Hello S2S ........
I'm going to try to speak to you as a father figure type. As I've said once before, I have a 28-year old daughter who I am close to. But I also have a 37-year old daughter who seems to want me out of her life right now. There are two grandchildren there also. And .... we lost what would have been a 32-year old son by now - long ago in pregnancy.
I was married for 23-years ... before the divorce started. The divorce was at least an 80% communications problem. So not only do I highly respect a long (forever type) marriage, I come from a seriously broken home myself.
I myself, by the age of 6-years old, had 3 different father figures in my life. As I grew up, two of those father figures remained in my life. I had good feelings for both ... so it can happen.
My stepfather is the one who raised me from the age of 5 to 6-years old. He was my role model for a man while growing up. While I called or refered to him as my father, and my birth father refered to as Dad .... it was a confusing thing for a child to deal with.
But ..... I did deal with it! And, my stepfather could not have children, so I never had a chance for a brother or sister. It was not a disaster being an only child - if you've given that any thought for your son!
So ....... I gave you my brief background - and that was for credibility for what I'm about to say.
Your counselor was right in being able to put some kind of a time limit on it for your BF. AV was absolutley right in saying that he does need some time for a decision too.
You and your BF are looking at it from two completely different perspectives though. Now, what kind of time limit?
First, if you can ....... don't text important stuff like this! Communications do need some time ... some thought ... and some delivery tecniques - if you will.
It's too easy to text!!!!! A moments decision can come out by either of you .... and the other interprets it the wrong way .... and there's the beginning of a fight!
It is so much better to face-to-face talk to someone. You both deserve the honor of the time spent to do that for each other! Maybe, it's a needed sign of respect .... maybe it's because you can look into each others eyes or touch each other. But - save the texting for inconsequential stuff.
Did it ever come up with the counselor about how much time he should have? Whatever timeframe is used, I think it needs to be a negotiation between the two of you.
And that's good practice if you do get married .... or simply stay as significant others when it comes time for big decision-making.
I'm sure you realize that there are a ton of big decisions coming in the future even just regarding your son. And let me just say, from my own experiences, that a son can get really close with his stepfather. So if that's a concern, speak with your counselor about it.
I hope some of this has helped without intruding on your privacy. You have very big decisions to make .... and it's not only just your BF's decisions.
Rob & Gizzy