last date I was hesitant to go and he asked why … I said “conversation is a bit of a struggle”. He seemed suprised and said “but we talk non stop when we meet!” And I replied “no you talk, about the kids. It’s nice but I’d like to talk about other stuff”. He replied “oh, you have a problem with my kids 😞” … I knew this would happen, trying to make me look like an arsehole for not being obsessed with his kids. I replied “no, I have kids too but I don’t talk about them constantly do I?” He replied “sorry, but I love my kids”. 🙄 I said “most parents love their kids, me included but I have other interests, you wouldn’t know as you never ask”

Anyway … we agreed to another date with kid talk off the table. We practically sat there in silence.

He’s been texting me ever since trying to talk about other stuff yet he’s still sending me photos of his kids - I’m going to break it off, do I tell him it’s because of the endless kid talk or just say we’re not compatible?

OP posts:
PineappleTime · 28/04/2024 09:35

Maray1967 · 28/04/2024 09:25

This is hilarious! I’m imagining my DS16’s reaction if I sent a photo of him eating, entitled hungry hippo…

My teenager would be furious with me if I sent a picture of him to someone I was dating! He doesn't even like me sending them to the family group chat...what a prick this guy is

Radiat · 28/04/2024 09:35

Hungry Hippos 😂 My kids would disown me for that one.

Yes, I’d be honest with him. It sounds like he won’t listen, but I’d still tell him.

Rosestulips · 28/04/2024 09:35

YANBU. He has nothing else im
his life apart from his nearly adult kids

TheTartfulLodger · 28/04/2024 09:35

You just tell him that you don't feel he's ready for dating as his kids are clearly a greater priority for him at the moment.

StormingNorman · 28/04/2024 09:36

If there was nothing to talk about when he stopped talking about his kids, the constant kid chat isn’t the only problem.

alwayslearning789 · 28/04/2024 09:37

ManorLord · 28/04/2024 09:21

It’s not that he doesn’t see his kids, he has them every weekend and one night during the week (then I get constant updates of their antics 🙄) I wouldn’t mind but they’re 16 and 18! Example of how ridiculous it is … he sent me a photo yesterday titled “hungry hippos!” … his kids (who are almost adults) sat eating fish and chips. It’s just boring

Cringe!!! 😅

Just say you're incompatible.

There's no saving this one!

BMW6 · 28/04/2024 09:40

Bloody hell just tell him he's as boring as edam cheese.

Balloonhearts · 28/04/2024 09:42

I'd just say you don't seem to have much of anything in common. You're nice but we don't have much to talk about.

PigsyChibsy · 28/04/2024 09:45

Sorry to laugh at your misfortune but this has given me a huge giggle this morning 😂😂😂 Hungry Hippos!!!! I’m so embarrassed for him.

Ladyprehensile · 28/04/2024 09:47

OMG! Dump him. Do it today. Do it now!

caringcarer · 28/04/2024 09:48

TheTartfulLodger · 28/04/2024 09:35

You just tell him that you don't feel he's ready for dating as his kids are clearly a greater priority for him at the moment.

This.

Mummysaf · 28/04/2024 09:52

he protests too much.and it’s boring
has he just started seeing them again or something?!
also 16 and 18
I thought you were going to say far younger

I’m lucky to get a picture of my 16 and 18 year old!!

TheOriginalEmu · 28/04/2024 09:52

ManorLord · 28/04/2024 09:21

It’s not that he doesn’t see his kids, he has them every weekend and one night during the week (then I get constant updates of their antics 🙄) I wouldn’t mind but they’re 16 and 18! Example of how ridiculous it is … he sent me a photo yesterday titled “hungry hippos!” … his kids (who are almost adults) sat eating fish and chips. It’s just boring

My question is if he is so clearly dull and boring to you, is why you’ve strung this along?? You were bored after the first date so why not just end it there?
This post feels a little mean tbh. He’s not doing anything awful, he’s just not for you.

MzHz · 28/04/2024 09:54

You gave it longer than I would have @ManorLord

well at the end of my dating days anyway.

you have him the opportunity to do something about it, but he has clearly nothing going on in his life except his kids lives and that IS dull.

i had a female friend who was similar, every conversation was dominated by anything and everything about her dc and tbh, I’m not interested.

I also didn’t like his “oh you’ve got a problem with my kids” bollocks too.

“No, I don’t have a problem with your kids, I have a problem in that this is all you talk about and I can’t get to know you for you if we only ever talk about other people”

but ultimately @ManorLord youre not suited, he’s not ready for a relationship and it seems like he’s trying to force a blended family or set you up to be part time mummy to his kids.*

*ha ha… edited to laugh at the idea that near adults need a part time mummy

he’s a tool, you gave him a good chance, be honest and tell him why, that it’s not the kids themselves it’s the fact that he has nothing else to talk about and his social skills need serious work.

ToxicChristmas · 28/04/2024 09:55

I'm surprised you agreed on another date!
I'd just say that you don't feel a connection, wish him well and block. There's nothing else to say really.

fancyfrogs · 28/04/2024 09:59

16 and 18 😂😂 thought you were going to say they were a good 10 years younger than that. Absolutely crazy. Get rid and yeah I'd tell him why! He sounds awful

Elephantsareace · 28/04/2024 10:00

He'd have been done, over and out as soon as he implied I didn't love my kids.

But there's no point telling him again. He sounds extremely tedious. Just do the it was lovely to meet you but I don't think we are compatible so will not be seeing you again message.

Olika · 28/04/2024 10:05

Too much time spent on him (and his kids) already. You have been quite patient, I would have stopped seeing him after the first date.

Daleksatemyshed · 28/04/2024 10:05

I don't think @ManorLord is trying to be mean, she asked him to talk about anything but his DC and he couldn't, so now she knows this isn't going to get any better. Does she tell him straight? His DC are now so close to adulthood he's going to have to change or he'll have no life, he sounds desperate to pretend they're still little children.

TinDogTavern · 28/04/2024 10:11

The thing is you've already told him what the problem is (and done it in a really nice way) and nothing has changed other than he's tried to make you feel bad about it. I would dump and I wouldn't bother trying to explain again why.

GRex · 28/04/2024 10:11

Why did you continue to date someone who bores you? Throw them back faster next time.

I see no issue with being clear: "I have been very bored hearing nothing from you except about your kids. I also think sending constant photos of teenagers to someone they don't even know is wildly inappropriate. Please don't contact me again."

Mumoftwo1312 · 28/04/2024 10:14

My original thought was his kids are both under 5yo and he's trying to find a girlfriend who will also be lead babysitter.

But 16 and 18! He's completely bonkers.

He's got bigger problems than not keeping a girlfriend...he is far too intense and helicoptery for that age of kids.

SillyLittleWoman · 28/04/2024 10:16

But you say you've been with him for several months. He's done nothing but chat and send pics of his kids for several months??

Surely not, there has to be more to him than this otherwise you'd have just phased him out after date 3 or 4..?

AccountCreateUsername · 28/04/2024 10:21

ManorLord · 28/04/2024 09:21

It’s not that he doesn’t see his kids, he has them every weekend and one night during the week (then I get constant updates of their antics 🙄) I wouldn’t mind but they’re 16 and 18! Example of how ridiculous it is … he sent me a photo yesterday titled “hungry hippos!” … his kids (who are almost adults) sat eating fish and chips. It’s just boring

🤣 I shouldn’t laugh at your misfortune OP you you are clearly wasted on that boring joyless man! Go find yourself someone worthy of your brilliance asap and don’t bother telling him why or engaging further.

zingally · 28/04/2024 10:22

"Dear Man,
I've enjoyed getting to know you, but actually have decided that we're not really very compatible, so I don't want to proceed any further with you. Wishing you all the best, OP."

Then ignore.

You said your piece, it fell on deaf ears. Time to move on.

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