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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

Newly dating after years single. Finding the world of messaging really confusing. Impartial opinions needed please.

20 replies

Pepperpotts66 · 29/09/2017 17:23

Ok really some dating advice and an impartial view on a situation I've found myself in.

Recently started dating again after a loooooong time single. I feel like everything has changed and I'm really out of touch. I know I'm probably going to come across as a really overbearing over thinker but it's been years since I dated and I've never done the whole text/whatsapp/messaging thing before with dating.

Met this guy online and had an instant connection via messaging each other. We met in person and found that we got on brilliantly and have gone on to have several great dates. He admitted straight away that he's been diagnosed as being Aspergers and that he can be hard to read and sometimes gives off the wrong signals. He then went onto say that he can act uninterested when he's actually very interested.

Things were going really great so we agreed to introduce him to my kids this Monday as I'm a single mum it's hard for me to get out much. He came over for a play session which lead to dinner and then he felt happy staying the night. That night we slept together for the first time. We both have pretty major confidence issues so it was very gentle and tentative and I personally felt it was very special.

Next day (Tuesday) he stayed for breakfast and played with the kids more. I was encouraged by the fact he didn't get up early and run away! :-D

Later that day he messaged me saying he hoped to see me again soon and I replied saying that I'd like to see him too. He then later sent another message totally independently saying "I really did enjoy last night". I was busy on the school run so couldn't reply so he then sent "I hope I haven't put you off. I know I can be hard to read sometimes and can give off the wrong signals" I replied explaining I'd been on the school and said he hadn't put me off at all.

All sounds great right?!

Then we get to Wednesday..... He messages first thing saying he's feeling unwell. There's a significant drop in his messages. But he does send me a photo. I'm thinking it's ok he's probably just feeling awful and doesn't feel like messaging. I send a picture back. There's a brief bit of flirty banter. We arrange to meet on Saturday and then he disappears for the night.

Thursday there are no messages from him first thing in the morning, very unlike him. I decide to let him be, I don't want to message incase he's sleeping etc. Poor bloke is ill after all. By midday he's messaged "Morning xxx" and then "Still feel rubbish. How's things with you? Xxx" I reply and get no response all day. Fair enough. He's ill. But deep down I feel a bit rejected. It's such a reduction in messaging and the whole tone is different.

Today Friday I wake up to message from him first thing. Yippee I think! We're back on track. I reply and he replies after 3hrs. At this point I decide to ask if he still wants to meet up Saturday because I have a rare night off from the kids and if he's going to cancel I want to make other plans, obviously I don't say this to him. I just ask him if he still wants to meet up. At this point he replies saying he's still feeling awful and doesn't think he will make it but hopefully he'll be well enough to meet up. I'm a bit upset as I'm desperate to see him and I feel really disappointed. I decide not to reply straight away and take a bit of time to clear my head so I don't come across in the wrong way. Anyway he sends another message a while later saying "what are you up to?" I don't want to be rude so I reply saying I'm about to go for a run. There's a brief bit of banter and now he's disappeared again.

I think this drop in messaging is only bothering me because it's right after we slept together for the first time. My rational brain says he's ill and probably not up for messaging but my scared, anxious side thinks he's gone off me.

My arguments for "he's still into me" are:

The things he said on Wednesday about how he really did enjoy last night and he hoped he hadn't put me off.

The fact that he always messages first.

The fact that if I don't reply he will send another message

The fact he's admitted he can come across in the wrong way and give off the wrong signals

My arguments for he's gone off me:

He's messaging less.

Looks like he's probably going to cancel our date

Am I just being silly about the whole thing? He's still interested right? Or am I reading it all wrong?

Sorry I know I'm being an idiot but so new to all this and don't want to look silly.

OP posts:
Happinesssssss · 29/09/2017 17:27

Sorry but it sounds like he is messing you around.

Happinesssssss · 29/09/2017 17:28

You don't say how long you have been together but I wouldn't have thought the 'play session' was a good idea.

userxx · 29/09/2017 17:30

How long have you been seeing him?

Offred · 29/09/2017 17:49

I think I'd put this on yellow card mentally...

On the one hand he's ill, he has Aspergers so isn't necessarily good at communicating, but he knows this, he sounds like he has been lovely.

On the other it sounds like he's flaked out, not really been clear about it and you are ruminating anxiously and insecure.

It sounds a bit intense too.

Probably I'd make other plans and say to him 'ok, I know you are ill and seeing you would be my preference but I don't often get time without the kids so I don't want to approach it with a 'see if you are better by then' thing! I'm gonna make plans with my friends on Saturday but I am looking forward to the next time I see you'

And then I'd see if he flakes again.

yetmorecrap · 29/09/2017 17:57

If I was single I would be useless as I would find all this messaging a bit much, other stuff to do like work etc!! Personally I prefer old school, make a date and stick to it and an odd text a day until you were maybe a bit further down the line datewise, I would be rubbish I know! I find it all a bit needy/intense these days

Offred · 29/09/2017 17:57

I think I'd do that for two reasons - to be clear with him about how you are feeling about him re Saturday and to stop yourself ruminating anxiously by giving you something to do that isn't him.

Pepperpotts66 · 29/09/2017 17:57

We've been seeing each other just over a month. He's always been regular and consistent.

The "play session" was a meeting in the park with my children which is what was recommended to me but my son's counsellor. DS1 has severe separation anxiety following DS2 having a serious illness.

DS2's health means I can't easily leave him with a sitter. Me and the guy I'm dating agreed we wanted to see each other more but could only do that if we involved the kids.

OP posts:
user1490465531 · 29/09/2017 17:58

I've had this before and found out he was seeing someone else so wasn't as invested anymore but wanted to keep me on the back burner just in case.
Normally our gut instinct is right. Sorry OP but think you should stop earring about him and get back out there to find someone who won't waste your time.

user1490465531 · 29/09/2017 17:59

meant worrying lol

Pepperpotts66 · 29/09/2017 17:59

I've already made a plan B for tomorrow night, not missing out on a rare night to myself without DS1 and DS2. Grin

OP posts:
Pepperpotts66 · 29/09/2017 18:01

I don't think he's seeing anyone else. He's told his family about me. He also sent me a WhatsApp screen shot earlier and it was just my name and then his friends on the list. He was showing me something a friend had said.

OP posts:
Offred · 29/09/2017 18:03

I think you need to tell him though. Vaguely saying 'I'll see if I'm better' to someone who has kids and is childfree that night is not good enough.

If he is on the spectrum he might not realise that though (even though he should have!).

So I think you do need to communicate something to him that makes it clear you are wanting to continue but that he can't be vague about your childfree time.

Oakleygirl · 29/09/2017 18:35

Gawd, I feel for you OP. In the same boat myself although quite a bit older than you I imagine. My youngest is 17 so no childcare issues, but I've spent the two months we've been together stressing about frequency/content/lack of messaging! It has always turned out ok in the endfor me so far, then I feel silly for being so insecure about things. Hope it improves for you in time.

Offred · 29/09/2017 18:38

Oakley - I'd say in your situation (two months of insecurity) either he isn't giving you what you need or your head's not in a good place for dating TBH.

Oakleygirl · 29/09/2017 18:50

Offred - I think it's my head that's not in a good place, I'm currently trying to get my head "together" - may take a while though Smile

PhoebeBuff · 29/09/2017 19:29

Do nothing different to what you have been.. he sounds fine to me so don't end up with a self fulfilling prophecy of changing your tone 'in case' he's changing his - which I don't think he is.. review after a week!

AdalindSchade · 29/09/2017 19:33

Sorry but you really shouldn’t introduce a man to your kids after a month. It’s just a really bad idea.

Shayelle · 29/09/2017 19:54

He might really be ill? Give it a week and see.

splendidisolation · 29/09/2017 20:01

Its possible as he has Aspergers he may have read a few articles about "dating women" and has taken on some "keep her guessing/play it cool" advice.

Because hes an Aspie, you can afford to be quite open with him and expect an open reply.

MsP0b · 29/09/2017 20:09

Texting is a minefield for misunderstandings, mixed messages etc etc and that’s before you add Aspergers into the mix!

Try to relax and see how the next few days play out.

Maybe he’s a crap texter but lovely in person? Some people aren’t good on the phone.

In a couple of weeks you’ll realise which way this will go. Try not to overanalyse x

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