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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

been together 3 years not proposed

181 replies

user1486305061 · 25/02/2018 07:19

Hi, I posted on here just over a year ago. We had a child who's (14 months soon) I posted a few months after he was born saying my partner won't marry me he doesn't see the point waste of money etc, whilst i'm traditional and do want to marry. I was born in the 80s so I'm entitled to still feel like marriage is important to me it was a big part of my time growing up as a child, Family security and honesty is important to me. I realise things are different now times have changed but as I wasn't born or growing up in today's times surely i'm entitled to keep my beliefs? what is so wrong with wanting what you've always wanted? he's a bit older than me, I've returned to work and make good money. But i'm still feeling a loss that the marriage thing will never happen. All I understand is that after saying "well marry if you want to" a year has passed and it's still never happened, it's never come in in conversation it did yesterday by me but again it hasn't been able to be discussed without an argument. Am I being silly thinking things will change or should I realise after making my feelings clear that another year has gone by and he's no further towards it? any help would be appreciated. My previous post from a year ago is copied below:

previous post:
i this is the first time i've posted on here and not really sure how to get my feelings across but hope someone may have some advice.

i was with my partner of over a year when we found out i was pregnant. I was completely over joyed and although my partner thought it was too soon we were already living together and said we loved each other and talked about everything so I thought although it's soon it's not like it would have happened eventually. He said he would be there and we'd move forward together as a family ect. However he had a hard time coming to terms with it and whilst i was pregnant every time something exciting happened - i got heartburn, he kicked for the first time or we went for a 3D scan i felt like i just couldn't share that as he (my partner) was still on a downer. so all these excited and wonderful emoutions i had i quickly learned to shut down and turn them off quickly. Fast forward to after the birth and i now feel the same even though my partner is a fantastic dad i feel quick to stop the emoution and feel unable to plan ahead e.g. christening and family holidays because he never wanted it. which he's said many times throughout pregnancy. Another thing which came up is marriage - whilst i'm from a traditional family and have always loved the romantic idea of meeting someone falling in love and getting married - he sees all the negatives:
the money and societal pressures ect. we don't need a to get married to show we're committed ect. But i now feel a little bit lost like i'm in a relationship with a child but it's not going anywhere and why because of money? i don't think money is a good enough excuse for me. and all this relationship worry it's getting on my nerves when i should just be focusing on our gorgeous baby not getting upset but i feel a bit like we have this family built on absououtely no foundation, i should mention here i live in his house and although i do have a well paid job i'm currently on maternity so i'm feeling very beholdednt to him and his wishes for the future. I just can't seem to accept the fact that i'm never going to have an engagement story to tell or wear a ring or even a wedding ring i'll never be able to run home to my mum and tell her all the amazing details of the proposal. it just feels a bit like i've settled and given up on a dream. i do love him and shouldn't that be enough? but then if he loved me he'd do anything to keep me? it's so confusing - i've been lied to in relationships in the past and i just don't want to hang around for something that's never gunna happen. I am independent and can drive and everything else and whilst i realise you don't need a man to be complete it's more about common goals for me like i thought we would be moving forwards towards someday getting married anyway but we just happened to get pregnant first. after a lot of arguing he said "well i've conceded to you if you wanna do it and the time is right and we're still together i'll do it." But again i don't want someone to do something just because i want it, i want to work towards a future that we both want together. i didn't exactly have a straight forward birth and this is my first so i know my emoutions will be all over the place now but any advice would be appreciated. many thanks

OP posts:
blackberryfairy · 25/02/2018 10:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lkjem · 25/02/2018 10:01

I think you must be feeling completely manipulated by him and it is coming to a head now as yet again he is pressuring you to do something you don't want to and as per usual brushing aside your wishes.
He clearly lies to get his way. Put my name down as his surname because we will be married. So you do. After which he changes his mind about getting married.
Now he wants a bigger house and you don't without that committment.
Pressure is on again and you're justifiably upset.
I would remind him that he said you'd be getting married when he wanted your child's name as his and you agreed. Then he changed his mind. Now he wants a bigger house. If he needs your money too for this to happen ask
him if he expects you to capitulate again whilst ignoring your wishes?
I'd leave rather than be controlled like that. Don't be a mug again.

blueskypink · 25/02/2018 10:01

My DH wasn't keen to get married either op. He'd had a very brief failed marriage and didn't see the need for another 'bit of paper'. We were living together and decided we wanted to have children and would get married at some point. I got pregnant straight away and wanted the security of marriage but DH was in no hurry. . I did point out - as a fact not as blackmail - that no way on god's earth would my child have a different surname to me. That seemed to get things moving and we're about to celebrate our silver wedding.

fobiddenfruitcrumble · 25/02/2018 10:02

DP didn't want to get married and I did. He was definitely committed to to me and our DS but dead set against the idea of a wedding. He said the same things, that it was just a piece of paper etc. I set out the benefits for me, legal protection etc. and so he offered to go to a lawyer and get those same rights set down for me. Then I said, yes, but it would be cheaper and nicer to get married, round it went. We had a couple of massive rows about it and then he said ok, fgs, we can get married. So I booked a register office and organised a wedding. He loved the day and loves being married.

By the way, putting space change in a pot for your ring? The man's a genius!

user1486305061 · 25/02/2018 10:03

I think springdaff has hit the nail on the head really.

he does have all the benefits without having to commit fully. And everyone else who has said:
I'm giving him too much. you are also right.

I think i felt that way but just needed to hear it from others because I don't want to be made to feel like i'm being hasty or just ending things because "no big wedding" it's a lot deeper than that. So i've been trying to weigh everything up.
all the while not wanting to be the one that constantly compromises.
I think moving out as someone suggested would be a smarter idea. like you say i can't wait around and hope for the best. I'll save my own deposit if things change between now and then great but if not i need to move on.

OP posts:
NoWittyNamesAvailable · 25/02/2018 10:04

Sorry OP. It's been 3 years. If he was going to propose he'd have done it by now

Not always true. I was with DH 4 years before he proposed, he went from never wanting to be married to anyone ever, saying he could see it in his future. We had a serious talk after the birth of our second son, marriage was important to me but not a deal breaker. He told me it would happen and it would only ever be me. Another year passed and he proposed, we got married a year later. People had suggested i propse to him but i knew that even though we hadn't done things the traditional way he would want to be the one to do the asking. I would suggest having a talk and asking if its a 'never going to happen' or 'it will happen not just yet'. If its a deal breaker for you then you need to let him know that.

Viviennemary · 25/02/2018 10:05

A pot to save for your ring. How cheeky is that. Tell him to stuff his ring and move on. If you have a good job buy your own property. You don't need him.

user1486305061 · 25/02/2018 10:07

i know the spare change in a pot thing is difficult because if i day that will take ages to save up for i run the risk of being accused of wanting a bit expensive ring!

and if i accept he pot again he busy his time i cant win

OP posts:
user1486305061 · 25/02/2018 10:08

sorry if i accept the pot of change gesture i realise it's a way to bide time

OP posts:
TheVastMajority · 25/02/2018 10:09

He doesnt want to be married because he has everything he needs. Sorry.

I guess if there was the threat of you selling the house and you moving on with your son, possibly having another man raise his child, he might accept that he cannot have his cake and eat it. But he'll hate you forever.

Set a timescale - say May 1st 2018. Make it clear to him that this is the end date. ANd then leave on that date, put the house on the market and walk away. He needs you more than you need him.

Stop letting yourself be second best, not quite good enough to marry. If its not good enough for you, then DONT SETTLE FOR IT.

user1486305061 · 25/02/2018 10:10

i read somewhere you can change your child's surname by deed poll, does anyone know anything about this?

OP posts:
category12 · 25/02/2018 10:12

So 6 months ago he told you just enough of what you wanted to keep you hanging on. And nothing changed.

category12 · 25/02/2018 10:12

You'd need his agreement to change the baby's name by deed poll now.

user1486305061 · 25/02/2018 10:13

the only thing that changed is he's saving money in a pot
and he reiterated that he said we will get married. I did say to him that for my own sake i'll have to set a time in the future that if it hasn't happened by then that we'd need to decide there and then to walk away. but he says: that manipulative and he can be out on a timeframe

OP posts:
ohfourfoxache · 25/02/2018 10:14

Bloody hell you’ve had a rough time on here Shock

I think you need to set a definitive time frame in your mind. So that you have something to work towards with regards to leaving as much as anything else.

Fwiw from what you’ve said if he does change his mind then it won’t happen without the enormous shock of you leaving. But he does sound incredibly selfish, so I would be shocked if he compromises on this - sorry

user1486305061 · 25/02/2018 10:14

can't be put on a timeframe

OP posts:
eloisesparkle · 25/02/2018 10:15

OP
I'm glad you have seen the light and taken on board the good advice on this thread.
You have compromised so much for this man.
But I think having a baby when he really felt it was too early in the relationship meant he had to compromise too.
Perhaps he wasn't sure if you were 'the One' when you got pregnant and just made the most of the situation he was in i.e. being a good dad.

ohfourfoxache · 25/02/2018 10:16

No, the time frame isn’t manipulative, it’s sensible.

But don’t tell him about it, just keep it in your own mind

user1486305061 · 25/02/2018 10:16

thanks yeah i think that's it i'll save my own money

request his support on the name change

and create a time in the future i feel comfortable with

i do understand people saying i could propose and i'm thinking. about it but then he really had got everything with zero effort

OP posts:
blueskypink · 25/02/2018 10:17

He's the one being manipulative. You just want clarity.

Lkjem · 25/02/2018 10:17

Just read your update. He wants another child.ffs.
Google it as changing the surname can be done online then you send off relevant paper work. As he tricked you into naming your child show some strength and correct this!
You need to regain some self worth and freedom.

user1486305061 · 25/02/2018 10:19

i thought about maybe i'm just not the one for him and he said otherwise i love you ect I said i would marry you

and his is the thing i don't want to force anyone to do anything but i also don't want to been forced in to something i'm maybe not happy with

i think having a bit of my independence back and having a separate propert could clear my mind a little

i'll set a date

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 25/02/2018 10:20

TBH is a man who needs to be dragged against his will into marriage worth even bothering with. Why should you lose your dignity in this way. Sounds like a schoolboy with a Saturday job saving pennies for a ring in a pot. You can do better than this OP.

user1486305061 · 25/02/2018 10:21

separate property

yeah i wasn't comfortable my child not taking my name when i wasn't married so i a going to change it back

because he's on the birth certificate i need his approval

OP posts:
blueskypink · 25/02/2018 10:22

Do you honestly think he'll agree op? Confused

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