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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

Dumped out of the blue

279 replies

BE2BN2BE · 11/11/2018 13:08

Hi all, pretty much what it says. Friday night all was fine I get a message at 9.30 saying he loved me then one at 9.34 saying he doesn’t think he can move to where I live anymore (50 miles away) and then one two minutes later saying he doesn’t think he can raise someone else’s child. We’ve been together for 16 months. He’s in London I’m in Brighton, we met on tinder. I’d been single for 9 months after splitting from my EH in October 2016. My DS was 2 1/2 when we met. I’ve never asked or assumed he would parent him. He was wonderful when we first met, sent me flowers at work, complimented me and made me feel like I was worthy of love again, he told me he loved me after 6 weeks and we made plans for him to move here, that eventually we’d have another child. He wanted to start his own business (he’s currently working for a company as a dog walker) he said he didn’t want to do it forever. I can’t tell you how happy he made me. We’d have amazing weekends in London, he eventually met my DS and threw himself into all the fun bits of parenting eg theme parks, zoos etc. Then around April he turns around and tells me he’s decided he doesn’t want anymore kids and when I try to talk to him about it he turns his phone off for 17 hours. I was distraught. We spoke and he wouldn’t budge. I thought maybe I could learn to accept not having more kids if I was so happy with him. Since then things have not quite ever been the same. He was very slowly withdrawing which sent me over the top, i would send gushing messages about how much he means to me to him just to be replied with ‘you say the best things’ I was desperate for him to say it back. He spoke to me a few months ago that he was finding the idea of moving difficult we spoke about how it wouldn’t be for a while and we would deal with the problems one by one together. On Wednesday morning he messaged me to say I was the love of his life, he then started saying he wasn’t sure about me and DS coming to his parents Boxing Day because he ‘didn’t know what was going on’ all seemed fine and then boom. We had an argument in September where he just disappeared and went camping in Wales for the weekend (even though we had a hotel booked) after he text me that ‘he loved me only a life I seek is a quiet one just doing my own things by myself’ he then blocked me on whatsapp. I’ve not heard anything for 48 hours. Who dumps someone over text in their mid 30’s? We’ve got holidays booked next year, we literally last Sunday bought Merlin passes.
I feel worthless and stupid and so so so humiliated. I don’t know what to do. Please don’t tell me what a needy mess I am.

OP posts:
SuperSuperSuper · 11/11/2018 13:26

You're not "a needy mess"! You're a person who thought herself in a serious relationship that was for keeps. Nothing unusual or "needy" about that.

It might have become serious a bit quickly, which could have led to him feeling trapped, as if he were on a ride he couldn't get off? That's the thing that jumped out at me, the time line.

Anyat212 · 11/11/2018 13:30

Hi @BE2BN2BE

I don’t have any advice but didn’t want to read & bail! I’m sending hugs & please remember nobody is ever worthless or stupid. He sounds like he’s lost a thoughtful, strong lady who he clearly doesn’t deserve in the first place. I hope you receive the answers & closure you need 💜

P.s you are not needy!

Bunnyfuller · 11/11/2018 13:30

Sounds a lucky escape, he doesn’t seem to deal with things in an adult way - disappears, phone off etc. You’re not needy, just an adult. He sounds like a child who enjoys theme parks, but not so much the boring stuff.

CandyCreeper · 11/11/2018 13:34

doesnt sound out of the blue im afraid. its very clearly been building for a while.

MMmomDD · 11/11/2018 14:00

It’s not out of the blue. It’s been coming - I think you just didn’t want to see it.

You’ll be fine!!! It’ll take a bit of time and then you’ll move on.

Notacluewhatthisis · 11/11/2018 14:16

It's not out of the blue. Read it back .

You want different things, he doesn't want to move for you. It wouldn't have worked.

He may love you. But also know the situation isn't what he wants and he has been communicating that.

I am so sorry you are hurting. But I bet, in time, you will be glad this has happened.

southpacificgoat · 11/11/2018 14:22

I have to agree with PP that it does not sound out of the blue. He has clearly been wobbly for a while and probably hoped you'd dump him. He sounds very immature and if he is already in his 30's that is not likely to change. It is horrible to go through what you have to endure at the moment and you certainly don't deserve it. Don't feel stupid, worthless or humiliated. Whatever you do, dont take him back, you will not be able to have a healthy relationship with this man. Be strong and kind to yourself and you will get through this and out the other side before you know it. Flowers and hugs

BE2BN2BE · 11/11/2018 14:29

I just can’t belive he’s cut all contact. This is a man that was texting me 30/40 times a day, who was telling me how much he loved me. All I can think of are the good times, when he was wonderful. I feel so utterly broken. I’m due to have a spinal procedure tomorrow which has been making me feel anxious, maybe I was just too much?

OP posts:
CandyCreeper · 11/11/2018 15:07

loads of women recommend to go NC after a break up, maybe thats what he is doing.

bigchris · 11/11/2018 15:12

Oh this is so sad
It's very hard to make long distance relationships work and he does sound very immature

Singlenotsingle · 11/11/2018 15:15

What a shame! You picked a dud. He was fool's gold, not the genuine article. Chuck it back!

midsomermurderess · 11/11/2018 15:18

It doesn't sound like this happened suddenly at all. He has clearly been signally since April that he has had doubts about the whole relationship. Sorry for your pain though.

SleepWarrior · 11/11/2018 15:27

Oh gosh, I can see how terribly painful it is for you Flowers

BUT you could easily have got further into the relationship (baby, marriage, moving) before he ducked out, and it is a bloody good thing that you didn't. He would have continued the childish disappearing and phone off whenever he felt under pressure because that's obviously just what he does/how he copes. It's an awful thing to inflict on a partner though, and it wouldn't have stopped. It never does.

I think you will look back on this with huge relief in the not too distant future. It was a lucky escape from a man who would have had you second guessing yourself and walking on eggshells forever, and you and your child deserve so much more.

Good luck for the procedure on your back. Look after yourself and just let him go. Don't get sucked back in if he feels lonely and contacts you which he may well do. He probably did/does love you, he's just one of those people who is never quite sure what he really wants. They are never good people to pair up with.

It will be OK FlowersCakeWine

IfNotNowThenWooOoOoo · 11/11/2018 15:35

Fuck it I'm going to say it. He is a dog walker in his 30s. He isnt grown up, and he probably never will be.
Lucky escape.
I am sorry and I know you feel bereft, but honestly it will pass and you will meet someone who wants the same things.
Next time, listen to what they are really saying to you, and don't ever chase. Although you didn't chase him away-he was never staying.
Good luck with the surgery. Flowers

croprotationinthe13thcentury · 11/11/2018 15:39

Sounds like a loser to me. Well rid.

Lifeisabeach09 · 11/11/2018 15:44

You are not broken. This man does not have that power to do that.

This is some guy you had a long-distance relationship for 16 months. During that time, you've been treated badly by him. Stop looking at him through rose-tinted glasses and recognise what a selfish, immature fucker he is.

He is likely to be back in contact. I suggest you stay no contact and get back OLD for some distraction and fun.

Issy777 · 11/11/2018 15:51

People are so harsh on here calling him a loser because of his job?!? What the hell... a dog walker and what's wrong with that? Least he had a job and actually a dog walker is on the list for most 'attractive jobs for men' because it shows they have a caring nature. I personally love men who love dogs
Least he had a job

On the way he's treated you though op is horrible. From what you've described, it seems like he was put off by kids quite awhile back? Maybe decided kids weren't for him which inevitably withdrawn himself from the relationship as he knows you come with a dc.
It's such a sad situation. How long has he stopped contact with you?

bigchris · 11/11/2018 15:53

Issy that was one poster !

BE2BN2BE · 11/11/2018 16:05

It’s been 49 hours since I heard from him. I honestly just don’t know how you cut contact with someone like that? I still can’t believe he blocked me on whatsapp as well! Makes me feel like he assumes I’m going to go metal and obsessively message him (I do have a little bit of dignity left!). It makes me wonder how I could have meant anything to him if he’s so willing just to cut all contact. I feel like I’ve been duped. I feel like I’m owed an explanation.

OP posts:
MinorRSole · 11/11/2018 16:07

I'm sorry op, I know this is hard right now. Fwiw there's nothing there to suggest he doesn't actually love you, it's just everything that comes with it doesn't fit with what he wants. I know a lot of men like this, they want the fun bits without the daily grind. It doesn't make him a bad person but he needs to learn to be forthright about what he is offering.

You aren't compatible though, you can't be with someone who doesn't want kids when you already have one, it doesn't work.

Take some time to lick your wounds and then move on, there are plenty of men who do want the same as you Thanks

SleepWarrior · 11/11/2018 16:12

He avoids his problems though, he doesn't face them, as evidenced by all his previous shenanigans. This is an extension of that.

I don't think it means he's skipping off into the sunset happy as larry now he's deleted you from his life. It's just his immature way of blocking anything he doesn't feel able to deal with. Distract yourself and focus on other things.

Lovemademedoit · 11/11/2018 16:14

Sorry I know you are upset but he has given you an explanation and he has said similar things about his doubts since April. I do agree though that texting and blocking you on WhatsApp it is a cowardly way to finish with you.

HereIgoagainxx · 11/11/2018 16:18

I'm so sorry, op.

I agree it wasn't out of the blue. Children aren't going everyone and perhaps he felt it unfair to deny you more by staying with you.

The no contact thing is hurtful. You know he cared about you so don't torture yourself with thoughts you meant nothing.

It just didn't work out. That's hard to accept, I know. His reasons for leaving the relationship are legitimate to him.

Get a friend around, cry it out and know you will love again. Xx

HereIgoagainxx · 11/11/2018 16:18

Children aren't* for everyone

CandyCreeper · 11/11/2018 16:24

going nc doesnt mean he doesnt love or care about you. its just easier.