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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

She wants kids at 46 and doesn't call

281 replies

Italianmower · 28/01/2026 15:49

I recently met a wonderful 46-year-old woman(I am m36), and while we’ve only had two dates, our connection is intense; she is a beauty and a very fascinating person. We met twice and I travelled for a month but we message constantly, and I even picked up a bottle of her favourite wine while travelling, which led to an invitation for dinner at her place tomorrow. However, I’m navigating two specific hurdles and would appreciate some female perspective.

1 - she relies heavily on lengthy voice notes, sometimes up to 30 minutes long 🙄which makes it difficult to track every detail when it comes to responding. Despite my hints and a few missed calls to her, she seems to action my suggestion for real-time phone conversations. How can I gently suggest switching to calls without dismissing her preferred way of communicating or sounding too keen to do calls(maybe she has a valid reason for this?).

2 - she recently mentioned being ready for children(she rushed over this topic I could not even address it). Given her age and some issues people face conceiving at such an age, I’m conscious of the potential complexities and costs involved, such as IVF, which I’m not prepared to pursue if it ever comes to it(no i am not assuming she would expect me to fund it but it is likely a mutual thing for those who do it). I’m personally neutral on having kids; if she was young, I would likely not have any reservations down the road(not saying being young means it is easy to conceive for everyone), but I don’t want to respond in a way that feels harsh , judgemental or dismissive.

How should I best address these topics during our dinner tomorrow?
FYI some may say, it is too early to talk about this; personally I date with intention at this stage and so does she so it is crucial to talk about these things early.

OP posts:
Oopsylazy · 28/01/2026 15:51

Run a mile!

DierdreBarlow · 28/01/2026 15:51

Don't turn up at dinner tomorrow.

Catza · 28/01/2026 15:52

Unless you can address it with her in exact open way you did here, there is no point carrying on with the relationship. Relationship either has open communication or it hasn't. If you are already worrying about offending, the power is imbalanced and it will all go tits up very quickly.

Lightwell · 28/01/2026 15:52

Children at 46?¿???? Bonkers

SalmonOnFinnCrisp · 28/01/2026 15:53
run discover GIF

Run forest! RUUUUUUN

CaffeinatedSeagull · 28/01/2026 15:54

There are a lot of red flags in your post @Italianmower .

Personally I’d be asking myself if I even wanted to have dinner with her or to cut it off now.

ProfessorRedshoeblueshoe · 28/01/2026 15:54

Wow you've had 2 dates. Are you going to propose on Valentine's Day ?

Run--->

BollyMolly · 28/01/2026 15:55

She’s too old to have children.

BigButtons · 28/01/2026 15:56

Have nothing more to do with her- this has red flags all over it.

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 28/01/2026 15:56

Unless she has eggs already frozen she ain’t having kids at 46.

NoMoreSpaniels · 28/01/2026 15:58

Two dates! Just text to say you can't make it to dinner, there's no connection, all the best, bye.

I wouldn't listen to a half hour monologue if I was being paid, nevermind someone I'd known for a matter of minutes.

ERthree · 28/01/2026 15:59

Oh my, just run.

CarlStoleMyUnderpants · 28/01/2026 16:02

BE FORREST GUMP AND RUN LIKE HELL

PlushieinmyPocket · 28/01/2026 16:03

Shes about 10 years too late to be having this conversation about babies.

If it were me, I wouldn’t be entering an arrangement like this. Doesn’t sound like much fun, and you already have reservations.

thenightsky · 28/01/2026 16:03

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 28/01/2026 15:56

Unless she has eggs already frozen she ain’t having kids at 46.

This.

Minjou · 28/01/2026 16:05

30 minute voice notes is frankly psychotic.

YourWildAnt · 28/01/2026 16:06

You sound lovely and incredibly patient. I don't think this one has legs.
I can't think of a sane person I know who speaks into thin air for 30 minutes straight and wants to begin having children approaching 50.
Best of luck to you.

BillieWiper · 28/01/2026 16:06

It's not really normal to talk about wanting children on a second date. And at 46 as you say it's very unlikely to happen in a straightforward fashion. Not that you should have to be concerned with this seeing as you barely know her.

I presume this has put you off so you should cancel the date and say you think you're not really that compatible so it's best to part ways.

mondaytosunday · 28/01/2026 16:06

Well no @EvangelicalAboutButteredToast and @BollyMollyshe isn’t as I’ve two friends who conceived naturally at that age and their kids are uni age now.
OP just put the brakes on - she may have mentioned kids in passing but do you think she may have meant adopting? Surrogacy? After all even if you guys continue to develop you won’t be having a baby immediately and she’ll be 47 or 48 by then.
The voicemail thing - who can talk non stop without any feedback? After two dates too! She sounds odd.
Just spend some time getting to know each other before planning your forever after.

ManManManManMan · 28/01/2026 16:07

Either of those two things would have me running a mile, never mind the fact that she’s ten years older than you so she’s going to be perimenopausal anyway. A million red flags mate.

TheFormidableMrsC · 28/01/2026 16:07

You lost me at 30 minute voice notes. What an absolute weirdo. Red flags everywhere. Don’t do it.

ThePoshUns · 28/01/2026 16:08

Run for the hills

ImpatientlyWaitingForSummer · 28/01/2026 16:08

Sorry OP but the 30 minute voice notes alone would send me running for the hills!

rockingroller · 28/01/2026 16:08

You are both being open about your intentions so say everything to this woman that you've been saying here, and see how she replies. Full disclosure is the only way forward. Complain that her voice notes are far too long, for a start. They are. Most people hate voice notes.

BowlyLarr · 28/01/2026 16:09

This is a non-starter.

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