Emotionally unavailable or just emotionally guarded?

[Louise000000]

I'm reading alot online about emotionally unavailable men blowing hot and cold, saying they don't want a relationship, shagging around etc keen one min then away the next...
I think my man is def emotionally unavailable or if not definitely guarded, he is very loyal, he has said he wants me to meet his family and he is keen to meet mine. He wants to meet my kids and has said hes worried if they like him etc so I know he sees me as somewhat of his future ifkwim
He also wants to text every day, says he likes hearing from me every day.
However, he admits himself that talking about his feelings is not something that comes easily for him.
We have been seeing each other 6 months now.
I am happy with no commitment for now as I'm out of a marriage last year and I'm loving my independence just now. I'm no where near ready to think about the possibility of living with another man for example, I've had my kids so there's not that need looming either.
So is this emotional unavailability just not being able to express your feelings?
Does anyone have any experience with this? I can understand if the man is being nasty and unkind with it then that's damaging for the woman's mental health (or vice versa it is the woman who is the emotionally unavailable one)
But my guy is kind and caring, he's just lacking the emotional side

I think he is guarded but it's very early days so you are probadly more full on. Are you meeting during lockdown or just calls? What is his relationship history? That will also give you a clue

It is more important that he shows how he handles negative emotions so just see how he reacts to your boundaries and when you say No to him.

Some really great points here thanks. Yes I've made it very clear I'm not commiting to a relationship, I don't want anything more than his company for now.
I think I just got a bit carried away with my own overly affectionate way of expressing how I like him!
Im actually kicking myself now for trying to label him with EU as he has been so articulate in how his childhood made him guarded etc. And he can talk in depth and say what he thinks about things.
I was just looking for him to make more of a fuss of me, but maybe that's my issue!!
Love self reflexion in lockdown

Met for walks when poss and will have some Al fresco dinner later.
So his relationship history is only one serious living with someone relationship which lasted 18 months!!
He's 39
Weird? Warning sign?
I am actually happy with the seeing each other thing after 6 months. Never felt so free since I left my marriage, don't want to feel tied down for a long time now!

OP it sounds to me as if he’s a fairly average if slightly emotionally repressed person who doesn’t find talking about their emotions easy.

I would say you are probably fairly unusual in the degree to which you want te vocalise how you are feeling - many people struggle with that. I don’t think this means he’s emotionally unavailable but I do think it’s legitimate to ask if you are compatible long term.

On only having had one live in relationship I think that’s fine: quite a positive point if anything. I think people move in waaaaaay too quickly and vastly over prioritise cohabitating.