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Relationships

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Experiences of leaving bad long term relationships in mid 30s or older

11 replies

SabrinaLina · 02/03/2024 12:46

If you decided to leave a bad long-term relationship when you were in your late 30s or older, have you been glad you've done it? Or have you regretted it?

If you didn't have children at the time, how has it been?

OP posts:
EmpressaurusOfTheScathingTinsel · 02/03/2024 12:49

I left my partner of 10 years when I was 40, nearly 10 years ago now. It was the best thing I ever did. Happily single & childfree & staying that way!

NastyLittleNoseWrinkle · 02/03/2024 13:02

Is this your current situation @SabrinaLina do you need support to leave someone?

Ofcourseshecan · 02/03/2024 16:37

I ended a four-year relationship after Christmas in my early 40s. He had as usual been rude to people, driven dangerously and sulked when he didn’t have my full attention. I suddenly felt the weight of carrying him because l, basically, I felt sorry for him. No more! The thought of freedom in a fresh new year gave me courage, and I ended it.

As soon as I was free, friends quickly introduced me to my now DH. They wanted to do it before I blundered into yet another bad relationship! I was soooo ready to spend time with an easy-going good-natured man …..

Winter3000 · 02/03/2024 16:39

I left mine when I was mid 30s.
I'm so glad I did.
He was absolutely beyond hopeless with money and drank too much.

SheepAndSword · 02/03/2024 19:33

I left ex mid 30s. Not sure I'll ever get over him mistreating me but it was too dangerous to stay.

xSideshowAuntSallyx · 02/03/2024 20:22

I left my ex of 15 years at 40, best thing I've ever done. No children but maybe that's a blessing as they would have had an abusive waste of space as a father.

I no longer spend my days wondering what state the house will be in when I get home or whether he'll hit me for telling him to get off his arse and help out.

Maryamlouise · 02/03/2024 22:44

I left mid 30s and had an amazing year of fun with friends and a FWB situation with a lovely guy before I met DP and had kids

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 02/03/2024 22:59

I did in early 30s after free maybe 6, 7 years. We were engaged to be married, but I guess that the fact we never made any proper wedding plans and I was super careful not to get pregnant spoke volumes. I have no regrets at all. Got together with DH soon after, changed careers, and now have quite a lovely life. That wouldn't have happened if I'd stayed with him.

SoOutingWhoCares · 02/03/2024 23:23

Not so much of a long term relationship as lock down kind of got in the way but had a shorter relationship that I thought was going to lead to marriage and kids end abruptly at 38 after discovering he was having confusion about his sexuality. It had felt like last chance saloon and was devastating.

I've recently turned 40 and am still single and childless. I'm from a very conservative, Asian background where single parenthood by choice would result in shunning.

I really regret not making more of an effort straight after that last relationship ended and basically throwing myself into trying to find a decent man who was marriage and family minded...matchmaking, online dating, set ups etc.

I've had very very long periods of being single throughout my life and I know I'm better in a couple.

I'm devastated about not having kids and would have loved the pregnancy, birth experience as well as being a mum...I'm one of those people that seemed to be meant to be a mum and wife so I am full of regrets.

If you can see yourself living a happy, fulfilled single life then that takes a massive pressure off.

If you know you want biological kids...then I'd advise you to do everything in your power to make that happen.

If you want a man and bio kids, then get to some sort of therapy asap to work through the trauma of the bad relationship so you are in a healthy place for a new relationship and then treat dating like a business. Get really clear on what you want, boundaries etc, ditch relationships that aren't working early and communicate your needs early.

Even though I'm single and childless at 40, I have no regrets about leaving any past relationships and know I 100% did the right thing not having kids with them. Don't contemplate going back to /staying in a bad relationship in order to have a child. It's not worth tying yourself to those sort of men for life, or having to see your kids get hurt by a rubbish dad.

Newnamehiwhodis · 03/03/2024 04:51

Escaped a bad relationship when I was in my late 40’s. At the time, I was devastated- it took some time away from him for me to be able to see clearly how bad it was.
I am so grateful. Have begun a new career, am finally working toward my master’s degree, and have so much freedom now. Life is gorgeous! No regrets, and not looking to date - I have become too fond of my peace and space.

Crushed23 · 03/03/2024 05:42

My longterm relationship ended a few months ago. I’m in my mid-30s.

I was sad but ultimately relieved as we weren’t right for each other.

To be perfectly honest, I don’t see myself finding someone ‘new’ and getting married etc. I’m too jaded. I also think I’m too independent for the sort of men I seem to meet/match with on OLD.

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