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Relationships

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Am I wasting my time with a separated partner not moving forward?

65 replies

Novembermummy88 · 05/08/2026 18:26

Im really looking for some perspective before I start loosing my sanity….

Seperated from my husband last spring, and met someone new at work a couple of months later. New partner was also recently separated, we had been friends prior but genuinely no flirting etc before either had separated. We got very close very quickly, and now spend a lot of time together, talk about the future, tells me he loves me etc. our relationship is essentially perfect and I really see a future with him.

However, whilst he’s had many conversations with his ex about proceeding with the divorce, and submitted it online, he hasn’t made any official movements financially with a solicitor or mediator (for context he rents a property separately now and he has his kids there every other weekend). I feel he is really dragging his heels as he feels his ex will be difficult. She definitely pulls a lot of cards and he seems to do a lot of extra school runs etc to keep her “content” (due to logistics the three school run mornings he does results in him going in their shared house three mornings a week). He hasn’t told her he’s seeing me - unfortunately she works in a closely connected company and our company would see our relationship as inappropriate. When I talk about telling our kids we are an item etc he is dragging his heels - clearly to avoid telling the ex. He’s very concerned about her telling people at our work. He’s actively looking for a new role in our company that would mean our relationship is no longer “inappropriate”.

I am starting to get very frustrated with our lack of moving forward - he seems so concerned about his ex and is not making much progress on financially separating from her / setting boundaries in their childcare arrangements.

Am I wasting my time in this relationship? I really want to move forward and have a “normal” healthy relationship now.

OP posts:
shellyleppard · 05/08/2026 18:29

I think he has a lot of baggage. How old are his children? He seems very involved with his ex still

Novembermummy88 · 05/08/2026 18:30

shellyleppard · 05/08/2026 18:29

I think he has a lot of baggage. How old are his children? He seems very involved with his ex still

Primary school age, as are mine

OP posts:
Ibwah · 05/08/2026 18:33

I would just take a break from this relationship until the ex wife thing and employment thing is sorted. He’s not going anywhere but I would just say that you need more and until he can, just stop it altogether.

Brightbluesomething · 05/08/2026 18:35

If he can’t or won’t tell anyone you’re together then he’s not in a place where he can give your relationship any kind of priority in his life. You’ll continue to be a secret and he’ll keep doing what he’s doing. I’d be leaving him to it until he’s ready for a relationship. Or you’ll remain disappointed.

Naurrr · 05/08/2026 18:38

Are you both still married (you to your husband, him to his wife?)
Getting bogged down in the drudgery of a married man with young kids sounds like it wouldn't make you or your kids lives better.

You could enjoy the bliss of being free of men entirely. Date the new boyfriend once he's actually single and settled, if he improves your life.

OneShyQuail · 05/08/2026 18:38

So if your relationship is revealed it would be deemed inappropriate at work? What does this mean? Consequences for the pair of you?

Honesty it sounds like you both have enough on with divorce/young children etc and both your separations are very fresh! Id toss this one back for a while, concentrate on your kids, let him sort his divorce and work out if he wants to cut ties with his ex (not keeping her happy as you'll never win)

If its meant to be youll end up back together 🤷‍♀️

mtobrokeme · 05/08/2026 18:39

I’m not sure that I see the problem in him going to collect his children from his children’s home that I am assuming he owns? They’re not ‘extra’ school runs either, that’s his job no?

Can I ask what the rush is? I mean that kindly, genuinely. You’ve not been together very long, you both have primary aged children so I’m assuming you’re not even close to introducing him to your kids. If he’s present in every other aspect then what’s the issue? When it’s been a longer period of time then yes, he should be telling her that you’re together but why can’t you both just enjoy it for what it is until there’s a bit more longevity?

Novembermummy88 · 05/08/2026 18:44

mtobrokeme · 05/08/2026 18:39

I’m not sure that I see the problem in him going to collect his children from his children’s home that I am assuming he owns? They’re not ‘extra’ school runs either, that’s his job no?

Can I ask what the rush is? I mean that kindly, genuinely. You’ve not been together very long, you both have primary aged children so I’m assuming you’re not even close to introducing him to your kids. If he’s present in every other aspect then what’s the issue? When it’s been a longer period of time then yes, he should be telling her that you’re together but why can’t you both just enjoy it for what it is until there’s a bit more longevity?

Thanks for reply. I’m genuinely looking for perspective as maybe I’m being impatient / unfair on him. He’s actually very very good to me - by far the nicest a man has ever looked after me.

I would be moved from my role immediately - probably to something very mundane or poor pay if we were found out. If he can find a new role at work (it’s a large company) our relationship won’t be an issue.

I have NO issue with him doing school runs - I don’t like him going into “their” house so much though and it’s mainly that she does call the shoots, he seems to jump higher to keep her “content” which I think he hopes will mean she is more kind as they go through the divorce (she won’t be, and even his mum has told him that).

for context, he’s introduced me to his whole family many times, they are lovely, literally the only people that don’t know about us are his ex and work….

OP posts:
Piccly · 05/08/2026 18:46

A couple of months isn't long enough for either of you. Learning to enjoy being single. Once you know you can do that you don't need to take any nonsense.

I'm not surprised he doesn't want to risk his job for something so new, but he's not treating you well in the process.

mtobrokeme · 05/08/2026 18:50

Novembermummy88 · 05/08/2026 18:44

Thanks for reply. I’m genuinely looking for perspective as maybe I’m being impatient / unfair on him. He’s actually very very good to me - by far the nicest a man has ever looked after me.

I would be moved from my role immediately - probably to something very mundane or poor pay if we were found out. If he can find a new role at work (it’s a large company) our relationship won’t be an issue.

I have NO issue with him doing school runs - I don’t like him going into “their” house so much though and it’s mainly that she does call the shoots, he seems to jump higher to keep her “content” which I think he hopes will mean she is more kind as they go through the divorce (she won’t be, and even his mum has told him that).

for context, he’s introduced me to his whole family many times, they are lovely, literally the only people that don’t know about us are his ex and work….

I re-read my post and I can’t decide whether it looks like I’m being arsey or not, which if it does it’s really not my intention!

It seems to me, that he’s actually looking out for you! What would be the point in you losing your job, being paid less or have a shite role if he can just hang on a bit until he’s moved departments?! Same with her! Why cause agg when everything is good! He’s not hiding you from the important people in his life, he treats you well and you’re having fun! Do t put pressure on for something that is so ‘young’! As I said, if in a year he’s still at it then fine, but it sounds like a good thing but you’re not going to be blending families and the rest of it for some time anyway! Just enjoy it! ❤️

Novembermummy88 · 05/08/2026 18:51

Piccly · 05/08/2026 18:46

A couple of months isn't long enough for either of you. Learning to enjoy being single. Once you know you can do that you don't need to take any nonsense.

I'm not surprised he doesn't want to risk his job for something so new, but he's not treating you well in the process.

Sorry to be clear we got together last summer - he split April last year and I split in May (genuine coincidence here!)

OP posts:
GrannyTeapot · 05/08/2026 18:52

I’d focus more on getting the work situation sorted asap, and pull back to friendship until it is. Your children and you will all suffer if your pay is reduced - and I take your post to mean his pay wouldn’t be adversely affected?

Saramur · 05/08/2026 18:53

Novembermummy88 · 05/08/2026 18:51

Sorry to be clear we got together last summer - he split April last year and I split in May (genuine coincidence here!)

It seems a bit rushed to me. First relationships after splitting can be extremely intense. They often don’t last forever. I’d slow down a bit personally and just take it easy. Why do your kids all need to know? Why not just see other when you can and enjoy that for now.

DewDropsAndCobWebs · 05/08/2026 18:54

So literally within a few months your marriage ending you were in a new relationship, with someone from work who it's inappropriate to be with, you've already done the family thing and you are wanting the kids to know already?
Dang, you might want to slow your roll!
Get the divorce before trying to meld a new family together, especially with kids so young.
I'd also be so careful not to get pregnant, until he and you are both 100% for real divorced, and made sure the kids you have are good with things first.

Novembermummy88 · 05/08/2026 18:55

Saramur · 05/08/2026 18:53

It seems a bit rushed to me. First relationships after splitting can be extremely intense. They often don’t last forever. I’d slow down a bit personally and just take it easy. Why do your kids all need to know? Why not just see other when you can and enjoy that for now.

I guess so but I also really want to move “forward” with my life. I’m sick of being on my own of an evening (kids are in bed etc) although I do spend one night a week at his / every other weekend at his. I want to do “family” things etc. For some reason I’m also dreading Christmas (already!). I just want to do things together without hiding….

OP posts:
RandomMess · 05/08/2026 18:58

Keep your powder very dry until one of you has a new job.

Piccly · 05/08/2026 19:00

Novembermummy88 · 05/08/2026 18:51

Sorry to be clear we got together last summer - he split April last year and I split in May (genuine coincidence here!)

Yes, so you got together very quickly after you both separated. Have you ever been single for any length of time? Honestly if (particularly) women learned to do that happily, most of their relationship problems would be solved. Women put up with far too much through fear of being alone.

The other thing I would say is that if a relationship needs to be secret, it's not doing anyone any good. If he's not ready to come clean, for whatever reason, he's not ready to be in a relationship with you.

mtobrokeme · 05/08/2026 19:01

Novembermummy88 · 05/08/2026 18:55

I guess so but I also really want to move “forward” with my life. I’m sick of being on my own of an evening (kids are in bed etc) although I do spend one night a week at his / every other weekend at his. I want to do “family” things etc. For some reason I’m also dreading Christmas (already!). I just want to do things together without hiding….

You’re rushing it love! It’s too soon to be doing ‘family’ things!

Piccly · 05/08/2026 19:02

Novembermummy88 · 05/08/2026 18:55

I guess so but I also really want to move “forward” with my life. I’m sick of being on my own of an evening (kids are in bed etc) although I do spend one night a week at his / every other weekend at his. I want to do “family” things etc. For some reason I’m also dreading Christmas (already!). I just want to do things together without hiding….

This is exactly my point. You need to learn to enjoy being alone (free). Once you know you don't need him, or any man, it's liberating.

pikkumyy77 · 05/08/2026 19:03

You do realize how inappropriate it would be to e to mush two families together so fast, don’t you?

skelter83 · 05/08/2026 19:03

This very much sounds like he’s just being a parent. He should be doing the school runs too - it speaks highly of him that he’s not just leaving the ex to cope with all of that. It also sounds like he’s being really sensible with the job and work situation you’re both in.

I guess you have to work out whether you’re happy to take it at a slower pace. Ultimately, his children should come first and that will mean for primary children, probably quite a lot of contact with his ex.

Kingdomofsleep · 05/08/2026 19:03

Why would your relationship be so much of a problem at work??

The only times when I've heard of workplaces not allowing relationships are for a good reason, like there's a power imbalance or a risk of inappropriate information-sharing.

Is he your boss? Or you his?

StarDolphins · 05/08/2026 19:06

I don’t know what the rush is and what the rush is to tell children etc? You’ve been together a year, he might want to be taking it slow. I wouldn’t want anyone to know before at least 18 months, especially where children are involved.

Kitkate21 · 05/08/2026 19:11

Neither of you have been apart from your respective wife/husband for a year? I get you want to move forward but everyone on both sides needs times to breathe and settle. Pressing him to start divorce negotiations is really not ideal. Separation is raw, it's not been a year for either of you. The kids all need time to adjust to living with parents separately etc. You are rushing it in my opinion. You have criticised him for this and going to his children's house to do school runs etc, last minute things.... This is the sign of positive parenting really. What would you rather? They were at constant war and he collected them from the door step? If you are meant to be, it will all work out. Sorting the job situation out is more pressing really. You need to be practical here.

WhattheFudgeareyouonabout · 05/08/2026 19:12

Novembermummy88 · 05/08/2026 18:44

Thanks for reply. I’m genuinely looking for perspective as maybe I’m being impatient / unfair on him. He’s actually very very good to me - by far the nicest a man has ever looked after me.

I would be moved from my role immediately - probably to something very mundane or poor pay if we were found out. If he can find a new role at work (it’s a large company) our relationship won’t be an issue.

I have NO issue with him doing school runs - I don’t like him going into “their” house so much though and it’s mainly that she does call the shoots, he seems to jump higher to keep her “content” which I think he hopes will mean she is more kind as they go through the divorce (she won’t be, and even his mum has told him that).

for context, he’s introduced me to his whole family many times, they are lovely, literally the only people that don’t know about us are his ex and work….

Why shouldn’t he go into “their” house though? That’s his children’s house…