I’M JUMPING FROM MAN TO MAN

Dear Coleen

I have been with the father of my child for three years and, to be honest, when I got together with him it was to get over an ex.

I do love him, but I don’t think I’m in love with him and I have nowhere else to go if the relationship breaks down.

I don’t have a physical relationship with him any more as every time he touches me I feel anxious and can’t bear it.

Recently, I have started talking to another man, but I feel I’m just doing what I did with my partner – using him to get out of a relationship. What’s your advice?

Coleen says

You need to stop being scared of being on your own. And it sounds as if you could really do with some time on your own to decide what (and what kind of relationship) you’re looking for. Yes, it’s especially daunting when you have a child, as being a single parent is incredibly demanding – but plenty of women do it.

As long as your partner is still part of the child’s life and you make a commitment to support each other as parents, then your child will be fine.

If leaving him is what you want to do, then have a conversation with him and work out together how the split is going to work and where each of you will go, making your child’s wellbeing a priority.

And don’t even think of going near this other guy until you’ve done that.

I think if you’re not honest with your partner, it’s only a matter of time before you cheat with someone else.