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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

Partner asking for space

44 replies

JohnK1984 · 22/09/2022 17:36

Bit of a long story here but I'll do my best.

My partner and I were together for 6 and a half years and have 2 kids together, we both have a child from a previous relationships, none of which stayed with us, her son stayed with his dad and my son stayed with his mum.

About a year ago, she decided she wanted her son to come live with us, I wasn't too thrilled about the idea, as he was 9 and I felt it wasn't going to end well. I was also in a job that was making me miserable so I left and started a new job which I am still at.

So her son came and we got through Christmas, but her depression was making me miserable at home, I was starting to feel like an uninvited guest In my own home, so decided at the turn of the year to move into my mums and have a break from our relationship. I felt like she had her happiness, and I didn't feel included in that once her son came.

This is where it gets complicated, my son from my previous relationship was having problems with his mum (my ex), and he decided to move to my mums (his gran) as well, based on the thought that I would get my own house and he would come stay with me.

My partner and I started seeing eachother again, while staying in separate houses and things were going better than ever.

Then everything seemed to happen all at once, I got a house, her dad got offered a new build house, which he took and her son decided he was going to go back to his dad's dad's live.

My partner had to deal with most of dad's housing issues (new build, new street, not registered anywhere) and help him get set up.

During this time period she decided to end our relationship (About 6 weeks ago). She said she can't forgive me for leaving and she was making excuses for me all those previous months.

We still hung out, done things, I stayed over a few times (slept in the kids room) but she was so nice to me and told me she still loves me and likes spending time with me. And she had a twinkle in her eye everytime I was there.

I decided to stop hanging out with her as I felt it wasn't fair on me that we were no longer together, but we were acting like we were, with just a "ban" on sex. She has stayed in contact with me, even when I have told her not to, and sometimes even messages me late at night, and she even gave me her disney plus log in (I never asked for it) bonus.

I have asked her if we are finished for good, her reply was "I have nothing to say about this"
She has recently told me she is in a very dark and horrible place and needs me to give her space, which I accepted nicely and we stopped talking.... For about 20 hours....
She called me less than 24 hours after requesting space which I wasn't too thrilled about. At the end of her story she was telling me, I said "can I go back to giving you space now" she said OK bye. About an hour later, it was bugging me that she was basically telling me not to call or text her, but less thsn 24 hours later it was OK for her to call me. So I proceeded to text her and tell her this wasn't fair on me.

Her messages have been very confusing recently, she has told me "she doesn't want me to wait for her" but in the same message tells me "to wait if I want" and "I don't think I will forgive you" Then "I might forgive you I might not"

I understand she has had a lot on her plate in the past few months, and I understand that I've not made the situation any easier by not being there full time, but I honestly don't know whether I'm coming or going.

She has told me she needs to sort out her own problems, she sees a therapist, and said she didn't realise how messed up she was until her last therapist session. She wants to work on herself, as she doesn't know what's right and what's wrong, and what she wants and doesn't want. And only when she figures that out she will understand where she stands in relation to us.

What do you make of this?

Any help, advice or another perspective would be great. As it's eating away at me.

OP posts:
Watchkeys · 22/09/2022 18:02

I was starting to feel like an uninvited guest In my own home

The problem lies in the fact that you felt it started to get complicated after this, so you didn't see this as a complication.

All the problems will go away if you recognise that you need a stable partner who treats you well, and that she's not that. There's nothing complicated, here. It's the fact that you choose to stay that's causing your problems. Just stop.

Devon71 · 22/09/2022 18:04

My advice would be to continue to support your kids/family but draw a clear line between that and any romantic relationship with your ex. That's not to say there's no hope for the future but whilst she is going through counselling and so unsure as to where you both stand, the on/off situation is not fair on either of you or your children. Unless and until she makes it clear she is able to focus on your relationship, you are literally separated. Maybe suggest that if and when she's in the right headspace, you could try couples counselling to explore the possibility of getting back together...but of course it's not a foregone conclusion - one or both of you might be ready to move on by then

JohnK1984 · 22/09/2022 18:12

We did go to therapy together, but I personally think it was more for her and I was just there for support, the therapist said me leaving initially in January was the right thing for us to do.

I was doing alright and felt fine until she called me after asking for space. I love her, and she loves me, she's told me, but I understand she needs to sort out her own issues before she can even think about our relationship.

OP posts:
baileys6904 · 22/09/2022 18:12

You spit your dummy out and left when she wanted her son to live with you both???

You're effectively asking her to choose between her son and you. Words fail me

Split up

JohnK1984 · 22/09/2022 18:16

You spit your dummy out and left when she wanted her son to live with you both???

You're effectively asking her to choose between her son and you. Words fail me

Split up

No, not really, I knew we couldn't give her son the life that he had with his dad, and that it would have ended the way it did. Her son is a motorbike enthusiast, and does really well, has sponsors and stuff, will probably become a pro, that's his life. He stays literally 100s of miles away fron where we stayed. He missed his friends, missed his sport, missed his dad. It was her choice to leave him with his dad when they separated back when they did.

OP posts:
Watchkeys · 22/09/2022 18:20

I understand she needs to sort out her own issues

Do you feel that you have any issues of your own to sort out?

JohnK1984 · 22/09/2022 18:49

Yes, and I am, I somehow got into collecting action figures, trying to stay connected to my childhood, after my dad passed, and a good friend of mine was doing the same thing when his mother passed, but me and my friend have talked about it and realised it became an addiction and needed to stop. And it has stopped and I've started selling them.

I've also started back at the gym, lost some weight that I gained from mine and my partners time together, I've just tried to be more positive and have a better outlook on life than I did before.

OP posts:
OldFan · 22/09/2022 18:57

No, not really, I knew we couldn't give her son the life that he had with his dad, and that it would have ended the way it did. Her son is a motorbike enthusiast, and does really well, has sponsors and stuff, will probably become a pro, that's his life. He stays literally 100s of miles away fron where we stayed. He missed his friends, missed his sport, missed his dad. It was her choice to leave him with his dad when they separated back when they did.

It was still your choice to walk out on her, especially when she was depressed @JohnK1984 . I imagine you really shot yourself in the foot there and she wasn't impressed.

It's not good for your wellbeing to be hanging on to someone that says maybe they'll get back with you, maybe not. Time to move on.

ShandaLear · 22/09/2022 18:58

Jeez, just block and move on. It’s over. You’re never going to ride off into the sunset together so cut your losses and move on.

rosyvalentine · 22/09/2022 19:02

ShandaLear · 22/09/2022 18:58

Jeez, just block and move on. It’s over. You’re never going to ride off into the sunset together so cut your losses and move on.

Block and move on? Why would he block someone he has 2 children with? 🙄

JohnK1984 · 22/09/2022 19:04

rosyvalentine · 22/09/2022 19:02

Block and move on? Why would he block someone he has 2 children with? 🙄

Yeah I can't really block her.

I just don't know where i stand, like she asked for space then called me the next again day. But that's not fair on me. Or my wellbeing. I agree with that.

Hard to let go of someone you love.

OP posts:
Fireflygal · 22/09/2022 19:48

she decided she wanted her son to come live with us, I wasn't too thrilled about the idea, as he was 9 and I felt it wasn't going to end well. I was also in a job that was making me miserable so I left and started a new job which I am still at

So a year ago you were not supportive over her son coming to live with you and you were miserable because of work. It's likely she tolerated your negativity and then you left!

I think her confusion is because you let her down significantly and she might love you but isn't sure if she can trust you again. Have you apologised for your behaviour? How old are your children? Did you support them financially when you moved out?

If trust is broken it will take a while to rebuild. She might need to see significantly change in you. You will need to decide if you are willing to wait a little longer..I think you should give it more time, be a good dad and support her in parenting and she may learn to trust you again.

JohnK1984 · 22/09/2022 20:36

Fireflygal · 22/09/2022 19:48

she decided she wanted her son to come live with us, I wasn't too thrilled about the idea, as he was 9 and I felt it wasn't going to end well. I was also in a job that was making me miserable so I left and started a new job which I am still at

So a year ago you were not supportive over her son coming to live with you and you were miserable because of work. It's likely she tolerated your negativity and then you left!

I think her confusion is because you let her down significantly and she might love you but isn't sure if she can trust you again. Have you apologised for your behaviour? How old are your children? Did you support them financially when you moved out?

If trust is broken it will take a while to rebuild. She might need to see significantly change in you. You will need to decide if you are willing to wait a little longer..I think you should give it more time, be a good dad and support her in parenting and she may learn to trust you again.

Yes I support the children financially, and they are 5 and 1 (the kids we have together)
I get the part where she probably doesn't trust me, maybe feels like I stabbed her in the back in a way.

Yes I have apologised for my behaviour, that's how we have ended up "hanging out" together a good few times. And she's been happy when we have, like she doesn't want me to go home kind of thing. But that's stopped now. As it wasn't fair on either of us.

OP posts:
Watchkeys · 22/09/2022 20:46

JohnK1984 · 22/09/2022 18:49

Yes, and I am, I somehow got into collecting action figures, trying to stay connected to my childhood, after my dad passed, and a good friend of mine was doing the same thing when his mother passed, but me and my friend have talked about it and realised it became an addiction and needed to stop. And it has stopped and I've started selling them.

I've also started back at the gym, lost some weight that I gained from mine and my partners time together, I've just tried to be more positive and have a better outlook on life than I did before.

And, any relationship issues you may have..?

JohnK1984 · 22/09/2022 20:49

Watchkeys · 22/09/2022 20:46

And, any relationship issues you may have..?

My only issues were that I felt like she was pushing me away. I personally don't think she had any relationship issues with me, communication maybe.

OP posts:
Watchkeys · 22/09/2022 21:02

OK. What I'm asking is 'Do you think you have any issues in the way you view relationships?'

Franklyfrost · 22/09/2022 21:24

You’ve told this whole story as if you had no role whatsoever in it. As an experiment, try to tell the same story but with you taking some responsibility for what happened. In particular use the phrases ‘I felt…’ (a feeling is one word) and ‘I acted…’

JohnK1984 · 22/09/2022 21:45

Franklyfrost · 22/09/2022 21:24

You’ve told this whole story as if you had no role whatsoever in it. As an experiment, try to tell the same story but with you taking some responsibility for what happened. In particular use the phrases ‘I felt…’ (a feeling is one word) and ‘I acted…’

I do take responsibility, I left in January without staying to work out our issues. Without providing her with support for the way she was feeling mentally. I took the easy option. Then we kept our relationship going just living in separate houses and everything was going better. She even admitted that.

OP posts:
Fireflygal · 22/09/2022 22:00

@JohnK1984, so your partner also had a tiny baby when you decided to leave.

Watchkeys · 22/09/2022 22:04

What do you take responsibility for?

Fireflygal · 22/09/2022 22:05

If you have a daughter, how would you feel about the man who left her when she had small children? What would you expect him to do to regain your trust?

JohnK1984 · 22/09/2022 22:09

Fireflygal · 22/09/2022 22:00

@JohnK1984, so your partner also had a tiny baby when you decided to leave.

Yes, but I was there often to help out. Like I said previously, our therapist said me moving out was the right decision.

OP posts:
Dazedandconfused170 · 22/09/2022 22:21

I think you’ve underestimated the impact you leaving in the first place has had on her

JohnK1984 · 22/09/2022 22:32

Dazedandconfused170 · 22/09/2022 22:21

I think you’ve underestimated the impact you leaving in the first place has had on her

Possibly. As she has told me she may forgive and forget but she may not.

I only seen it as a short break for a few weeks until it got complicated when my son from a previous relationship came to stay with me.

OP posts:
Catlover1970 · 22/09/2022 22:40

She is better as
a Single parent. Sorry but you need to grow up if you want a mature relationship. I feel sorry for all the kids you are producing

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