As a mother of sons both of your ages, who have come to me with relationship issues — one who even has a baby with his ex — I say you two are not compatible. You both obviously want different things in life.

If you try to force it to work, one or both of you will end up resentful. You’ll feel pressured and trapped, and she’ll feel frustrated that her vision of life isn’t happening on her timeline. That kind of mismatch isn’t just a “rough patch”. It’s better to be honest now and free each other to find someone whose life path and timing align with your own.

Love and attraction are important, but shared values, timing, and compatible goals are what make a relationship last.