Starting Over
Dear Community,

Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.

If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.

Thank you.

Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.

Oh wise women of SO

A couple peeps asked for updates on WG and I...so thought I could answer that and get your thoughts.

Quick refresher...we met thru work a while back.  I am divorced with children, she is never married without children.  I had posted that this could be a potential issue, and now I think that it def will be.

We have discussed it, and she has indicated raising a family is something she wants in her future.  I have been honest with in saying I am done have children, nor can I have children anymore thru my own doing.

Well of course we have hit it off BIG TIME these past few weeks.  We have so much in common.  Compatible socially, physically, morally, etc.  I really look forward to seeing her...and the way she looks at me, speaks to me, shows affection I can tell she feels the same about me.

The more I am around the more I realize how great of a person she is...and that really makes me root for her to get everything out of life she wants.  The downside to that is I would be cut out of the picture because of the children issue. 

I think we have both acknowledged the more attached we get with one another the more potential for heartbreak later on if the children issue is too much of a barrier between us. 

A really awkward feeling knowing how well we get along, how much we have in common, but yet I am likely not the best man suited to give her everything she wants.

My gut tells me this relationship is fairly new so damage would be minimal if we go our seperate ways.  It also tells me we both could be walking away from an awesome person and life together.

What would you do? 

 

 

Re: Oh wise women of SO

  • Does she say that she wants her own children? Or would playing step mom be enough for her? And are you ABSOLUTELY sure that you don't want more kids?
    2011 Races
    3/12 5 mi -- 49:22 Pace: 9:52
    5/1 Half Marathon -- 2:11:22 Pace: 10:01
    5/22 10k -- 56:29 Pace: 9:00
    5/24 3.6 -- 29:03 Pace: 8:18
    7/10 15k -- 1:44:46 injured Pace: 11:14
    10/29 5k -- 28:24 Pace: 9:04
  • Why not just tell her exactly what you told us?  She is younger than you, correct?  I would just hope that she wouldn't throw something out about kids not being that important to her simply because she really has hit it off with you, but secretly hoping if you really, really are into her you will change.  Do you think she's mature enough to be as honest with herself as she needs to be?
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • I'm sorry, JM, but I think you're going to have to have a serious talk about this.   I know I wouldn't want to continue getting attached to someone who didn't want/wasn't able to have kids with.  I think leading with the "I really like you, but I want you to have everything you want out of life" is a really good approach to take.  See how she reacts and move on from there.
    Photobucket
  • imageachase123:
    Why not just tell her exactly what you told us?  She is younger than you, correct?  I would just hope that she wouldn't throw something out about kids not being that important to her simply because she really has hit it off with you, but secretly hoping if you really, really are into her you will change.  Do you think she's mature enough to be as honest with herself as she needs to be?

    I agree with achase--tell her what you told us.  See what she says, I'm sure she's been thinking about it as well... 

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • imagehainesherway:
    I'm sorry, JM, but I think you're going to have to have a serious talk about this.   I know I wouldn't want to continue getting attached to someone who didn't want/wasn't able to have kids with.  I think leading with the "I really like you, but I want you to have everything you want out of life" is a really good approach to take.  See how she reacts and move on from there.

    Pretty much this. If you guys end up getting really serious, the children thing likely would be a dealbreaker and would result in someone (or both) getting hurt.

    image
    Pregnancy Ticker
  • Bail before you have too many sunk costs.  You know you're wrong for each other.
    image
  • I honestly think you should end it. Sad I know it sucks, but the children issue is HUGE. From what you have said it sounds like she wants to have biological children and for you that is not something you want in your relationship. This issue will never go away.

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • imageachase123:
    Why not just tell her exactly what you told us?  She is younger than you, correct?  I would just hope that she wouldn't throw something out about kids not being that important to her simply because she really has hit it off with you, but secretly hoping if you really, really are into her you will change.  Do you think she's mature enough to be as honest with herself as she needs to be?

     I agree with this.  If you can not provide her what she needs, then walking away can be considered a gift as heartbreaking it can be.

  • Yes she is younger and def wants biological children.  I have 4 children and they keep me plenty busy...lol.  Maybe overtime I would soften my stance but really would be awful for her if stuck to my guns.

    I need to just be an adult and do what is best...get out of her way.  I am having such a good time I dont want to do that...lol.

    If that happens I just really hope she doesnt settle for the 1st guy that comes along who also wants a family.  Her sister did that and had nothing in common except for wanting a family...she was miserable.  I would hate that for her.

  • imagejm5855:

    If that happens I just really hope she doesnt settle for the 1st guy that comes along who also wants a family.  Her sister did that and had nothing in common except for wanting a family...she was miserable.  I would hate that for her.

    So, she should settle for you? If you can't give her everything she wants, she's still settling, even if you think you are better than the unknown next person that she dates. It is not your job to save her. She can do that on her own.

    I agree with everything that muddled said. You should listen to her. -ESDReturns
  • imagejm5855:

    Yes she is younger and def wants biological children.  I have 4 children and they keep me plenty busy...lol.  Maybe overtime I would soften my stance but really would be awful for her if stuck to my guns.

    I need to just be an adult and do what is best...get out of her way.  I am having such a good time I dont want to do that...lol.

    If that happens I just really hope she doesnt settle for the 1st guy that comes along who also wants a family.  Her sister did that and had nothing in common except for wanting a family...she was miserable.  I would hate that for her.

    I would tell her not to settle for anyone who's not everything she's looking for.  I did that and ended up divorced.  Is she divorced too?  How old is she?

     

    Photobucket
  • imageMuddled:
    imagejm5855:

    If that happens I just really hope she doesnt settle for the 1st guy that comes along who also wants a family.  Her sister did that and had nothing in common except for wanting a family...she was miserable.  I would hate that for her.

    So, she should settle for you? If you can't give her everything she wants, she's still settling, even if you think you are better than the unknown next person that she dates. It is not your job to save her. She can do that on her own.

    I agree... She's a big girl who can make her own choices. You obviously think highly of her so trust her to make the right decisions for herself.

  • imageMuddled:
    imagejm5855:

    If that happens I just really hope she doesnt settle for the 1st guy that comes along who also wants a family.  Her sister did that and had nothing in common except for wanting a family...she was miserable.  I would hate that for her.

    So, she should settle for you? If you can't give her everything she wants, she's still settling, even if you think you are better than the unknown next person that she dates. It is not your job to save her. She can do that on her own.

    Of course she shouldnt settle for me or anyone.  Nor should I or anyone else for that matter. 

  • Have you seriously talked about this? I knew going into my relationship that BF can't have kids. We toss the subject around sometimes because he can get reversed. I thought I wanted kids of my own but being a "step mom" is more than enough and I love him more then the thought of wanting kids. Before I get flamed too much, no I am not giving up on a dream because of him, I made this decision on my own from the start. I think you should have a serious heart to heart about it, lay it all on the table and see what happens.
  • You need to end it. She wants kid, you don't. She won't be happy with you in the long run and you'll be miserable too. Be honest with her. 
    image
  • I think you need to have a *very* honest conversation with her and invite her to do the same. Express your concerns and your stance and encourage her to be just as honest.
    2011 Races
    3/12 5 mi -- 49:22 Pace: 9:52
    5/1 Half Marathon -- 2:11:22 Pace: 10:01
    5/22 10k -- 56:29 Pace: 9:00
    5/24 3.6 -- 29:03 Pace: 8:18
    7/10 15k -- 1:44:46 injured Pace: 11:14
    10/29 5k -- 28:24 Pace: 9:04
  • Have a very serious talk about it.

    I was very honest with H when we started dating that I did not want kids (neither of us have been married previously or have children).  Even though he desperately wants children he told him it wasn't that big of a deal and he would be okay not having them.  Things progressed, we got married and almost immediately he started bugging me about having kids.

    Obviously this is a MAJOR issue in our marriage and one of the main reasons we seperated earlier this year.  We both agreed to be open minded about the possibility of having/not having children in the future.  I want to make our marriage work but I am not willing to have children JUST to make him happy. 

    We are already married so it is a different situation, but I would avoid it at all costs.  If she knows that she definately wants children of her own and you know that you definately don't.  End it now...

    "You cannot protect yourself from sadness without protecting yourself from happiness."
  • I agree with PPs that you need to have a serious talk with her and be honest. Plus no one says that you can't stay friends with her and continue to spend time with her. But I think you know deep down that you would be holdnig her back and in the long run that is just going to cause a LOT of heartache down the road rather than some disappointment now.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • Honestly, you have to end it.  I think you already know that's what you have to do, but I understand it's hard.  I ended a 3.5 year relationship about 4 months ago over this very same issue (I wanted kids, he didn't.  Of course then I found out he'd cheated on me.  Dodged that bullet).  It hurt a lot knowing that this seemingly great relationship foundered, but honestly I'm so much better off and I'm sure he is/will be too.

     The good thing is that since the relationship is so new you might be able to have a friendship instead.  If that's something that works for you both. 

Sign In or Register to comment.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards