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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

need advice about my new man

136 replies

datingdilema1 · 11/04/2023 17:52

I've been with my new man for 4 months. I've been a single mum for around 2 years now and have 2 children who are 5 and 9.
My new man is honestly the kindest guy I've ever met and most loving. He showers me with compliments constantly and is very affectionate. He is keen to meet my kids. Examples of his kindness include being v helpful in my house and fixing some things, cooking for me, being very available and reliable, giving me small gifts and always asking how I am etc. He also looked after my pet for me when I was away and lent me his car when mine broke down.
My situation is that I don't have much money but I'm on 50k and have a mortgage and some financial help from ex £100-300 a month. Because of cost of living this covers me, the kids and I have some money to go out, book cheap trips, but that's it.
Now my new man is very sweet and generous, but he lives in a council house, has his own business which doesn't make much money atm and is on income support.
He pays very small maintenance for his kids, but seems happy in his situation mainly.
He used to have a difficult past and is turning his life around for last 3-4 years it seems, looking after himself and building his life.
What it means though is that when I plan trips, I've already been slightly subsidising him, which I'm worried will drag me down financially long term... Also I feel that he would be happy to live with me long term, but how would this work.. Even if his business gets better, he doesn't seem to think that it would bring him much. He doesn't want to go back to his previous work, as I think he enjoys working for himself and what he does. He lacks confidence in trying to expand his business or try to increase his profits.
Second dilemma is about our differences in political beliefs and general knowledge. He says himself that he just was never curious about current affairs so his knowledge is based on what he hears from his family, who take their knowledge from the Sun. They are all very sweet people, but that means things like 'Britain is full', 'jobs should be kept for people in the uk' etc. This is problematic for me as I have a diverse background and take these kind of beliefs to heart as a personal insult almost. When we talk about this he feels guilty for not educating himself more in the past. But then I really went into dating thinking that I'm not going to get myself a project as I've done it before with my ex where I helped him and taught him loads and was left with not much.
Sex is fine, but also there was some ED from time to time, but seems to be improving.

We are both 40 something. Is it normal to have doubts? I feel that I love him and maybe just need to keep getting to know him. We've had lots of fun together with really fun activities, some of them initiated by him, but a lot of them initiated and paid by me, although he pays for drinks etc. He also takes me out for cheaper things which I guess is fair enough as there is a difference in income, but I'm also aware I'm spending money I should be perhaps saving in my situation. I'm also aware my ex used me financially so don't want to repeat the pattern..

OP posts:
datingdilema1 · 12/04/2023 14:59

Exhibity · 12/04/2023 14:47

People (some anyway) deserve a second chance but not if it could compromise your and your children's lives.

good point

OP posts:
uncomfortablydumb53 · 12/04/2023 15:16

No, you're having doubts for a reason and the financial situation is not acceptable( you have to subsidise him)
You're not on the same path and are not compatible
After 4 months he is keen to meet your DC and is showering you with gifts... all to get his feet under your table imo

Laurdo · 12/04/2023 15:22

By all means give him a 2nd chance if in a couple of years he has his shit together but for now he's not in a position to supplement your life.

AreaNo1 · 12/04/2023 16:58

He is such a project.
Dump him and raise your bar with men.

AreaNo1 · 12/04/2023 17:00

He can have his chance with a woman in his position, a xenophobic, Sun reading council tenant on the poverty line with drug abuse past and older children.
It's not one thing with him it's multiple things. Even the sex is hit and miss. He's poor with a complex view and narrow mind. You can be friends if someone is kind, it's not enough to be husband or serious partner material. You can do better.

AreaNo1 · 12/04/2023 17:03

Has no one already said: 'women aren't men's rehabilitation facility'? It's not your job to educate him or give him a second chance. He doesn't add where it counts to your life. No great sex, no great stimulating conversations with an equally intelligent person, no financial perks. He's really punching being with you.

mindutopia · 12/04/2023 17:27

At 40, you know yourself, your values, what’s best for you and your dc. It doesn’t sound at all like this is it. You aren’t at all compatible. Drop this one back in the sea.

My mum met a man much like this (except he was rich so she pretended not to see the red flags). We are now NC and she hasn’t seen her GC in years.

dizzygirl1 · 12/04/2023 17:30

Don't let him move in. If he gives up his council tenancy he won't get another and he'll use that as an excuse not to leave.

🚩🚩

Ooolaaaala · 12/04/2023 17:58

dizzygirl1 · 12/04/2023 17:30

Don't let him move in. If he gives up his council tenancy he won't get another and he'll use that as an excuse not to leave.

🚩🚩

I suspect he will explore a work around that involves assigning the tenancy to one of his adult children.

datingdilema1 · 12/04/2023 19:00

Thanks 🙏

OP posts:
Isthisit22 · 13/04/2023 07:39

AreaNo1 · 12/04/2023 17:00

He can have his chance with a woman in his position, a xenophobic, Sun reading council tenant on the poverty line with drug abuse past and older children.
It's not one thing with him it's multiple things. Even the sex is hit and miss. He's poor with a complex view and narrow mind. You can be friends if someone is kind, it's not enough to be husband or serious partner material. You can do better.

This.

He is racist,
he is not on your intellectual level
has no money or ambition,
possible addictions
doesnt pay for his kids
not good in bed

the examples of how good and kind he is are just normal relationship things eg saying nice things to you.

You can do so much better. The longer you ‘see how it goes’ the more likely you are to be sucked into becoming too attached/feeling too guilty to dump him.

Get rid and you will have more chance of finding a man that is your equal.

at 4 months you should be happy and in the honeymoon phase- not worrying about the many red flags you’ve spotted

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