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Topic : He/She Won't Commit!

Number of Replies: 927
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Created on : Sunday, September 17, 2006, 04:12:30 pm
Author : DrPhilBoard1
Is your relationship on the rocks because your mate won't commit? Are you more like friends than partners? How long should you date someone before some sort of commitment is expected? Share your stories and advice here.

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January 8, 2008, 11:38 am PST

weird

Quote From: provolone2008

I am a single Mom, 43, divorced for 4 years with 3 kids, 13, 10 and 9. I thought I was never going to find a man I would allow myself to fall in love with after a crappy marriage until September 2006. I knew this man, we worked in the same building, thought he was pretty nice, and after a while we started seeing each other. I tried to keep it focused on  physical attraction but needless to say I fell in love. He told me he loved me about 4-5 months into it and I admited to him my love. Well, we have grown quite close, spending a lot of time together. He is 58 , was married for 28 years, divorced for 6, has 2 kids 30 and 28. His kids are married and the other is living with his girlfriend. My kids know and are quiet fond of this man, including him in our lives and wanting to spend time with him. He seems to enjoy my kids, always interested in what they have been up to, inviting then out to his house. His kids do not know that I exist. He sees them quite often, but has never mentioned me to them. He is afraid of what they might think, he says. I have asked if it was our age difference, or if it was because my kids are very young. He says that is not the issue. The isssue seems to be the ex wife, who happens to live down the street a bit. It seems he thinks she will spread some horrid lies or something to their kids. I have suggested he leave her out and just tell his sons about me. It hasn't happened and I wonder if it ever will. I would think his kids would want him to be happy. Since his ex lives so near to me this inhibits him from stopping by too often, because she might see. He is divorced, I have check public records some time ago. Last week I wrote him a note saying I needed to step back because I need more from this relationship. He seems perfectely content the way things are. We have had this discussion many times and nothing changes. I love him so much, yet wonder if this is all that is will be.
This is odd. If this guy is in love with you, it seems that he’d be shouting it from rooftops! I agree with your logic; that if he told his children that he is dating someone, they should be glad for their father. Why would his adult children ‘want’ their father to grow old and be all alone forever? (They wouldn’t!)
If his ‘fear’ is rational, perhaps he is trying to protect you in some way. But you would know best if that ‘fear’ is truly rational; what do you think? Does he ever tell you horror stories about his ex? Is there any way you can do some snooping around, find out what kind of person she is?
The first thing I thought of when I read your post was that perhaps the real reason he doesn’t introduce you to his children is because he has something to hide. (from you, not them)
You deserve to be happy. Dr. Phil always says this, “we teach people how to treat us.” Your boyfriend isn’t ever going to introduce you to his family if you simply keep tolerating it. As you said, you’ve had this discussion many times, and you end up nowhere. That means that if this is important to you, this could be a ‘deal breaker’ in your relationship, and you should step back from him. Either he will come around and make things right, or, you will find out that although you had some good times with him, he just wasn’t the right ‘one’ for you. Look at this as a life learning experience. I wish you the best, and I urge you to stand up for yourself!
 
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January 8, 2008, 11:43 am PST

Not overly sensitive!

Quote From: berlin64

My boyfriend says he wants to marry me but won't pick a firm date.  Every time I bring up the subject he seem irritated or annoyed.  How can I plan if we don't have a date he just keep saying soon...Is this some kind of sign or am I being overly sensative. 
It is understandable that part of you would wonder if you are being overly sensitive. Why else would this man, who claims to love you, not want to set a date for your wedding? Please know that you are NOT being overly sensitive; you need a date so that you can make plans. Even if the date is far away; you just need one.
He isn’t giving you a hint. He is telling you that he doesn’t want to get married in a passive way. This isn’t fair to you, it isn’t even fair to him; but he probably isn’t aware of that. You say that he seems annoyed when you bring it up. My advice to you is to approach him in a different way, for example, saying something like, “You seem annoyed or irritated when I bring up the topic of setting a date for the wedding, why is that?” and see where the conversation goes. Perhaps he has a rational reason for putting it off, and if that is the case, you need to know. I wish you the best!
 
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January 9, 2008, 5:23 am PST

WHAT IS COMMITMENT TO YOU?????

I've been dating this man for 5 months..............he is the same type of man that my husband of 25 years was who passed away 15 years ago...........I wish to move back to Arizona where I lived for 3 years and he said he wishes to go also and told his ex.........she told him why wait, go now...........anyway, this man cannot get an erection for whatever reason and I told him, at my age (will be 61 at the end of the month), it doesn't matter to me.........there are other ways of satisfying a woman and that is not number 1 on my list.........

I feel a man and woman must be friends first, have friends of their own (as you can't be together 24/7) and also have friends together...........has similiar interests and also your own interests.  You should be able to tell each other anything without the fear of him//her laughing at you...........have a sense of humor.......be happy going to Burger King or Morgans.............money isn't everything, does not buy your health and without that you have nothing.....then sex is the icing on the cake!!

Now he says, he just wants a friendship, not a relationship?????????   Okay ladies, what would you do? Men, any suggestions???

Thank you all........

 
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January 9, 2008, 7:13 am PST

He/She Won't Commit!

Quote From: jaimie1974

This is odd. If this guy is in love with you, it seems that hed be shouting it from rooftops! I agree with your logic; that if he told his children that he is dating someone, they should be glad for their father. Why would his adult children want their father to grow old and be all alone forever? (They wouldnt!)
If his fear is rational, perhaps he is trying to protect you in some way. But you would know best if that fear is truly rational; what do you think? Does he ever tell you horror stories about his ex? Is there any way you can do some snooping around, find out what kind of person she is?
The first thing I thought of when I read your post was that perhaps the real reason he doesnt introduce you to his children is because he has something to hide. (from you, not them)
You deserve to be happy. Dr. Phil always says this, we teach people how to treat us. Your boyfriend isnt ever going to introduce you to his family if you simply keep tolerating it. As you said, youve had this discussion many times, and you end up nowhere. That means that if this is important to you, this could be a deal breaker in your relationship, and you should step back from him. Either he will come around and make things right, or, you will find out that although you had some good times with him, he just wasnt the right one for you. Look at this as a life learning experience. I wish you the best, and I urge you to stand up for yourself!
Yesterday I broke it off with him. I told him I needed him to love me no mater who is looking. I know his ex has mental problems and now she has cancer. He is afraid that if he tells the grown kids and they in turn tell their mom and she goes off the deep end,the kids will blame him.  We had a long talk about all this and I had to end it because it seems we will not be able to move forward as a couple if the ex continues to manipulate his life.  It was a hard thing to do but I feel he needs to put himself in my place and see what he is expecting me to do. And..my kids love and adore him, even asked me if we were going to marry. I have to consider their hearts as well. I just pray that he comes to some understanding about us and is able to get past this. Thanks for listening. I'll keep you posted.
 
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January 9, 2008, 1:00 pm PST

ready to move on...

My story is way to long so I will try to keep it short. This guy and I were both going through a divorce both were cheated on. We met and hit it off. He said we could have something special so we needed to take it slow. He thinks I am amazing and said he would run off into the sunset with me if he knew how. Messages, phone calls and visits became few and far between. Every once in awhile he sends a text and often talks about sex but never wants to meet up anymore. When do I decide to let him go and move on? Or is he trying to stay in touch until hes really ready?
a bit confused...
 
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January 10, 2008, 9:00 am PST

Breaking up

Quote From: provolone2008

Yesterday I broke it off with him. I told him I needed him to love me no mater who is looking. I know his ex has mental problems and now she has cancer. He is afraid that if he tells the grown kids and they in turn tell their mom and she goes off the deep end,the kids will blame him.  We had a long talk about all this and I had to end it because it seems we will not be able to move forward as a couple if the ex continues to manipulate his life.  It was a hard thing to do but I feel he needs to put himself in my place and see what he is expecting me to do. And..my kids love and adore him, even asked me if we were going to marry. I have to consider their hearts as well. I just pray that he comes to some understanding about us and is able to get past this. Thanks for listening. I'll keep you posted.
You did the right thing for yourself. You are being fair to yourself by making this decision, and that is what most self-respecting women would have to do, also. You know that you can’t wait around for him to ‘be ready’ for whatever may happen in regards to his children. That would be joining in with him in the “what if” game; it is no fun! You had good times with this man, but he can’t fully commit to you in the way that you need him to. I wish you the very best!
 
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January 10, 2008, 9:03 am PST

Let go

Quote From: annabegins07

My story is way to long so I will try to keep it short. This guy and I were both going through a divorce both were cheated on. We met and hit it off. He said we could have something special so we needed to take it slow. He thinks I am amazing and said he would run off into the sunset with me if he knew how. Messages, phone calls and visits became few and far between. Every once in awhile he sends a text and often talks about sex but never wants to meet up anymore. When do I decide to let him go and move on? Or is he trying to stay in touch until hes really ready?
a bit confused...
You’ve got to let go. The fact that he calls occasionally and talks in a sexual manner to you is a huge red flag that he isn’t looking for the same thing you are. I assume that you would like a committed relationship? It sounds like he is only interested in a phone sex or real life sex relationship. If that is what you want, then continue waiting for him; but you know in your heart that you deserve so much more. Don’t wait around for this guy, you don’t even know if he ever will be ‘ready.’ Get out there, get dating and allow yourself to have some fun!
 
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January 10, 2008, 2:38 pm PST

have things changed?

Quote From: alfie33

I have been dating this man for 6 to 7 months.  It is a long distance relationship.  We talk on the phone several times a week.  He told me when we met he was gun shy.  He has been divorce for 2 years.  His ex wife was in an affair and then just dropped a bomb on him and filed for divorce.  He lost his wife and 2 sons just like that.  His 2 boys were his wole life.  When were together it is great.  It seems we have the desire fora relationship, but when he leaves he doesn't seem to get excited to make plans for the next time tobe together, I feel like I am always pushing for our time together.  I really want to be with him, I probably am falling in love with him but I will not let him know that other than how I treat him.  We neither one say those words to each other.  I don't even know where I stand with him and I am afraid to ask him, becuse I am afraid  I will scare him away.  One other thing he said to me earlier on was to be patient with him.  What kind of questions should  I ask him to be more confortable with where I stand with him.  My emotions are going crazy with not knowing where I stand with him.  Any advice , please help?
this situation sounds exactly like mine accept that we live within 30 minutes of each other. I wanted to see if the situation turned out different for you or are you still loving from afar?
 
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January 10, 2008, 2:40 pm PST

He/She Won't Commit!

Quote From: jaimie1974

Youve got to let go. The fact that he calls occasionally and talks in a sexual manner to you is a huge red flag that he isnt looking for the same thing you are. I assume that you would like a committed relationship? It sounds like he is only interested in a phone sex or real life sex relationship. If that is what you want, then continue waiting for him; but you know in your heart that you deserve so much more. Dont wait around for this guy, you dont even know if he ever will be ready. Get out there, get dating and allow yourself to have some fun!
Thank you , I have dated other people but deep inside I only want to be with him. We don't have phone sex nor to we engage in sex. He says since his divorce he isn't good for anyone right now. You are right, I should move on deserving better.
 
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January 12, 2008, 4:52 am PST

Trying to stay strong

Quote From: jaimie1974

You did the right thing for yourself. You are being fair to yourself by making this decision, and that is what most self-respecting women would have to do, also. You know that you cant wait around for him to be ready for whatever may happen in regards to his children. That would be joining in with him in the what if game; it is no fun! You had good times with this man, but he cant fully commit to you in the way that you need him to. I wish you the very best!

He called 2 days after I told him I can't see him anymore. Small talk then right to the topic on our minds. I think he may come around. But then again, the next day was Friday and he wanted to see me. Friday morning I was out when he called. I knew I was not going to see him that night. I have to stick to my guns. My whole body aches for him but I need more. So after a hair cut and color, time with the kids and grandma, I went to bed early. He called when he got in from work, and I reminded him why I would not go to see him. We talked on the phone a long time and it is very clear where I stand, i told him I would give him some time to make things right. He is not being fair to himself, his kids or me. He told me all the right things, we will see what happens. I keep praying for everyone involved, even his ex. I know God is greater than any problem I may have on this earth.  I know that only God can change people and change things, none of this is in my control. So I have started thanking God for the end result. Whatever that may be, everything is in His hands. All I have to do is trust and stay strong.

 
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