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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

Is he stalling on getting married or just does not want to ever get married...?

105 replies

MissesEG · 01/06/2018 21:27

Right, okay.
Been with OH for three years and relationship has it’s ups and downs. I have Borderline Personality Disorder which can create some of the ‘downs’ for us.
Basically, very early on in relationship we moved in together, and I brought along my 8 yo DS who partner got along famously with.
There were many emotional talks about how wonderful we are as a family and how he can’t wait to give me his last name, have babies of our own etc.
Three years down the line and we’ve had a dreadful conversation whereby I pretty much said I’m ready to try for our first child and he totally shot me down. Not even ‘I’m not ready yet.’ Just flat out ‘no way. Never.’ I’m 34 almost 35 and he is 32.
His ex of 12 years left because she had to trick him into a proposal and he told her for twelve years he didn’t ever want kids. Thinking she could change his mind, she waited until eventually she fell out of love with him. (And in love with someone else!)

Now... the baby thing I wasn’t totally sold on myself anyway. It might’ve been nice, but I have my son. I’m grateful I got to have one child.

But...I’ve inherited some money, about £75000. I offered to pay off our mortgage and obviously have a percentage share of the house in my name. Partner agreed. Now, as we’re about ready to sign forms etc I mentioned the fact I’ve bought a £5500 porch for his house and maybe that should be included in the legal deeds etc. He says ‘it’s not very nice is it, having to say what amounts were putting in, and what percentages etc.’ I said well the other option, a more romantic option maybe, I mentioned about getting married. That way everythings down the middle forever.
OH got annoyed and presumes I’m only saying this because I want 50% which hurt my feelings so much. His parents had an awful divorce and he makes comments about how getting married is all for a woman’s benefit.
It might be that my mental health is not great at the moment but I really worry that at 35 I’m accepting a relationship without marriage and kids. We spoke about both these issues very early on and were both on the fence about a baby, but both said of course we’d love to marry each other. He even said things like ‘you’re going to look amazing in a wedding dress,’ ‘we know we’re going to get married one day, might as well make it soon!’ That was two years ago!
Am I being a fool for thinking he still might propose one day. He always says ‘I’ve never said I Definately DONT want to get married.’ But I remind him at one stage in our early days he was broody and discussing baby names! And now that’s a definite no.

OP posts:
MissyEmRain · 02/06/2018 13:30

No I’m doing my degree with Open University, I wasn’t aware of that grant option?

Limpopobongo · 02/06/2018 14:26

Can i tell you something? Age brings a certain level of wisdom and experience and whilst we cannot undo past mistakes, we can learn from them and we can pass on our wisdom to others.

That is what i shall do for you now OP and best of all, its all free of charge. I doubt you will get a better deal.

DO NOT put any of YOUR omney into buying into someone elses house.

If this relationship is to work on that point alone, he should sell his house and you then buy one together.

If he is not marriage minded, and he has held those views for a long time. That is no problem. No one is obliged to support the concept and institution of marriage. But if thats what you want, i cant see it happening. This and along with his views on having children mean that IMHO, this relationship is stuffed and you should make plans to leave at the earliest opportunity.

At least on your own ,you will be able to direct your own life again.

C0untDucku1a · 02/06/2018 14:29

Pull out. Pull out. Pull out now.

Put the money onto saving account and buy on your own.

Stop paying for things in a house you have no claim on.

C0untDucku1a · 02/06/2018 14:37

Sorry i didnt realise you name changed. Have caught up with all your posts now and omg people are taking advantage of you left, right and centre.

Put the money into something for the long term. Tell people it is invested if you like. But you dont have access to it anymore. You can choose to add ‘so fuck off’ if you like.
When people come money grabbing, my boiler broke. oh dear. That must be difficult. Change subject. My cars broke. Oh dear, public transport must be a little inconvenient. Change subject.

WhatsGoingOnEh · 02/06/2018 14:43

I wouldn't throw £75k away, after the £5.5k you'll never see back.

He doesn't want DC (after saying that he did). One day he'll admit he never wanted marriage either. He's already strung one woman along for 12 years.

You know what to do.

MissyEmRain · 02/06/2018 15:06

I probably do know what to do, logically.
My son loves this man, and so do I. I can’t bear the thought of yet another break up.

MissyEmRain · 02/06/2018 15:08

My self esteem is quite low. The end of my last relationship with my violent ex was so traumatic for me and I managed to shield the majority of that stress from my son as he was quite young at the time thankfully.
This time would be much harder. I am strong enough for it, just about. I guess I keep hoping I won’t have to finish this relationship and that it might improve

category12 · 02/06/2018 15:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

category12 · 02/06/2018 15:14

Sorrry, got mixed up there with another thread.

userabcname · 02/06/2018 15:31

It is not unreasonable to want marriage and babies. It would be a huge deal breaker for me if someone didn't want those things and I did. I think your partner sounds a bit mean and controlling - it's very unfair to lead someone on and then not propose. It also sounds a bit iffy with finances and I would be very wary of putting your money into his house. Putting it into savings for your son or towards your own property is a much better idea imo.

WhatsGoingOnEh · 02/06/2018 16:47

Why not:

  • Decide not to invest all your money in this house;
  • Set yourself a deadline for marriage (say 6 months);
  • Buy a house for you to either live in or rent out.

Then you can and wait (as you already are) but with a contingency plan/safety net in place. "Hope for the best but plan for the worst."

If he's all horrified 🙄 you can just stare st him blankly, look at your empty engagement finger, shrug and carry on.

Men aren't stupid. They know what they want, they know what their partners want, and they are experts in stringing along.

BunnyColvin · 02/06/2018 16:47

If you feel vulnerable, the worry is you'll allow yourself to be sweet-talked into something that won't be for your good. At least ring fence the money and make sure it stays yours. The take stock for a while and see how things go. Take the money off the table completely.

Could you get yourself into a situation where you're not living with him any more, but not split up either? It'll all become clear then.

donajimena · 02/06/2018 17:24

You don't have to break up though. You need to protect yourself financially and you could just tell him your long term plan is to buy yourself a property. To be honest this doesn't sound like its going to go the distance but you don't have to split up.

MissyEmRain · 02/06/2018 18:57

Moving out while I take stock might be a good idea actually

MissyEmRain · 02/06/2018 19:11

We just had a chat and he admitted he’s terrified of a wedding and the commitment of ‘forever,’ with a marriage...

Gemini69 · 02/06/2018 19:45

happy to take the 'money' which pay off his mortgage FOREVER though right OP... Flowers

MissyEmRain · 02/06/2018 20:08

That’s true Sad

Gemini69 · 02/06/2018 20:13

don't Pay off HIS mortgage....

keep you pretty inheritance safely where only you can access it..

think about your own future... he will not give you a penny back should you be forced to leave... Flowers

timeisnotaline · 02/06/2018 21:00

Have you said it’s shitty cowardly greedy behaviour to want to take my inheritance while you are terrified of forever? I’d be making plans to move out.

Biologifemini · 02/06/2018 21:07

Buy your own house and get out now.
Don’t give him any more money.
Organise your money and get out!!!!! Forget about school etc. Just get out.

NotDavidTennant · 02/06/2018 21:56

His parents had an awful divorce and he makes comments about how getting married is all for a woman’s benefit.

I suspect this is the crux of this issue. He has learned some very negative lessons about marriage from his parents and feels he can protect himself from repeating their mistakes by simply avoiding marriage or any lasting commitments.

Gemini69 · 03/06/2018 00:41

I suspect this is the crux of this issue. He has learned some very negative lessons about marriage from his parents and feels he can protect himself from repeating their mistakes by simply avoiding marriage or any lasting commitments.

it's a pity the same crux doesn't prevent him from taking OP's tens of thousands of pounds to pay off HIS mortgage.... funny that Hmm

Flaminglingos · 03/06/2018 09:31

Maybe you should tell him that you're terrified of handing over £75k to a commitment phobe. Seriously, £75k will buy you one or two decent properties up north (depending on location). Buy one for your son and one as an investment with the remainder. With the way properties are becoming impossible to buy for 1st time buyers, secure your son's future now.

MissyEmRain · 03/06/2018 10:29

I’ve looked into property up north. I’m in the south east so property is astronomically priced but it’s a case of the logistics of renting it out and basic costs eg council tax etc when I don’t earn much every month in my job. I will look into this option more and ask advice about it tho

Flaminglingos · 03/06/2018 16:08

Look at the northwest/northern university towns, there'll be no shortage of tenants. Apart from students, universities always have a floating community of visiting academics & staff on short/medium term contracts. They're always looking for decent, affordable accommodation as they're usually tenured for 2-5 years.