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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

DP is very hard to pin down but wants to be in touch all the time

29 replies

lastnightwasfreezing · 28/08/2024 11:30

DP and I have been together two years, both divorced, both with our respective DC, his older than mine as he is 60 and I am 45.

Our problem is that while he likes to talk and WhatsApp all the time (he told me he wants to speak 2x per day plus WhatsApp, send pics as much as possible, say good morning and goodnight,) I feel that he doesn’t see me as much as he should. And we keep ending up at stand offs where I slow down/stop communication because he is too busy to see me, and he gets upset.

it is really messing with my head.

DP spent the whole summer with his DC, their respective gfs/bfs, his mother and siblings in the US. He was away for a month. Before this, DP had been travelling for work for two weeks. When he was due to come back from the US with his family I booked a small break for us both which he had also agreed to (two nights) in the countryside, in the middle of nowhere. He would then go on to his DC 25th birthday. He was due to fly back from the US and get a plane straight to the countryside then on to DC birthday in Corsica. Two nights before he came back I got a series of WhatsApp’s in the middle of the night (US timezone) telling me he had really fucked up and that he had actually booked the Corsica flights OVER our trip and that DC’s birthday celebration started during our trip and that he would not be able to make the trip.

for me the trip was non refundable (and quite expensive) and I started to feel really upset that I had not only not seen him for a month and a half but I had organised and booked this trip and he just wasn’t coming. I asked for some space because I didn’t understand why he couldn’t adjust his flights to Corsica by one day (all his DC were going, his ExW, their friends etc and it was a week holiday, it wasn’t just him and his one DC.) I wanted to separate myself from the situation to work out whether I was reasonable or not, but he bombarded me with calls and WhatsApp’s saying how much i was upsetting him, how he didn’t feel emotionally resilient enough not to be in touch with me as much as he was, that he had made a “small mistake” and I had blown it out of all proportion.

What ended up happening was that he drove all the way to the hotel I had booked (an 8 hour round trip) stayed four hours with me, we had sex, ate dinner and he left at 2am to go straight to the airport to fly to Corsica and I spent the next day and night alone then came home.

when we were in the hotel we were making all sorts of plans. Thinking through dates, places, times, all the way up to Christmas, so that this wouldn’t happen again. He is now in Corsica and in touch ALL the time and supposed to come back tomorrow. We had agreed that we would see each other tomorrow evening , but now I am addressing the plans we agreed again, he is trying to shift them around (“can we make it Saturday instead of Thursday?”) He told me we would see each other on The 5th,6th,7th sept and now, it’s 1st, 2nd 3rd.”) I have a job, small DC of my own, I need to be able to plan ahead and he knows this, I have told him a million times.

if I point out the discrepancy he gets really upset and it makes me feel like a whining nag who is quibbling over dates and times and he said, she said. If I try and take some time to think through whether or not I am being reasonable in my feelings given we both have busy lives and maybe i am expecting too much , he hates that too. He hates me not being in touch, not wanting to call and chat through our day. So I find myself in this loop where he is wanting to speak all the time but I feel like the sand is always shifting and that I am not happy.

when I bring this up with him he just says I don’t understand how many directions he is pulled in. He has a busy job (I know this) but so do I. His DC are grown up , although he loves spending time with them. Mine are still small and require a lot of hand holding, his mother is very ill and dying etc.

last night I had to drive 2 hours at midnight returning from another celebration of one of my friends. DP became obsessed with me getting home safely. Wanted to talk for the whole two hours while I was driving so I didn’T fall asleep. Wanted confirmation I was back safe in my house .

all this yet he is so hard to pin down.he thinks I should be happy that he is so crazy about me that he cares this much. Do you think I am being unreasonable?

OP posts:
WitcheryDivine · 28/08/2024 11:34

I hate to ask but do you think there’s a chance he and his wife are back together or still together, or that he has another partner on the go? That’s my first thought since he seems to want a more or less virtual relationship with you.

Augustisnearlydonesogoodbyesun · 28/08/2024 11:37

Honestly? You sound like a booty call... He wants you on tap at his disposal
.. Keeping you hanging just enough so you don't go find another man. A decent man. Because he isn't one.

persisted · 28/08/2024 11:39

He wants all of your attention to be on him, all the time.
You are expected to change things round immediately to suit his plans, but he won't for you. He thinks that any push back on this is very unreasonable. Its like you should sit in a cupboard waiting until he needs you and then you spring back to life.

You have stuff to do, your whole life does not revolve around him, and it shouldn't. This stuff would drive me round the bend.

IdLikeToBeAFraser · 28/08/2024 11:39

Yeah, I have to say the same - he doesn't seem to want to spend time with you but he does want you on the hook and available. That's not a real relationship. He's also very controlling - everything is on his terms including how much contact you have, when you see each other etc .

This probalby won't go down well but I'd suggest that once youv'e firmed up whatever plan you're currently making you say somethign like, "you always get stressed if I'm not available to you. I want you to understand that I feel the same when you change our plans all the time, especially as it's very difficult for me to arrange things aroudn my DC. So I need you to commit properly to these plans and not flake on me nearer the time."

He'll accuse you of all kinds of things, I'm sure. But a sensible person who genuinely loved you would see that their behaviour is causing you stress and would want to change it.

Harvestfestivalknickers · 28/08/2024 11:43

It's not something I would tolerate, the relationship seems to be on his terms only and you have to fit around his family and work arrangements. The constant WhatsApp messages and speaking twice a day seems to be a bit controlling to me.
I agree that he's being pulled in all directions with a dying mother, older children, travel and a busy job but that's doesn't mean that you've got to hang around wanting the crumbs of time he has left.
You needs are not being met, he's busy, the relationship is not going to work. There's no blame, it's just the way it is.

Greydays3 · 28/08/2024 11:47

You fill his bored times on the phone but he isn't really that interested in you, or spending time with you.

He's an old man and you are absolutely wasting your time with him.

altmember · 28/08/2024 11:47

What are you getting out of this 'relationship'? It sounds like having a penpal and a sporadic booty call. He sounds way too busy with is own life to spend proper time with you. On top of that I can imagine the age gap becoming a problem as well, you're at (or soon will be at) different stages in life. You'd probably find a man in his 40's a better match.

cupcaske123 · 28/08/2024 11:49

Just tell him that you have things to do during the day and can't be on WhatsApp all the time. Then mute him until you want to speak to him. If this is a problem, tell him that it's entirely his problem and he needs to deal with it.

As for his flakiness, ultimatum time. Tell him that if he messes you around like that again, you're out. You don't feel like a priority and although you understand he's busy, so are you.

Refugenewbie · 28/08/2024 11:50

It sounds like such hard work. Why he is so needy yet unwilling to put quality time in? He needs to make some sacrifices if he wants to be with you and learn to sit with his own company. You're not a chat bot. I don't like the sound of him really.

candycane222 · 28/08/2024 11:51

Reading your post makes me feel all itchy, as though I was stuck in a room with a swarm of flies crawling all over me. Don't you feel completely suffocated by him? I would 😲

Cural · 28/08/2024 11:51

His life is more important than yours OP, he makes sure you know that.

Fitting in four hours for sex and dinner, then off on his holiday. Sod off!

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 28/08/2024 11:55

I have just ended things with a man who was basically doing this to me as it was annoying and stressful and I deserve better. Not even bothered looking for another man but I instantly feel lighter not having the stress of not knowing when he'll deign to see me next. I cut this off within less than three months of meeting him you shouldn't do too he's not a 'partner' he's a penpal

Cannotforgiveorforget · 28/08/2024 11:55

He’s chucking you crumbs when he can bothered. You deserve the whole cake. Bin him,

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 28/08/2024 11:55

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 28/08/2024 11:55

I have just ended things with a man who was basically doing this to me as it was annoying and stressful and I deserve better. Not even bothered looking for another man but I instantly feel lighter not having the stress of not knowing when he'll deign to see me next. I cut this off within less than three months of meeting him you shouldn't do too he's not a 'partner' he's a penpal

Should.*

WonderingWanda · 28/08/2024 11:56

He doesn't seem to want you in his life rather on the periphery when it suits him. As his children are all grown up adults it wouldn't be an issue for him to introduce you and include you in some of those events or invite you when he travels to other places....if his life is so busy. He is placing you quite low in his priorities and it wouldn't be something I would accept. The weird being in touch thing sounds a tad controlling too....how dare you be out at midnight and you'd better not run off with anyone else.

Think carefully about what you want from this relationship, make that clear to him and don't settle for anything less.

StopMakingMeLook · 28/08/2024 11:58

I would be tempted to tell him that you need a relationship that's cemented in a real life, in-person connection. And while WhatsApp is a good occasional backup, you don't want to conduct a primarily messaging relationship.

Then you could say you're taking a break from WhatsApp for a couple of says to spend a bit of quality time on stuff you enjoy.

Mute for a while, and then see what he has to say. Doesn't sound great though.

Dery · 28/08/2024 11:58

“Harvestfestivalknickers · Today 11:43
It's not something I would tolerate, the relationship seems to be on his terms only and you have to fit around his family and work arrangements. The constant WhatsApp messages and speaking twice a day seems to be a bit controlling to me.
I agree that he's being pulled in all directions with a dying mother, older children, travel and a busy job but that's doesn't mean that you've got to hang around wanting the crumbs of time he has left.
You needs are not being met, he's busy, the relationship is not going to work. There's no blame, it's just the way it is.”

This with bells on.

Lurkingandlearning · 28/08/2024 11:59

The level of daily contact and constant rearranging of plans would drive me mad. It sounds chaotic, even the texts/ calls. How can you concentrate, even to just be engaged with anything, with that pecking at your head from the time you get up till the time you go to bed?

SmallBox · 28/08/2024 12:20

You can do better than him.

CloudPop · 28/08/2024 12:22

He sounds like a nightmare. I'm exhausted just reading your post.

buttonsB4 · 28/08/2024 12:23

If you want a FWB relationship, why not go for a man 15yrs your junior with zero commitments rather than 15yrs your senior with a truck load of issues?

I'm struggling to see the positives of your relationship.

Codlingmoths · 28/08/2024 12:26

God he sounds exhausting. ‘Listen, I can’t be on call all day every day for someone who can’t make a simple plan to meet and hold to it. I won’t be answering regular texts through the day from a man who keeps fucking around with my time: we said we’d meet this date. Is it this date, yes or no. I have a busy life too you know; you make me feel like I should just be available to you whenever suits and you can drop me like a hot potato. Stop fucking around. I don’t want 100 texts, I want a man who wants to see me. And if you can’t manage that don’t you fucking dare tell me you haven’t the emotional resilience to handle not having all your texts replied to instantly, you’re not 12.

FKAT · 28/08/2024 12:32

Cural · 28/08/2024 11:51

His life is more important than yours OP, he makes sure you know that.

Fitting in four hours for sex and dinner, then off on his holiday. Sod off!

This. He's got main character syndrome.

I don't see why a man who can spend a month in the US and then go on a week's holiday to Corsica can't refund you the mini-break?

And he's nearly old enough to be your dad. He sounds like a Gerard Depardieu character.

CoolDown · 28/08/2024 12:49

That all sounds extremely weird. His constant need to be in touch does sound controlling. He is not actually seeing you much but he is keeping you hanging.

pikkumyy77 · 28/08/2024 12:55

I think this kind of man can probably be found in Lundy Bancroft’s book. He is some combination of sweet talker and water torturer—he is extremely needy and controlling and collapses into whining whenever you stick up for yourself.