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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:
akaWisey · 19/05/2013 18:44

Well you're as slippery as a bar of soap OP.

Now you're only 'seeing each other'. And you'd tell him you want the exact same thing. I'm not sure what that exact same thing would be tbh and nor, I suspect, do you.

QuintessentialOHara · 19/05/2013 18:44

Well in that case, you should most definitely step away. This relationship, and him, seems like too much hard work!

Chubfuddler · 19/05/2013 18:44

Honestly all the energy you're expending on this is completely fruitless.

FreddieMisaGREATshag · 19/05/2013 18:45

You are continuing this why?

You must love the drama and intrigue and shit. I could not be arsed.

Ragwort · 19/05/2013 18:46

He's 58 and he is behaving like this Shock ?

I am in my 50s and the men of the same age that I know who behave like this have lots of different women hanging around - my guess is that he had a relationship with someone for 30 years, he is now single and enjoying shagging around the breathless interest from women who should know a lot better. One of my DH's friends became exactly like this when he divorced his wife - he would be phoning three or four women in succession (in front of us - no shame) - arranging 'dates'.

His sister must be mortified by his behaviour.

akaWisey · 19/05/2013 18:49

You describe yourself as effectively badgering him after an argument. If that's the case and he needs to just get away from you then I can understand why he wants to lighten things up (although I stand by my earlier point about texting as the predominant mode of communication).

However, if you ARE chasing after him after these arguments (which all seem to stem from the question "what are we doing'?) then I think you are being disingenuous about not wanting a relationship in order to fit in with him (and he couldn't be clearer in my view that he does not want a relationship).

scaevola · 19/05/2013 18:50

Read more than the first page of Baggage Reclaim.

And consider downloading her book.

Given what you've said about your game-playing, you are just as emotionally unavailable as he is. I do not see how you two can possibly have an adequate relationship. You might manage to keep seeing each other. But is he really the best you can do?

confusedisitme · 19/05/2013 18:51

I don't think he's seeing other women, I think he's interested in someone else...that's my gut instinct.

BUT I just wonder whether because of all the crap I've been chucking as well (and that's not excusing his behaviour or trying to blame myself, honest it isn't!), he's just trying to work out whether he cares enough to continue. I'm also wondering whether he's 'worth' risking causing even more tension in school - he says if we're together properly then no one can say anything I'm not so sure.

I just don't know whether to give him a week with no contact (or maybe the odd "hi" type text) and then ask at the end of the week if he's made a decision once and for all or is ready to talk - then if he still is undecided or says I'm pressuring him, well then I know for myself 100% don't I.

OP posts:
FreddieMisaGREATshag · 19/05/2013 18:53

And you'll be back on here in a month posting the same stuff again.

Sigh.

Don't you think that you're worth more than this?

QuintessentialOHara · 19/05/2013 18:53

You are not listening at all are you?

Walk away....

confusedisitme · 19/05/2013 18:53

akaWisey - you could be right, there have been times when I've said that I don't want a relationship, we can't work for all these different reasons, we're better off keeping things casual and just basically FWB, and he's either walked out the door saying he can't do that, or he's agreed to it, come upstairs and then not gone near me all night then in the morning said he's not going to be FWB.

So either he does want a relationship, OR he's saying all that cos it sounds good and it's reverse psychology.

OP posts:
akaWisey · 19/05/2013 18:56

I agree with scaevola read more in the baggage reclaim site.

You are making less and less sense. How can you honestly ask yourself whether you should go no contact for a week and then see if he wants you when your gut instinct is that he's interested in someone else???

How the fuck does that make sense to you?

Bin him, bin him, bin him. Don't wait, don't think, don't question any more.

Viviennemary · 19/05/2013 18:58

It makes sense in that this relationship is gong to be more and more and more trouble. I think get out now and save yourself the angst. Because that's what it's going to be. All the signs are there in place.

confusedisitme · 19/05/2013 18:59

I am listening...but I'm doubting your opinion that's all.

I'm just thinking...I know what I've been like, and I know what he's been like. I've tried to keep this short and sweet which is why I've been drip feeding, should have posted it all in one go really.

IMO, he's acting like an arse at the moment - I phoned him earlier after he said he didn't want to talk in person, and he didn't answer - or text back.

However, I know at times, I've wanted to hurt him just for the sake of it (I know...I have issues). I've got him to come round, fallen asleep and woken just as he got here as I said, then not answered the door - but text him as he was driving off to come back, and he did.

There was a time he got all the way home and I spent an hour on the phone to him, telling him that he was meant to be in my bed that night and if he didn't get over here, we were finished for good. Eventually he came over, it was midnight by then.
I then told him it was over anyway :(

Everytime he's stayed over and we've argued, he leaves in the morning and by 7am I'm texting asking him to come over that night to fix it - even if he/we hadn't had any sleep the previous night...usually he comes over, the odd time he's stuck by it and not come over, I've been texting and phoning him saying he doesn't care about me etc.

I have these psycho/clingy tendencies and I'm just thinking that maybe...maybe it all got a bit too much and he's just trying to see if I can calm it down and act 'normal' (for want of a better word) before he commits to seeing me again.

OP posts:
feelingdizzy · 19/05/2013 19:00

I have been in this ridiculous so called relationships. Not any more.Please stop.
Reasons
1.He is just not that into you.
2.He is caring for himself without regard for you.

  1. He is using your insecurity to keep you hanging on.
4.Love is shown in actions not words 5.You are saying to him its o.k you can treat me a bit badly and not only will I accept it I will give you time to consider your next move.
  1. He is a twat.
7.You have 3 kids who need your energy-take care of their mother.
EternalRose · 19/05/2013 19:00

This man has red flags waving all round him. Seriously.

I don't understand why you think he sounds normal? Confused

confusedisitme · 19/05/2013 19:01

I am still reading baggage reclaim.

I'm willing to work on my issues, in fact I have been - he asked me to show him a bit more affection when he's here (instead of sitting the opposite end of the sofa), I did.

But this jack Russell-like behaviour I haven't worked on - so I was just thinking maybe this week is the time to do it?

I'm never good when people say they want space, because I tend to think that they should 'love' me regardless and that the only way they will know if they still care about me, is to spend time with me.

OP posts:
confusedisitme · 19/05/2013 19:04

And also...he suggested just going back to dating, and in his text he put that means not staying over.

Would that not be a good idea?

OP posts:
unapologetic · 19/05/2013 19:13

Why on earth would you let the school caretaker stay over at your house every night in the first week you got together? Sorry, that is seriously weird. Not to mention your poor children - where are they when he keeps calling around/you keep sending him away/you are both arguing/calling/texting? I have never heard anything like it.

Viviennemary · 19/05/2013 19:15

No I don't think any of it would be a good idea. I think you should both stay away from each other till you can behave in a sensible and mature and caring way towards each other. If not it will be a disaster for you both.

BreasticlesNTesticles · 19/05/2013 19:20

You have been together for one month

Going back to dating?!!! You haven't been doing anything but dating. And what's he point in him stopping over of there's no action? From that point of view it doesn't matter one way or the other.

How can you not imagine not having him in your life after one month? That's crazy talk.

It's hard work, you're hard work, he's hard work. I would put money on this going on and off for months.

SgtTJCalhoun · 19/05/2013 19:21

Christ on a bike how long have you been posting about this dreary angst ridden non relationship?

You have been told repeatedly here and on other forums to get a grip.

I actually think you sound as bad as each other. A right pair of Drama Queens. FFS stop making well meaning posters take the time to advise you on this. You don't want advice you just want to obsessively and endlessly discuss this doughnut of a man and to continue wallowing in this unhealthy mess.

I never say this but I feel so sorry for your dc having to witness their mother behaving like a lovesick 14 year old with anyone remotely male who glances in her direction AT THEIR SCHOOL!

mantlepiece · 19/05/2013 19:23

Confused, my feeling is that even if he was the most wonderful man in the world, this relationship will not work because you are still traumatised by your previous abusive relationship.

You really need to make a decision to not get into relationships until you understand and deal with your own emotional well being.

Apart from the fact you yourself are subconsciously sabotaging the relationship because of trust and self esteem issues, you are also subconsciously attracting and being attracted to abusive men.

Really, no matter who said what or who did what... you really need to consider some therapy..maybe the freedom programme. Contact WA and they will be able to point you towards a way forward.

This man is not the way forward, but as I say no man is at the moment. Get yourself sorted out and then you will start to make healthy choices and also behave in a healthy way yourself. Good luck.

Ragwort · 19/05/2013 19:24

I am now feeling that you are enjoying the 'drama' of us all responding to you - I have no longer got the time and energy for this thread.

You are clearly relishing in all this attention.

akaWisey · 19/05/2013 19:24