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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:
Italianmower · 28/01/2026 17:00

VoltaireMittyDream · 28/01/2026 16:09

People who send long voice notes in lieu of conversations want to talk, not listen.

If she’s ’ready for kids’ at 46, she is not in touch with reality, and won’t appreciate your realty-based thinking.

I think you are right to suspect she’ll respond by taking offence.

Either she doesn’t think the same biological constraints the rest of us live with should apply to her, in which case she’s bonkers, or she’s in denial about her age and still has an idea that she’s 23 at heart and that’s all that matters. Or, she’s laying a trap by making this suggestion super lightly, so that you will respond thoughtfully with your concerns, and she can feel justified in being furious / hurt and your having to atone forever.

Just don’t. Save yourself the aggro.

Edited

"People who send long voice notes in lieu of conversations want to talk, not listen."

I had this though to be honest, on our first date she did allow me to talk about my own life but looking back, it seems it was more about what she has done in life or an opinion on my life(all positive though as I am a bit on the quiet side)

OP posts:
MajorProcrastination · 28/01/2026 17:00

30 minutes isn't a voice note, it's a podcast.

mumofoneAloneandwell · 28/01/2026 17:01

Hmm

the voice notes alone would be enough for me to end things - I cannot listen to anything for 30 mins sorry

Italianmower · 28/01/2026 17:01

KnitFastDieWarm · 28/01/2026 16:59

My and DP have been known to leave slightly verbose voice notes to one another but a) that’s after years together and b) we’re talking max 4 or 5 minutes. Personally I wouldn’t listen to a 30 minute voice note telling me the secret to eternal life, let alone the ramblings of someone i’d met twice.

" telling me the secret to eternal life" - She is the type to say stuff like this hence saying she is fascinating. I would hate to stop talking to her because I think she is very intellectual (TED talk level) - i just wish it was not so intense early on

OP posts:
pinkyredrose · 28/01/2026 17:02

That's way too intense! I'd be tempted to go for dinner though if she's good company, maybe just be friends.

Italianmower · 28/01/2026 17:03

Real time update: I just opened my whatsapp and there is a 11mins note(she knows I finish work this very minute )

OP posts:
ShawnaMacallister · 28/01/2026 17:05

Italianmower · 28/01/2026 17:01

" telling me the secret to eternal life" - She is the type to say stuff like this hence saying she is fascinating. I would hate to stop talking to her because I think she is very intellectual (TED talk level) - i just wish it was not so intense early on

You sound awed by her. She doesn't sound all that and she's not really interested in you as a person is she? Just your admiration of her fascinating intellect. Connections like that do not last. Where is the fun? The reciprocity? It's never good to be in awe of the person you're dating. Doesn't lead to equality.

abracadabra1980 · 28/01/2026 17:05

Is she Katie Price?

OneShyQuail · 28/01/2026 17:05

Italianmower · 28/01/2026 16:57

oh oh - what have i done now?

To clarify - I meant her professional service and just not consider an actual relationship(I will obviously tell her)

Edited

Glad you clarified!
Sounded well dodgy 😂

ShawnaMacallister · 28/01/2026 17:05

Italianmower · 28/01/2026 17:03

Real time update: I just opened my whatsapp and there is a 11mins note(she knows I finish work this very minute )

Ignore it. Or reply saying sorry I can't listen to that right now and then never listen to it. So self absorbed!

ChurchWindows · 28/01/2026 17:05

Jesus mate, it's not meant to be this complicated.

Do you want to spend an evening/the rest of your life with someone who can't shut up and sounds like a TED talk?

If so, go along, say quit with the long messages and no, I do not want children with you. Are we still on for some wine and prawns?

If you don't then text to cancel and go to the pub or five-a-sisde or whatever else you were doing on a Thursday evening in January.

sprigatito · 28/01/2026 17:06

I disagree that leaving voice notes necessarily means she loves the sound of her own voice and isn’t capable of conversation. I have several friends and family members who are dyslexic, ND, processing disorders, various other non-pejorative quirks that mean phone calls are difficult and prefer communicating either in writing or by voice notes. If that doesn’t work for you, that’s fine and it probably means you aren’t compatible.

also disagree that wanting a baby at 46 is insane or bonkers or any of the other unpleasant terms people have used. Lots of women become mothers in their 40s and have done throughout history. If that isn’t what you want, then that’s fine and it probably means you aren’t compatible.

YourKhakiViper · 28/01/2026 17:07

“Ready” for children at 46 did make me snigger a little but hearing her plans for this will help you work out how detached from reality she might be. Maybe she already has sensible plans in terms of eggs frozen or is progressing on an adoption pathway. Without speaking about this in more depth, you won’t know.

When combined with the long voice notes though, this makes her appear fairly self indulgent and as if she wants somebody to talk at, not to. The fact that she apologises for the length of the messages shows that she has some awareness of how she is coming across but still can’t stop herself. Only you know if this type of person is right for you.

VoltaireMittyDream · 28/01/2026 17:07

People wanting to have intense conversations about the secret of eternal life are not intellectual, they are unhinged.

If this is the sort of conversation you enjoy, join a cult - there will at least be more people around to share the load of worshipping the attention-hungry.

Italianmower · 28/01/2026 17:07

OneShyQuail · 28/01/2026 17:05

Glad you clarified!
Sounded well dodgy 😂

oh no - i read back and I can see how it sounded dodgy.

OP posts:
Jackiebrambles · 28/01/2026 17:08

How can anyone leave a 30 minute voice note. Just how self obsessed is that? She’s not hosting a podcast.

Italianmower · 28/01/2026 17:08

abracadabra1980 · 28/01/2026 17:05

Is she Katie Price?

God forbid.

OP posts:
CamillaMcCauley · 28/01/2026 17:10

She sounds like a grandiose narcissist who loves the sound of her own voice and having an audience willing to put up with her monologues because she’s so pretty fascinating.

In my experience people who start talking about having kids in their late 40s are immensely selfish and don’t adjust well to having a dependent to care for. I’d be throwing this one back and just listening to some proper TED Talks if you’re desperate for intellectual stimulation.

vodkaredbullgirl · 28/01/2026 17:10

Run

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 28/01/2026 17:10

Jeez, run a mile, as fast as you can.

Muffinmam · 28/01/2026 17:10

She sounds like an absolute narcissist to leave 30 minute voice notes!

I wouldn’t even respond to a voice note. Text me or don’t bother.

BerryTwister · 28/01/2026 17:10

MajorProcrastination · 28/01/2026 17:00

30 minutes isn't a voice note, it's a podcast.

😂😂

LiveToTell · 28/01/2026 17:12

Are you Katie Price’s new husband 😂

StopBothering · 28/01/2026 17:12

Her eggs are shrivelled.

You've had 2 dates.

30 minute voicenotes?

Bonkers - both of you.

RaininSummer · 28/01/2026 17:13

She sounds like a self absorbed nightmare. I recommend not getting any more involved.