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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

No commitment from boyfriend - what to do

38 replies

sunflower9 · 14/12/2010 20:01

So, I've been seeing my boyfriend for almost 3 years now. I'm 30, he's 35. We live apart, I've wanted us to move in together since a while back (18 months or so, since I've always known he was something special). He likes his space, never brings up the subject. I've tried to talk about it with him over the last year (well actually, I alternate between talking about moving in, and saying nothing, but I can only leave it about 3 weeks of not mentioning it before I have to again!). His response used to be that it was too soon (after 2 years), more recently he just says we'll move in together some day (which is unspecified and never comes)

It's ended up being the only thing I'm thinking about, and now I'm really insecure about the relationship and it all feels a bit crap. My parents/friends are always asking me when we'll move in and it makes me so upset and I seem to be crying at home all the time about the situation. It's the same with people getting engaged/having babies - it really gets me down (especially when they've been together less time than us).

We had a big fall out at the weekend about this subject which ended up with me saying I couldn't go on like this and I needed more commitment from a relationship I was in. I've hardly stopped crying since then. He's been round to talk one evening and he was very upset too, got the old "I'll change blah blah".

Should I end it? I want children, marriage etc and at 31 I don't want to be waiting for this forever. On the other hand I love him more than anything and it feels like my world is falling apart.

OP posts:
IAmReallyFabNow · 14/12/2010 21:06

I asked my now DH the day we met if he wanted to get married and have kids. I had been with my ex for about 2 years and he didn't seem to want either, Even though he proposed and bought me a ring. we took a while to gt married but we did and have been together nearly 15 years.

expatinscotland · 14/12/2010 21:07

I'd officially end things tonight.

He's hard work and you know, when it's the right person, it really isn't at all. It's easy and fun because you're both on the same wavelength.

HelenaRose · 14/12/2010 22:29

I'm twenty-four. I was with a thirty-six year old for nearly a year who had problems with letting me sleep in his bed because he "liked his own space". I was given the sofa. Hmm He didn't want to spend a holiday together; he didn't want to think about the future; he freaked out completely when I asked about whether he wanted children in the future.

By comparison, me and my current partner got a flat together within four months. Before six months he turned to me and said, "I want a family with you."

I'm so glad I didn't waste any more time trying to 'make' my ex-partner want to live with me, have a future with me, have children with me, etc. Instead, I have a lovely man. I hope you find someone wonderful.

StuffingGoldBrass · 15/12/2010 10:42

He doesn't love you enough or think of you as his life partner.
Sorry, that may sound harsh but it's the truth, so you are best off ending it.
Neither you nor he are bad people or really in the wrong (though he should have owned up a bit sooner: trouble is most people hate actually having to come out and say - Erm, you are a WIll Do For Now partner, sorry - because it tends to lead to them getting dumped.
But it is a dreadful mistake to beg/whine/bully/bargain to make someone commit when that person shows no inclination to do so. Every subsequent row you have will end in 'Look, you were the one who wanted to move in/marry/have kids!' and usually, at some pooint, the relucant partner will meet someone else and fuck off with him/her.

thenightsky · 15/12/2010 11:14

He needs to piss or get off the pot.

You've told him what you want enough times, so it's not like he doesn't know.

Jenjen41 · 07/05/2018 20:56

Hi I'm looking for some advice I've been with my partner 2 & half years we live 37 miles apart hes asked me to move in with him but my kids said if I move they want to go live with there dad who they only see when it suits him what do i do

disappearingninepatch · 08/05/2018 08:02

Think you need to start your own thread, Jen.

Jenjen41 · 08/05/2018 08:46

Oh ok I'm not sure how to use this site thanks

hellsbellsmelons · 08/05/2018 10:41

You know what to do OP.
You will waste more and more years waiting for this 'man' to commit.
He never will.
Please do yourself a massive favour and end it once and for all.
Get out there.
Find someone who wants the same things as you do.
This guy does NOT want the same things.
You are NOT compatible.
It's that simple really (although I know it's not)
Rip of the plaster.
End it and move on!
Good luck.

Jenjen41 do start your own thread.
And for the love of god, never, ever, ever, EVER put a man before your children!!!
NEVER!

0ccamsRazor · 08/05/2018 10:48

Op he is not the man you want him to be.

Flowers
Isetan · 08/05/2018 18:05

It’s time to walk away. He doesn’t suddenly want what you want but he doesn’t want the relationship to end and is either making promises he won’t keep or he’s doing it under duress.

He gives you empty promises because he knows that’s what you want to hear and you don’t listen when he tells you that he doesn’t want to move in with you.

aldoushuxleyatemymescaline · 08/05/2018 20:07

Zombie thread. Hope you manage to start your own thread and get advice @Jenjen41

Cockmagic · 08/05/2018 20:53

I had a similar situation op, in the end I gave him an ultimatum.

We've been living together for a while now and no issues, we both still have our space (both work too)

I think sometimes men need that push!

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