I’ve been living with my partner in his home for 10 years through my 40s. I stuck with him through tough times and through his cheating.

I’m now in my 50's, he’s 10 years older. Then one day he suddenly texts me from work to ask me to marry him.

I’m hesitant. I believe that all he wants is income-sharing when we both retire. Part of me wants to marry him but another part doesn't want to because it makes me feel being used.

He looks at me as his cook and cleaning lady, without extra income for it once we’d be married.

How should I deal with this?

Questionable Proposal

It’s interesting how much you’ve not said here about this proposal - no word of “love,” no mention of trust and respect. It seems the only choice is whether to cook and clean for him while remaining in a common-law relationship, or to do so as his wife.

Ten years together deserves at least a full discussion of what you can expect from marriage. As a wife, you’d be entitled to half the value of his home if he left you or passed away.... unless you’d already signed off on that (speak to a lawyer). But then there’s your belief he’s after income-sharing of pensions... again, something that may not be what you want.

Besides insisting on more information from him about how he thinks this will work and/or change things, and also getting legal advice, you need to have a separate chat with yourself.

Being in your fifties means you could have another 40 years ahead. Do you want them with this man? As things are now?

If you have trouble answering yourself, consider having a private online session or two with a counsellor to help you decide whether to accept the proposal or not.

I was married for 13 years, and divorced when my only child, a son, was age 11. He loved his father and they maintained a good relationship.

I met my now-husband of 14 years a couple of years later. We moved to the countryside (not too far from my previous location).

My spouse and my son get along well and before Covid we got together periodically and for special occasions, including his girlfriend.

My ex also remarried and there was little reason to ever see each other.

Over the past couple of years, I heard from my son that his father wasn’t well and I do regret somewhat that I didn’t contact him. But I periodically asked my son about his dad’s condition.

When he passed, my son was devastated. He’d visited his father in hospital regularly but hadn’t anticipated the depth of loss he now feels.

I sometimes feel his grief is not only current but part of his dealing way back with the divorce. I also worry that he resents me for not staying in contact with his father, especially as his illness worsened.

I don’t know what I should do in this situation to help my son.

Concerned Mom

This is about your adult son’s grief, not what you did or didn’t do. He’s long been comfortable with his relationship with you and your partner. It’s unlikely he expected you to contact his father.

That’s where the focus was - on his father’s health, not on your past relationship.

Stay close and supportive of him, understand and acknowledge his grief. Don’t make it an issue between you.

Reader’s Commentary Regarding the man concerned about his girlfriend's ex-boyfriends (April 16):

“I agree that the difference between his past life and hers was the root of the disconnect.

“I didn't marry until post-40 and had stayed in touch with two ex-boyfriends. One was my best friend during a tough period of my life. There was no thought of resuming a romantic relationship with either.

“My husband saw his ex-wife only in connection with his children. He had occasional lunches/drinks with female colleagues.

“He found my friendship with exes odd but he didn't object to it.

“As our relationship became more serious, our meetings with exes and work colleagues became only occasional. My relationship with my exes became distant as our paths diverged.

“This man has no cause for concern. There’s potential for compromise but if the situation makes him feel uncomfortable, he should move on; otherwise, they’ll both be miserable.”