Son's Fiance' Broke off the Engagement.

It's "unfair" and sad for him (for the moment) but she has done him a GREAT service by being honest now, rather than going along with something not truly in her heart. I don't see her as a bad person at all. The great tragedy for him would have been to marry her, have a family and THEN she breaks it off because of X reason. THAT would have been horrible for him (less access to his children, she moves out of state, she remarries, someone else (fit or unfit) parenting his children, he having to pay child support and not being around his children as much, him missing them and vice versa, blah, blah, blah... you can imagine the scenarios...)

So it's sad for him right now and will be for awhile, but for his own sanity, he really needs to drop the rope and walk away. Why is he hanging around? Does he think she will change her mind? Maybe she will, but he really needs to be strong and walk away. If she really wants him (at this point, I hope she never goes back to him, he doesn't deserve someone who is not 100% sure) she'll find him.

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Well, I have a couple of ideas, based on my own personal experience: I have been happily married for 11 years, but before then I was engaged, then left that guy at the last minute because I had feelings for my former boyfriend, who used to keep me hanging, but who I ended up ending all contacts with when I finally realized HE was never going to make up his mind about me.

Funnily enough, after I closed up my contact with this ex-boyfriend, I met my current husband who is the most loving and caring and great person ever. I believe that if I did not end my indecision about my ex, I would have never been ready for a good new chapter in my life. And the truth is that the guy I was engaged to before was not right for me, even though he was a great guy, and I am happy we did not marry because I would have had doubts later, no question about it.

So, based on my experience, here it is: if she left him at the last minute for an ex, she does not love your son enough to make him happy. If she is that unstable at the beginning, when all you see is the positive and you are really up in the clouds, then it will not work and your son will have to fight on and off all the time to keep her love.

He does not deserve this at all. But unless he decides to end it, she will most likely keep him hoping for a while, like keeping her options open in case the other guys does not work out.

I can tell you all this from the bottom of my heart. I was in her position and thinking back I was not a very good person - not on purpose, but I wasn't as honest as I became later. And now that I love my husband to death even after 11 years, I can tell you that doubts at the early stages of a relationship will only get worse.

And my advice to you on how to get this over, if you are really up to it and if you do not think it's off the rails, is to call the girl yourself and have a chat with her one-on-one without your son there. Tell her to decide one way or the other and to stop leading them on (or whatever she is doing that is not ok). It's either yes or no, not a maybe, and she needs to decide now and tell you what she is giong to tell your son. You definitely love your son more than she loves him (my opinion only), so you have every right to do something to ensure he will be happy.

Hope this helps a little:)

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Advice-
I called off 2 engagements because it didn't feel right, and you do always find someone better.
Tell your son to find someone else because it appears that this girl still has feeling for someone else. It would be best if your son had a clean break from this girl.
There is always someone better out there. Trust me. My feelings is its better to call off the engagement before you have to go through a divorce. JMHO.

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If she is not sure about loving him...he should move on and take this as a sign!!! SHE IS NOT THE ONE!!!
Better now then after married!!!
It is a painful situation, but he will get over that!!!
We all think when we breakup with someone that it is the end of the world...but then you meet someone else and then it becomes funny and in the past!!! I suggest he takes a trip with buddies and meet more girls...but not to get hooked on the first one that comes along!!! Love, G.. :0)
P.S. it is hard enough when you marry being in love...Imagine...

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If he's not really looking for advice, then try not to give him any, but just be there for him and let him know that. Just be a good mother and be there for him. Its good for him to know now, before the marriage that something is wrong. If you feel that he wants it or needs it or you just have to speak your mind, then here is something similiar to what I said to a friend of mine: That by constantly hanging out with each other, your son and his ex aren't being fair to themselves. They both need to take a break from each other and stop hanging out so often. Yes, she may realize that he just doesn't do it for her, but he may also realize the same thing about her. Perhaps (if you and your sons can afford it) suggest a brothers get-away, to clear his head. He needs to get on with a separate life that doesn't include her in anyway, shape, or form. My mom once told me that its not necessarily the time spent together that determines how much a couple loves each other, but also the time spent away.

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Hi L.

I would say during these times how much ever you say the problem will not be solved with words. When some one is in Love or Pain (It is the same Love that give pleasure will bring pain). Just being with him - Your presence and support will only help him at this time. Human memory is only for 2.5 days and out of site is out of mind. Taking him away to a holiday will also help. Diversion with some other active work / task will also help. What has helped my friend and it was quick was when she did a course with art of living She had mentioned the website as www.artofliving.org they teach some breathing exercise that does wonders. I did not believe it at first but after I saw my friend recover from such pain I do not have words to say other than just it was only WOW!!
I would say your Son is lucky to have his mom by his side. That is the best strength for him. My friend was new to this country and actually I met her in the market and she did not have friends also. She was in a very bad shape. We stopped for a cup of tea and I learnt her long sad story. It was hard to believe what she went through.

love
P.

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If she doesn't know, he's not the one. Think about it. If someone didn't know if they loved you most of all, would you want to be with them? He's young, he'll find someone who is worthy of his heart - and yours!

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This is a tough one. You are such a good mom to want to give him the best advice possible. It shows how much you care for him and his happiness. Unfortunately there isn't much you can say, only that you will be there for him if he needs anything or wants to talk-which needs to be done objectively if possible. He needs to process this in his own time. Even though you want to shake him and tell him that he needs a woman who wants him and only him it belittles his feelings and makes him feel like he is wrong in his thoughts. To tell him that he deserves so much better (which he obviously does) almost makes him want to defend how he feels and he will cling to it that much harder. I guess all you can say is that when he's ready, to look at all the angles and find what he feels is in his best interest. And hopefully he will see that he deserves much better than this fickle girl. It's hard to watch him set himself up for another fall if he takes her back but maybe he needs that to see what is really going on. Good luck to you!
~S.

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Hi L.-
My heart goes out to your son. It must be very difficult for you to see him suffer. I am guessing that a part of you wants to just get in there and tell him to stop hanging around this woman. It's such the logical thing to do!

But, from the outside, it is so much easier to see where this situation will likely go. We can all see the writing on the wall. You want to protect him from further hurt and suffering. Yet, there he is, all stuck in the muck- setting himself up for further pain. He is hanging on to some hope. Love and all the emotions connected to it, have a nasty habit of distorting truth and reality.

He will need to find this "truth" out for himself. As others have said, just be present for him. Support him and his struggles, listen to him. Acknowledge his conflict and hopes. Let him take the lead - if he asks for advise, be honest. Know that it is his lesson and that he is capable. Most of all, let him know how much you love him.

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Tell him that if someone is going to make you happy and is willing to share the rest of your lives together, they aren't going to need to make a choice between you and someone else. There is a big chance that if this person "might" choose him, she might choose someone later if she thinks she made the wrong choice.
I hope he really finds happiness with who he spends the rest of him life with.
I think life is too short.

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Dear L.,

I think that you have to let him follow his heart, even if it gets broken again. We all have to go through heartbreaks. It makes us who we are. He'll figure it all out. He's a grown man, really. I understand that you want to protect him, but I think at this point you probably just have to let him do what he feels is right to do. It's better that his ex go through this now rather than after they were already married. She sounds like a smart person, to be honest. And if it really is meant to be, it will happen. I truly believe that whatever happens in life, is really meant to for some reason. We just don't know what the reason is right away. I think you've just got to be there for him and his feelings, regardless of what they are. It's part of our roles as "Mom".

Good luck,
M.

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give your son absolutely no advice unless he specifically asks for advice. just because he is crying and complaining does not mean he wants advice. just keep telling him how proud you are of him and that you are sure he will work things out. point to other areas of success in his life and repeat how proud you are of him.