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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

i need some advice please regarding long term bf

13 replies

boggledover · 03/07/2012 17:19

background - bf has 3 kids who live with their mum 20miles away. bf lives at his parents but stays with me during the week then has the kids at his parents at the weekend.
the mum announced today she's pregnant and moving in with her bf in 3 months. the kids don't have a good relationship with her so are going to stay at the house and my bf will move back in with them in 3 months time when the mum moves out. he has said he wants me and ds to live with them. we have been together 7 years.

my ds goes to school here, has all his friends, has his football team, will be moving up to the local junior school in september which he's really excited about. I work local, plus i don't have a car. The house where bf and the boys will be living is small, falling apart and needs a lot of work, my ds would have to share with 2 teenagers which i don't think is fair, plus bf's ex has lived in that house for the last 8 years.

i told bf that one day in the near future when im in a better position to move away and ds is happy to move, and proper plans are put in place, then i will be able to live with him and his kids. But i don't want to be rushed into it with 3 months notice, give up my job, flat, ds's school and friends all for the sake of not having to sacrifice living apart for a while.

He told me he doesn't want to live apart and if i can't move in with him and the kids he doesn't want a long distance relationship where we don't see eachother much, and would rather split up.

im really upset but refuse to back down and sacrifice my independance and ds's happiness so easily. My idea was to live apart for as long as needs be so that i can help him do the house up that him and kids will be living in, then he can sell it and we can get somewhere between us thats big enough for us all. And that no matter how long it takes, it will be worth it in the long run and we'll be in a better position to move and ds change schools etc.

am i being unreasonable or stubborn here?

OP posts:
Ragwort · 03/07/2012 17:25

You are being totally reasonable and realistic. It sounds as though your BF is happy to rush into this without giving due thought to what is best for his children, you and your DS. Is he looking for a housekeeper to look after his children and cook his meals?

The fact he would rather split up (after you have been together seven years Shock) rather than wait and find a solution that keeps everyone happy speaks volumes.

errr.......... 20 miles away is hardly a 'long distance relationship' anyway is it Hmm.

Do you love him, what does he offer you in this relationship?

Guiltypleasures001 · 03/07/2012 17:27

No your not, But I am surprised that 7 ears have gone and there hasnt mabe been a move of him to you? But under stand the bit about the kids etc.

i think your son comes first, after all youve compromised a lot for his sake, and I hope he just doesnt want an extra income and mum for his kids, which you will be when or if you move in, plus these kids might be devestated about being abandoned by their mother which is a whole nother thread and headache for you both.

Onthebottomwithawomansweekly · 03/07/2012 17:29

I commute 30 miles each way for work every day.

I'd like to think that if I were in a committed relationship with someone, that both I and he would travel at least that distance to see each other - after all a job can't love you back!

I think he may be telling you (but not in so many words) how much/little you are worth to him, sorry.

Xales · 03/07/2012 17:31

I think you are being very sensible and rational.

Seems crazy to just suggest you give up your job and move into his house and be completely dependent on him, blend to families without lots of talking and negotiation.

Not to mention like you say about it being 'her' house for the last 8 years.

Does he genuinely think 20 miles is long distance?

Guiltypleasures001 · 03/07/2012 17:32

ears = years bloody yyyyy keeps getting stuck

TheDreadedFoosa · 03/07/2012 17:34

Dont do it. He wants you as a replacement mother to his kids, i imagine hes bricking it at the prospect of being a full time parent and hes trying to blackmail you into it.

If you dont move in he'll have his mother practically living here.

Even if all of the above is pure conjecture (and it is of course, but i bet im right) you still shouldnt for all the reasons youve given.

ClassFree · 03/07/2012 17:34

It sounds like you are choosing carefully, and rationally, deciding the best option for you and your DS. It as though he wants you to be making an emotional decision, rather than a practical one.
Would he be ok with totally disrupting your DS' life, along with yours, to prove a point? How would the increased stress levels and resentment impact your feelings for him?

ClassFree · 03/07/2012 17:35

sorry that sounded so harsh, Blush it just sounds like he is being dismissive of your very valid points of concern.

boggledover · 03/07/2012 17:38

thanks for your responses i just wanted to make sure i was seeing things clearly and wasn't just on the defensive thinking im being reasonable if im not.

i don't consider 20 miles a long distance relationship either but i suppose even if it was half that, im a single mum to a 7 year old with no car so its not like i can go to him in the evenings, and the same for him - he'll have his kids to look after. i think it would also do his kids good to have their dad to themselves for a while especially once they are 'deserted' by their mum.

we've had lots of obsticles so many reasons why we haven't moved on further than we have by now, but we've both been fine with that until now. maybe he is just panicing because he needs a 'mum' role for the kids while he's at work all day, i didn't think of that.

well, im sure we'll talk about it tonight, but im not going to back down and give up my own life for his. i do really love him, and he loves me. he's so caring and thoughtful (until now) and we get on really well. We have a good routine and i just feel safe with him. if we split up i would miss him terribly, but im still not backing down. If it comes to that then he will just be spiting himself too as i know he'll miss me just as much, if not more as i think he relys on me a lot more than i do on him

OP posts:
boggledover · 03/07/2012 17:40

Classfree, its not harsh, i would end up resenting him when i start feeling cut off from everything i know and am used to. And if down the line it didn't work out id be left with nothing

OP posts:
Xales · 03/07/2012 17:40

I actually deleted a line saying this sounded like blackmail as that seemed harsh to say.

However I agree with TheDreadedFoosa it does sound like blackmail do it or I'll dump you Sad

Anniegetyourgun · 03/07/2012 17:44

I don't think you're being unreasonable. It sounds like you and DS are expected to make all the sacrifices in this scenario. Either you give up everything for the bf or he gives you up. That's not a very nice ultimatum for a loving (prospective) life partner to make.

boggledover · 03/07/2012 18:17

thanks everyone for your responses. il let you know how this one pans out. bf did say that we could 'carry on like normal' until he moves in with the kids, and then that will be when the relationship will be over!! i think il be ending it now if that is his plan

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