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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

3rd time the fact that I have a ds has been too much to for a partner/boyfriend to move forward

30 replies

dingdangdoo · 10/08/2013 15:22

Please excuse me if I sound like I'm throwing one big pity party as I'm absolutely floored by recent break up yesterday. So I have a ds 9 and he is my world and my priority.
10 months ago I started to see a younger man (26) I'm thirty, kept it separate from my son until I was sure he was the kind of guy I saw a future with and made sure I didn't rush into things. Things were amazing he was and still is a kind, caring, fun, ambitious and thoughtful guy. We fell In love never argued, giggled all the time, he introduced me to his family friends said he'd never been happier.
The thing is doubt crept into his mind about the progression of the relationship... He isn't hugely experience in relationships so ours must have seemed a big jump although we were very happy it must have been intense to have your 2nd relationship....1st mature one be so complicated.
Long and short of it is last night after previous discussions he decided the fear of the next step with me because I had a child was too much, i'm very much a live in the moment and do what make you happy person, he thinks and worries about the future and can focuse on things that haven't happened with a negative spin. This has happened everytime I meet someone I like or even love it's starting to make me cold and the last thing I want is to be so hurt that I develop an icy heart! ha
I'm floored by this I think because everything was so good with us, we didn't argue when breaking up both cried lots and now I just feel whoever the person is this happens. I feel a little hopeless at the mo unable to eat etc and worried about telling my son eventually. I'm devastated and left wondering what I'm doing wrong here for this to keep happening?!!
I don't have a supportive family and just have a handful of close friends some of who have kids and I don't want to wang on to them about this.
how do I pick myself up and keep trying???

OP posts:
dingdangdoo · 10/08/2013 15:24

excuse me if this doesn't read very well I've had 2 hours sleep Smile

OP posts:
Mum2Fergus · 10/08/2013 15:35

Sorry you're suffering OP. 3rd time in how long? Did he (or the others? specifically say it was because of DS?

dingdangdoo · 10/08/2013 15:50

He said it scared him that he wanted our next step to be moving in together and was worried about the little doubts, the doubts being what if we move in together and he finds it too much playing father figure i'd never pressured him in the slightest about anything like this he just thinks about the future a whole lot, he said that he had found it a struggle to bond with ds. he did always seem like he was unsure what to say or do and would sometimes not understand why my ds would sometime be a little jealous and felt uncomfortable when we were hugging and my ds came over for a hug from me too.
past two other were over 7 year span one wanted to travel and not settle down (guess I picked wrong) and other never wanted to grow up on one hand and wanted a family on the other ( lucky escape) Wink

OP posts:
MexicanHat · 10/08/2013 15:54

I'm not surprised you're floored OP. Presumably he knew you had a DS when you got together? He's sounds pretty immature to me and if he loved you he wouldn't be ending things because you have a child.

You sound like a wonderful, caring Mum and of course your son is your priority and if a man can't accept that then he's just not worth it. Sorry that you're hurting OP but I just can't see how this relationship can be saved. Give you self some time. Oh and by the way, you're doing nothing wrong - it's not you it's them. Flowers

dingdangdoo · 10/08/2013 16:08

Thanks, I see that it's not enough or right if he lets doubt about us slip in, guess I'm finding it hard because he was just honest that he had doubts and was scared that is ok but he gave me insecurities with those doubts and breaking up shows that his love was conditional and I guess and he just couldn't get used to My family set up. Took him blinkin' long enough to figure out ha! We were always caring and honest and respectful and mature. Not something many of the men in my relationships have been like!

OP posts:
dingdangdoo · 10/08/2013 16:54

Oh and he knew from the start I had a son, perhaps it was something to do with the fact I don't harp on about little un' when I meet a guy I talk about me and don't like to 'just be mum' I want my personality and interests to come across first then secondly they can find out I'm a mum after we've chatted a while.

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YoniBottsBumgina · 10/08/2013 17:21

It is really hard and makes it complicated doesn't it?

I definitely found the moving in or not decision to be complex. It's nothing like moving in with somebody before children, before children it's a fun time, casual sort of thing, figuring out if you get on or not, fighting over wallpaper, you can be fairly independent but you get to share a bed every night. What's not to like?

When you already have children it's a totally different ballgame - it means that your new partner is becoming a permanent fixture in DC's life, potentially causing upset for both if you were to split up, it means they have to take on the step-parent role which can be tricky, it's a huge level of commitment much closer to marriage than what we would normally think of as moving in together.

I would say that after 10 months it is far too soon to be thinking about moving in anyway - was it his idea that he was wanting to move in with you (but then scared because of the massive commitment moving in really is) or was it yours? I think the sort of in-between step in this situation is for you to start spending more time together as you, him and DC - days out, just hanging out at his house or your house, holidays together, then moving to spending more time at each others' houses as a sort of trial run (only really works if he has a spare bedroom for DC) and then if all of this is going well and it starts to feel silly living in separate houses then you would look to move in together. But it's absolutely paramount that he has a good relationship with DC as well as with you and this needs to be built up before moving in to minimise the difficulties which might come from introducing a "new parent figure" into the household.

I agree it's nice for dates with a new man to be about being you and not about being "mum" all the time, but to go from a totally adult relationship to being one with kids involved is quite a change in you and the dynamic of the relationship - it's hard enough when you have a baby as a joint decision, to have this as something that isn't part of the relationship (even if you vaguely know it is there) and then suddenly is very much there and present must be really difficult as well to adjust to - so I think as well as enjoying the time away from DC it's important to talk about DC to any potential new relationship fairly early on to make it clear that they are a big part of your life and if the relationship becomes serious then it's important to you that they like and show interest in your DC too. I don't think I would be able to date someone for long who wasn't curious and interested in my DC, even if I didn't let them meet them until later on, because to me it is so important that they realise the relationship isn't just about me.

It might be worth talking to your bloke and hashing this out and seeing if he's interested in taking it more slowly rather than rushing to the moving in part just yet, or whether he really is freaked out by the idea of being involved in a child's life in any way at the moment and perhaps he really isn't ready for that phase of life yet (in which case it's a shame he didn't say this earlier!)

YoniBottsBumgina · 10/08/2013 17:29

It is natural for the relationship to feel awkward and take a while to build between a new partner and the child, and if the child sees their father regularly too then he will never replace "dad" in the child's eyes, he shouldn't expect to. But from spending more time together he will find it becomes easier to relate to him, especially if they spend some time one on one (essential for you to feel you can trust him to care for your child alone before you move him in IMO).

If he is expecting you to be able to have a more traditional relationship progression ie moving in where it is all casual and fun and easy and a testing out period, then he is wrong, really. But that doesn't mean that your relationship can't develop in a less traditional manner. You'd have to speak to him though.

DanceParty · 10/08/2013 17:48

So I have a ds 9 and he is my world and my priority.

Although rightly so, perhaps your partners realise they will always be 2nd best and a lot of men really don't take kindly to that.

Numberlock · 10/08/2013 17:50

Could you not just enjoy a relationship as a separate thing without living together? Then you have the best of all worlds.

Chandras · 11/08/2013 06:36

There are some men who are not yet ready to settle down, you can't do much about that. whether you have children or not is irrelevant. I don't think you can do much about that relationship, and I don't think the breakup can be blamed on having a child, perhaps things started to get serious and he got cold feet.

My advice, date men who are already parents, they know what to expect and can be more patient with children.

And take the relationship as slowly as you can.

My son is also my priority but I'm not blind to the fact that he is hard work at times, demanding at others and adorable at some points. It is much about overlooking the situation to give everyone the attention/space they need so things can run smoothly. (And don't let either, partner or child, be unkind to each other. Respect going in both directions is the key).

dingdangdoo · 11/08/2013 08:42

YoniBottsBumgina I think you hit the nail with your post. Yes it was him that in his head was thinking give it 18 months or so and then he'd want to move in together and follow the progression that childless relationships tend to, like you said. He thinks you can just plan your life and to hit certain personal points of it in a particular order, me who has lived a little and had more relationship experience thinks just be happy at the point you are in, live your life do what feels right when it feels right with regards to relationships and I definitely didn't really want to approach the conversation about where we'd be in 18 months before we'd even got there. I would take baby steps with moving in together because of the big upheaval and change it would be for everyone, I think he just plans too much and has a negative attitude without giving something a chance (this perhaps?!), it must have been a niggling feeling that as much as he was wrapped up in the relationship and how nice it was that he wanted it how he planned it in his head... date, move in, marry & have kids. He was trying with my ds and my ds is a good kid, not really hard work moans occasionally, has got a little jealous of him. nothing out of the ordinary for any normal little un' we did do things together as well as separately but I guess I sometimes had the feeling that he was trying but not used to little un' as he doesn't have much experience with kids. He did say he didn't feel like they would bond because of ds age, but had he really put enough effort in given he was the adult!? I'm not sure, Ds although sometimes a little jealous at times really likes him!
Maybe it's just his lack of experience in relationships lets alone ones that involve a little person too. I do think this was he first real mature relationship.
I had a good cry and went out yesterday with my best friend who bless her stayed here till late to help me make sure I wasn't obvs upset in front of the ds and fed me cake and brought me flowers Smile .

He's coming by later to drop off my things, kinda wondering if I should see him or if it will set me back to square one and I'll be in floods of tears??!
Is it worth talking over the situation if it's a constant fear in his head? I'm not sure myself if the suggestion of taking it slowly as I have suggested before is enough. Maybe it's just not an already made family he wants no matter how much he says he loves me. Torn because I don't want to not have tried hard enough and talked if it's worth saving it but in the same breath he has to also and I do not want to seem like I'm trying to persuade him!

OP posts:
kalidanger · 11/08/2013 09:05

I guess you really have to leave it and let him go, however much it upsets you. He has demonstrated, in a civilised way, that he's not the right fit for your family and persuading him he's wrong won't work, or will force it all and delay the inevitable Thanks

My boring advice is to date someone more your age who has DC already Smile

dingdangdoo · 11/08/2013 09:06

Numberlock, yes I was happy to do that there was no pressure at all from me to do anything quickly, he just has plans in his head I guess.

Chandras He wasn't being pressured to settle or anything remotely like that, he knew I had ds from the start, we were quite simply dating and enjoying spending time together, wherever it was at, until he started to think too much about the future too soon and see it negatively rather than let thing happen naturally and see what happens, which certainly didn't do much for my self-esteem! I do love this guy though, he is a stable and calming influence on me and brings out the best of me. Blush
In regards to dating men with children, I'm not sure there are all that many that meet what I'm looking for that have kids already and are single! If there are they don't tend to speak to me, would I not be looking for a needle in a haystack Hmm ? Are they all hiding somewhere ?! Wink

OP posts:
kalidanger · 11/08/2013 09:11

Or, age doesn't matter do much. He could have had DC at same age you did and have a 6yo.

You sound lovely, your friend sounds like the good cake-providing bf every woman should have and it doesn't sound like you're making bad decisions, more that they're just turning out wrong. Take a break if you suspect you're 'doing it wrong' or if not just plan better Wink Probably feels weird but I guess the situation demands it.

RinseAndRepeat · 11/08/2013 09:21

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ThreeTomatoes · 11/08/2013 09:40

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dingdangdoo · 11/08/2013 10:21

I don't expect anything from him I am hugely independent and am very much wanting to take it at a pace that is slow and doesn't make him feel pressured, as i understand that it must be bloody scary, it's this picture in his head of how it's supposed to be, he forgets how great things are and focuses on the order it's meant to happen in. I feel lucky that the relationship is/was so well matched in all areas aside from this (I know it's a biggy) , but in my head can be dealt with if there is enough love there to want to.
He is coming by later with things, I'm going to give him the option to chat only briefly as to not get too emotional, if it's too big and after his bit of thinking space and he thinks that and the us side of it isn't enough to make him want to give it a try it's closure for me. The best friend is my rock and my family, she's an utter superstar I'm very lucky to have someone like her there when I'm an emotional mess ha! Thanks for all being completely honest and kind with your opinions and we'll see what happens later. xx

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ThreeTomatoes · 11/08/2013 10:30

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YoniBottsBumgina · 11/08/2013 10:42

Well when I met DP I was only his 3rd or 4th relationship and his first relationship longer than 3 months Shock which was a bit nerve wracking but he was fine, although we did move in together too soon - he subsequently moved out again and we are now engaged and due to move back in together in 3 weeks or so. We've been together nearly 3 years.

I think you'll know in yourself if this is a misunderstanding/cross purposes or whether it's something that you can't overcome. Don't ever settle! There will be someone else who fits all of those good points but has the bumpy part smoothed over as well. If not, then it's just too much hassle in the long run and you won't be happy.

dingdangdoo · 11/08/2013 11:26

Threetomatoes :) His friend in the city we live in are all also probably far from talking of children etc although a couple of them are buying houses together and some getting married. They are at the drinks after work in the city stage in their lives and I think it's a bigger deal when he's around them and when we/he visit friends from his home town who have kids and lots are already married it's not so big a deal. Hmmm.

You seem like you've kinda been there and views on it are similar to mine :)

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dingdangdoo · 11/08/2013 11:31

Yonibottbumgina I think you're right thanks, and this little chat later will get it straight in my head, it's the thought of dating and finding someone as compatible and easy going that's off putting and I've done my fair share of dating Blush. Especially by thirty it becomes a different game.

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ThreeTomatoes · 11/08/2013 12:00

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YoniBottsBumgina · 11/08/2013 12:09

YY I did recognise the name TT Grin

TeddyPickleStick · 11/08/2013 12:09

I feel for you but I think you can make changes for the future here.

I have two children - youngest is 6. I've been with my OH for 18 months. We have taken this slower than slow! Because my eldest is of an age where she can babysit, I've gone out and had this relationship outside of my house in the main. I didn't introduce him to the kids until almost a year. I would stay at his every other weekend for two nights while my kids were with their dad and its only in recent months that he's started spending a night here on the weekend that I have the kids.

We all went on a family holiday in June for a week - it was fine, no problems. We have a family holiday booked for october next year. he now collects my eldest from a club in the week and takes my youngest on the golf course with him every month or so.

My point is ... It's been slow. We have no plans to move in together for at least another 18 months but are committed to a future and speak of all the stuff we will do in years to come . Why not consider something similar next time? A relationship where you don't live together within the first five minutes is just as valid as one where you do.

I think in your case, this guy is young and possibly too young for the responsibility that comes with a child. It's nothing you could have prevented

Next time - make no plans to move in or move things on. If its right , things will evolve at a natural pace

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