Gransnet forums

Relationships

What is your opinion on dating a man who is 14 years older? I am 34 and he’s 48 with 4 children (age 16~25, 2 from his 1st marriage and 2 from his 2nd one). I am divorced with no kids.

(77 Posts)
ElsaM Tue 16-Apr-24 11:42:29

According to him, 1st marriage happened when he was young (22 or something) and lasted for only 7 months (had kids first) reason being that “it was the right thing to do”, but they did produce 2 kids together.. He also left her for his second wife whom he was married to for 20 years (cheated on her 3 times). Then he met me and left her for me (I didn’t know he wasn’t fully divorced yet). He’s been saying that he learnt as he grows older and people change.
He’s been really loving and generous but I have seen a few red flags so far (caught him lying to me, angry with random because he was in a bad mood etc).

It does give me a bad feeling when he insists that his ex is to blame for his 2nd affair. The fact that he tried to justify (it really is what it is all about) his own doing concerns me such an awful lot, and makes me worry that he’d do the same in the future whenever he deems that I am not being “supportive enough”.. Together with a few other red flags that I have noticed thus far, I feel that I struggle to trust him deep down.

Lastly, this may sound incredibly mean, but his still ongoing legal fight with his ex, and the 4 children from his previous marriages sometimes hit me that these are just way too much “baggage”, or potential trigger for misery in the future..

We are all very happy during the honeymoon stage but I want sustainable happiness and I think that has to be with someone who is a decent person himself. Love unfortunately isn’t enough to make it work.

I am just struggling to let it go. Please can I get some thoughts on this from those who are a little more experienced with life. Thank you so much.

Shelflife Wed 17-Apr-24 09:53:15

You don't need us to advise, it is very clear you know exactly what to do , but I will reinforce your gut feeling - RUN and do not ever look back !!!! You know very well that the age difference is if no consequence. Get out now.

ElsaM Wed 17-Apr-24 13:55:33

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, encouragement and support.

I ended it for good. It's tough but I believe it is the right thing to do before it's too late or getting too nasty. I wish I could see certain things earlier and had the gut to end it sooner, but it's been a lesson learnt.

Again I wish all of you happiness in life xx

sharon103 Wed 17-Apr-24 14:01:18

I was married to a liar and cheat.
My advice, get rid.
When the trust has gone, you've got nothing.

Geezee Wed 17-Apr-24 16:08:40

If it’s love age doesnt matter

DiamondLily Fri 19-Apr-24 17:44:37

BlueBelle

flappergirl

MaizieD

Cossy

Also think this post is probably more suited to Mumsnet than here, but for what’s it’s worth I’d run for the hills!

I think the mumsnet response would be *LTB.

This man is really bad news.

*(Leave The Bastard)

It was posted on Mumsnet and the response was LTB.

So why post on here does poster think we ll give different answers 🙄
Or some attention if it’s died a death on the other forum

Well, that was the opinions on MN. Not sure why it’s here now.🤷‍♀️

NotSpaghetti Sun 21-Apr-24 11:31:47

Well done ElsaM - do things you enjoy now.
I think you have dodged a bullet there.

Good luck for your future.
I'm sure you won't regret it in years to come. flowers

vampirequeen Sun 21-Apr-24 11:36:20

Do you love him? Does he love you? Does he make you feel loved, safe, wanted, needed, happy? Do you make him feel that way too?

If you can answer 'yes' to all these questions then go for it. Enjoy life today and don't worry about problems and issues that may not even arise.

blue14 Sun 21-Apr-24 11:48:58

Oh dear! Blaming his ex wife for him having an affair!
Why are you still with him? Run!

blue14 Sun 21-Apr-24 11:50:23

So pleased you've ended it.
Now I hope you find someone worthy of you.

Purplepixie Sun 21-Apr-24 12:37:56

Run like bloody hell! I have no grievance with the age difference but it is the baggage that goes with it.

Geezee Sun 21-Apr-24 13:31:42

If you are having serious doubts , call time on any further relationship with him

silverlining48 Sun 21-Apr-24 13:39:50

The OP has sensibly ended it.

Luckygirl3 Sun 21-Apr-24 15:37:04

Age isn't the problem - it is his rather poor track record with relationships and history of infidelity (including with you). I would give him a wide berth.

Allsorts Mon 22-Apr-24 19:29:27

Age is not the issue, but you can’t trust a liar. Run for the hills.

JaneJudge Mon 22-Apr-24 19:34:25

He is nearly 50 and has 4 kids, 2 ex wives and there are red flags

Listen to yourself smile

JaneJudge Mon 22-Apr-24 19:34:46

silverlining48

The OP has sensibly ended it.

Sorry 🙈

Itsactuallyhappening Mon 22-Apr-24 19:36:58

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

Itsactuallyhappening Mon 22-Apr-24 19:41:52

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

Itsactuallyhappening Mon 22-Apr-24 19:50:51

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

Itsactuallyhappening Mon 22-Apr-24 19:55:48

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

Itsactuallyhappening Mon 22-Apr-24 19:57:43

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

Itsactuallyhappening Mon 22-Apr-24 20:02:15

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

Itsactuallyhappening Mon 22-Apr-24 20:05:25

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

Ziplok Mon 22-Apr-24 20:06:01

?

Germanshepherdsmum Mon 22-Apr-24 20:15:47

Itsactuallyhappening

Really sorry to ask for your opinions here. For us it is obvs but the noise has been LOUD... and that is apparently daily living noise. The smell of weed has permeated throughout 3 streets of this one family. She gave birth recently and now has 6 children
They gone into care now and probably coming back to the parents.

I have reported this person’s posts here.