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Relationships

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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:
Floggingmolly · 21/05/2013 10:34

He asked you to marry him, then backtracked when you pointed out the obvious complication of him not wanting anyone to know you're together...
He's taking the piss because he can see you're dim enough to let him.
Unbelievable.

dontyouwantmebaby · 21/05/2013 10:38

jeez - if he wants to prove he is 'genuine' then why is he reluctant to tell anyone he's been seeing you?

" but then I mentioned the fact no one knows about us and he said he wants to make sure we aren't arguing every time we see each other first. This conversation was a bit niggly, as I was pissed off he was saying stuff about marriage when clearly he didn't mean it (imo)...he said he did mean it and that it was to prove his commitment to me long term :/"

seriously? you've only known each other HOW many weeks and ALREADY he feels he has to make sure you aren't arguing every time you see each other first?

THEN he jokily mentions marriage to er...prove his commitment to you long term?

what the actual hell?! can YOU not see how ridiculous all this is? Hmm

glastocat · 21/05/2013 10:40

Think this is the most fucked up Fred I have ever seen!

Leverette · 21/05/2013 10:43

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KatieScarlett2833 · 21/05/2013 10:46

Even better. Tell him you are announcing your engagement in the local rag and need him round on Thursday for the accompanying photo. And tell him you will be sharing your good news with all the parents at school tomorrow.
His reaction should be interesting Smile

confusedisitme · 21/05/2013 10:49

So you don't think it's possible for two people to have got off to a bad start, and then want to work to make things better?

The fact we've only been seeing each other for 4 weeks is irrelevant.

I totally understand that he wants things to settle down between us before he starts letting anyone at the school know his business.

He did say people 'close' to him, he would be less bothered about knowing sooner than the school lot, but the arguing and tension needs to stop first.

How does that make him unreasonable?

And...if he doesn't get to have sex with me Thursday either, how long does he need to keep 'going without' before I can safely assume he IS genuine?

OP posts:
Gobbolinothewitchscat · 21/05/2013 10:50

.....don't forget to tell his sister the head teacher who hates you maybe she could be a bridesmaid!

confusedisitme · 21/05/2013 10:50

He says he told a mate of his at combat the other week that he was seeing someone a lot younger than him - but wasn't sure how people's reaction would be, apparently his mate said not to worry about it and go for it.

He then suggested me and him meet up with his friend and his new partner sometime...hasn't come about yet but I haven't asked about it.

OP posts:
confusedisitme · 21/05/2013 10:53

Ok so if you want to offer genuine advice to silly little me, rather than piss taking...

If you're all so sure he's just trying for sex and not interested in a relationship, what can I ask of him that will prove once and for all he is genuine?

OP posts:
unapologetic · 21/05/2013 10:56

Don't tell us, your three children had no idea the school caretaker was in their mother's bed again all night.

confusedisitme · 21/05/2013 10:58

What difference does that make!

The fact he is a TA/caretaker in their school...why is so much being made of that!?

He got here at 8pm, the kids had been asleep for over an hour by that point, he left at 5.20am and the children woke up at 6am (started stirring at 5.45am).

OP posts:
Leverette · 21/05/2013 10:59

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confusedisitme · 21/05/2013 10:59

Why is it so unbelievable to you that I have three children that all sleep very well?

OP posts:
confusedisitme · 21/05/2013 11:01

I'm not - my point is, I think he's genuine, you all seem to believe he isn't.

How else am I going to know, other than giving it time and seeing if in a few months' time he's started telling people he's with me?

OP posts:
Leverette · 21/05/2013 11:01

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joblot · 21/05/2013 11:01

Op its like several posters have said, this relationship is bizarre and you both sound rather odd. He is emotionally all over the place, not debatable. You are over invested way too early. What ever happened to dating and taking it slowly? What you're involved in sounds completely unhealthy and bonkers. That's just my view, but you did ask

confusedisitme · 21/05/2013 11:01

And really...who says no sex before marriage nowadays! Not many people.

OP posts:
Lweji · 21/05/2013 11:02

was it not having sex Clinton style?

I think I'm going to wait for the film version.

Seriously, this relationship is just too much hassle. Why do you even bother?

dontyouwantmebaby · 21/05/2013 11:03

the fact you've only been seeing each other for 4 weeks IS relevant.

arguing & tension should not be there at this stage.

this is not a case of 'getting off to a bad start' this is a case of

you're clearly not suited to one another

the fact you're even having to ask him to prove he's genuinely looking for a relationship and not sex IS the proof itself.

confusedisitme · 21/05/2013 11:06

Yes...but there are also countless stories of people who have those so-called whirlwind things, getting engaged within a couple of weeks and for some of those, it works out.

And no - I don't want to do that...I'm just making my point that not everyone goes about things in a set way but that doesn't mean what we are doing 'wrong'.

Yes - it's been quite a rollercoaster and that was down to the fact I was worried about trusting him.

But now I've chosen to go with it, we're not taking too quickly now because before he was round every night, this week it's only yesterday and thurs and it's only Thursday because he's away all weekend.

How is seeing each other twice a week moving too quickly?

The plan all along was to leave it until at least the summer holidays/next school year before properly making it known round school we are together.

And I've thought more about the school issue; my eldest is in Year One. Generally 5-6 year olds aren't the bullying type, they're not as aware at that age of staff relationships, maybe when they are in year 4/5 maybe but not yet.

By the time my eldest got to Year 4/5, assuming we hadn't finished by then, me and this guy would be old news, so why would my children be affected by it?

OP posts:
unapologetic · 21/05/2013 11:07

I do find it unbelievable that three primary school age children are all in bed asleep before 7pm. It was before 6 on Sunday remember. How on earth are you bringing them up and conducting this weird intense relationship?

confusedisitme · 21/05/2013 11:08

But the arguments were caused BY ME, deliberately trying to protect myself - as I have done in every other relationship I've had.

There was a slight bit of tension last night after he went all silly on me and started talking about marriage (and he didn't say it in a "lolz" sort of way, he just said I have to marry him, I immediately said don't be stupid and he said he wasn't, he was being serious) but we/I wasn't nearly as bad as usual, so in theory Thursday there should be no arguments, and hopefully problem solved.

OP posts:
WeAreSix · 21/05/2013 11:11

If he values you in any way, he will wait for you while you sort your own mind out.

Walk away, see your GP, have counselling to deal with your past. Make sure your mental health is good. Once you're in a better place see how you feel about him then.

EleanorHandbasket · 21/05/2013 11:11

God I wish I could have a relationship with a 60 year old emotionally unavailable cleaner and part time tuck shop man.

Particularly with the added benefit of my DC seeing him every day.

It sounds like such a wheeze.

Plus I am CONVINCED this is the same caretaker you had issues with a year ago because he was being over friendly and you had about five threads about.

confusedisitme · 21/05/2013 11:12

Really unapologetic?

You find it weird that three children aged 21 months, 4 and 5 are all in bed by 7pm?

I find it stranger that the children across the road - one of whom only looks about 4 or 5 - are still out playing at 8.30pm on a school night!

They've had their bedtime routine since Day One and however late they go to bed, they still wake up at 5-6am (as my mum found out when she had them for the weekend, when she kept them up past 9pm and they were still awake at 5.20am!).

They go to bed after their bath, willingly, say night night, get a cuddle and a story and then I shut their bedroom doors, check on them after 30 minutes and they are all fast asleep.

The other night (Sunday) was only because they had been to my mum's all weekend, she brought them back at 5.30 and they had fallen asleep in the car (already had tea at my mum's house) and so after their bath they were ready for bed.

Simple.

OP posts: