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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

New partner needing 'time'

951 replies

confusedisitme · 19/05/2013 15:54

I've recently started seeing someone - it's been under a month officially but we were very close before that for about 6 months.

He seems to come across as quite intense in his 'feelings' - always saying things like how he's broken, doesn't wan to lose me (said in that breathless, urgent way you'd imagine someone to say it in a cheesy american movie!) and the first week we were together he kept saying how strong his feelings were, felt like we'd been together a lot longer and all that stuff.

However, because he'd recently split up with someone and because of the fact I don't get on with a family member of his (I knew this family member before I knew him and we've never got along), he's been reluctant to tell anyone he's seeing me - he wanted to wait until the summer and then he felt like he'd be able to tell his close family members (including this person that hates me).
This caused issues between us, because I felt like we couldn't go out anywhere - he'd come and visit me at home, stay over etc and we have been out a few times out of town, but I want to just be able to go to the local restaurant or something in town and not worry that he'll be looking over his shoulder. He says I want everything 'now' and it's not possible...so because of this we argue - not full on rows, but niggly sort of things where usually one of us says we can't cope with it, and it's all up in the air again.

We were due to go out last night together, in town for a meal.

It'd been planned for 2 weeks, I had got my mum to have my three children overnight so we could go out (which meant me buying air beds and a travel cot so they could sleep at her house), and then Friday morning I had asked him to come over that night because we had been arguing and I wanted to try and fix us before I could go out with him the next night...eventually he agreed, we had a slight niggle but the rest of the night was fine, he said he couldn't lose me, the next morning he was very loving and we left on a good note - although he hadn't gone to sleep when I told him to that night, instead he kept trying it on for 90 minutes so we ended up only having about 4 hours' sleep :(

It got to 5pm on Saturday, the kids had already gone to my mum's and he text saying he was very tired, hadn't had a chance to sleep and would have to stay home - then didn't seem to understand why I was pissed off. I asked him to stick to the arrangements, he said he needed sleep and it spiralled into this massive argument and him refusing to even come over and see me, but stay in the house with me and not go out...which annoyed me further.

Eventually at 9pm he agreed to come over but sleep on the sofa, but said it would be finished for good if I "made him" come over...so he turned up, was very cold (I'd hoped I could win him round a bit but it didn't happen) and eventually left again after saying he couldn't handle this, and I should've let him stay at home.

He's now saying we need to "work on positive texts and see how we go" - we can't see each other now until the weekend after next as we both have commitments, so he wants me to basically just send him chatty, random texts through the next couple of weeks, effectively covering up how hurt I am and not talking about 'us' until he decides whether he misses me and wants to try again or not.

I understand that all this arguing has got him down; it has me too, but on Friday night he said he can't lose me with that sense of urgency and passion that made it seem like he loved me...then last night he said his feelings had significantly reduced over the past week or so and he wants to se if he can get them back - to me, I don't want to wait around to see if his feelings reappear; if they went in the first place (mine haven't, despite the arguing) then it feels like I'd be losing the self respect I still have left by taking him back if he decided he wanted to.

Does that make sense at all?

Apologies for the essay...I suppose I'm just wondering if he's being unreasonable in what he's asking of me now, or I am.

PS - he did text me last night saying that he can't see how he can be with me, but the thought of not being with me hurts him like crazy; and that he just needs a bit of space from the arguing, and just positive texting for a week or so, and see if it helps his feelings reappear.

OP posts:
confusedisitme · 19/05/2013 21:27

If someone can give me a clear example of something I've said that you think shows he is using me or doesn't want a relationship, then fine I'll understand.

But at the moment, no one has done that - and I mean after I posted about the stuff I'd done.

OP posts:
CVSFootPowder · 19/05/2013 21:27

"Far be it from me to answer for forum - but I would suspect it's your previous posts which make the situation all too clear to everyone. Bar you, of course "

Quite.

Look OP, you can have a NSA arrangement (but not with this guy), if thats what you truly want. But the whole thing about NSA is that you simply aren't 'allowed' to act needy, steal shoes, send texts saying you've got to come round tonight or else, then several hours later send one saying you dont have to come round tonight.. Hmm and all the other silly needy games you're playing.

I dont know how you do the logistics of NSA/FWB when you've got DC because I've never been in that situation, but there must be ways to manage it. Babysitter and you go round the guys house and dont bring him near your kids seems obvious to me.

You dont just want NSA, you want drama.

forumdonkey · 19/05/2013 21:28

gobbo thanks for your reply on my behalf. you succinctly posted I'm very jealous of janny- love Grin Grin Grin

FreddieMisaGREATshag · 19/05/2013 21:28

This is ridiculous. How can you think this is the right sort of relationship to model for your children?

Who cares who is right or wrong. Together, you are fucked up. That's all that matters.
Get out and sort out your self esteem.

Tweasels · 19/05/2013 21:29
confusedisitme · 19/05/2013 21:29

No, I want to be with this man.

And he said that's what he wanted to...and I believe him, so am asking for examples of how he has been using me/not interested in a relationship.

OP posts:
Sh1ney · 19/05/2013 21:29

Ah!

It's you

So you won't listen to anyone

Tweasels · 19/05/2013 21:29
confusedisitme · 19/05/2013 21:30

So you don't think he's reacted in the way most people would when having to deal with the things I've been chucking at him?

That's all I'm asking.

OP posts:
FreddieMisaGREATshag · 19/05/2013 21:31

Sh1ney - what do you mean?

Chubfuddler · 19/05/2013 21:31

It doesn't matter what he wants. First you need to work out what you want op. not work out what random man A wants and then try to be it.

Do you really not see this? You are not a cypher for the needs of a man. You are a human being. Act like one.

unapologetic · 19/05/2013 21:31

I am getting an anxious feeling reading this. Seriously, you have been writing on this thread for hours now. Where are your children please?

FreddieMisaGREATshag · 19/05/2013 21:31

He has to be fucked up in the head with the fairy stories he spun you for months.

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 19/05/2013 21:32

I'm wondering if this is all an elaborate prank, set up by the head teacher who allegedly hates you....hmmm....

Chubfuddler · 19/05/2013 21:32

Why do you want to be with him? Because he had shown an interest in you? Because a month in he hasn't hit you? Because you are scared of being alone?

confusedisitme · 19/05/2013 21:32

Yes I get that!

I have been deliberately acting the way I have, because I was too scared to let myself go and risk ending up 'in love' and then risk him deciding to end it.

So therefore, if it's me that is/was the problem, I can stop it as easily as I started it, just by trusting him. Simple.

OP posts:
SgtTJCalhoun · 19/05/2013 21:33

His sister/the head teacher does not dislike you because you're not catholic. I think she can see exactly what's going on with you.

BreakOutTheKaraoke · 19/05/2013 21:33

Confused, seriously, get yourself to doctors and referred for counselling ASAP. What you are describing, and what you are doing, are NOT the signs of someone who is mentally well. My 9 year old is too old to consider hiding a shoe to stop someone leaving. How are you not embarrassed at yourself?

CVSFootPowder · 19/05/2013 21:33

Together, you are fucked up

when I was young, there was a very cheesy song called Together We Are Beautiful.
FreddieM has nailed it in this case, Together you are fucked up. That would make a great song title!

nkf · 19/05/2013 21:33

Under a month you've been in a relationship. You've been close for six months. And you are angsting and moaning and wondering. It's ludicrous. You sound intense and weird and he sounds intense and weird. And the whole damn thing sounds intense and weird. And there must be something wrong with me because I could be getting on with the ironing and, instead, I'm reading your nonsense.

Chubfuddler · 19/05/2013 21:33

Really? Ok. Good luck with that. And to your children.

confusedisitme · 19/05/2013 21:34

Because he makes me happy, compliments me, we share similar interests, he's funny, kind, patient...that's why.

unapologetic - it's 9.30pm, they're in bed, and have been since 6pm.

They've been at my mum's for the weekend so had a bath and conked out on the sofa, so I put them to bed.

OP posts:
CVSFootPowder · 19/05/2013 21:34

he doesn't make you happy, FFS. Do you think you'd be on here posting 13 pages of this stuff if he made you happy?
Get a grip OP, please, for your own sake and the DC.

forumdonkey · 19/05/2013 21:36

And he said that's what he wanted to...and I believe him, so am asking for examples of how he has been using me/not interested in a relationship.

He doesn't want to be with you / is using you because

He wants to keep you a secret
He won't go out in public with you
He lets you down when you make plans
He doesn't want to see you
He doesn't want you to text him
He isn't texting you
He isn't calling you
He isn't coming to see you

ps he's 58 and might have trouble getting it up so that cancels out why he's not using you for sex.

Please feel free to add to my list peeps cuz my mind is frazzled, I'm hyperventilating and going to stab myself in the eyes with blunt pencils - just for fun

FreddieMisaGREATshag · 19/05/2013 21:36

you cannot be "in love" with someone after a month. Not in most normal relationships anyway.

And thank you CVSFootPowder Grin