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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 want kids and that’s not all...

175 replies

MissyEmRain · 04/11/2018 10:56

Been with partner for three years now living together for two. I have a nine year old son.

First year we were together DP was absolutely wonderful..., great with my son, talked of definitely getting hitched and having babies. I was 31 at the time and not in a major panic for any of those things.

As we enjoy alternate weekends where my son goes to his father, DP starts to suggest a reluctance to have babies ‘yet’ as we’re still getting to know each other and having fun etc. I have a second smear come back as needing treatment so I feel okay in waiting a bit longer anyway.

DP starts hinting that DS living with him wasn’t easy to begin with and he felt my parenting was lapse and I needed to be more hard on him etc let him go out to play by himself.

I have a conversation last year about getting on with babies or getting engaged or whatever and DP is coy about the engagement thing saying he’s not old fashioned and wouldn’t mind being proposed to. I ask him to marry me and he laughs it off and we talk about having a child and that is now a definite NO. Said the thought of it terrifies him and will never want them.

He’s strict with my son which is not necessarily a bad thing in itself as my sons dad is useless and let’s him do whatever he wants

Honestly this man is a good bloke, he wants the best for my son (but can be hard on discipline as he was raised by a tough single mum) he comes from a big family where he had to help with child rearing, so I understand he can’t be bothered with having kids and he’s already lost one long term gf because he didn’t want children and she did.

I’m now 35. I consider him the love of my life, my best friend. He doesn’t really want to do much with my son, but my son doesn’t want to do much with him either so we don’t really have family time. My son is happy, well adjusted and his behaviours much better since we’ve lived with this man. He’s a loving funny kid. I wanted more of a step dad figure but my OH said he simply cannot be the ‘perfect stepdad’ as he finds it too difficult but he does try. I was a step mum for many years too and I understand it’s not easy to begin with.

At 35, I’m struggling with the concept of leaving just to find someone else. I’d be fine single, I’ve done that before as a single parent and I can cope. I also have inheritance money to get my own place. He’s told me if I want to leave and find someone who can play daddy for my son, marry me and have more babies I’d better go. The marriage thing we can’t even discuss anymore as he feels women just try and trap men and he doesn’t know any men who are happily married or happy fathers.

When he talks about the future he discuss ‘his’ house or whatever, as I haven’t got my name on anything, he makes decisions without consulting me and I find it hard to say anything. He then tells me to ‘man up’ and say what I want.

OP posts:
HugoBearsMummy · 04/11/2018 17:56

@MissyEmRain he’s spent the past 5 and half years flitting in and out of meaningless relationships, living on and off at his mums house in his old bedroom!! (He’s 35 btw!!) he’s with someone now & I think she’s moved him in to her council house & they’re ‘engaged’ but she’s in her 40’s and has 3 children already so there’ll be no expectations from her to ‘settle’ as in kids/marriage/buying property so he’s got off Scott free... he’s a loser lol.
Honestly set urself free and find someone who’s on the same page. You only get 1 life xx

MissyEmRain · 04/11/2018 18:17

That sounds like my sons dad tbh :-/

OP posts:
ViserionTheDragon · 04/11/2018 19:26

I'm sorry but it sounds like HE wants to leave this relationship.

Move on and find some stability for you and your DS before it's too late.

Gemini69 · 04/11/2018 19:37

He's a piece of work OP..

Stop focusing on the manipulating bullshit about the disciplining your Son... and listen to what your Son said to you... he does not like this man.. and you acknowledge he doesn't like his Grandad for similar reasons...

so for clarity... Your Son does not like this man....

move on Flowers

kayakingmum · 04/11/2018 19:44

Only you can decide if you think you can be happy to carry on with the status quo, or not.
It is a tough decision, but if you're happy together (except for the marriage and baby thing) that is worth a lot.

Whiskeyjar · 04/11/2018 19:50

I hate to say this but he sounds like he would be off at the drop of a hat if another woman who caught his eye came along

lovetherisingsun · 04/11/2018 19:54

I'm so sorry to say this, but it doesn't sound like he's all that into you....

He could take you or leave you, and isn't actually bothered about carving out a future life with you.

MissyEmRain · 04/11/2018 19:59

I’m so fed up with feeling so down and on eggshells all the time with the two of them and I know it’s only going to get worse

OP posts:
YoumeandlittleP · 05/11/2018 07:39

Op I've read the thread and I'm wondering, have you decided that you are going to leave? You said you felt more in control when looking for a flat to buy, are you going to keep looking?

Mix56 · 05/11/2018 07:42

oh, so the atmosphere is tense & & you tiptoe around to keep the peace & please him....
Run, & do it now

MissyEmRain · 05/11/2018 08:53

Yes I always look at flats it makes me feel better but it’s the convo I dread.

Tried to talk to him last night and tell him how I feel and I just got extremely tearful. If I had friends/familyiwould go and stay with them. He’s my only ‘friend’

I feel sick with dread today and so tired of this shit

OP posts:
SlipperyNettle · 05/11/2018 08:58

He’s told me if I want to leave and find someone who can play daddy for my son, marry me and have more babies I’d better go.

Damnnnnn

When a man says this to you, you need desperately to have the self respect to leave!

You proposed and he laughed it off?

Every day you spend with him is a day of your life wasted. Do whatever it takes to leave. ASAP.

altiara · 05/11/2018 09:37

I’d be really worried about what you’d do if he decides it’s over. Personally I’d want done security for my son never mind thoughts of having another baby. He lured you in but clearly doesn’t want to marry you or let you have any claim to his property.
Sounds like he’s waiting for you to leave now he’s come clean about kids, marriage etc.

hellsbellsmelons · 05/11/2018 09:39

He says I’m just giving into my biological urges
I'm not sure what is wrong with this though?
That's why we have them.
Get an exit plan in place asap.
He's no good at all for your DS and no use to you either.
Time to ditch.
The sooner the better.

Gabilan · 05/11/2018 09:42

He’s my only ‘friend’

But as you're realising, he's not really a friend. You can get out of this OP. It won't be easy but it will be worth it. I've moved around quite a bit as an adult - totally different areas of the country and having to start afresh. I realise that is different from your situation but I mention it because it is possible to pick up in a new area and make new friends. And it will be better for you and better for your DS. This man is not giving you what you want. He's not really giving you anything - he's just making your miserable.

saltandvinegarcrisps1 · 05/11/2018 09:48

Leave asap. If he's like this with a 9 year old, I dread to think what he'll be like with a teenager when the going really gets tough (usually)!!

MissyEmRain · 05/11/2018 10:31

I feel so emotionally trapped and like I don’t know what the first step should be. I’ve been thru break ups before but this is different.

OP posts:
MissyEmRain · 05/11/2018 10:35

I’ve just about managed to get DS off to school this morning but I’m struggling to cope today. Really tearful and have gone back to bed as I just don’t want to face anything

OP posts:
Mix56 · 05/11/2018 10:58

well get your tablet in bed & open Google
& type in "Flat for Sale" X area.......
kick start this now

ittakes2 · 05/11/2018 11:49

How heart breaking for your son to be living with an adult who does not love and cherish him - sees him more as a border. Is that what you want for your son?

saltandvinegarcrisps1 · 05/11/2018 11:54

@Missy - i undersrand how you feel. My H of 20plus years left me for OW just under 4 months ago. The pain and fear from splitting has been horrific and I've really struggled.... BUT...... I'm getting there slowly and staying together to try and avoid the pain is understandable but not in your or your DC longer term interests.

Miggeldy · 05/11/2018 11:54

You're choosing a horrible man over your kid.
Some women will do anything for a pair of trousers.
Please don't be that person.

Sandbox · 05/11/2018 12:09

If it’s the convo you dread just pack a bag, get your son and go. Sorry to sound harsh but I’m pretty sure the (hopefully) soon to be ex wouldn’t mind or even notice.
Then have the conversation over FaceTime or something.
Yes it will be hard but you have to do it for your child. It hurts. But it does get better I promise.

MissyEmRain · 05/11/2018 12:17

I understand what you’re saying but I have nowhere to go at the moment and I’m not in a violent situation

OP posts:
Trinity66 · 05/11/2018 12:21

The marriage thing we can’t even discuss anymore as he feels women just try and trap men and he doesn’t know any men who are happily married or happy fathers.

he sounds extremely sexist

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