Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

After a bad divorce- can’t tell if I’m not that into new boyfriend or if it’s just my guard being up

1 reply

Qualityo1 · 09/09/2021 21:56

Went through a terrible divorce 2 years ago. My ex husband was having an affair and I knew nothing about it. He broke up with my out of nowhere saying he didn’t love me, we seemed happy, slowly I realised he was cheating.

I have been with my new boyfriend for over a year. He’s lovely. I see him whenever my kids are with my ex. He hasn’t met them yet and I’m not rushing into that.

Sometimes I wonder if I will ever fully enjoy a relationship again- I know I’m guarded. My boyfriend is lovely, kind, caring and understanding. He loves me a lot and I do love him. However I don’t often miss him when I don’t see him, I enjoy the time I have with my kids and alone and don’t feel the need to always fill that with seeing him, is that strange? I remember when I met my husband (15 years ago) we spent every moment together. I guess I’m comparing this new relationship to the start of my marriage (my only relationship to compare it to) and it doesn’t match up. But I also recognise I’m in a much different place in life and can’t be totally fancy free.

I also don’t want to integrate this relationship into my family life. I can’t even see me doing that with anyone, my children are both under 5 and I would never want them to experience loss or rejection again if I am help it. Is that a red flag that I’m not too keen on my new man? I feel like I am but surely then i should want to build a life with him or at least consider it an option on down the line?

He’s very understanding and doesn’t want to rush anything but I just feel like I knew what a ‘great love’ felt like and the behaviours/actions I associated with that and I have no notion to do those things with him. Maybe it is me holding back a bit, or maybe I’m just not that into him.

Sorry I’m rambling

OP posts:
ScaredOfDinosaurs · 09/09/2021 22:20

There's nothing here that screams red flag to me. You have probably explained it yourself - different life stage, plus the impact of divorce etc. It's OK to not want to live in each others pockets.

Since you're sensibly keeping him separate from your family, why not just enjoy it for a while and see what happens?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page