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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

Boyfriend felt pressured by ring shopping discussion

259 replies

Autumntimes · 18/01/2025 19:47

Both in our early to mid 30s so I thought a year and a half is plenty of time to be engaged for our age. We are also living together now. We have discussed marriage and kids and I mentioned that I would not like to be together for more than 2 years and still don’t have a solution plan if we would get married. He seemed to be ok with the timeline but he never actively brought up the timeline convo again. I recently started to look at rings and I never try one on before. My friend who just got married recently has been encouraging me to at least start looking and it would take time to find something I like anyways so I should start looking for fun. I expressed to my bf that we should maybe go ring shopping together. He seemed ok to it at first. Today he finally mentioned that I am pressuring him and that I had been talking about it too much. Maybe I had been but I was just excited for the future and the fact that a few of my friends just got married recently made me feel the highs of being engaged. I freaked out and asked what he meant and he said he didn’t mean it in a negative way.
Now my head is all over the place. We had been talking about marriage for a while and he even wrote down the different shapes and cuts of rings that I came across on the Internet. I thought we were on the right direction. I had told him that I just wanted to do ring shopping for fun and did not expect this reaction.
Now I don’t want to even think about marrying him anymore. The relationship has been very good otherwise and he has genuinely been a good partner to me and his family is amazing to me.
Am I being dramatic? I feel dramatic because as the words came out of his mouth, my tears just wouldn’t stop dropping I had to take a cold shower to calm myself down. I can’t quite fantom whether it was the shame of me even asking to go for ring shopping or the fact that someone who I thought loved me would even feel pressured by ring shopping talk.

OP posts:
XiCi · 19/01/2025 09:41

I've never heard of taking a cold shower to calm down. Is this a thing? I can't imagine anything less calming.

Darkmorningsarethepits · 19/01/2025 09:48

You sound terrifying a classic bridezilla in the making

Poor man. If I was him I would have a huge bout of cold feet. I’m impressed he actually managed to stand up to you and say he felt pressured by you.

This timeline you have created of being engaged by two years so start ring shopping six months before that etc etc is like a really weird showboating and you have lost sight of what marriage is all about.

18m is no time at all and you should still be learning about each other and having fun.

If I was him I think I’d be reconsidering the relationship as your pushiness and desire for the show of choosing a ring and cut, colour etc without you actually recognising how it’s making him feel is a real red flag for what actually matters to you (not him).

SallyWD · 19/01/2025 10:00

XiCi · 19/01/2025 09:41

I've never heard of taking a cold shower to calm down. Is this a thing? I can't imagine anything less calming.

Haha, true. I'd just feel highly angry if I had to stand under a cold shower

IdylicDay · 19/01/2025 10:17

There are some horrible and ignorant replies to you, OP. You're right, 2 years is enough time to 'fish or cut bait'. At least you know your worth, and not being with 'partner' for 10 years and not married. There is nothing wrong with having self-respect and wanting the promise, unity and security of marriage. You also mentioned you're in your early to mid 30s and if you want kids you will need to start soon. So I 'get' the sense of urgency you have and its understandable. I'd leave it for 6 months to the end of the year and then bring it up again and make it clear at that point it is a priority for you, a deal-breaker, and you want him to be honest, you don't want him to muck you around. So give him an ultimatum at that point. Some men are future-fakers and may talk of marriage but all along not intend to really do it, and you don't want someone like that wasting your precious time and body clock.

VimesandhisCardboardBoots · 19/01/2025 10:22

I'd be running a bloody mile. How on earth would I possibly know that I want to spend the rest of my life with someone 18 months in?

You're putting him under a huge amount of pressure to do something he probably has no idea yet if he even wants to do, and you're likely to have the opposite effect of what you're looking for as a result.

Sandylittleknees · 19/01/2025 10:22

Tcsha - of course choosing a ring together is sensible- but not before you’ve both agreed to get married!

Purplecatshopaholic · 19/01/2025 10:25

You do sound a bit over dramatic op. I’d calm TF down and take it as it comes.

Machachacha · 19/01/2025 10:30

Who's idea was it to move in and why?
Was it part of a future discussion or just a see how it works out?
Exactly how long are you living together?
Because it reads to me as if he is happy with the status quo and would prefer another year or twobat least of this.

You are right to be concerned.
Forget about the ring.
You need to admit to yourself he has gone off the idea.
Pack up and leave, if he lets you, you will know that you were being strung along.
If you want a family you need to be with someone who really is on the same page as you.
He isn't.
He's gun shy.
Do not be tempted to have a child anyway.
It invariably is not in a womans best interests to have a child with a man who doesn't want to marry them.

Boredlass · 19/01/2025 10:32

wassailess · 18/01/2025 20:25

I don't know anyone who has gone ring shopping together.

We did but we decided to get married together, no proposal and then we went out looking for rings including the wedding bands.

Twixtmasjigsaw · 19/01/2025 10:34

Dear God, no wonder he's feeling pressured. The first 18 months of a relationship are meant to be about having fun and being in love. Honestly, you sound like you are approaching every day with a tick list. That's a complete buzz kill.

2JFDIYOLO · 19/01/2025 11:43

I always wonder if it is wise to live together first.

On one hand you both get to learn the 'little ways' that might have been hidden when both on best behaviour and have homes to go back to, and can be clear if you're happy.

But on the other - he's already got pretty much everything men get with marriage, so what's the point of it?

Machachacha · 19/01/2025 11:50

I think moving in when you are engaged is a good idea.
I was with my husband 18 months, he proposed and he moved in when his tenancy finished 3 months later.
We married 9 months later.
We were fully committed when he moved in and had booked a date etc.

It made certain sense to us.
I wouldn't have dreamed of it without being engaged.
I house shared with friends for years and loved it, great fun.

Only on MN are women moving in with guys and having children without marriage.

In my very MC life I don't know of anyone who does this.
All the daughters of family and friends are professional women who get engaged, buy houses, marry and have children.
Without exception.
Very very few are having a church wedding, overwhelmingly registry jobs with a reception afterwards, with a blessing of some sort at the hotel.

MayaPinion · 19/01/2025 12:00

Autumntimes · 18/01/2025 20:06

Why do I need to wait for his proposal before I look for rings? I’m talking about engagement ring here. A lot of people I know do ring shopping together months and even a year ahead of the proposal

Because you don’t know if he wants to marry you? It’s not looking good, tbh. If he was keen he’d want to go ring shopping.

AsmallabodeIsallweWant · 19/01/2025 12:06

Iloveyoubut · 18/01/2025 22:24

I’ve been there. Don’t ever feel like you need to beg for or push for a ring etc. he’s just going to waste your time, use up your fertile years and fuck you over. Honesty… you need to wait for someone’s proposal before you look at rings because why are you looking at rings when no one has proposed to you! I’m really the most non harsh person but what are you doing? If a guy really wants you, he’ll make it well known to you. It’s just the truth. Again… I wasted years of my life and I’ve seen friends do the same so I’m not orojecting. You’re kinda proposing to yourself here. Give him an ultimatum, mean it, give it 3 months, nothing changes, leave. Honestly. That’s where you’re at here. If a man wants something, he makes it happen.

yes, exactly
this is how I did it. I forced it but it worked. Reaching the 13th year together. He was a nice man but not nice in my eyes if he relied on my body being there for his pleasure only but what about my financial life, future, kids, pension arrangement, inheritance LOL

there are many nice sweet characters of men I could go for if I just needed a nice sweet guy

AsmallabodeIsallweWant · 19/01/2025 12:07

Machachacha · 19/01/2025 11:50

I think moving in when you are engaged is a good idea.
I was with my husband 18 months, he proposed and he moved in when his tenancy finished 3 months later.
We married 9 months later.
We were fully committed when he moved in and had booked a date etc.

It made certain sense to us.
I wouldn't have dreamed of it without being engaged.
I house shared with friends for years and loved it, great fun.

Only on MN are women moving in with guys and having children without marriage.

In my very MC life I don't know of anyone who does this.
All the daughters of family and friends are professional women who get engaged, buy houses, marry and have children.
Without exception.
Very very few are having a church wedding, overwhelmingly registry jobs with a reception afterwards, with a blessing of some sort at the hotel.

Edited

I will never understand doing to yourself and kids this misery: having kids without marriage

IdylicDay · 19/01/2025 12:19

AsmallabodeIsallweWant · 19/01/2025 12:07

I will never understand doing to yourself and kids this misery: having kids without marriage

Absolutely. I see threads on here where posters saying they are 'trying for a baby' with their 'partner' and later on in the thread when asked about finances etc say they're not married. I mean, I know mistakes happen, but to actually deliberately try for a baby when not married? I mean why would you even think to do that. Its putting the cart before the horse. And I do not apologise for my belief.

2025willbemytime · 19/01/2025 12:24

Sandylittleknees · 19/01/2025 08:27

2025 - that makes more sense, I thought you knew he bought it.

Sorry for not being clear.

ClockingOffers · 19/01/2025 12:29

If you’re only interested in showing off a big glitzy ring and hosting a fun party, go ahead and get engaged. It doesn’t matter if you don’t bother getting married afterwards.

A good marriage has feck all to do with engagement rings and fancy weddings. Before you get married, make sure he’s the right man for you. Does he change plans and care for you when you’re sick or does he put his own needs first?

DownThePubWithStevieNicks · 19/01/2025 12:40

OP getting a ring, a proposal, an engagement, a wedding - none of these are an end in themselves. You are treating these things like an achievement you want because friends have them, but you don’t seem to be thinking about the marriage at the end of it all.

The posters saying that the proposal should be a surprise from the man, and scoffing at the idea of talking through what married and parenting life will be like in practice, are the reason there are so many threads on here from women who are surprised that their husband had turned out to be a selfish shit who won’t pull his weight around the house and with the kids.

Shinyandnew1 · 19/01/2025 12:57

Machachacha · 19/01/2025 11:50

I think moving in when you are engaged is a good idea.
I was with my husband 18 months, he proposed and he moved in when his tenancy finished 3 months later.
We married 9 months later.
We were fully committed when he moved in and had booked a date etc.

It made certain sense to us.
I wouldn't have dreamed of it without being engaged.
I house shared with friends for years and loved it, great fun.

Only on MN are women moving in with guys and having children without marriage.

In my very MC life I don't know of anyone who does this.
All the daughters of family and friends are professional women who get engaged, buy houses, marry and have children.
Without exception.
Very very few are having a church wedding, overwhelmingly registry jobs with a reception afterwards, with a blessing of some sort at the hotel.

Edited

Interesting-all my friends (all professional/graduates) moved in together, then bought a house and then got engaged/married and had children. Without exception!

Whatever a couple does, they need to both be on board. @DownThePubWithStevieNicks , it seems your boyfriend doesn't want to get engaged/married to you at the moment, despite whatever arbitrary timeline you and your friends think is best. You need to talk to him about it but accept that he may well not agree that your timeline is the only one.

DownThePubWithStevieNicks · 19/01/2025 13:04

Shinyandnew1 · 19/01/2025 12:57

Interesting-all my friends (all professional/graduates) moved in together, then bought a house and then got engaged/married and had children. Without exception!

Whatever a couple does, they need to both be on board. @DownThePubWithStevieNicks , it seems your boyfriend doesn't want to get engaged/married to you at the moment, despite whatever arbitrary timeline you and your friends think is best. You need to talk to him about it but accept that he may well not agree that your timeline is the only one.

I’m not the OP with the reluctant bf!

perfectcolourfound · 19/01/2025 13:25

Do you feel that he really wants to be married to you? Genuinely, and without you bringing it up, would he bring it up?

In any casew, 18 months is very soon to be talking about engagement. I don't think many people would want to commit to someone for the rest of their days after knowing them for only 18 months. So I can't judge him if he isn't yet sure.

The important thing is to talk, and to see if you're on the same page. He needs to be honest (as do you) and say if he thinks it's too soon to tell / if he doesn't imagine ever getting married / if he isn't sure you're the one / knows you aren't the one.

Take the focus off rings. They are unimportant.

Zone2NorthLondon · 19/01/2025 13:42

Machachacha · 19/01/2025 11:50

I think moving in when you are engaged is a good idea.
I was with my husband 18 months, he proposed and he moved in when his tenancy finished 3 months later.
We married 9 months later.
We were fully committed when he moved in and had booked a date etc.

It made certain sense to us.
I wouldn't have dreamed of it without being engaged.
I house shared with friends for years and loved it, great fun.

Only on MN are women moving in with guys and having children without marriage.

In my very MC life I don't know of anyone who does this.
All the daughters of family and friends are professional women who get engaged, buy houses, marry and have children.
Without exception.
Very very few are having a church wedding, overwhelmingly registry jobs with a reception afterwards, with a blessing of some sort at the hotel.

Edited

observation from my dry very mc locality and professional job.without exception
Vast majority cohabitation and children
some marry ( the minority) A few faith ceremonies in synagogue, temple,chapel etc
Absolutely no women are changing names. In my profession your name matters, it’s your reputation its who you are and how you’re known

i think most women no longer feel feel marriage is inevitable or a middle class badge of status . Being married isn’t necessarily every woman wish

Zone2NorthLondon · 19/01/2025 13:47

Typo Haha it is not dry far from it, the Viognier flows
An observation from my very very mc locality and professional job.without exception people cohabitate

Shinyandnew1 · 19/01/2025 13:53

@DownThePubWithStevieNicks huge apologies, I clicked on the wrong person!