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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:
forumdonkey · 19/05/2013 21:45

OP so the list I posted at your request as to why he is using you and isn't interested is not ringing any bells or striking any cords or is invisible or you are ingnoring it?

confusedisitme · 19/05/2013 21:46

Freddie - yes, and perhaps that's what he meant last night when he said this thing with me is feeling like when he split with his ex wife after 28 years of being together - feeling emotionally drained etc.

forum - I spend every second of my time on my kids! This guy comes around a few times a week after they have gone to bed, and is gone by the time they get up.

Even after we argue, I'm up with the kids at 5.30am doing jigsaws and shit, even when I don't feel like it.

I'm a good mum and this ISN'T affecting them. I don't walk around in a depressed haze, I'm not texting 24-7, I'm parenting my children and doing it bloody well considering!

OP posts:
Badvoc · 19/05/2013 21:47

Why are you confused!?
He is an infantile prick who is waste your time.

confusedisitme · 19/05/2013 21:49

I did actually miss the list forum - no he has an erection everytime we are in bed so unless it's Viagra, he has no trouble getting it up.

OP posts:
Gobbolinothewitchscat · 19/05/2013 21:50

yes, and perhaps that's what he meant last night when he said this thing with me is feeling like when he split with his ex wife after 28 years of being together - feeling emotionally drained

Christ - you've made the poor bugger feel like that in only 4 weeks Confused

confusedisitme · 19/05/2013 21:50

So...I give him time, if in a couple of weeks I ask if he wants to meet up but not stay over and he does, and then I suggest we go out in town regularly - then surely that's sorted out quite a few of the things on your list?

OP posts:
confusedisitme · 19/05/2013 21:51

Gobbolino which was my point.

I did it deliberately, so if by some miracle he's not totally exhausted by it all, I can stop it, go with it and have some fun.

OP posts:
confusedisitme · 19/05/2013 21:53

Actually thinking about it, I text him this morning saying he's clearly made up his mind, sorry and I'll miss him and to take care, and he replied "I will miss you too, sorry I wasn;t stronger...you take care as well"

and it was only after that, that I text asking if he was 100% sure and he said we needed to work on light-hearted, fun texts and see how we go from there...so yes you're right, that probably does mean he's ended it for good.

OP posts:
forumdonkey · 19/05/2013 21:54

Bollox OP you are not being a good parent. Sorry before I start to anyone who thinks my post a little harsh but here goes.

Your poor DC's have had to witness EA and DV all their young lives the disruption and all that shit it brings. You then introduce a man into their lives after seeing him for 2 weeks or 10 day whatever it was. You quite clearly are obsessing about this man which is evident to everyone but you.

Forget men or the janny and give your DC's some peace and stability in their lives - they only get one chidhood - let them have a good and memorable one for the right reasons.

I work with screwed up kids and nearly always its down the the parents and dysfunctional lives and the drama and shit they live with

FreddieMisaGREATshag · 19/05/2013 21:54

Dear god. You are so not getting it.

Blistory · 19/05/2013 21:54

4 weeks in and 358 posts on the state of this relationship.

There's a red flag if ever there was one.

Scrazy · 19/05/2013 21:56

Confused, I hope he has done the right thing and finished it. It might be best all round.

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 19/05/2013 21:57

^Actually thinking about it, I text him this morning saying he's clearly made up his mind, sorry and I'll miss him and to take care, and he replied "I will miss you too, sorry I wasn;t stronger...you take care as well"

and it was only after that, that I text asking if he was 100% sure and he said we needed to work on light-hearted, fun texts and see how we go from there...so yes you're right, that probably does mean he's ended it for good^

Er...you really should have mentioned this in your first post or at least two fucking hours ago!

SweetSeraphim · 19/05/2013 21:58
confusedisitme · 19/05/2013 21:58

Well...I was kind of hoping that wasn't what he meant. Sorry.

OP posts:
scaevola · 19/05/2013 21:59

"then surely that's sorted out quite a few of the things on your list?"

That list isn't a set of obstacles to will out of the way. It's a demonstration of why he's not right for you.

And tbh, I don't think anyone will be until you drop whatever baggage you have that is making you hanker like a love-lorn teenager for a pseudo-relationship that is clearly so wrong. A couple of peeks at a website with baggage in its title is no substitute for the serious (and lengthy) task of recovering your self esteem.

confusedisitme · 19/05/2013 21:59

But what if he is still interested?

OP posts:
FreddieMisaGREATshag · 19/05/2013 21:59

Oh for fucks sake.

FreddieMisaGREATshag · 19/05/2013 22:00

He has TOLD you he's not interested and you're a headfuck.

What part of that don't you get?

confusedisitme · 19/05/2013 22:00

He's said it before - then text me an hour later saying he doesn't want it to end.

OP posts:
forumdonkey · 19/05/2013 22:01

You said in a post ^^^ that you text jannyman cuz you felt suicidal/ emotional and you think your DC's don't pick up on that? Or are they in bed only when you feel like that? Or can you change your emotions that easily?

Everyone has shit in their lives and I can't change the shit my DC's witnessed or the fear they felt but I sure as hell can make sure that I or any other dick head man is not doing it to them now or in the future.

unapologetic · 19/05/2013 22:01

I am leaving this thread now - you are doing my head in. But seriously I am worried for your poor children. You are not rational.

confusedisitme · 19/05/2013 22:01

He also said after that, that he's not sure he can 'live with me' or 'live without me'.

OP posts:
Chubfuddler · 19/05/2013 22:01

I predict MNHQ will intercede in ooh about ten minutes.

SweetSeraphim · 19/05/2013 22:01

Has he messaged you since this morning??

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