Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

When you know deep down...

6 replies

Needadviceandfast · 28/11/2013 17:28

...that you and your partner aren't right for each other, but don't actually 'want' to split up - what on earth do you do?

I love my boyfriend but we have had so many ups and downs over the years and the bottom line is that most of the time I'm just not happy. I wish we could make it work but I don't think we can. I'm scared of what happens next and how this will affect the children (they aren't his, but he has lived with us for 2 years and been much more of a dad to them than their biological dad ever has).

I guess I'm just wondering if it's ever normal to feel so torn and not know what to do when you feel a relationship has probably come to an end.
Sad

OP posts:
CogitoErgoSometimes · 28/11/2013 17:34

If the main obstacle is the fear of not knowing what happens post split then the solution will be to get information and support. The main things most people are worried about are the children... and they could still see him if things remained amicable.... finances, accommodation. Have you confided in anyone IRL that you're thinking of ending it?

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 28/11/2013 18:17

I am sorry you find yourself in a state of limbo OP, fwiw I think it's widespread where there's no issue forcing the pace, ie involvement of a 3rd party, control issues.

Does he have family close by? Perhaps he could move back in with his parent(s), and you stay in the house with your DCs to minimise disruption? If you are close to his family you might still meet up occasionally and take your DCs along like an extended family. That's not going to be feasible long-term though if either one of you meets someone else.

Do you have a supportive family? Are you worried about being isolated, coping alone? Are you currently working?

If they were his DCs I'd suggest he could put them in bed every other night, maybe go on the odd day trip together, attend Parents' Evenings etc, discuss all childcare issues. As he isn't their bio father I feel you need some distance for a while so that you can move on. It could take a while to both reach that point but once you did then there is no reason why you could not have an amicable friendship.

Bluntly if either of you meets someone else soon, it won't be so much of an issue.

Ultimately you know your relationship with any partner will be your DCs' future model of how a relationship ought to be.

It's a scary step admitting things aren't working but how much sadder to stick together and 'make do' for fear of what the alternative is. So many people talk of their ex meeting someone new and settling down very quickly, the 're-bound' relationship often apparently thriving for years afterwards to general amazement. Isn't it more likely that the first relationship had really burned out, and it took a total break and a fresh start elsewhere to overcome that limbo phase?

Charcoalbriquettes · 28/11/2013 19:39

How old are you? Can you start thinking about your life, and decide some personal development goals for the next year, 2 years, 5 years etc? This might help you to see what status this relationship has in your life in a context of developing instead of stagnating.

Needadviceandfast · 28/11/2013 20:14

Thanks for the replies. I've spoken to a couple of friends and they are understanding and supportive. He doesn't have family close by - it's my house so I really don't know where he would go. I am working.... Almost full time so with 3 kids I'm so busy and tired all the time and scared of how I'll manage by myself. I'm 32 and very aware that I don't want to be in an unfulfilling relationship for the rest of my days (already got one failed marriage behind me). My family all live miles away and whilst I have local friends, I don't have a strong support network (no babysitters etc).

Aargh. Is this a case of the grass being greener on the other side? I just don't know.

OP posts:
something2say · 28/11/2013 20:40

Need advice I've been there twice. No kids tho but living together and all the rest of it. Once those doubts are there, they stay, in my view. the sooner the better re ending it. Why not take time to grieve and cry, work out what you'll do and then do it. I think our hearts often speak to us and it doesn't always bear scrutiny of logic, but feels right. I have learnt to listen to that voice and act on it, if not its a case of how long will I waste and what will I lose in the meantime xx you have my sympathies as I hate that feeling, but the sooner you accept it and work from there, the better. There's an old saying that goes "if its a bad job, it's best to make an end of it as soon as possible." It think it applies here xxx all the best x

Needadviceandfast · 28/11/2013 22:42

Thanks something.... I've got a lot of thinking to do Sad

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread