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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

Dating a widower

129 replies

clpsmum · 29/06/2019 08:43

Been dating a widower for just over a year. Today is the anniversary of his wife's passing and I'm struggling as I don't know how to act with him. I struggle with anxiety and this is making me anxious however I realise that today is about him and he needs my support I just don't know what to do to support him. Any advice?

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clpsmum · 06/07/2019 20:03

@Innersmellbow what lovely advice thank you. I really do need to work on myself. I shall try my hardest. Happiness comes from within I guess

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Thymeout · 06/07/2019 21:08

What happened with the father of your dc? Did he leave you, or vv?

I agree with pps that you may not be cut out for this sort of relationship. Your reaction to 'being dumped' for a better offer from 'a family member' who in another post turns out to be his dd (from his first marriage?) isn't really fair to him, especially when he invited you to come as well. That's not being dumped and he could hardly turn down his dd, who must have known his late wife, on the anniversary of her death.

You've only been with him for a year. It's stiil early days for you two, compared with his previous partners. You don't live together and you have baggage of your own, with dc from a former DP, which gets in the way of your new relationship. You can't put him first, either, for understandable reasons, but from his pov he might be pacing himself, holding back a little from making you his absolutely number one priority, because you can't do that for him. He has a lot of other people in his life whose feelings he has to consider as well as yours. It's not surprising that you don't feel as if you're on the same page as him.

It's really up to you, whether the good times are good enough to make it worth going with the flow and overlooking small things that he is bound to do or say without any intention of hurting or belittling you.

I can see that the fact that his former wife Is no longer alive adds an extra complication. But I'm wondering if she were still here, with dcs leading to a step situation, blended family issues, would that also be a struggle for you?

You may have taken on more than you can cope with, or it could be a chance to learn and grow as a person. Only you can tell.

clpsmum · 06/07/2019 21:17

@Thymeout thank you for your advice I really appreciate it and it makes a lot of sense.

I realise I was being unreasonable about his daughter. Im not the most secure person at the best of times and he is very emotionally unavailable. I think you've hit the nail on the head and I have bitten off more than I can chew tbh. I am cooking it for now and sure it will die a natural death

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Mystraightenersarebroken · 06/07/2019 21:23

Im not the most secure person at the best of times and he is very emotionally unavailable

This sounds unhealthy. Sounds like you have an anxious attachment style and he an avoidant one (Goggle it) - this is a recipe for disaster and him being a widower magnifies it even more.

clpsmum · 06/07/2019 21:34

@Mystraightenersarebroken yep you're probably right and this is why I'm letting it peter out Smile

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Innersmellbow · 06/07/2019 21:39

If you have unresolved difficulties with attachment usually our subconscious somehow works to only make those who are actually unable to attach [for whatever reason of their own] attractive to us.

We are replicating the pattern of us having people that are unreliable around us because that was the normal of our childhood.

Until we work with ourselves and find security within ourselves we'll just go on and on repeating the same pattern.

Fortunately there are plenty of resources out there if we decide we want to end this cycle. Read 'If it hurts, it isn't love'. Maybe take a look at The Freedom Programme. 'From stress to stillness' is also good - the first 3/4 of it is excellent - the end not so.

It doesn't sound like you are feeling safe and happy and wanted in this relationship - life is too short to spend it worrying about whether he likes/loves you enough or not. It's heartbreaking.

clpsmum · 07/07/2019 10:59

@Innersmellbow thank
You for your advice. I will go online and look at resources youve suggested. Think I definitely have a lot of work to do on myself. Really sad I had hoped that it could work but it clearly isn't so best just let it fizzle out before it goes any further

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Ladylouanne · 07/07/2019 19:36

OP, I’ve just read this whole thread and a lot of it resonates with me. I’ve been dating a widower for 4 years and during this time have felt much of what you have.

There are two things I’d suggest. Firstly, google ‘love compass’ and work out your attachment style. It sounds like you may be somewhere on the anxious attachment range (like me) and this can result in you almost looking for reasons to undermine the relationship you actually want. It’s a sort of ‘I might as well destroy it myself before he does and I get hurt’ sort of thing.

Next, I agree with the poster up thread who suggest reading some of Abel Keogh’s stuff. I didn’t like a lot of it tbh, but he did a very good piece on boundaries - meaning your boundaries and being clear about what you expect from someone you are dating. Just because someone is a widower doesn’t give them the right to ride roughshod over your feelings.

I’ve also found anniversary FB posts hard to deal with and they have only ever really been photographs. Had a read what you did, i’d also have felt very hurt, and I’d this is one of your boundaries then tell him.

I’d give the relationship a chance but being clearer on your terms!

clpsmum · 07/07/2019 20:13

@Ladylouanne thank you so much for your post. I am definitely on the anxious side and you're right try and undermine the relationship. There has been a few occasions lately when he's hurt my feelings and I tried to talk to him yesterday but it wasn't really successful. He just kept saying sorry he's hurt my feelings and he didn't want to hurt me but didn't actually let me tell him why I was hurt! I've just sent him a long text message telling him exactly what hurt me. I don't know how he will respond because he can be quite emotionally unavailable but I had to get it off my chest because it's just making me Insecure and miserable. I really don't want to end it because he's wonderful but listened to what you and others have said and realise I need to know my own self worth too. I can't be in a relationship where I can't say if I'm upset! I guess his reaction will determine what happens from here 😬

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clpsmum · 07/07/2019 20:14

@Ladylouanne how are things for you know if you don't mind me asking? Do you ever feel like you're second beat and could never replace her?

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Ladylouanne · 07/07/2019 21:58

Hi OP. Things are great now. I’d definitely say our relationship has been quite slow in developing (compared to some on mumsnet anyway!). We live about an hour apart and our jobs mean there is little prospect of living together for some time to come. We’re late 40s/early 50s though so there isn’t a rush - we’re not planning any kids!

I’d say I generally don’t have any ‘second best’ type feelings now. There have been a few things i’ve Had to gently push on eg encouraging him to clear some of his late wife’s things from the house, but I think that was more because he just didn’t see stuff like that, rather than an emotional attachment.

I think the main thing that helped me was when I understood my attachment style. I’m actually widowed myself but have a very different experience, having experienced emotional abuse when married. When I understood some of the reasons behind my insecurities, it was easier to be clear with him about what I needed from the relationship. I can’t lie and say i’ve Always done this rationally - there was one isolated Facebook post I had a complete meltdown over - but I feel much more comfortable now.

SunshineCake · 19/07/2019 16:07

@clpsmum - how are you doing? This is the first time I've seen your thread.

clpsmum · 21/07/2019 16:25

@SunshineCake how lovely of
You to ask thank you. Things plodding along. We both have issues and baggage to be honest, it's not the greatest situation. We had a bit of a talk and things seem to be a bit better now. Realise I sounded self centred and spoilt in my post and really didn't mean til was very anxious and upset at the time

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SunshineCake · 21/07/2019 17:13

Keep communicating and things will become clear.

clpsmum · 24/07/2019 19:28

Don't actually know why I'm clogging a dead horse tbh. Today has made me realise he is definitely not ready and I need to end it today. I asked him how he felt about a week away in the sunshine next year. He doesn't want to because the last time he went abroad was with his wife. He's going abroad next year with friends but that's "different" you've all been right, he's not that into me and clearly not ready. Sorry it has take. Me so long to realise. Thank you all for your advice, support and sometimes brutal honesty! All of it appreciated x

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clpsmum · 24/07/2019 19:29

@SunshineCake thank you things are much clearer now!

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Ginger1982 · 24/07/2019 19:41

@clpsmum sorry to hear this but perhaps it's for the best. My DM was widowed young and has never dated anyone else because, in her words, she had the best. That's her right, of course. What wouldn't be right would have been for her to date someone else and still say that.

I doubt I could have dated a widower. You can't compete with a ghost because they are seemingly perfect. I think you have to be very secure in yourself to be able to allow them to have their memories and it sounds like that's not you nor me!

I hope you find someone of 'your own' soon Thanks

clpsmum · 24/07/2019 20:51

@Ginger1982 no don't think I'm a secure person lol! I understand he's got memories and would never want to take them away from him. Would also like to make some if our own though and bit fed up of my feelings not being taken into account tbh. I know I sound selfish and spoilt and maybe I am but don't want to always have to go on holidays with friends!

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clpsmum · 24/07/2019 20:52

Ps between him and my ex I think I'm off men for life!!!!!!

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Ginger1982 · 24/07/2019 21:19

It's not selfish and spoilt to want that, but it's a lot harder with widowed/divorced men than it is with someone who has no baggage.

Ladylouanne · 24/07/2019 21:51

@clpsmum i’m Sorry that things haven’t worked out. You are absolutely not being selfish and spoilt, it’s perfectly reasonable to want to creat your own memories for you as a couple and plan things for the future.

I’ve said it before, but just being a widow/er does not give you the right to behave like an insensitive arse. There are standards of behaviour that we have a right to expect from everyone, widowers included

clpsmum · 24/07/2019 21:56

@Ladylouanne thank you I'm feeling so down. We had a big talk last week and things seemed to looking up and then this today. He says he wants it to go back to how it was but that means me accepting all his decisions without question. Felt so stupid today when I suggested holiday and he said no

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Ladylouanne · 24/07/2019 22:08

I’m not surprised! His response was really poor I think, what a bizarre thing to say, especially after being widowed for 4 years.

Only you can decide if you think it’s worth carrying on, but you need to decide how long you’re prepared to wait for things to improve I think.

clpsmum · 24/07/2019 22:20

@Ladylouanne I know and I'm so confused. I really care about him and don't want to lose him but then also don't want to be a complete doormat! I find it such an odd response and told him so. We've been away together for weekends numerous times just not abroad. And I'm assuming that most things we do together he's already done with her so don't really understand how this is different m. And I asked him how he'd feel about a week in the sun In theory! It's not like I wanted to book something right now I was just throwing the idea out there. So confused

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Ginger1982 · 24/07/2019 22:29

Ditch him. Seriously.

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