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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

I want to have a baby my partner doesn’t

57 replies

Needinglifeadvice · 05/04/2024 14:53

Hello

I am looking for some advice. I am 29 and my partner is 46. We met when I was 20 and at that point I thought I would never want children (so I appreciate this is my fault) However, when I was around 26 I started to really want to have my own baby. He told me that he would like to have a baby with me too but why not wait until I was 30 and was more settled in my career, I thought that was a good idea. I will be 30 next month and have a job I love that pays well. I brought up having a baby with him again last week. He said he didn’t want a baby. I understand where he is coming from given the fact that when he met me I agreed to not having children and he also has children with his ex wife and plus he isn’t getting any younger either. He also told me that he doesn’t want to get married again. I know I am being very selfish but I just feel so sad that his ex wife got to experience all of this with him and I won’t. I am so in love with him and can’t imagine my life without him, but I appreciate that I need to respect his wishes, I just wish he had told me he didn’t want a baby 4 years ago. Do I just accept his decision and be grateful that I have a partner that I love or will I regret this in years to come.
P.s I have PCOS and endometriosis, so might not be a possibility.
Thank you so much for reading x

OP posts:
sel2223 · 23/10/2024 04:09

Honestly, I don't think either of you are being selfish. He is entitled to be honest about what he does or doesn't want and he is entitled to change his mind just as you are.

I was in a 14 year relationship from age 22 to 36 with a man 21 years older than me who i loved very much. He had 2 children from a previous marriage who weren't much younger than me and was clear from the beginning he didn't want more children - neither did I so no problem. We had a fabulous life and lifestyle with long haul holidays, a holiday home abroad, nice house etc.

Except that as my biological clock started ticking, things began to change and I just couldn't stop the feeling that I was going to hugely regret sacrificing being a mother for this man.

We did eventually split up and I ended up having a bit of a whirlwind romance with my now husband. I fell pregnant very early in the relationship and had my DD1 at age 37. I am now pregnant for the second time and will be 42 when she is born. I am so lucky, there were no guarantees it would happen at my age.

I don't have regrets, they are futile and I think everything happens as and when it is supposed to happen but I'm so pleased I found the courage to drag myself out of my comfort zone. Being a mother is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I love my little family so much.

You cannot give up this dream, this 'calling', you will regret it forever. At the same time, at 46, he is entitled to be honest and say he doesn't want anymore children or marriage. This doesn't mean you don't love each other or that either of you is a bad person, maybe the relationship has just run its course and it's time for you to be brave.

Good luck. It's not easy when you've been with someone for a long time from when you were still very young, it's all you've ever really known in adulthood. I can promise you one thing though...... you will never regret having children but you absolutely will regret it if you want them and don't at least try to have them before it's too late.

sel2223 · 23/10/2024 04:12

Woah zombie thread! @Needinglifeadvice any update?

MrsKwazi · 23/10/2024 04:23

Leave him.

You are in different life stages and therefore want diff things. There is nothing wrong with wanting marriage and children.

He was also totally future faking by making you delay on promise that he aill have a baby with you and then reneging on that promise.

I would not trade my children for any man!

There is nothing to stop him leaving you for a you for a younger woman when your fertile years is over.

He sounds like a bit of a dick actually.

Copperoliverbear · 23/10/2024 06:24

I would leave or ask him to

Wolfpa · 23/10/2024 06:35

You need to decide if children and marriage are more important to than the relationship that you have now, are they important enough for you to roll the dice and take the chance that you end up with none of them?

I would also take the future into consideration as well. My partner is 10 years older than me and at the moment our age gap doesn’t matter but statistically men die younger than women so I could easily have 20 years on my own when I am older. He will also retire much earlier than me so we probably won’t have those golden years together. I have decided that I will just go on a permanent cruise at this stage as it will be cheaper than paying for care.

HonestyIsTheBestPolicy1 · 30/01/2025 09:19

Hello,
I am going through the exact same situation now. My partner and I have an 18 year age gap. I’m so in love with him and want a baby but he doesn’t. He has already been married and had a child with someone else but she will not grant him access to the child. He said that the thought of having another baby while he cannot see his other child is unbearable. I totally understand where he’s coming from. He also said he doesn’t want to get married again. But I am so in love with him and just get this feeling that I’m not good enough to be a proper wife to him and have his baby. I can’t bare the thought of living without him. But I know I am meant to be a mum. What do I do? Please update me on your situation.

maria2bela1 · 30/01/2025 09:21

I wouldn't sacrifice having children to meet anyone else's preferences. Having kids is honestly one of the best most fulfilling things I ever done in my life, if you want kids, it's better to cut your losses now while you're still young, don't waste anymore years.

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