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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

Mixed signals

22 replies

Anotheryearolder1 · 05/04/2026 14:11

Feeling confused about a guy I’ve been seeing for a few weeks. He is 41, I’m 37. Right from the beginning I was clear that I value consistency and good communication. Not that we need to be texting back and forth all day, but I do like a message in the morning, and then a bit of a chat in the evening. I said I didn’t like mixed signals and not knowing where I stand. He agreed.

We were also chatting about lifestyles, I said my partying days were behind me and that it’s rare that I would have a big night out getting smashed and the next day being a write off. He agreed, and said it was maybe once or twice a year that he would do that. It’s the same for me too.

At the beginning he was coming on strong, wanted us to be officially an item, both of us come off the apps, talking about future plans etc.

Once he had got me back to his, there was a big change from him. One message a day, going out on big drinking sessions up in London, and being completely out of contact, sometimes for days. His mates up there are on the gear, but he says he doesn’t touch it, although he used to. In the last week alone he has been on 3 benders in London and off the radar.

I have felt very confused, and not knowing where I stand. His stance is basically ‘I’ve got a lot going on and I’m hardly on my phone’. He does have a custody battle on his hands at the moment, and he is doing some studying for professional exams.

Just don’t really understand how it’s gone from super keen in the beginning to now barely hearing from him.

Don’t know what to do, any wisdom? Thank you for reading.

OP posts:
SqueakyFromme · 05/04/2026 14:12

He does take drugs he’s lying, pretty obviously. Dump him he sounds like another time wasting tosser

Farewelltothatid · 05/04/2026 14:15

I think you are being very naive if you think he is going on multiple benders with pals who do drugs and he isn't doing drugs himself.

He sold you a lie at the beginning but now he is revealing his true self. He is not the man you thought he was.

Honestly OP save yourself from more hurt and end the relationship now.

ThisJadeBear · 05/04/2026 14:21

He takes drugs.
He goes in benders.
He is avoiding dealing with real life - custody of his child - by going out and behaving like an idiot.
This will not improve, it will just descend into further chaos.
Leave this situation because this man is in no fit state to have any kind of relationship.

Smarvellous · 05/04/2026 14:22

Sorry OP completely agree with the others. You deserve better.

Endofyear · 05/04/2026 14:24

Yeah, he doesn't sound like a keeper! Bin him off.

ForTipsyFinch · 05/04/2026 14:25

Because him being keen was his fake self, what you are seeing now is his true self. Meaning he could only keep it up a matter of weeks. I would get rid.

FrauPaige · 05/04/2026 14:26

You are a few weeks in. Nothing more to see here. Move on

outerspacepotato · 05/04/2026 14:28

He fed you a bunch of lies. He's not the guy he said, so time to end it.

SqueakyFromme · 05/04/2026 14:30

The custody ‘battle’ is probably justified as the Mother of his children will be all too aware of his lifestyle and habits and quite rightly wants to shield the children from him.

begonefoulclutter · 05/04/2026 14:31

Throw him back.

StationJack · 05/04/2026 14:38

Get rid.

MyTrivia · 05/04/2026 14:40

If he’s leaving you confused at this early stage then he’s not able to give you what you need and he’s not good enough for you. Men in their 40s going out clubbing is incredibly immature.

TwistedWonder · 05/04/2026 14:42

He acted keen to get sex and now he’s doing a slow fade and hoping you’ll get the hint.

He sound like a waste of your time

Tablesandchairs23 · 05/04/2026 15:03

You've been seeing him a few weeks dump his arse.

Anotheryearolder1 · 05/04/2026 16:08

Thank you all for your replies. I don’t think we are aligned in terms of behaviour or values, and staying with him would just keep me in an anxious state of mind, which is no fun!

OP posts:
Smarvellous · 05/04/2026 19:32

Sympathies OP. Always gutting when they turn out not to be what you hoped, but well done for listening to your gut and not putting up with it. Throw the net back out there!

Mumlaplomb · 05/04/2026 22:43

It sounds like a bait and switch OP. He’s showing who he really is now and it’s not what you want or deserve.

LittleGreenDragons · 05/04/2026 23:21

You are confused because he's a liar. You can't have a good relationship with a liar so it's probably time to ditch the lying toad.

nochance17 · 06/04/2026 08:17

If you want a serious committed relationship you do not want anyone who has or has had a problem with drugs and/or alcohol. It’s only been a few weeks let him go. Hes 41 this behaviour isn’t going to change. He said what you wanted to hear in the beginning and now you are seeing what his life is really like. I’m not surprised he’s in a custody battle, would you want your kids around a father on drugs/booze who’s been on 3 benders in the last week alone ?

BauhausOfEliott · 06/04/2026 09:03

You’re obviously not at all compatible and he’s lied to you about his lifestyle. You need to end this.

NorthernDancer · 06/04/2026 09:24

Anotheryearolder1 · 05/04/2026 16:08

Thank you all for your replies. I don’t think we are aligned in terms of behaviour or values, and staying with him would just keep me in an anxious state of mind, which is no fun!

This says it all. The disparity in behaviour and values means this is a non-starter. Chalk it up to experience and move on.

SoSadSoSadSoSad · 06/04/2026 09:30

If you have to wonder then he’s not into you. Bin.

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