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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:
blueshoes · 28/01/2026 20:02

BeGreenBiscuit · 28/01/2026 19:50

If she wants a baby she could go to a sperm bank and have IVF through their clinic. Poor bloke has come to Mumsnet he feels bewildered and pressured after 2 DATE'S. It's a lot all at once and I don't think she has thought it through properly. She has had her own way for most of her life shecannot force him to have a child with her when she feels ready after 2 DATES. She is looking foolish and unreasonable and has made the op feel like he is walking in egg shell's.

Urgency is the tactic of the scammer as is bombarding the victim with so much information (voice notes) that he cannot think straight. Lovebombing is also another tactic.

OP, look up the word 'pig butchering' as a scam. These people can spend a lot of time laying the groundwork to create the illusion of a romantic relationship until the victim is hooked and opens their wallet willingly once the scammer is ready to strike. The difference is she is a real life person but the tactics sound similar.

Don't give her money or personal details. Better still, RUN!

whereHeroesAremade · 28/01/2026 20:03

Even if you go and get married and she has kids, let's say at 47 or 48, they will be 20 when she is 68 and can be even dead before that time and you will be left a younger widower....

interesting post though, great and careful choice of words, is it because you are Italian or inspired by women's writing?

BeGreenBiscuit · 28/01/2026 20:04

Uppinty · 28/01/2026 19:59

Well, I don't know where you've got all that from! She's not forcing anyone to do anything, it's not wrong for her to have been forthcoming about what she wants - good for her I say, best not waste each other's time. OP has free will and can choose to take it or leave it. No one is being oppressed to father children, get it together.

The voice note thing can be solved with a direct request. If she doesn't respect that then that's a problem in itself, but as he hasn't asked her yet it's difficult to know how she'll respond.

I am 42 and I am not on any contraception. I have been with my partner for over 20 years. I don't know where I am going to find the energy. Tanya Ramsey had another baby and so did the other chefs wife in her 40's. Of course it can happen but he's not even visited her home yet. There's free will and there is having responsibility for a child with a woman he barely knows. My advice would be get to know her first and make sure she is mentally stable before having a child.

Uppinty · 28/01/2026 20:06

BeGreenBiscuit · 28/01/2026 19:50

If she wants a baby she could go to a sperm bank and have IVF through their clinic. Poor bloke has come to Mumsnet he feels bewildered and pressured after 2 DATE'S. It's a lot all at once and I don't think she has thought it through properly. She has had her own way for most of her life shecannot force him to have a child with her when she feels ready after 2 DATES. She is looking foolish and unreasonable and has made the op feel like he is walking in egg shell's.

Also, I told now DH I wanted to have kids after our first date. He proposed on the third and we were married 3 months later. I'm not saying this is the case with OP but it happens. Not always, but it happens. Putting a rigid time limit on people's relationships as if they must all follow the same path is weird.

BeGreenBiscuit · 28/01/2026 20:09

Uppinty · 28/01/2026 20:06

Also, I told now DH I wanted to have kids after our first date. He proposed on the third and we were married 3 months later. I'm not saying this is the case with OP but it happens. Not always, but it happens. Putting a rigid time limit on people's relationships as if they must all follow the same path is weird.

Op doesn't want to be persuaded he is asking advice on what to say to her. He would not be here if it's what he wanted.

whereHeroesAremade · 28/01/2026 20:10

Why is she fascinating...now this is what I call derailing the thread, Antonio

Evaporateandlisten · 28/01/2026 20:10

She finds herself fascinating too!
She sounds dull. She likes the sound of her own voice. What does she talk about?
I love to talk but I also love to listen.

Hope the wine is nice because I think that you have been invited as an audience to listen rather than to participate.

Uppinty · 28/01/2026 20:13

BeGreenBiscuit · 28/01/2026 20:04

I am 42 and I am not on any contraception. I have been with my partner for over 20 years. I don't know where I am going to find the energy. Tanya Ramsey had another baby and so did the other chefs wife in her 40's. Of course it can happen but he's not even visited her home yet. There's free will and there is having responsibility for a child with a woman he barely knows. My advice would be get to know her first and make sure she is mentally stable before having a child.

I am 42 and I am not on any contraception. I have been with my partner for over 20 years.

Ok...? Sorry, I don't follow.

Tanya Ramsey had another baby and so did the other chefs wife in her 40's.

Again, not quite sure what this means

There's free will and there is having responsibility for a child with a woman he barely knows.

He's not being forced to do ANY of that! His free will sort of means he can choose not to.

My advice would be get to know her first and make sure she is mentally stable before having a child.

Yep. Good advice. I don't think anyone is saying otherwise, and she should with him also. Every relationship timeline is different though as is everyone's decision-making.

whereHeroesAremade · 28/01/2026 20:14

Egglio · 28/01/2026 16:13

If she sends you 30 minute monologues now, whilst you are in a dating phase, just think of what you're going to get if you had an argument! I could not be arsed. She sounds endlessly self centred.

well, they are both Italian, so there are movies made about Italian marriages in arguments....loads of shouting and mad sex in the end

Uppinty · 28/01/2026 20:14

BeGreenBiscuit · 28/01/2026 20:09

Op doesn't want to be persuaded he is asking advice on what to say to her. He would not be here if it's what he wanted.

I'm not persuading OP, I was replying to you.

Evaporateandlisten · 28/01/2026 20:14

BeGreenBiscuit · 28/01/2026 19:55

She is treating him as the sperm donor she sounds impulsive.

I agree with this.

Conversation is not required.

StrippeyFrog · 28/01/2026 20:16

I honestly would assume there’s something off with her with the voice notes being that long. And children at 46 also sounds like she’s being a bit delusional - unless she’s already taken steps like getting her eggs frozen/fertility checked/saved for IVF.

BeGreenBiscuit · 28/01/2026 20:17

Uppinty · 28/01/2026 20:13

I am 42 and I am not on any contraception. I have been with my partner for over 20 years.

Ok...? Sorry, I don't follow.

Tanya Ramsey had another baby and so did the other chefs wife in her 40's.

Again, not quite sure what this means

There's free will and there is having responsibility for a child with a woman he barely knows.

He's not being forced to do ANY of that! His free will sort of means he can choose not to.

My advice would be get to know her first and make sure she is mentally stable before having a child.

Yep. Good advice. I don't think anyone is saying otherwise, and she should with him also. Every relationship timeline is different though as is everyone's decision-making.

I was joining in the pointless discussion about women having babies in their 40's op doesn't care. He was insinuating he wanted to be her friend. I'm bored so sue me.

Mookie81 · 28/01/2026 20:19

SalmonOnFinnCrisp · 28/01/2026 15:53

Run forest! RUUUUUUN

I MISS THE LAUGH EMOJI!!!!

Finereally · 28/01/2026 20:20

Don't go for dinner, this is not a good match.

WhitsunWedding · 28/01/2026 20:23

She’s waaay too old to be having babies, and the voice notes alone would make me run a mile.

rainingsnoring · 28/01/2026 20:25

Just sounds crazy (not just the children comment). Definitely don't get involved!

Uppinty · 28/01/2026 20:25

Coherent sentences would have made your offering so much better.

Winderwall · 28/01/2026 20:29

It is possible to conceive at 46 I conceived at 45, I know 3 women who conceived at 45 and 4 who conceived at 47/48. Use protection after dinner!

sunshinestar1986 · 28/01/2026 20:31

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 28/01/2026 15:56

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

Erm
My sister had her last child, her 7th at 46, naturally, so it does and can happen!

SingedSoul · 28/01/2026 20:37

Part 2 - It is way to early to be even thinking, discussing, or questioning the possibilities of children.

Part 1 - would be enough to put anyone off.

Toohardtofindaproperusername · 28/01/2026 20:40

30 min voice notes. Fxxx that.
Run. Fast.

PlumDeNomNomNom · 28/01/2026 20:40

Run for the hills and never look back.

Hallywally · 28/01/2026 20:44

She must be a good shag to put up with all of that nonsense 🤣

ArtesianWater · 28/01/2026 20:45

I don't find the mention of children too alarming. OP said it was breezed past so we don't really know what she meant - it could have been a broader desire to have a family of some kind, which could include options like adoption.

The 30 minute voice notes would send me running though. I wouldn't put up with that amount of one-way conversation after two years, let alone two dates.

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