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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

Are these red flags or am I over thinking.

38 replies

Thismumbakes · 18/06/2023 18:28

So I'm in a relationship of 18months. I have a few kids from my ex, he sees them often. Anyway the new person net my kids after 10 months, he has no kids.

At first things were okay but slowly over time I've noticed a few things, we're very similar in alot of ways but recently I've noticed a big gap in life experience, common knowledge things that adults learn over time, overall just very different views on the world. I grew up in a blended family and on the breadline though nowadays my family's doing much better I know what it is to struggle.....he does not. He has been massively sheltered, to the point it shocks me how little he knows about poverty and people in lower social economics than him. He's by no means wealthy but extremely sheltered.

Issues that I've noticed and I'm not sure if it's me (I moved out the family home at 17 and have always worked an been independent even when I was with my ex of 15 years)

He's never moved out of his family home.....he's 31, I'm 2 years older. He's made 0 effort in the 18months we've been together to change this. Relationships He's never made it past 2 years and they've ended in the past due to him being clingy and one of his ex cheating on him. I've also noticed he makes weird comments to me at times.....asking who people are on my social media when they just liked a photo (usually it's a boy I have grew up with locally or known since school) then it's....have you slept with them? Like what??? I answer honestly and ive not, they're just friends and one's I only really speak to online now and then. Also makes comments about me cheating on him with my ex........even though he knows my ex was awful to me. I did confront him about this...he tried to deny it but I'm not stupid and told him as much, he agreed he did make those comments and assumptions coz he thinks I will coz his ex did.

Other things......he assumes he is going to move I with me and my kids and get married etc......I just don't see a future with him anymore after having a think about the bigger picture but im not sure how to tell him this. He's admitted to me he doesn't know how to put a bedsheets on a washing line to dry coz he struggles with it...... other things are that he has unreal expectations.....he thinks him moving in will be all sunshine and daisies.......he naps in the day still after work and struggles to hold down a job for more than 6 months at a time. In the 18months I've known him He's on his 5th job. He doesn't realise that although I work part time...him.moving in but unable to hold a job down and napping in the day isn't going to be doable. My kids are loud...2 have additional needs and often don't sleep till gone 2am. I'm used to the sleep deprevation....he won't be. It will be a shock to.him.

Another issue would be his total lack of realistic knowledge of the cost of living right now. He pays nominal rent to his parents for his bedroom there an covered his car and phone. Tho he didn't pay outright for his car his parents do as he has 0 savings. He only pays 400 or so rent a month to his parents. He hasn't got a clue on how much bills and such really are. That he is only used to cleaning his bedroom and not a whole house. When I brought all this up to him he said 'you can teach me' erm......I'm not looking to raise a adult!!

I've also noticed he says 'I'll do that....I'm gunna do this or that' yet puts 0 effort into actually making steps to progress. Example.....I've asked him a few times to come round when the kids are awake or jnvited him on our days out etc.....he rarely does. I've said to him he should spend more time with us and my kids if he wants to eventually move forward and he said 'I know yeah. I will' he actually doesn't. And it's starting to make me feel like he's using me for sex tbh. Like he only comes round 1 night a week and that's after the kids are in bed etc an he leaves at midnight. Then one night of the weekend he will stay overnight but doesn't arrive till almost the kids bedtime at like 8-9pm and then he will go home by 10am the next morning.

He also invited himself to my girls night with my girl mates on my birthday, I'd saw him that day all day but wanted the night to be a girls night with my girl mates who I hadn't spent time with properly in 12 months. He was all.....okay ill come round and stay the night. And then turned up. Also once out with friends he was invited....every time I went outside for a smoke with one of them he would immediately follow me an put his hands around my shoulder or waist etc.

He's also very clingy. I'm busy with multiple kids and a business to run part time and house to sort. J don't have time to sit an dwell on missing him when I'm up the wall busy....yet I get multiple I miss you. Love you. Want you doing. You OK texts about all day every day. Its abit much at times.

I've brought these things up with him but it's always. I'm sorry.....won't do it again. Or I'm sure it will change when we live together etc........like he's not actually listening to me.

What do I do? Are these red flags or is it just me expecting too much? Or are we just incompatable and there's not future due to our vastly different priorities.

OP posts:
TheSnowyOwl · 18/06/2023 18:33

Everything you have written is irrelevant apart from I just don't see a future with him anymore after having a think about the bigger picture but im not sure how to tell him this and this surely shows you just need to end things and move on.

PuffinsRocks · 18/06/2023 18:34

Just throw this manchild back OP he's not going to get any better, he doesn't listen to you or what you want from the relationship and seems to think it's all about him. I don't think letting him move in is a good idea at all he'll just expect you to look after him like his parents do. He hasn't moved out of theirs yet because he thinks he's going to move in with you and be taken care of and not need to pay his fair share. He doesn't want you going out even just with the girls without him in case you talk to them about him and they tell you how batshit this situation is.

Assignedtoworryyourmother · 18/06/2023 18:37

Of course they are all red flags. You refer to several children - you don't need another.

mondaytosunday · 18/06/2023 18:55

You haven't said a single positive thing about this guy. He's immature, can't hold a job, doesn't seem to want to take any responsibility for himself, can't do basic household tasks, doesn't want to spend any time with your kids. What are you doing with him?
You need to break it off find someone with more maturity and oompf!

Thismumbakes · 18/06/2023 18:56

Oh I've no intention of letting him move in with me. I've told him this several times that I don't think he will manage.....he's never been around kids let alone lived with them in other relationships or anything. Plus he is used to napping in the day and lie inside and that's just not something that happens in my house. He says it's fiiinnneeee I'm sure it will work out etc etc.....vut he doesn't seem to grasp what I'm saying. Again....lack of life experience. There are already times I feel like his mother and it ikks me out.

OP posts:
Thismumbakes · 18/06/2023 19:01

He actually does have good points. He is sweet and caring. I just listed the issues I'm seeing as red flags atm like he comes from a nice family and such. He's just been extremely sheltered and I think abut coddled by his mother. It snowed here in spring and it was only a inch deep and was gone by midday. He didn't go to work that day as his mum didn't want him driving in the snow. Even though main roads were gritted and it had all melted by midday He still didn't go in midday....just took the day off coz mum said so. I was like...really.....that's weird.

OP posts:
Lolasgame · 18/06/2023 19:04

Swerve him.

rwalker · 18/06/2023 19:07

I think the term red flag is a bit extreme leave that for the serious shit
Irrespective of ages your cleared at different stages in life
end it and move on

Thismumbakes · 18/06/2023 19:07

Any tips on doing that without making him cry coz my best friend rekons he will 100% cry and beg etc and I'm not a emotional person alot of the time and would find this massively awkward and I'd shut down emotionally if he did and I don't want to hurt his feelings either but I also don't want to waste either of our time.

OP posts:
HundredMilesAnHour · 18/06/2023 19:08

Jesus OP, why on earth have you put up with this useless teenage mummy's boy for so long? He's not an adult. How can you be attracted to this?

You deserve way way better. You know that.

Thismumbakes · 18/06/2023 19:09

Yeah I'm starting to see that tbh. My last relationship with my kids dad was a a trainwrek so i think coz this guy was juice and was sweet to me and nothing like my ex I kinda accepted the bare minimum really. I'm seeing signs now though that we're vastly different maturity wise etc

OP posts:
Thismumbakes · 18/06/2023 19:14

Thismumbakes · 18/06/2023 19:09

Yeah I'm starting to see that tbh. My last relationship with my kids dad was a a trainwrek so i think coz this guy was juice and was sweet to me and nothing like my ex I kinda accepted the bare minimum really. I'm seeing signs now though that we're vastly different maturity wise etc

Nice not juice ahaha.

OP posts:
MzHz · 18/06/2023 19:17

Thismumbakes · 18/06/2023 18:56

Oh I've no intention of letting him move in with me. I've told him this several times that I don't think he will manage.....he's never been around kids let alone lived with them in other relationships or anything. Plus he is used to napping in the day and lie inside and that's just not something that happens in my house. He says it's fiiinnneeee I'm sure it will work out etc etc.....vut he doesn't seem to grasp what I'm saying. Again....lack of life experience. There are already times I feel like his mother and it ikks me out.

referring to this and the layers post you’ve just posted at 19.07

@Thismumbakes you can’t make an omelette without cracking eggs and this thing about him thinking he’s moving in and you’re only telling him that you didn’t think he’s cope.

that’s not right and you know it, you have to tell him “I’m not cohabiting again, you won’t be moving in. And if he cries, it’ll be a tactic

he is showing you who he is. He’s going to be a controlling manipulator

they are mega big red flags and you know it.

you don’t want this, you’re going to have to tell him it’s over and no matter what he does/says you have yto go through with it.

you can do this. You have to do this.

Stratocumulus · 18/06/2023 19:17

Your situation must be worrying and on your mind a lot given your busy life.
Im sorry to be brutal but …

This partner of yours is not a “partner” at all. He’s a mummy’s boy looking for another mummy - with benefits. Is he 18? He will drag you down OP. I don’t think you need another child to look after do you?

Take him to a public place, park bench or whatever, and dump him. He probably won’t cry in a public place. He sounds pathetic.
You’ll be dodging a bullet.
MN has warned you! Take heed.

Dery · 18/06/2023 21:27

“Everything you have written is irrelevant apart from I just don't see a future with him anymore after having a think about the bigger picture but im not sure how to tell him this and this surely shows you just need to end things and move on.”

This. And as for him crying - you cannot control how he responds to you finishing the relationship but ending it in a public place might be best if you’re really worried about his reaction. The key thing is to do it sooner rather than later.

PaintedEgg · 18/06/2023 21:35

he will probably cry but in a way you will do him a favour - he does not need a relationship right now, he needs to learn how to do his laundry, including bedsheets.

Being immature beyond belief does not make him a bad person, but it will make him insufferable partner in a long run. You're right that there is no future with him or in fact FOR him. He will get lost without his parents taking care of him so do yourself and him a favour and give him his first lesson in adulthood.

uncomfortablydumb53 · 18/06/2023 21:37

Just No
Several children is enough!

Pixiedust1234 · 18/06/2023 21:49

struggles to hold down a job for more than 6 months at a time. In the 18months I've known him He's on his 5th job

You need a partner in life not another child. Anybody can be sweet and kind including a 5 yr old but that isn't enough. You need an equal. Time to let him go.

Riverlee · 18/06/2023 21:58

I started of thinking that it’s fine to have different life experiences, and also dine to have relationships that don’t last. Not red flags in themselves.

However, then I read on. I think you’re right in that his mum Molly-coddles him, and he has no idea how to be a fully fledged adult. He naively thinks he will move into yours, and you will do all the jobs his mum does - a potential cocklodger. Five jobs in 18 months - wow.

Yes, you’re incompatible. He’s not listening when you advise him on improving himself, His expectations in life are different to yours. Does he think you’re his way out from his mum?

Tryingtobepositive123 · 18/06/2023 22:28

He might cry. And that's okay. You can't stay in a relationship to avoid upsetting a grown man. We are all adults and we are not insulated from the highs and lows of life. He will survive. So will you. And you both might even find something that suits you better. Good luck!

PaperwhiteTheGhost · 18/06/2023 22:42

Thismumbakes · 18/06/2023 19:01

He actually does have good points. He is sweet and caring. I just listed the issues I'm seeing as red flags atm like he comes from a nice family and such. He's just been extremely sheltered and I think abut coddled by his mother. It snowed here in spring and it was only a inch deep and was gone by midday. He didn't go to work that day as his mum didn't want him driving in the snow. Even though main roads were gritted and it had all melted by midday He still didn't go in midday....just took the day off coz mum said so. I was like...really.....that's weird.

Ugh just reading that has given me the epic ick!!!

TheTellTaleHeart · 18/06/2023 22:46

@Thismumbakes This one’s got cocklodger written all over it.

I can see you are a nice person, because you don’t want to upset him, but his reaction isn’t your responsibility. Just explain that you’re not in the same place in life and you’re bringing it to a close. And expect more next time!

Thelnebriati · 19/06/2023 00:10

I've also noticed he makes weird comments to me at times.....asking who people are on my social media when they just liked a photo (usually it's a boy I have grew up with locally or known since school) then it's....have you slept with them?

This is a red flag for jealousy, which can turn into coercive and controlling behaviour.

He doesn't have any basic life skills and isn't willing to learn. He thinks he can move in with you and carry on as he is, and you'll act like his Mum and do everything; thats what he means by 'it will just work out'.
Throw this one back!

CleanCar · 19/06/2023 00:16

You will become his new mummy if you dont get out now!!! Crikey, run!

SarahDippity · 19/06/2023 00:20

It’s a no from me. Just from your posts, I despise him.

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