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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

He doesn't 'do love'! What does that mean?

170 replies

Welshcakesareyum · 23/02/2018 15:37

Been seeing a guy for about 3.5 months and up until last night, never made me 2nd guess how he feels about me. Its like the effort is wearing off. It seems all about sex. Maybe thats normal to begin woth? We were chatting about families and he has mentioned meeting his 3 children. I feel like it's a bit soon but thought I'd mention him meeting mine also in time. He pulled a face, like turned his nose up and said taking 5 kids out though. I thought that was a little strange as if we are eventually going to meet each others kids, yes we have 5 between us. Then we were discussing his kids step dad (who he has never met and quite bitter about), saying I'd rather him not be in their lives. I said, wouldn't you rather them be loved by more people. He said...you can't love other people's kids. I was pretty shocked because, I had an awful experience with my step dad and have always thought (hoped) I'd meet someone that would love my kids too.
He also mentioned he doesn't do love.

OP posts:
pallisers · 23/02/2018 15:39

He is not that into you. I'd move on and not waste any more time.

Contesse · 23/02/2018 15:39

Oh just get rid of him. He sounds like drama with a side order of nasty.

Perendinate · 23/02/2018 15:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Angelf1sh · 23/02/2018 15:41

Does it matter what he means? It’s clearly not going anywhere. He’s shown little to know interest in meeting your kids, told you that he’ll never love them, will probably never love you and is being weirdly possessive about his ex having a new relationship despite the fact that he’s in a new relationship and suggesting you meet his kids. He sounds like a dick. I’d move on if I were you.

OutyMcOutface · 23/02/2018 15:41

It means that he is a man child. Run.

Angelf1sh · 23/02/2018 15:41

*little to no.

AdaColeman · 23/02/2018 15:42

When they tell you who they really are, listen to them.

Aquamarine1029 · 23/02/2018 15:44

Run for the fucking hills. Do you need a billboard to show you what kind of man he really is? He is telling you himself, so I hope you are wise enough to listen.

letsdolunch321 · 23/02/2018 15:45

We have 7 kids & 5 grandkids between us, partners who love each other & see a long term relationship will do anything to be a happy unit.

What a load of old crap your dp is talking.

ALittleBitConfused1 · 23/02/2018 15:47

Yeah I agree with prev posters. I think it's hard to love a child like you love your own. Iwith step children its not less it's just different, but that's not what he's saying.
He isn't emotionally available op so if you want a relationship you need to look elsewhere

AttilaTheMeerkat · 23/02/2018 15:47

When someone tells you who they are, you would do well to listen.

You do not need all this after only 3.5 months, its too much angst and drama already with nasty to boot. Chuck this one back immediately into the dating pool, why would you be at all with someone who does not do love?.

Why are your boundaries so low here, I would further strengthen those.

Welshcakesareyum · 23/02/2018 15:51

Can I just say. Up until last night O had no reason to question anything. He has been lovely. We talk about our children but obviously hadn't mentioned meeting each others until last night. Never mentioned love etc as it wasn't really appropriate.
I am a little in shock....

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 23/02/2018 15:52

It means he doesn't want a serious relationship, just sex.

Grunkle · 23/02/2018 15:55

It takes a long time for folk to show their true colours OP. He is just now starting to show his.

You didn't do anything wrong / miss any red flags - it's just that this is the time that the first red flags often start to gently wave in the distance.

He is very clearly telling you who he is. He's letting his guard down a little now - he expects you to accept anything he says, he's no longer on his best behavior.

Listen to him when he tells you what he is like.
Don't try to tell yourself you're ok with it. You aren't. You shouldn't be. You know what your children would be in for if you kept this up.

Ryder63 · 23/02/2018 15:55

Its like the effort is wearing off. It seems all about sex

This! he seems to feel he's done enough "wooing" you, and is showing you what he's really about. Regular sex with no further effort required.

WizardOfToss · 23/02/2018 15:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NotSoSprightly · 23/02/2018 15:58

He sounds like drama with a side order of nasty.

Perfectly put!

Just RUN RUN RUN OP. This man sounds like an emotionally stunted looney tune.

"I don't do love" is the type of thing a 15 year old boy would say to sound cool.

FWIW, my ex was PERFECT and I mean PERFECT for the first three months. Then his real colours started to show (abusing his animals, screaming at me etc.)

Just RUN!

Aprilshowerswontbelong · 23/02/2018 15:59

He gave you enough waffle to keep you shagging him. He is not who you may think at all. Get rid.

gamerchick · 23/02/2018 15:59

Well it sounds as if you have a choice. Just enjoy the sex and companionship for a while but don’t progress the relationship any further. That means no meeting any kids on either side.

Or cut your loses now and throw this one back.

midnightmisssuki · 23/02/2018 15:59

Run - and fast. He's unfortunately not that into you and probably is using you for sex. Sorry. Sad

actuallyithinkitdoes · 23/02/2018 16:01

It means: he is a twat

lubeybooby · 23/02/2018 16:01

Doesn't matter what he's been like before - he's just told you what he's about plain and simple

dingdongdigeridoo · 23/02/2018 16:09

I wouldn't sink any more time into this relationship. He's done you a favour by showing this side of him. I think you're better off moving on.

Welshcakesareyum · 23/02/2018 16:10

So disappointing! For the first time in 7 years I have felt like a mutual attraction. He has been the one suggesting lovely things to do, complimenting me. There has not been one red flag until now. Last night felt different and I knew i couldn't ignore it so posted here. I feel so disappointed :(

OP posts:
FizzyGreenWater · 23/02/2018 16:12

No no no - dickwad. Trying hard up til now to hide it, but the mask is slipping!

Hating his kids' stepdad is a big red flag. As is all the rest. Move on now!