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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

Is he a douchebag or I screwed up??

106 replies

AstroGirl5 · 29/12/2021 20:31

I need your help please. I think I may have just lost a great guy, and it might be too late. I met this guy online a month and a half ago. We are both in our early 40s, both divorced, both have two kids. His son lives with him. He just finished his divorce, which started a year ago, and is just finishing with property split. We slept together on something like date 7 - so not too early, that was important to me. And he invited me on a romantic trip to Paris for 3 days - where I am now, and he left.

We were talking about this trip for a long time, planning the logistics, he booked a very romantic hotel, we planned where to go together, made a playlist and so on. Before we went on the trip, I told him I had a slight complication - I would have to pick up my son from his father in Germany on the way back. My son was spending Xmas with his dad, but New Years with me, and that was the only way to make it work. So I asked my new guy whether that would be ok with him - he said of course - and then I said that I then needed to introduce my son to him beforehand so that he is not totally surprised when we pick him up together. He said of course, and suggested he comes to my house - where he ended up meeting both my kids, but I introduced him as a friend - and then we went sledging together.

It seemed rushed though and I told him I normally would not have introduced my kids so early on as it's best to get to know each other first, but that was the situation.

Anyway, then when we met in Paris, two days ago, I asked him if he had told anyone he was going here with me. He said he didn't as the whole trip away was a way to see if we work together as a couple. That was upsetting for me to hear, as I did tell my close friends I was going to Paris and that I met a great guy. By this time, we had been dating for a month and a bit. Then in Paris, we actually had an amazing time, laughing, going to a spa, museums, shopping etc. Earlier, he also had invited me to spend New Year's Eve with him, his friends and his brother upon our return. And so today, I asked him about that, who else would be there and just to know what to expect.

He then said he'd introduce me as a friend. I was surprised - and he then asked what I thought about people being friends if a relationship didn't work out. I suddenly sensed something was really off and asked him what he meant - was he talking about us? A serious conversation started - completely out of the blue, we had been laughing and kissing a minute before and spent an amazing half of the day exploring Montmartre. But suddenly, he said that with his divorce just being finalised, with his kids he needs to take care of, and so on he just can't see a relationship. That Paris is nice but we can't just do Paris - we live in Zurich and we both work and have difficult logistical situations. I said that I agreed but that we could try to make it work, without expectations. But he didn't say that he wanted to even try. He asked several times why we were suddenly having this serious conversation and how we got there so early in dating. That made me wonder - yes, it was still early but we had been dating for a month and a half, in contact every single day, and now on a romantic trip where he invited me. I kind of think that it warranted me wondering at least where this was going.

So I don't know if I again did something wrong. I would love to take it slow, without discussing future trips, and just go with the flow. No introductions to kids or even friends for now, just getting to know each other. At the same time, if somehow on this trip he already felt that something was off - I suppose it's not going to work regardless and he's simply not that into me.

What should I do now? Is there any way to still try and remedy this? Should I wait for him to contact me or should I text him and explain that I don't have any expectations, don't want commitment and don't want a relationship right now either - and then with time we just see how it develops? I worry that I may be too late, again.

OP posts:
FabulousMrFifty · 29/12/2021 20:44

I got a bit lost reading this, but personally I would say he feels it’s moving a bit quickly with meeting your children etc, while the ink on his divorce is still wet.
I don’t think you have done anything wrong as such, but try reaching out and saying you want to go more slowly and just see what the response is.

Shedmistress · 29/12/2021 20:46

Do you live in France or the UK? As they changed the rules 10 days ago and non residents can't travel here so if you live in the UK that's amazing that you got round the rules. Well done.

mynameiscalypso · 29/12/2021 20:47

@Shedmistress

Do you live in France or the UK? As they changed the rules 10 days ago and non residents can't travel here so if you live in the UK that's amazing that you got round the rules. Well done.
The OP says where the way both live...
FawnFrenchieMum · 29/12/2021 20:53

I was reading it thinking you had been together 6-12 months so was quite shocked when I got the 6 weeks part!
I think it’s all moving too quickly, he doesn’t want to introduce you to his children and family when he’s barely been divorced a month.

ThirdElephant · 29/12/2021 20:57

Why have you been left behind in Paris? Was that pre-arranged or has he stropped off after the argument?

LIZS · 29/12/2021 21:03

Seems all a bit overhasty and he has changed his mind. Are you ok to get home? Unusual for a child to live with dad in CH though.

ponkydonkey · 29/12/2021 21:03

I think it's too early for him... he's only been apart for a year and I didn't want to jump back into a relationship, and it's just dawned on him?

Personally I'd just leave it all for a bit and concentrate on your life and see what happens. Don't chase or text

Sonaftersonafterson · 29/12/2021 21:14

That's weird. He has got cold feet. You've had to discuss a few serious, real things and introduce him to your kids because of the xmas/new year arrangement with your ex. This probably scared him. It's a lot to take in and although I can see you were not trying to rush things, he seems to think you are. Too much, too heavy, too soon.

That said, highly likely this is not the last you've heard of him.

Toasterandjam · 29/12/2021 21:22

Reading between the lines, he's panicked believing you want more if a commitment at this point than you actually do. Just explain where you're at. Hope it all works out OP. Its not over till its over.

Toasterandjam · 29/12/2021 21:24

Did he just leave you there though? If so, I think I'd leave it a bit to discuss it all.

QuestionNumberOne · 29/12/2021 21:29

I think he sounds like a bit of a jerk. Don’t contact him and say you don’t want a relationship because you do. He has handled it all badly. The part where he says he hasn’t told anyone about the trip because he’s assessing you is particularly crass.

You don’t know this man. But you do know he’s run away. Cut your losses.

LightSpeeds · 29/12/2021 21:40

It sounds like you want some commitment, and he's not that serious about you (yet, if at all).

I wouldn't be happy to be in this situation with someone -- prepare to be disappointed and/or do things on his terms.

Milomonster · 29/12/2021 22:01

Why do you have two threads running? Why not give the full backstory on the first one?

AstroGirl5 · 29/12/2021 22:04

Indeed. I think after a month and a half, hours on the phone, constant texting and several long dates - and now a trip - there should be at least a conversation about some commitment! But yeah, he either got cold feet or simply decided - in Paris, spending hours and days together - that we will not work.

It’s all been rushed. His invite to Paris and to celebrate NY eve with his brother (ie his family) was also way too soon. Exciting - yes, and made me wonder if magically he was ‘the one’ haha. But rationally speaking, I should’ve said no to Paris. And meeting his family. He rushed - and then himself got cold feet.

Anyway, he just texted, apologising for how the trip ended. I replied - saying that if he wanted to rewind to before Paris and just do dating without expectations and heavy stuff, I’d love to do that.

I wonder if he will reply. But I feel that this particular relationship is now over…

OP posts:
rattlemehearties · 29/12/2021 22:09

Also confused despite your long OP - are you now in Paris waiting to meet your son? Or did you boyfriend leave you early?

ThesecondLEM · 29/12/2021 22:15

Block and move on

AstroGirl5 · 29/12/2021 22:15

He left me early. We were supposed to go back together tomorrow via Germany to pick up my soon, all by train. But he got a flight back to Zurich after the argument tonight.

I pretty much fell in my gut that this is really the end of it. He’s clearly just not that into me, and he saw it in Paris - that we simply wouldn’t work…

OP posts:
MadMadMadamMim · 29/12/2021 22:24

We were talking about this trip for a long time, Please! This is a bloke you met online just over a month ago.

I'm pretty horrified that you met this guy 6 weeks ago and were already arranging to detour via Germany with him to pick your son up from his father. It's WAY too early to have introduced him to your children, even as a 'friend'.

Cock is readily available. You barely knew this bloke. The pair of you seem to have built up some fantasy based on chatting for hours on the phone and the reality actually hit him with cold feet. He hasn't even sorted out his finances for his divorce yet and you were trying to present him with another 'ready made' family to play house with!

rattlemehearties · 29/12/2021 22:26

@MadMadMadamMim "Cock is readily available" Grin Grin Grin

ThirdElephant · 29/12/2021 22:29

@AstroGirl5

He left me early. We were supposed to go back together tomorrow via Germany to pick up my soon, all by train. But he got a flight back to Zurich after the argument tonight.

I pretty much fell in my gut that this is really the end of it. He’s clearly just not that into me, and he saw it in Paris - that we simply wouldn’t work…

That's not on, really. If he'd rather run from problems than sort them out he's not long-term relationship material anyway.
Ohyesiam · 29/12/2021 22:32

@MadMadMadamMim

We were talking about this trip for a long time, Please! This is a bloke you met online just over a month ago.

I'm pretty horrified that you met this guy 6 weeks ago and were already arranging to detour via Germany with him to pick your son up from his father. It's WAY too early to have introduced him to your children, even as a 'friend'.

Cock is readily available. You barely knew this bloke. The pair of you seem to have built up some fantasy based on chatting for hours on the phone and the reality actually hit him with cold feet. He hasn't even sorted out his finances for his divorce yet and you were trying to present him with another 'ready made' family to play house with!

Was she? I read it as a logistical necessity due to Christmas arrangements.
MadMadMadamMim · 29/12/2021 22:36

I read it as a logistical necessity due to Christmas arrangements.

My point is, that her DS shouldn't be a logistical necessity. If she couldn't arrange a romantic visit to Paris without having to introduce her children into the equation then she shouldn't have made the arrangements in the first place.

It is far too early for the children to be involved.

dumplings1 · 29/12/2021 22:39

He felt too rushed into a relationship, I think it probably was too soon to talk of meeting friends and family before you establish what you are as that is bound to make each other awkward being just introduced as a friend, even when it's obvious to everyone else your not!

If he's made his mind up now he doesn't want a relationship with you and went home early, there's nothing you can do, move on, at least you haven't wasted that much time on him.

Learn to take it at a slower pace next time.

Momijin · 29/12/2021 22:43

You were both too hasty in introducing family, even if it was for logistical reasons. I introduced them at 4 months and felt that was quick and I made sure everyone knew that it was just circumstantial and we are just dating.

It is also probably too early for him to be dating and probably felt weird.

However, he shouldn't have abandoned you in Paris. I wouldn't be able to trust him again so I would leave it.

CharlotteRose90 · 29/12/2021 22:47

It’s been a month and half. Woah way too much too soon. You rushed things and I think he’s got cold feet as he’s just got divorced. Way too early for holidays and meeting kids sorry. Neither of you had done anything wrong you’ve just rushed it and sadly it’s not worked out .

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