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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 · 28/05/2013 10:28

Well after he sent that I asked if I could phone him and he said ok, we spent about an hour chatting about stuff, him saying it wasn't one particular thing that changed his mind and it just happened gradually, a combination of things etc. I said that underneath the arguing we had got on well and he agreed, but said it wasn't enough to sustain a relationship.

At one point he said I confuse him and always have...on the one hand he's really attracted to me and then I asked for the other, negative side and he hesitated a bit, and then mumbled "I want to find out whether it's just that I fancy you, or whether it might be more than that". I didn't push it and he didn't mention it again.

So then we started talking about random stuff - how his weekend had gone, the kids being away etc...it was good, we got on better than we ever had before but then I asked him to come over. He said a big part of him wanted to but he was worried he wouldn't be able to control himself and we'd end up in bed and he'd hate himself the next morning, I said I wouldn't let that happen and he'd go home...I thought he was considering it then he said he couldn't and hung up.

He then texted saying "I'm sorry, I desperately want to sleep with you and for us to have the best ever sexual experience of our lives (I admit I cringed at that!) but I can't unless we are in, or heading towards a proper relationship. I don't think my emotional feelings for you are strong enough for us to have a proper relationships so I'm trying to treat you with honesty and respect and leave me with some dignity :("

I apologised and said I was sad, though, as if he needs 'relationship feelings' to want to spend any time with me, then he will never want to and he said "although my instinct says to completely stop all contact I was hoping we could keep texting whilst I see if I can sort my issues out...my emotional hang ups."

I asked what that meant...and he replied:

"Cos my head is fucked up. I know I like you a lot and fancy you like crazy. We r both single so why is it a problem for me to be with you. And why do I find it difficult to tell you to leave me alone even when you've really pissed me off (you have gone that far tonight, lol). And all I really want to do is come and join you in bed now, have a great night we could even stay in bed all morning...and I would hate myself tomorrow :( Have I humiliated myself enough now. And I'm not totally convinced you want 'just sex' with me or anyone...but you were prepared to do it for me to make me happy."

I said I was sorry for causing him confusion again and signed off with my nickname, he then replied "see you never even told me you like to be called (nickname) Even when I asked you :( And you always said that you were never that bothered about sex...what chance do I stand?

I then asked him to consider a coffee or lunch on thurs, said I didn't want to pressure him into doing things he doesn't want to, but I hoped he'd at least consider it and I was going to bed now, and he replied "no worries sleep well x"

Thirty mins later he sent "Just found the pictures that you sent me on facebook (slightly sexy but fully clothed, sent 3 weeks ago when we were still together!)...not that I didn't know it already..but u r an exceptionally beautiful and sexy woman"

I didn't reply.

So...ok he's saying he would have sex with me and nothing more if he wouldn't feel guilty about it, but he would so he can't.

So why bring up the stuff about wanting to know whether he 'just' fancies me or more than that? Silly thing to say to let me down gently, surely?

But anyway, he's far too intense and mixed up for me.

OP posts:
Boosiehs · 28/05/2013 10:34

Oh good GOD.

The man is a nob. Don't reply to any more stupid self-serving crap texts or messages. He is clearly only interested in himself and couldn't give a crap about your feelings.

hugs

there ARE better men out there that will deserve you. Have faith. x

confusedisitme · 28/05/2013 11:02

I know...I think last night I realised that either he's very, very mixed up (and so no good for me anyway) or a total headfuck.

OP posts:
EhricLovesTeamQhuay · 28/05/2013 11:25

He loves the drama as much as you do. He likes having you beg to see him and knowing he can pick you up as and when he wants. If he wanted to be with you he would be. Bin.

glastocat · 28/05/2013 11:55

I think you are a perfect match and should get married. Oh, but your por bloody kids....

You need help, you are a proper loonspud. So is he, but that's his problem.

I really do hope this is a massive wind up, but if not, get help for the sake of your kids and stay away from this man, any man, until you get sorted out.

ArtexMonkey · 28/05/2013 12:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Wowserz129 · 28/05/2013 12:53

You both sound nuts. Your poor children who you seem to give no consideration for when you are swanning around behaving like a love struck puppy.

You were dating a month, in which time you acted like a child hiding his shoes etc, he acted like a knob.

He just told you he doesn't want a relationship with you so why are you even still in touch with him!!

Portofino · 28/05/2013 12:58

FFS. He wants a shag with no commitment. And it sounds like you are going to let him. You have had loads and loads of good advice on this thread. Take some of it, please.

Hashtagwhatever · 28/05/2013 13:00

he is a head fuck and seems to be trying to get you to agree to just sex.

if you know this then why are you still pestering him.

delete his number block him on fb and move on.

dont give him the satisfaction of you begging him.

confusedisitme · 28/05/2013 13:05

I did agree to just sex, at one point.

He said he can't do that as it doesn't fit with who he is and wouldn't have any respect for either of us.

He just also said (I haven't replied since the last text I posted) that he's worried that if we're not talking about exes or hangups then we don't have anything to talk about. He doesn't know if the 'excitement' he feels is just physical attraction of wanting to have sex for me, or something more and then that he can't cope with seeing me as all he wants to do is go to bed with me, but he can't do that as it's not who he is.

I sort of get his logic and do believe him, but either way not going for it.

OP posts:
lissieloo · 28/05/2013 13:12

Oh ffs, you are trying to spin this as a tortured love story. Like wuthering heights. Well, heathcliff was a psychopath and kathy was a narcissist. Real relationships aren't like that. They are built on mutual trust, respect and affection. He's telling you want you want to hear, in the meantime you are behaving like a lovesick puppy. Fgs woman, get some respect, cut all ties and for your kids sake, get some help.

ArtexMonkey · 28/05/2013 13:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pinkyredrose · 28/05/2013 13:20

OP what do you mean either way not going for it

Are you going to continually contact this man until he agrees to see you just to shut you up?

MorrisZapp · 28/05/2013 13:22

Every text you send is a peice of your dignity you'll never get back.

ArtexMonkey · 28/05/2013 13:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BOF · 28/05/2013 13:37

I'm finding this all increasingly sad and confusing- it's heartbreaking to watch you pour all this energy into some whackjob when you've got a small baby you should be enjoying (I have not been 'stalking' your posts, btw, but I am familiar with your usual persona). Heck, never mind 'enjoying', how about PROTECTING? The whole timeline of this suggests that the mild mannered janitor was actually sleazing all over you when you were either heavily pregnant or newly-postnatal. It's creepy. And aren't you an enthusiastic co-sleeper? I hope you're not being as irresponsible about your children's welfare as it is coming across. How on earth you find the time for all this drama, I have no idea. It is actually making me sad to think about it.

confusedisitme · 28/05/2013 13:43

BOF I think you have me confused with someone else.

My youngest is 2 in July. I met this janny guy just last October/November.

OP posts:
BOF · 28/05/2013 13:50

I really hope that I do have you confused with someone else, and I won't out you, but I have to conclude that you are the poster I'm thinking of from threads that you have linked yourself, and remembering you talking about the baby when you outed your own namechange on an oldies thread. I'm very concerned about you, actually.

confusedisitme · 28/05/2013 14:02

My youngest is 2 in July, trust me...I know when my own children were born!

If you can remember the username of the person you think I am, can you pm it to me?

OP posts:
Wowserz129 · 28/05/2013 14:02

Confused you have been given really good advice. You seem to take no notice of any advice people give you. Normally I would say that's an OP's right to not listen but you really need to wake up and to listen. A lot of your posts are just worrying as you seem to have no grasp of boundaries and respect for you or your children.

MagicHouse · 28/05/2013 14:07

Run! And don't look back!

MagicHouse · 28/05/2013 14:08

Sorry - don't mean to sound flippant - but you don't need all this grief at the beginning (or any time) of your relationship. Get out, and find someone uncomplicated and loving.

confusedisitme · 28/05/2013 14:10

I've said a few times today that I'm not continuing with this guy.

What more can I say?!

I was also just saying that I don't think he's after just sex or he'd have done it, he may be saying things just t shut me up but if that's the case and I've also got such a nutty rep at the school...surely he could just be brutal and if I started anything (which I wouldn't!) then everyone would believe him when he said I'm just some crazy working her way through the men of the school?

Repeatedly saying he likes me a lot and wants to keep in touch to see if his feelings are more than just attraction, IMO, is spineless, silly and actually quite cruel behaviour...and doing him no favours surely! If he wants rid of me why not just say?

And yes I've deleted his number etc now.

OP posts:
TheSilveryPussycat · 28/05/2013 14:11

Go for the sex, OP, it might sort a whole lot of stuff out.

TheSilveryPussycat · 28/05/2013 14:11

x-post!

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