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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

Think I'm having second thoughts about my boyfriend :-(

34 replies

InterstateSally · 25/11/2012 11:02

Been together less than 6 months. At first I thought he was the best thing since sliced bread, couldn't get enough of him but now .... :-(

He's nothing specific that he's done. I just don't get excited about 'us' anymore. The spark has gone already. We rarely have sex and when we do it's predictable and dull. When he stays over here we just sit in front of the TV, lately he's just fallen asleep on me leaving me sat bored and frustrated that I could be getting on with other stuff rather than sat being a pillow for a 6ft, 41 year old man.

He has so many issues going on in his head. Still cut up about his divorce (2 years ago), scared stiff of upsetting his kids (15 and 17 year olds, therefore I can't meet them or mention 'us' on facebook incase they see it - although he tells me he did tell them about me and they were fine with it Hmm ) I can't talk to him through fear of him panicking and saying I'm pressuring him -

So we have arrived at this plateau - He stays here 3 nights a week, we watch tv and then we go to bed (to sleep!). We text the same shit back and forth every day (apart from sundays when I cease to exist as his children are there - no I'm not jealous or bitter, I just don't see why him having his teenagers means I have to be COMPLETELY ignored - I mean, it takes seconds to send a text). Yeah we go out and we do have a good time but the rest of it outweighs that.

He booked us flights for a holiday two weeks ago. For two weeks I've been trying to arrange a time when we can organise a hotel together - the night we were supposed to do it, he fell asleep all evening - two weeks later, it still hasn't been done. You know when you just wonder why you bother?

I keep telling myself "give it until Christmas" that will be the 6 month mark and if no improvement, end it but the thought of being like this until the new year depresses me.

If I talk to him, what do I say?? he gets so bloody defensive and jumpy I dread trying to talk to him about this kind of stuff. He normally just says "if thats how you feel, maybe we should break up?" - it's almost like he wants to break up but wants me to be the one to do it.

I'd say he was losing interest but if so - why has he arranged to spend Christmas day with me instead of with his family like he originally planned? why did he book us a holiday two weeks ago? why does he keep offering to do stuff for me like fix stuff in my house or pick me up from nights outs? Friday night he was outside in the freezing cold burying my beloved guinea pig!!

Is it him or me??

OP posts:
pictish · 25/11/2012 11:07

It's not good enough is it?
He's not ready for a relationship yet, so I suspect you're just convenient company and sex. That sounds harsh, but it's not meant to be. He's just not in the right place for you.

I wouldn't be anyone's never-to-be-seen-on-facebook secret. No way.

Look - it's 6 months in...you have nothing to lose and everything to gain from calling it quits. If it's not up to scratch then move on.

scaevola · 25/11/2012 11:09

What attracted you to him in the first place?

B1ueberries · 25/11/2012 11:15

I would break up. It sounds like you've been with him for 20 years not 6 months. And the fact that he gets ratty with you when you speak up is not a good sign! I ended a recent relationship after 7 months and I started thinking abuot it at 6 months, so I think it's a sort of bench mark time really isn't it? I think I felt that if we weren't going to introduce each other to each to each others' children then that was a sort of declaration in itself, and if so, then why continue........ I felt like I owed him nothing when he hadn't even told his children about me. He was a very nice guy thoguh. But we both knew it wsan't going to work out, and why let 6 months or 7 months roll into a year or two years, and then you owe somebody a big explanation for splitting up. I think if you split up now, it's simpler. On the cards even.

InterstateSally · 25/11/2012 11:17

He wasn't like this in the beginning. He was fun and seemed full of energy. Used to send me loads of lovely texts throughout the day - even silly stuff like a photo of his lunch which would make me laugh but now I'm lucky if I get two texts a day from him.

In the beginning his sex drive was through the roof, we couldn't keep our hands off each other and now he barely comes near me. Yeah he'll hug me all night but as for sex - it's rare and I normally have to instigate it if it's to happen at all.

I don't know, it's been less than 6 months yet I feel this is how things would likely to be after 10 years of marriage. If we're like this now, what will we be like after a year or so? celibate probably!

Plus the fact that he won't let me meet his kids is playing on my mind. How will we ever progress if I can't meet his children? In fact - I've not met any of his family despite him saying months ago that he wanted to introduce me to his mum.

OP posts:
helpyourself · 25/11/2012 11:19

Dump him. It shouldn't be this hard work so early on.

B1ueberries · 25/11/2012 11:21

Yeah, dating should be fun! and you're only dating this guy. The companionship isn't right so you wouldn't even want to be commited to this guy, and the dating isn't fun either! it sounds like a kind of weird inbetween with the benefits of neither commitment or dating!

Wishfulmakeupping · 25/11/2012 11:25

Agree- you've only been together a few months it should be a lot more fun than this, cut your losses and move on

izzyizin · 25/11/2012 11:30

It sounds as if you were both infatuated initially, but the initial attraction has evaporated and you're now using each other as a form of security blanket.

From reading this board it seems as if a lot of people define themselves by having an other half in their lives which, when their lives are not being enhanced by said ohs, is pathetic in the extreme.

Do you have a problem with the prospect of being on your own again after you've ended this unsatisfactory relationship?

InterstateSally · 25/11/2012 11:34

No problem being single, I like being single! I have good friends, a career and a social life - I don't need him.
But part of me wants him so badly - however I'm not sure it's him I want - or the man I thought he was in the beginning :(

OP posts:
B1ueberries · 25/11/2012 11:34

ps I could be looking too hard for a red flag here, but I find it not just confusing but worrying that he's booking holidays and planning to spend christmas day with you when things are not only new but a bit shaky too. He'd have to have very little intuition to believe that you are happily planning your future bar sundays. At best it sounds like he would like the convenience of a port to dock in, and at WORST he sounds a bit of a controlling user. That may sound harsh but listen, 1) He gets defensive when you try and say how you feel. (after only six months when most people are on their best behaviour) and 2) the chit chat and the thoughtfulness has gone already. It was there to begin with but it was shockingly brief. 3) he is unaware of how you feel - that's not a good sign, wrt to the holidays and christmas day.

I think you could end up saddled with a man who finds it very CONVENIENT to dock in your harbour monday-fri.

B1ueberries · 25/11/2012 11:37

That was like me when I met my x over a decade ago. My first impressions were very good and I just couldn't readjust them.

NO idea why I got into a serious relationship with him, long after the scales had falled from my eyes.... and him, I guess he was attracted to the fact that I needed nothing from him. And I wanted that box ticked. There was an element of wanting other people to believe that I was in a happy relationship. Madness. The whole thing did drag me down and erode my confidence though. Even if you're strong and independent with lots of friends, there's no way you can cast such a user in a central role in your life and not come away unscathed.

stuffitunderthebed · 25/11/2012 11:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AnnaFurLact1c · 25/11/2012 11:43

Are you the one who keeps posting and posting over and over about the same issue?

Then ignoring all the advice and posting again?

LittleEdie · 25/11/2012 11:49

Sounds like it's run it's course. Perfectly natural. Some relationships have a shorter shelf life than others.

stuffitunderthebed · 25/11/2012 11:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AKissIsNotAContract · 25/11/2012 11:55

Sally: you have started 5 threads about this man over this weekend and you don't seem to be listening to the advice you are given.

AnnaFurLact1c · 25/11/2012 12:07

she has another one in AIBU at the moment.

It's like a weird form of trolling. Harmless of course, but thread after thread... all the same theme. I can spot them a mile off

AKissIsNotAContract · 25/11/2012 12:25

and one in step-parenting.

BloominMarvellous · 25/11/2012 12:29

I'm afraid regardless of how many times you post the answer's won't change and people will loose their patience.

If this is real read the advice you've been given already.

izzyizin · 25/11/2012 12:33

Well spotted Anna. I did wonder but I was in polite mode before I read the thread from the abusive male who's dared to follow his dw here

Really OP this has to stop - and get that sofa prised off your arse while you're at it.

TakeMyEyesButNotTheGoat · 25/11/2012 13:27

Yawn

ErikNorseman · 25/11/2012 17:30

Do you think boxy finally dumped the abusive wanker and now has a new boyfriend?

AnnaFurLact1c · 25/11/2012 18:23

It's VERY boxroom isn't it?

izzyizin · 25/11/2012 18:43

Here's one the OP made earlier posted last night www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/1621009-New-bloke-is-constantly-tired

mrskeithrichards · 25/11/2012 20:28

He buried your guinea pig, he's a keeper!