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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:
Nursemammato3 · 14/05/2024 14:34

I will. It's not on my audible. I will have to buy it.

OP posts:
Ivyy · 14/05/2024 15:02

Nursemammato3 · 14/05/2024 11:33

I have dated over the years and not found anyone compatible. It gets harder as we get older. Now my dd's are older, I would like to settle down. I don't particularly want to be on my own. I have been divorced 13 years.

Op please don't settle for someone like this, it all sounds so complicated and chaotic, when the early days and honeymoon period should be pretty smooth and easy. He may well have a drink problem disguised by being a social drinker, and I'm sorry but if you mean he's smoking weed now as well then that's a big red flag for me. I'd be out, not just for my own personal views on a man of that age doing it, but also you're setting an example for your dc don't forget, they're learning through us all the time.

You deserve a lot better op, I hope you can see that now after reading these responses and act on it. Imo I'd rather be single and it take time to meet the right person, than waste time with a man like this or end up settling for him when you deserve way better Flowers

Nursemammato3 · 14/05/2024 15:26

It was his son in regards to the weed.
Thankyou, yes reading here has helped. He said all the right things and I believed him. I suppose that took over and I ignored the drinking. I can see now and have definitely taken this on board. I just don't understand his sudden disappearance. I know the alcohol is the red flag here. It still hurts how someone can make all the promises of a future. Then disappear after 4 months. I'm analysing the reason and I know it shouldn't matter. It just makes me feel so gullible.

OP posts:
SheepAndSword · 14/05/2024 16:16

Just be glad he's disappeared. Peace and quiet!

And take some time out from dating so you can think about why you got drawn into this.

PaminaMozart · 14/05/2024 16:54

Nursemammato3 · 14/05/2024 14:34

I will. It's not on my audible. I will have to buy it.

Available here:

https://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/robin-norwood/women-who-love-too-much/9780099474128

NeverDropYourMooncup · 14/05/2024 17:00

His 'choices' don't scream Man-child. They scream Raging Alcoholic who's constantly looking for his next opportunity to drink.

Leave him, his liver and whoever else can join him with his one true love - alcohol - in a sweaty pit of pissheadery.

Nursemammato3 · 14/05/2024 17:08

Thankyou so much for the link. I have ordered this!
Yes, I should be glad he disappeared without any fuss.
Thankyou everyone.

OP posts:
Mummy2024 · 14/05/2024 17:13

Nursemammato3 · 14/05/2024 17:08

Thankyou so much for the link. I have ordered this!
Yes, I should be glad he disappeared without any fuss.
Thankyou everyone.

He will likely be back. I wouldn't take him up on the offer though. His last gf was a drug dealer, his kids are clearly into drugs and alcohol and him alcohol at least. Where would this relationship lead? Living together mixed finances? All your money down the drain aswell? There are plenty of others out there waiting for you

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 14/05/2024 17:14

Oh for goodness sake, life is far too short for all this.

It's over ( or it should be ) and it was never meant to be.

do not settle for just anyone / anything. Aim higher - a lot higher.

You are not desperate, are you ?

LakeSnake · 14/05/2024 17:21

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.

First post and this nails it for me.

He is an alcoholic.
Youll always come second to that.

Nursemammato3 · 14/05/2024 17:32

I know! I have told a friend about all of this and she has said she had heard he was taking cocaine last year with this woman. She said it was rumours and didn't want to say anything.
No, I'm not desperate. I believed he wanted what I did. I have questioned it. I can see now that he clearly won't and can't give that lifestyle up.
The more I have thought about it today, the more I can see.
He has a key to my house. I also have 2 tickets for him and his mum for a concert. I also borrowed a tens machine off his son. I don't know what to do about that. I have deleted his contact. I'm not on social media. So, yes, he will make contact for that. I honestly think he has disappeared ow, he has realised he prefers his previous lifestyle before I came along. I was getting in the way I think.
It's going to be anxiety provoking hearing from him!

OP posts:
OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 14/05/2024 17:39

Why would a boyfriend of 6 months have a key to your home ?

so now you are going to have to sort that, and return the item you have borrowed from his son.

concert tickets - who paid for them ? why do you have them ?

LilacK · 14/05/2024 17:41

We should count up the number of times you referenced 'pub' and 'drinking' in your first post. Honestly, he's living his life as though that's all there is. He's even picking his mother up from the pub!

Block him and move on.

Nursemammato3 · 14/05/2024 17:50

I got them and they paid me for them.
Yes, not sure how I'm going to go about that. I have deleted him so can't block now.

OP posts:
whatsitcalledwhen · 14/05/2024 17:56

It's concerning you gave someone a key to your house after dating them for only six months OP, especially a home you share with your daughters - even if they are teens rather than younger kids.

Nursemammato3 · 14/05/2024 18:09

I knew him before dating him. He is a friend of my brother.

OP posts:
Towerofsong · 14/05/2024 18:18

Sadly, he is already in a relationship, with alcohol. It sounds like any time he spends with you is taking him away from alcohol.

You have been trying to not be judgemental of his drinking and lifestyle choices, but when you are looking at a romantic partner you can be as judgemental as you like.

Bring non-judgemental is for strangers on the bus or people who you aren't letting into your inner circle. A romantic partner can have an enormous impact on your life, happiness, family, children and friends. Please be judgemental about who you let into your inner life!

MushMonster · 14/05/2024 18:21

What do you do?
Get yourself some nice bread, sandwich fillers, cakes and scones. Have yourself a little cream tea party in your garden or sitting on the sofa on your PJs.
Just enjoy your live!
This guy is a drain. I was getting tired of just reading what he does.
He is not going to change. He likes working to get money and then drinking as much as that money can buy him. His family is the same. His friends too. That is what he likes.
Do not waste your time with him!

Nursemammato3 · 14/05/2024 18:22

Yes, this is what I was thinking but he did drink at mine and his.
Yes, I have not thought about it that way before.

OP posts:
Nursemammato3 · 14/05/2024 18:23

I'm a nurse. I do try to do things for myself too. This has really made me think of how much I was losing myself in this relationship though.

OP posts:
canyouletthedogoutplease · 14/05/2024 18:41

You say that you have daughters of 17 and 19 who are older and more independant than his sons, yet he sounds like he spends a lot of time drinking with his sons who are younger than your DDs? He's not boyfriend of the year, he's not dad of the year either is he?

Secondly, he has spend the previous two years to meeting you involved with a woman who was dealing drugs and likely supplying him with cocaine. This is just a non starter OP, you have an obligation to your daughters to only bring men into your life, and by default their lives, who will add positively to the situation and I'm not talking about turning up with trinkets for them and buying their compliance. He's a loser, let him go down which ever drain he's going down without you.

Do better.

Mnk711 · 14/05/2024 19:00

He sounds awful, you're well rid of him. But your message to him on 'have a nice day' comes across as a bit passive aggressive, why didnt you say 'I'd love to see you but i know you're busy so wished you a nice day as I didn't expect to see you' or something like that? Perhaps he was upset you didn't fawn over him and beg to see him. Either way, better he has disappeared. I suspect though he'll be back, just wants to punish you.

Nursemammato3 · 14/05/2024 19:08

Because at this point I was fed up of the forever changing plans. I just took a deep breath, wished him a nice day and decided to have a. Ice day myself regardless. At this point I'm fed up of asking for his time. The plans were to see eachother, that's the point. Yes, he has disappeared and posting here has helped me see more clearly. He isn't for me. I do appreciate the support here.

OP posts:
Ohnodontwantthiscrush · 14/05/2024 19:17

Hi OP,

I'm sorry it's turned out this way. It's hard to meet someone you have a connection with and it sounds like outside of all this nonsense you and he had a nice time together. It's normal to feel sad about something ending even though you know it's for the best.

Before I met my DH I was single for pretty much all of my 30s. I dated a lot. My friends friend approached me. He was extremely good looking and a really nice guy also. Our lifestyles weren't really compatible. I like pursuing healthy activities during daylight hours. We genuinely did have a brief connection though.

I know what you mean about things not being your business (how he spends his money / parents) but I think where you need to have a much much harder line is accepting someone taking your free time for granted. Late cancellations are not on ever except in an emergency. Deciding to do something else is not an emergency.

The problem with someone who wants to drink all the time or take recreational drugs is that they have no time, desire or money for anything else. They also emotionally stay the same age they were when they started. It's no coincidence he hangs out with his son and girlfriend. They are mentally the same age. His mother is likely in the same boat as him. Trying to unravel generations of alcohol dependency will not go anywhere. I'm sure he did want to meet someone like you who would set him on a better path but you are an equal party in this relationship, not there for his benefit alone.

It's sad but it's not your problem or your business. Being left hanging around is very much your business though. Don't tolerate it again with anyone.

In the case of my ex guy he hadn't confirmed details one friday evening of when we were meeting. I knew he'd gone out the night before. I was dressed and ready to go out so messaged him to see when to expect him to pick me up as arranged. He answered "won't make it. Dying from last night." I said "No problem. We can leave it there altogether." Mutual friends said I was high maintenance and that's just how he was. They were keen to convince me it didn't mean he wasn't keen, he was allegedly very keen. That wasn't the problem. The problem was I was sitting in unexpectedly on a Friday evening for no good reason after a hard week of work and I knew it would happen again as he was clearly mildly outraged at my response and thought I was the one being unreasonable.

Take a look at the positives here -
It's good you gave it a go and now your girls are ok with you dating. You are clearly attractive.

Now consider who you would like to meet. Be very clear what you want from the relationship. Bear in mind at the age you are targeting most people are already living the life they want. This is good as it's clear from the offset. So if you want to meet someone to spend weekends with hiking, gardening and cooking join those sort of groups and see who you meet.

It's not very romantic sounding but I wanted someone to support me on my fitness pursuits so instead of running alone I forced myself to join a group, I started doing group training classes and joined the tennis club. I knew at least then the people who would be falling into my path would be more likely to move in those circles. Ironically I met DH online and he turned out to be an active member in all of my groups but we hadn't met. We had lots of fun dates though.

Catoo · 14/05/2024 19:48

Change your locks. Post the tickets if they are paper ones. If not you could refund him and resell. Post the tens machine also.

PP are correct. Alcohol comes first for him. Leave him to find a woman who wants to drink herself senseless with him. I’m sure there are times he wanted to want the life you want and to cut the drink down. But it will always win in the end.

Give yourself a couple of weeks of no contact and you’ll be glad he’s gone.