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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

Does this sound genuine 😞

74 replies

Blossom80 · 25/04/2026 22:56

After being single for over a year, I deided to get out there after being with a fearful avoidant, after nearly 3 months I get this 😩 (he didn’t meet my child)

I think we need to rewind a couple of weeks. The same things that were screaming at me in my head then are still there now and it's just getting harder and harder the more I see you and keep hoping I'll suddenly feel differently. I won't. I'll always have this doubt going on and a sense of panic that I'm not doing the right thing and that usually means it's not the right thing! I'm just ignoring it because I don't want it to be true and I like spending time with you. The only reason I'm messaging and not ringing is because, one, we have already discussed this and we will go round in circles, and two, I don't want to talk myself out of it or soften it up trying not to disappoint you. I am happy to talk to you obviously but I needed to be clear in what I'm saying without waffling. I know now that I need to date someone who either has kids that are grown up or maybe doesn't have them. I thought maybe I could do it but the reality is that I cant. I can't be trusted to commit to something that big and not end up letting everyone down. I want to make up for time that I lost too much for it not to be an issue. Too many things I want to do that don't involve children. I hope you understand and know it's nothing you've done. I wish it was because I didn't like you! It would be a lot easier. Been quite gutt wrenching and I'm not sure how I let myself fall back in to this situation so I apologise for that. I've spent too much time on my own and I thought I could readjust to be able to have a child around every evening but I'm too used to my own space now, it's not something I want.

OP posts:
Beamur · 25/04/2026 22:58

He doesn't want to date someone with a child. Long message, but maybe trying to soften it. Sorry OP.

Morepositivemum · 25/04/2026 22:59

Ah sorry op. It is better for you all especially your child who deserves to only have people who love them and always want to be around them.

MayWelland · 25/04/2026 23:00

Sorry OP, this sucks. But at least you know who he is

SalmonOnFinnCrisp · 25/04/2026 23:01

Beamur · 25/04/2026 22:58

He doesn't want to date someone with a child. Long message, but maybe trying to soften it. Sorry OP.

Yep.

And that's fine
It's not about you its him

AnotherName2025 · 25/04/2026 23:01

Yes it does, but you know him, we don't, so what do you think?

WallyHilloughby · 25/04/2026 23:03

So why get involved with someone with kids?
I presume the OP hasn’t been hiding them in a cupboard since they started seeing each other?

Blossom80 · 25/04/2026 23:05

AnotherName2025 · 25/04/2026 23:01

Yes it does, but you know him, we don't, so what do you think?

All was fine, we had great dates and enjoyed each others company. I can’t date anymore 😞

OP posts:
Blossom80 · 25/04/2026 23:06

WallyHilloughby · 25/04/2026 23:03

So why get involved with someone with kids?
I presume the OP hasn’t been hiding them in a cupboard since they started seeing each other?

Exactly! Neither side have met any friends or family etc

OP posts:
SanFranBear · 25/04/2026 23:09

"...clear in what I'm saying without waffling"

Yeah, too late for that! Massively long-winded way of saying that he likes you but doesn't want to see anyone with a child!

Bellsandthistle · 25/04/2026 23:09

Just reply ”Take care, bye! 😊” and move on. He seems exhausting.

Blossom80 · 25/04/2026 23:11

Shall I delete him and get rid of everything now, why is it so hard grrrr

OP posts:
Blossom80 · 25/04/2026 23:12

Bellsandthistle · 25/04/2026 23:09

Just reply ”Take care, bye! 😊” and move on. He seems exhausting.

I did! And he was really….

OP posts:
TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 25/04/2026 23:13

Blossom80 · 25/04/2026 23:11

Shall I delete him and get rid of everything now, why is it so hard grrrr

I think you should, yes.
There's no way your relationship can carry on. Just block him.
I'm sorry this has happened to you.

Strangecat · 25/04/2026 23:18

It’s such a hard one.. Some people can’t deal with kids and that’s fair enough.. shame it took him this long to work out what he really wants and more specifically what he doesn’t want. block and delete… next!

bluelightwonder · 25/04/2026 23:20

Oh that’s horrible for you OP, but at least he’s been honest and told you early on, although so so hard to let go, I know :(. You will find someone who appreciates you and your child one day

Blossom80 · 25/04/2026 23:22

bluelightwonder · 25/04/2026 23:20

Oh that’s horrible for you OP, but at least he’s been honest and told you early on, although so so hard to let go, I know :(. You will find someone who appreciates you and your child one day

My Son is now 7, I’ve been single since before he was born, I’ll never give him the family or male role model he needs.
And I’ll never be as happy as I could be.
effecting me more than it should 😞 and I feel guilty about that too!

OP posts:
Blossom80 · 25/04/2026 23:32

Strangecat · 25/04/2026 23:18

It’s such a hard one.. Some people can’t deal with kids and that’s fair enough.. shame it took him this long to work out what he really wants and more specifically what he doesn’t want. block and delete… next!

All deleted ✔️

But 😞

OP posts:
ForTipsyFinch · 25/04/2026 23:36

He sounds very self involved 🙄

Mumlaplomb · 25/04/2026 23:41

He sounds very self absorbed and tiresome OP, he has done you a favour here.
There will be someone better suited to you who will love you and the package you come with. This wasn’t the one but onwards and upwards. Don’t lose hope x

Blossom80 · 25/04/2026 23:45

ForTipsyFinch · 25/04/2026 23:36

He sounds very self involved 🙄

Thinking back, he was 🤯

but very nice, bit of a worrier.

OP posts:
Blossom80 · 25/04/2026 23:46

Mumlaplomb · 25/04/2026 23:41

He sounds very self absorbed and tiresome OP, he has done you a favour here.
There will be someone better suited to you who will love you and the package you come with. This wasn’t the one but onwards and upwards. Don’t lose hope x

At 45 with a young child, I am… The dating pool is shocking over 40.

Bur thank you x

OP posts:
TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 25/04/2026 23:52

Blossom80 · 25/04/2026 23:46

At 45 with a young child, I am… The dating pool is shocking over 40.

Bur thank you x

It's even worse when you're nearly 70.
🤣

My stupid husband buggered off and left me seven months ago, and so far, I've been propositioned by a gay lay preacher, a wet lettuce of a man whose recently dead wife was my friend, and a man whose wife is very much alive, and who still lives with her.

I mean WTF.

Blossom80 · 25/04/2026 23:54

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 25/04/2026 23:52

It's even worse when you're nearly 70.
🤣

My stupid husband buggered off and left me seven months ago, and so far, I've been propositioned by a gay lay preacher, a wet lettuce of a man whose recently dead wife was my friend, and a man whose wife is very much alive, and who still lives with her.

I mean WTF.

If anything you’ve made me laugh 😂 I’m not sure if I was even supposed to, but thanks 😂

Sorry to hear about your husband. Gits aren’t they!

OP posts:
Ilovelurchers · 25/04/2026 23:58

Please don't give up hope of meeting someone OP because of this set-back - it feels raw right now, but looks at the positives.

A) you only "wasted" three months with him, not three years.
B) he was respectful enough to be honest and didn't just ghost. I know I am not setting the bar enormously high there, but still....
C) sounds like you enjoyed the three months? So it wasn't really a waste. You had fun, got back out there, and maybe learned a bit about what you are looking for in a relationship now and what kind of man makes you happy?

I wonder if it might be easier to date a single dad? More likely to accept someone else's child if he is in the same boat?

Anyway, take some time to feel your emotions - the amger, the sadness, and then move on. In some ways 3-6 months is one of the hardest times for a breakup, because you know them well enough to potentially have developed some feelings, but you are still very much in the honeymoon phase and probably only seeing their good side - so it feels like you are losing someone perfect for you, when the reality is that more time would probably have exploded more flaws/cracks.

So you are bound to be upset. Don't be hard on yourself about it.

Blossom80 · Yesterday 00:04

Ilovelurchers · 25/04/2026 23:58

Please don't give up hope of meeting someone OP because of this set-back - it feels raw right now, but looks at the positives.

A) you only "wasted" three months with him, not three years.
B) he was respectful enough to be honest and didn't just ghost. I know I am not setting the bar enormously high there, but still....
C) sounds like you enjoyed the three months? So it wasn't really a waste. You had fun, got back out there, and maybe learned a bit about what you are looking for in a relationship now and what kind of man makes you happy?

I wonder if it might be easier to date a single dad? More likely to accept someone else's child if he is in the same boat?

Anyway, take some time to feel your emotions - the amger, the sadness, and then move on. In some ways 3-6 months is one of the hardest times for a breakup, because you know them well enough to potentially have developed some feelings, but you are still very much in the honeymoon phase and probably only seeing their good side - so it feels like you are losing someone perfect for you, when the reality is that more time would probably have exploded more flaws/cracks.

So you are bound to be upset. Don't be hard on yourself about it.

Thank you, I absolutely needed to hear that. And you’re right, I was very anxious dating but it got me out there after a long time and I did enjoy it.
I was aiming for a single Dad, then this guy popped up, it all came about when I asked, why haven’t you ever asked what me and my son are doing, our how our days were… Then he said he’d been selfish as he’d been enjoying dating, and then this basically. Yep. Perhaps a good job I brought it up.

feeling a bit guilty for deleting him now, he will know too.

He was a nice guy though.

thank you ☺️ x

OP posts:
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