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Starting to pull back

10K views 95 replies 30 participants last post by  a_new_me 
#1 ·
I had a conversation with the beau last night, in regards to being cancelled on on Valentine’s Day. Long story, short: he didn’t have his daughter that week, so we made dinner plans which I got way too excited about. Daughter got upset, so he made plans with her and her sister, then cancelled on me with the thoughts that I wouldn’t think it was a big deal. It was, and it hurts, and it made me realize that this relationship means way more to me than it does to him, and so now I need to take the steps of pulling back a bit. How does one do that without resentment and going to the extreme of pulling back too much?


Valentine’s Day has always been kind of a painful day for me, and certainly nothing worth celebrating, so when I noted that he was kid-free that week (yay), and that was not only down to go out for a nice supper, but he’d been the one to suggest it (double yay), I was over the moon. I asked him last night if he had considered that I would have been more than happy to alter our plans and do a family dinner rather than a couple’s dinner, and the answer was no, he hadn’t considered that. I’m mostly upset that I wasn’t considered past the thought of, “oh, she won’t mind”. It makes me feel really unimportant, and I’m pretty upset about this realization. I just wish I’d have been considered, but I guess he’s not as considerate as I had thought. Am I making too big a deal out of this?
 
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#2 ·
I'm not a big "holiday" person, so I don't get too excited - or too disappointed - about much of anything related to Valentine's Day. That said, I would still be upset about my guy canceling plans with me without discussion, regardless of what day those plans were for.

You say this made you feel unimportant. Is this a one-off instance of him being clueless, or does it fit a pattern of actions that leave you feeling like you're unimportant to him?

I'm not saying he's wrong to put his children first. That's an admirable thing for a parent to do. But if this is an ongoing pattern of behavior that leaves you feeling like you're not being considered, then it might mean that you two simply aren't compatible. He might just not be able to offer you the level of consideration you want from a partner, either in general or because he has other primary commitments right now. It may just be that you aren't both at a point in your lives to be able to build a relationship that's going to work for both of you.
 
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#3 ·
When a person shows you who they are, believe them. He has shown you that he doesn't consider you important enough to even consult about the cancellation of plans he initiated. He lets his daughter call the shots. Welcome to the rest of your relationship with this guy.

I think it's kind of creepy that kids expect their parents to be with them on Valentine's day. I don't understand why parents encourage this.
 
#10 ·
Well, I'm totally with Blondilocks on this.

Ursula, I think you said you have been dating this man for almost a year. You aren't someone he just met. This wasn't an evening your boyfriend usually has the kids, they weren't supposed to be with him on Valentine's Day (it's not like he was blowing them off to have dinner with you). The child didn't say anything about Valentine's Day until she heard YOU were going out to dinner with her father. Cue crying, and him showing her, and you, and the mother of the child-- that because she didn't want him going out to dinner with you, he'd cancel on you and take her instead-- which also included a schedule change with her mother. Add that this is a romantic holiday. It's not like it was her dad's birthday or Christmas or Thanksgiving or something. It's a couples holiday!

This is bad news. There are a few different ways this man could have handled the situation. That he chose this way, after dating you for so long, and that it's not the first time these kinds of things have happened do not bode well. Honestly, I'd be on my way out. Too much going on for this to be a healthy relationship for you anytime soon.

Note: this is my opinion as a divorced mother who had children that age after divorce. I DO know what it's like.
 
#4 ·
Ursula, I wonder if you can relate to this sentiment... typically when I feel annoyed or upset with an interaction, is usually when I have not presented myself in a congruent way. When I catch myself with that feeling, I try to consider what is bothering me about it and what I could do differently. This is usually about what, or how, I have communicated something (or sometimes, not communicated). The intention then, is not about changing an outcome, but instead learning more about how to get right with myself.

So then, the flip side to this is that when I have responded with congruence, through communication and/or actions, I feel more grounded within myself and less swayed by external influences. And from that place, I am more open, confident, and aligned with what I'm about. The outcomes of an event may not change, but it's incredibly freeing to realize there's a choice (mentally/emotionally) with how we navigate them. These choices and experiences occur multiple times throughout our day with various interactions, so we're constantly encountering these opportunities to try out different ways of being. It's a constant, evolving cultivation of self.
 
#5 ·
You are not making too big a deal out of it. He was very inconsiderate of you to make those changes without talking to you first. You are not demanding that he put you over his kids. Quite honestly, he owes you a true apology.

This biggest thing at this point is to determine if this was a one off (hey we all make mistakes, especially when it come to our kids) or a pattern. If the later, you might have to evaluate your relationships with him. Not your love. It's possible to love someone and not be compatible.

Sent from my cp3705A using Tapatalk
 
#7 ·
I had a conversation with the beau last night, in regards to being cancelled on on Valentine’s Day. Long story, short: he didn’t have his daughter that week, so we made dinner plans which I got way too excited about. Daughter got upset, so he made plans with her and her sister, then cancelled on me with the thoughts that I wouldn’t think it was a big deal. It was, and it hurts, and it made me realize that this relationship means way more to me than it does to him, and so now I need to take the steps of pulling back a bit. How does one do that without resentment and going to the extreme of pulling back too much?


Valentine’s Day has always been kind of a painful day for me, and certainly nothing worth celebrating, so when I noted that he was kid-free that week (yay), and that was not only down to go out for a nice supper, but he’d been the one to suggest it (double yay), I was over the moon. I asked him last night if he had considered that I would have been more than happy to alter our plans and do a family dinner rather than a couple’s dinner, and the answer was no, he hadn’t considered that. I’m mostly upset that I wasn’t considered past the thought of, “oh, she won’t mind”. It makes me feel really unimportant, and I’m pretty upset about this realization. I just wish I’d have been considered, but I guess he’s not as considerate as I had thought. Am I making too big a deal out of this?
Does he have any explanation of why he did not consider you? Does he think your relationship is more casual at this point? Or maybe he feels really comfortable with you, is that possible? I can think of a few reasons why a man would do this, but I don't know anything about your relationship so I can't say much about why he did.
 
#8 ·
Hey @Rowan, no, this isn’t a one-off thing. Along the way, there have been a few situations where he’s needed to cancel/reschedule. He has always been sorry to do so, and I’ve always been understanding because he’s a Dad with Dad-priorities, too. I would also say that feeling like a little less or a priority has always kind of been a thing. Example: when we’re together, and his cell phone gets a notification, he’s on it immediately most of the time, seeing what’s up or responding to a text. So, when I text him, I know he sees it right away, but he chooses not to reply sometimes for many hours. You aren’t wrong when you suggest that we might not be compatible at this time though. Something to chew on for now.
@Blondilocks, yeah, I know he’s showing me who he is, and it’s something that I’m going to monitor closely. He said last night that he knows he has to put his foot down with his youngest. I thought it was a little strange that she was so desperate to spend what’s more of a romantic day with her Dad. However, she probably just doesn’t want him to spend it with me.

Here’s something too though: recently, something happened with his youngest daughter, and he doesn’t want to tell me yet, and she doesn’t want me to know either. He’s been highly stressed out about this, too. There were 2 instances where both his Mom and his oldest daughter started to tell me, and I stopped them, stating that beau and daughter didn’t want me to know at this time. His oldest let a little too much slip, and so I now know that the police were involved. I told beau this, because I wanted him to know what I was told so that he wouldn’t be surprised later (things have a way of being found out). He let me know then that his oldest brother was also involved and that he wouldn’t be speaking to him for a very, very long time. My first thought: some kind of assault. Beau has confirmed that this absolutely ISN’T the case, which is a relief. SO, all that being said is a reason why beau wants to keep his youngest close and why he tends to really cater to her, which I understand to a point, but can’t understand fully because I really don’t know what’s going on. I do know that his youngest is now in therapy.
 
#13 ·
Here’s something too though: recently, something happened with his youngest daughter, and he doesn’t want to tell me yet, and she doesn’t want me to know either. He’s been highly stressed out about this, too. There were 2 instances where both his Mom and his oldest daughter started to tell me, and I stopped them, stating that beau and daughter didn’t want me to know at this time. His oldest let a little too much slip, and so I now know that the police were involved. I told beau this, because I wanted him to know what I was told so that he wouldn’t be surprised later (things have a way of being found out). He let me know then that his oldest brother was also involved and that he wouldn’t be speaking to him for a very, very long time. My first thought: some kind of assault. Beau has confirmed that this absolutely ISN’T the case, which is a relief. SO, all that being said is a reason why beau wants to keep his youngest close and why he tends to really cater to her, which I understand to a point, but can’t understand fully because I really don’t know what’s going on. I do know that his youngest is now in therapy.
How long have you been dating this guy?

Within an exclusive and committed relationship, I wouldn't be okay with being so very pointedly excluded from some (apparently) huge family secret. It's one thing to not tell you something that's none of your business. But this has evolved into you having to police everyone else's boundaries to keep from finding out something he doesn't want to share with you. For me, the red flag wouldn't be the desire for family privacy, but the extravagantly dramatic lengths you are being asked to go to in order to maintain that family privacy for him/them. Is there always this much drama with this guy?
 
#9 ·
Sometimes even if your SO doesn't make you choose between you or the kids it can feel that way. I don't know how long he has been a single dad or how long you have dated but maybe chalk this up as a stupid mistake. If you approach this with kindness and understanding he will be more likely to hear you and get that he screwed up.

He definitely owes you an apology and I don't write this toet him off the hook. I know as a single father I did everything for my girls and never wanted them to feel less then the most important thing in my life.

I am remarried now and still struggle but am much better about balance in our lives.

I hope this helps. Remember it most likely was totally about his insecurities and not anything to do with how he cares about you.
 
#12 ·
@heartsbeating, yes I relate to that, and I think that’s partly what happened. When he mentioned dinner out a week ago, I showed genuine surprise and excitement, but did mention that I don’t usually do anything for V-day. Mostly, it’s because it’s generally been a depressing/painful day for me, and there’s no reason to celebrate that. I didn’t actually SAY that though. However, what he took out of that conversation wasn’t my excitement; it was my saying that I don’t usually do anything for that day, which is why he thought that cancelling wouldn’t be a big deal. So, it’s really both of our faults: me for not communicating well enough; him for not hearing my excitement.
@maquiscat, it’s not a one-off; this has happened before, just not on a special day. I do feel love for him, but have no idea how he feels about me, as we haven’t communicated that at this point. But yes, we simply may be incompatible.
@In Absentia, yes his daughter comes first, and I actually commend him for that. However, if he wants to be in a relationship, he needs to put that first every once in awhile too. Not all the time; that’s not what I’m asking for. I just simply want to be a consideration, and I want US as a couple to be a priority sometimes.
@leftfield, yes, when he suggested we go out for supper that evening, I showed surprise and excitement about the idea, but did mention that I haven’t celebrated that day for a long time. He remembered the latter part, and that’s the reason why he didn’t think it would be a big deal to me. Given your choices, I’d guess that he thinks our relationship is more casual than I think it is at this point.
@Rushmore410, I understand what you’re saying, and I hope that he doesn’t feel that way. He’s been a single Dad for almost 2 years now, and we’ve dated for almost a year. When we talked last night, one thing he said is that he usually makes stupid decisions/mistakes. I approached the subject in an upset manner, but not with my guns-a-blazing. He gets that he messed up, and apologized numerous times to me. We were both crying on the phone last night, but I’m not sure he was upset about us; he started crying when talking about his youngest daughter. He said that things will get better, and that he has to put his foot down with his youngest. I just wish he would do that sometimes. Honestly, I do think this was just a stupid and innocent mistake on his part, and he really had no clue as to how this would affect me. He knows now though, I think and hope.
@Livvie, I do hear you, and your post struck a chord. I know this isn’t great news, and it’s hugely disappointing for me. I think that I think this relationship is way more important to me than it is to him. I’m not going to kick him to the curb just yet; I would like to see how the next month or two play out. I know he’s going through a LOT right now, but that doesn’t mean that he can just blow me off. I would love to know how he views this relationship and the position that I play in his life. I called the florist this morning to cancel the order, but am going to see how tonight goes (we’re seeing each other tonight unless the road conditions totally suck like they did last night. But, tonight will tell the tale of whether or not he gets his flowers on V-day.
 
#15 ·
I don't like Valentine's Day, but even I was disappointed reading about your change of plans in the other thread. You are not overreacting at all. You are allowed to be upset and disappointed and you are right to be skeptical.

He says that he needs to put his foot down and stop letting his daughter call the shots, but he doesn't seem to be doing anything about that. He could tell his daughter that he had plans with you first, cancelling those was his mistake, and that he needs to go back to the original plans but will see them the next day (or whatever). There is nothing wrong with a child learning that A) The world does not revolve around them, and B) That parents make mistakes too and have to clean up their mess. I'm guessing he won't, because he seems like he's all talk, but he does have options here.
 
#16 ·
When a lover chooses to ever give way to their blood ties, you realize your own love ties to this person are oxygen poor.

Valentines Day is still a full 'Sunrise to Sunset' period, such that there is room to show respect and love for more than one Dear.

He could accommodate both of you, his daughter and yourself, this day.

He chooses not to.

Hate him not for his weakness, leave him for his lack of grace.

You give him your most valuable possessions, your time, your love and your flesh, yet he pushes you out of the way when times get complicated?
He is that appeaser, and thou are not one who is appeased properly.

He expects you to be the adult and to be understanding?
And, he does not do this himself?

He is a pawn, one in the middle, not a real person.

He, nor his loyalties are mature.

I do not see him as a bad person, I see him as a wisp, subject to the winds, a shadow of a man.

He is not available, he is yet taken by his own proclivities and needs.
 
#18 ·
No, you're not overreacting. See what tonight brings but please honor yourself by saying what you feel and not glossing over anything. Tell him straight up.

You're SUCH a sweetheart and while you have a great ability to see all sides of an issue, I think you tend to make allowances for others too much.

Like you, I have no children. I firmly believe that children come first but with the caveat that there's got to be a balance. Easier said than done, I know.

Reminds me of a guy I dated long ago with a young adorable child--very spoiled. I kept store bought pudding in my fridge for her. Her dad said if she ate a good portion of her dinner she could have a pudding cup. She ate none of her dinner, complaining she wanted pudding. He caved and gave her pudding. I was instantly turned off--he catered to her and didn't stick to the rule.

My example pales in comparison to your bf's daughter's issues (I truly hope she will be ok). But Dad needs to learn that she can't call the shots. You were a casualty and there's a history with this child and I fear this will be the status quo. It'll always be something with this child, I fear.

Good luck tonight. Be true to yourself.
 
#19 ·
My opinion? She has attempted (with some success) to dominate your relationship with him from the beginning. I wouldn’t expect that to change unless he decides to let her know she can’t always have her way. This would have been a good time to do that. So, yes, that’s a fail on his part and may be a sign you need to cool the relationship down for awhile (or forever — depending).
 
#20 ·
Thanks a bunch, @lucy999, I do plan on being straight up with him. He is a good guy, but he does some really goofy things that don’t sit well with me and those things need to stop. I’m sure I do things he doesn’t like too, and I’d happily accommodate if he’d let me know. You’re right though, I do make a lot of allowances, and I’m nearing the end of that for him, unfortunately. That’s really too bad about your ex’s little girl; kind of makes me wonder if she still wields the control now! And yes, I do hope beau’s youngest is okay, and I hope that I’m informed about what exactly is going on. He’s assured me that I would understand why she’s being so protected now if I knew. It’s obviously a major thing. Thanks for the luck!
@Openminded, it’s to the point where she’s succeeding very well at driving a wedge right between her Dad and I. I also don’t see it changing because him and I have actually had a similar conversation before, and things have yet to change. My mindset has already stepped back a bit with him, and I’m not going to be so readily available to him in the future.

Thanks everyone for all of the thoughts! :)
 
#21 ·
I have seen many divorced parents who parent from a position of guilt. They try so hard to show their love and loyalty they become blind to all else, and then the power all shifts to the child. If he is unable to set reasonable boundaries he is doing more harm to his kids then good, and the kids will learn to manipulate that to their advantage, as his daughter just did.
 
#22 ·
Oh Cooper, that’s exactly what he’s doing and has admitted so himself. He feels guilty for leaving the family (kids), and worries that his youngest will grow to hate him. She’ll definitely grow to not want to hang onto her parents anymore, but that’s a natural for teenagers. He has a few years to go for that yet, but I’m not sure we’ll make it to that point!
 
#23 ·
Been there...done that...
I started dating my ex when his daughter was 20. I had concerns pretty early on as I had dated other dads with daughters, but never had these sorts of things happen until him...
Also worth mentioning that he had a son as well...but his son Never was an issue...
Even my therapist assured me that Dear Daughter would eventually grow up and get a life of her own...
Didn't happen...
I spent more than six years with this man...had an engagement ring on my finger and so did she...but when he blew me off on NYE to entertain her...that was it...His rationale? He couldn't leave her with nothing to do on NYE...
Never again....
Tread very carefully...

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk
 
#24 ·
Do not send him flowers! Even if he gets on his knees and begs you to be his valentine. That ship has sailed. You do not want to reward bad behavior.

If you think it's bad now, just wait until he is actually divorced. Then the drama will escalate. She'll be mean, little daddy's girl on steroids.
 
#28 · (Edited)
I'm so sorry for your disappointment. It's so hard when you think you're finally gonna get to be part of the party and then your invitation gets revoked.

If it were me, I'd cancel the flowers and keep them cancelled. I'd also make myself unavailable for a few dates in the future. Or I'd probably even say yes to one and then cancel so he can see what that feels like. If he asks if you're pulling away tell him the truth, "yes, because it's become painfully obvious to me that I am not as important to you as you are to me, so I'm readjusting things so I won't get hurt by you anymore."

As a fellow parent I can say that he's making a HUGE error in the way he parents this girl. Even if the unthinkable happened and her uncle abused her she still needs to learn to get along in life and follow rules and social norms. She won't learn any of that with her Dad catering to her every whim because I guarantee when she gets out into the real world she'll find it a harsh reality to learn that not everyone will do the same catering as her Dad does. I hope her therapist makes this clear to him at some point.

In the meantime, *hugs*
 
#29 ·
No, especially after you talked to him he's got a problem after he made the date with you. And no your not asking to be before his kids but you had plans and he should have followed through because he has character.
 
#31 ·
@Livvie, he does share custody, and gets his youngest daughter for one week on, one week off. This is his week off. The reason for the divorce was just serious incompatibility…? I’m not sure how to describe it, but his STBXW drinks heavily and smokes a lot of weed, and I think the breaking point was when she got so drunk in front of the kids on a family vacation that she wasn’t even conscious. Family vacation: his parents, their 3 kids, their spouses and their 6 grandkids.
@notmyjamie, I like the idea of making plans with him and then cancelling. I was feeling okay last night, but things are sitting terrible again today. A few people have said to cancel the flowers, and that’s my immediate reaction. The other side of me wants to still send them A) because it’s a nice gesture that he would appreciate and B) to maybe make him feel a little bit badly for treating me the way he did, and I still acknowledge him and the day. I did get an invite out on Friday with a friend of mine, to go play pool. We’ve been out before, and it’s OK, but the friend is a man, and I don’t know how I feel about going to shoot pool with another dude on Valentine’s Day. I should be with my main squeeze, not another man.

Beau came over last night, and we had a good talk. He is genuinely sorry for his actions, and wishes that he could make things better. I told him that there was still things he could do to make that happen. I cried quite a bit, and he should be well aware of just how much this hurt me. One thing I did ask was if he’d have to ask his kids if I could join them for supper. It took a few seconds of realization on his part, but he then invited me along. I told him that I would let him know. But, I feel like I invited myself along, and as much I I’d love to be there simply to show his youngest that I’m not going anywhere, I won’t be going. He should have brains enough to have included me without heavy prompting. I did ask him what I meant to him, which he took as me wanting to hear those 3 little words, which he’s not ready to say. I actually just wanted to hear that I was an important person in his life. Apparently, I’m the kindest person he’s ever met, and I’m very important to him. It was nice to hear, although I don’t quite believe it at this point. I need to see some actions that match those words, and he has a very short amount of time to show me that before he can be single again.
 
#36 ·
Yeah, I’m well aware that he’s a slow mover, and we all operate at different paces, but I’d think he’d feel some love for me at this point. He mentioned that his life isn’t where he wants it to be to be where HE wants to be. But, that would require that the matrimonial home sells and divorce papers are signed. I told him last night that that could be a few years yet, and he agreed.

As to your questions, we see each other for sure twice a week on his off weeks, but since the new year, he’s been suggesting we spend more time together, so it’s been a little more for the past couple months. We do sleepovers every second weekend, and we are in a sexual relationship. We’ve never gone away together, but have talked a few times about taking a weekend trip to the mountains this spring or summer. This is all I’ll be able to manage because the last few months have been pretty travel-heavy for me. I had gone to Europe for 3 weeks with one of my oldest girlfriends, to walk part of the el Camino de Santiago, and my sister and I went to Mexico in mid-January for a week. So, I’ve been away a lot! What I wouldn’t give to be back on the Camino, walking, and clearing my head!
 
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