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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

He has disappeared. What do I do?

77 replies

Nursemammato3 · 14/05/2024 08:54

I have been dating a guy for 6 months. I went on a few dates last year and kept in contact via texting for a little while then met in November and since dated alot.
We seemed to get along very quickly. We went on some nice dates, I went to his and we cooked together. After about 4 months, he came to mine and met my dd's (19 and 17). He has 2 sons the same age. The more you spend time with someone, the more you get to know someone and their lifestyle etc. To see if your values and hopes for the future match. They appeared to. I noticed if we weren't meeting, he would go to the pub. Or his son and sons friends would go to his house and he would drink with them until early hours. I explained that I wasn't a big drinker and enjoyed going out occasionally but much prefer food out, a few drinks. Cooking at home and watching a movie. Walks and days out. I explained my dd's were older and more independent and would like to take weekend trips. He said this is what he wanted too. In the week, I'd drive to him a couple of times. That became a habit and time for just the 2 of us. Weekends he was always quite heightened and he would make plans and I'd just fit into them. I explained it would be nice to make a plan and then on the alternative day, he could do whatever he wanted (this was mainly out drinking with his son or son and friends over). I tried to adapt to his lifestyle as I know for the past 2 years this is what he has done. It made me feel a bit unsettled as I never knew if he would forget or randomly change the plan. His choices did scream man child but I thought maybe he did this as he didn't have anything else.
I stopped going to his on a weekend as his both sons would have their friends around drinking (the one son, not always but if he wanted that. His dad would let him. The older son, it was every weekend. If not friends, his gf. They would just lay on the sofa all day). Its only a one bed house. At the beginning, I think he would ask his son for some privacy for me to visit. He came to me. We cooked a couple of times. It always felt he was itching to go out. Hed stay a littlewhile but leave. Or hed say right im leaving you to get on im meeting a friend at the pub. Hed make it look like he didn'twant to impose. I said on a few occasions, maybe I'm a bit to boring for you. I started to feel embarrassed saying I wanted to potter in the garden, cook or watch a film. However he was adamant this is what he wanted. I started to notice he would spend and spend at weekends on beers and food out (for him, his one son and the gf). I thought this is none of my business but then started to think that if he has no money, when do we do anything. We kept talking about a weekend away. (after weeks of him saying it). We decided to go. He paid for the hotel and I drove, paid for the meal out, took alcohol and food, so it was fair.
The weekends are still unsettling but he tried to make a plan and we would stick to it for a few weekends. I kept telling myself he is adapting to my lifestyle too. I also think it's important he has time with his sons as I like time with my dd's.
A few weekends ago, we went to watch a band and he phoned his son to join us. He got drunk and called me his wife's name. Obviously I was shocked and a little embarrassed in front of his son, but it was the end of the night so I left and he disappeared the whole of the next day, switching his phone off. I had no clue what was happening. The following day, he apologised and said he shut himself off as he thought he had upset me and couldn't face it. We had a big conversation on the importance of communication and he promised to never do this again. Bank Holiday weekend I did the race for life. He was supposed to come but his son asked him to go watch his final rugby match. I said I'd see him later. I picked him up as he'd been drinking. We went for a drink and he wanted to go back to the rugby. I agreed as he said there were bands. There wasn't. It was full of young people, drunk. I said let's go to a nice beer garden. He agreed. He was a bit drunk so I told him I'd go (9pm). The next day we had arranged to watch a band in the evening. We both drove. I could tell he had a few drinks and he was driving home. This didn't sit well but he said he was ok to drive. I left with my dd to get food at 7pm. He stayed out with his son. He then messaged the next day saying he'd spent too much money and we would be chilling for the next few weekends. Roll on the 1st weekend. He planned to work over time but said he would see me Saturday evening and Sunday until work at 5pm. He said he had to pick his mum up from a pub and drop his son to a match sunday. Saturday evening he came to mine and I went to get food. He stayed an hour and said he had to pick his mum up from a pub. This was 6.30pm. I said ok, see you tomorrow. The next morning he messaged and said he was picking his umbrella up from my car, if I go out leave it out. I was a bit taken back as I didn't realise he was staying at the match. I thought to myself. Ok plans have changed again. I will do something myself. He said I was welcome to go, this was an hour before leaving. If I'd known this was the plan, I could have arranged this. Anyway, I told him ok and have a nice day. He said he'd be home at 5. I got myself dressed and took the dog out. He messaged and said what is wrong with you. I questioned this. He said, you told me to have a good day and no mention of seeing him later. In my head, I was thinking. I didn't feel he wanted to spend the time with he hence leaving Saturday and planning his day Sunday so felt uneasy even asking. I just answered saying nothing is wrong, I told you to have a nice day. He didn't message for the rest of the day. Then yesterday still nothing. I had an mri appointment yesterday that I was nervous about attending. No messages. I honestly have no clue what I have done.
He constantly tells me he is lucky to have met me and he wants this life. Obviously I have feelings for him.
Just to explain his last 2 years. He met an older lady. She had her nephew living with her who was a drug dealer. Weekends were spent at hers drinking and the son and his gf would also go there. She would give him money and paid for a holiday abroad last year. He kept telling me this lady was just his friend. The more conversations we have, they were definitely more but he said he could never see a future with her.
I haven't messaged him since Sunday. Is that it then? Is that how people end relationships these days? He has just disappeared.

OP posts:
MsPavlichenko · 14/05/2024 09:00

He has a serious alcohol problem, that’s his priority. You seem to have been entirely passive about it. My advice would be to block him in case he gets back in touch , and move on with your life.

WimseyofBalliol · 14/05/2024 09:01

Well, he’s awful, boring, unreliable, and appears to have a drink problem so disappearing sounds like a good thing, no? Another time have higher standards and don’t waste time on a man who would always rather drink on his sofa.

AGlinnerOfHope · 14/05/2024 09:05

Please don’t invest so much in someone who demonstrates different values.

Anyone can say they want th same things as you. What they actually do is the better indicator.

He had a lovely time having the best of both worlds. You wasted two years on a no hoper.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 14/05/2024 09:08

You’ve ignored and or minimised the big red flag of his alcohol problem. You were never his priority- alcohol is. He just wanted some sap of a woman to run around after him.

Your boundaries here, perhaps already weakened by poor choices in men and or life experience, have been further eroded by this man now. Be on your own and rebuild your boundaries with counselling if necessary. Do read Women who love too much by Robin Norwood.

crackofdoom · 14/05/2024 09:09

Well, that's how people like that end relationships, it would seem. To use an American term, the trash has taken itself out.

It might smart right now but in retrospect I think you'll be grateful he's removed himself from your life with so little fuss (Although I bet he'll be back in a couple of weeks once he's devoted enough quality time to his primary relationship-with the pub).

OlderandwiserMaybe · 14/05/2024 09:10

I'd block him and be thankful things have ended.
No this isn't normally how a relationship ends..... but the relationship you describe wasn't a normal relationship either.
The drinking alone would have me running for the hills.

Nursemammato3 · 14/05/2024 09:12

It was 6 months.
I did question his alcohol intake but thought it was no business of mine. I thought maybe he did this as he had nothing else. I don't know. I knew it could be a problem.
I'm wondering why he has just disappeared after daily communication. Part of me thinks, he has realised that although he has said this is what he wanted. The last 2 years were more for him.

OP posts:
fruitbrewhaha · 14/05/2024 09:13

Sorry but I didn’t get through all of that, it was clear from the beginning he and you are just not suitable. I think you’re far better off without him.

PineappleBanana · 14/05/2024 09:13

didnt read the wall of text but the works drinking appears as often enough to know that this man is an alcoholic and you are best rid of him.

PineappleBanana · 14/05/2024 09:14

Block and move on. This was dead in the water months ago.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 14/05/2024 09:18

you’ve had a lucky escape in that the trash has taken itself out. Would you want either DD to date someone like this man?. Likely not and you should insist on the same for you too. Hence the book suggestion.

I would think your kids are relieved he is no longer present in your life.

SamW98 · 14/05/2024 09:18

I did question his alcohol intake but thought it was no business of mine

Of course it’s your business if you’re in a relationship with someone whose values and boundaries don’t match yours.

pastaalamum · 14/05/2024 09:19

That's a lot of words to basically say you're incompatible.

Nursemammato3 · 14/05/2024 09:20

Thankyou for all the messages.
I will look at that book, thankyou.
Yes, I have been a little naive. I liked him.
I'm just feeling a little sad today and completely baffled by his last messages and now nothing.
Yes, I suppose you are right. Better now. It still hurts.

OP posts:
May2024 · 14/05/2024 09:22

Apologies I only got half way through before wondering what the hell you were doing with him.

Basically you were just his driver with the bonus of sex on the side.

Hopefully he won't contact you again. He's an alcoholic with far different lifestyle than you. You've had a lucky escape.

I genuinely think you need to reflect and work out why you put up with this behaviour and why you didn't finish it months ago.

LMMuffet · 14/05/2024 09:23

He may or may not have a problem with alcohol. But it doesn’t matter - what matters is that you don’t have compatible lifestyles and it isn’t working and it won’t work. I’d walk away now, if I were you.

May2024 · 14/05/2024 09:23

And as a PP suggest, please block him in case he tries to get back into your life.

Nursemammato3 · 14/05/2024 09:24

My girls actually liked him. He made them laugh and was always buying treats. But, no, I wouldn't want my girls to date someone who drinks so excessively. I will definitely look at that book on my audible today.

OP posts:
ontheflighttosingapore · 14/05/2024 09:25

It was too long to read but he seems very immature just wants to drink and party I expect his a drug taker aswell. 6 months is nothing just move on

SamW98 · 14/05/2024 09:26

May2024 · 14/05/2024 09:22

Apologies I only got half way through before wondering what the hell you were doing with him.

Basically you were just his driver with the bonus of sex on the side.

Hopefully he won't contact you again. He's an alcoholic with far different lifestyle than you. You've had a lucky escape.

I genuinely think you need to reflect and work out why you put up with this behaviour and why you didn't finish it months ago.

💯- this wasn’t a relationship.

The first few months should be the honeymoon period when you’re presenting your best self. If this is the best he’s got then you’ve had a lucky escape but ask yourself why you facilitated being treated like this.

aleC4 · 14/05/2024 09:28

It's all pretty crap behaviours but drink driving?
That would be the end for me, no going back.

Nursemammato3 · 14/05/2024 09:29

When you say behaviour. What do you mean? I'm just trying to understand.
He likes going to concerts, camping, paddle boarding, cooking. These are things I like too. I didn't just accept it, I did question it and had conversations with him over what I wanted. He did drive sometimes too.

OP posts:
Nursemammato3 · 14/05/2024 09:30

You are right, thankyou. I just needed to talk about it as I could feel myself losing myself a little.

OP posts:
MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet · 14/05/2024 09:33

You are totally incompatible, and this was obvious from the outset. He won't change, and why should you

Find someone who fits your lifestyle and focus on developing a bit more self respect. You don't want this many in your daughters' lives.

Aquamarine1029 · 14/05/2024 09:35

Think about the example you're setting for your daughters. You would want them to choose a flaky alcoholic as a partner? Raise your standards and be thankful this loser is out of your life.