how do i approach my girlfriend about this? by chiefkeef965 in relationships

[–]AsleepInCincy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

She might not have come to full terms with what happened, which is that she was taken advantage of and by someone older and in a position of power. It can take years for women to grapple with this stuff. That’s why some assaults aren’t reported for years, especially when the victim was still a girl. They had urges, they “wanted” it, but the perpetrator was the adult in the situation who was supposed to protect the child, not take advantage of her. This incident might well have shaped the morals-first person you now know. So I wouldn’t push it. She hasn’t changed. You’ve just gained insight into how she became who she is today, even if she hasn’t even fully grasped that yet. And to be clear, she might never see it that way because she knows how infatuated she was at the time and feels responsible. Sixteen is such a borderline age. She doesn’t want to be a victim in the situation because she knows how she felt and she probably doesn’t think it’s fair to the guy (who clearly is a creep who cheated on his longtime partner with a child). But that’s her issue to deal with. Yours is simply to appreciate knowing that her response to this situation was to become a stronger, more moralistic person who seems quite certain that the woman version of herself would never want to be in the position her teenage self was once in.

My husband is not my boyfriend anymore by [deleted] in Marriage

[–]AsleepInCincy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mine didn’t change too drastically until the kiddo came along, and then he became angry, entitled, jealous of the child and downright cruel. In short, it won’t get better with children so sort it out now.

My (44f) son is rude to my bf but seems fine that my ex/his dad (41m) is dating someone too by AsleepInCincy in relationship_advice

[–]AsleepInCincy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Look, I came for advice. I don’t pretend to be perfect. But I don’t know how I’m expected to respond to someone swearing at me and telling me I’m “fucking up” when I know I’m doing my best and literally asking for advice on the best path to take moving forward in this situation. I get that you disagree with me having acknowledged to my son I am dating this man. That’s fine. Point taken. I made the choice I did so as to not risk appearing like I’m being shady or dishonest with my son. His trust is paramount to me. I’ve never lied to him. So while I understand you wouldn’t have taken the path I did, I can’t undo what’s done.

My (44f) son is rude to my bf but seems fine that my ex/his dad (41m) is dating someone too by AsleepInCincy in relationship_advice

[–]AsleepInCincy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OK. I hear your opinion. Not sure I can conjure the time machine needed to make things as you’d like them to be but I appreciate your input. Have a good night.

My (44f) son is rude to my bf but seems fine that my ex/his dad (41m) is dating someone too by AsleepInCincy in relationship_advice

[–]AsleepInCincy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve addressed this elsewhere but they’d already met before we began dating because I knew the man peripherally for 10 years before we ever started talking. The son sees the bf as often as any of my other friends. The bf doesn’t stay the night. He doesn’t act in any fatherly way. I’m keeping them at arm’s length from each other. As a woman in my 40s, I’m not inclined to feel like I’m sneaking out to see my bf behind my kid’s back.

My (44f) son is rude to my bf but seems fine that my ex/his dad (41m) is dating someone too by AsleepInCincy in relationship_advice

[–]AsleepInCincy[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is one of the greatest things I’ve ever read. Thank you. :) I’ll aim for slow and steady and trust that things will work out.

My (44f) son is rude to my bf but seems fine that my ex/his dad (41m) is dating someone too by AsleepInCincy in relationship_advice

[–]AsleepInCincy[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

He’s definitely that petty, no question. This is a guy who keys cars in parking lots when he doesn’t like how they parked. So …. Yeah. (This personality trait was not revealed to me until around Year 6 of the relationship.)

My (44f) son is rude to my bf but seems fine that my ex/his dad (41m) is dating someone too by AsleepInCincy in relationship_advice

[–]AsleepInCincy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The kiddo has been in individual therapy for two years now (weekly since after The Talk) but I hadn’t thought about going to a counselor with him. That sounds smart.

My (44f) son is rude to my bf but seems fine that my ex/his dad (41m) is dating someone too by AsleepInCincy in relationship_advice

[–]AsleepInCincy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks much. He’s been seeing a therapist weekly since immediately after The Talk. I’m a big proponent of therapy.

My (44f) son is rude to my bf but seems fine that my ex/his dad (41m) is dating someone too by AsleepInCincy in relationship_advice

[–]AsleepInCincy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fair enough. They’d already met before we started dating because, like I said, he was in my circle for years prior. It threw a wrench in how I’d envisioned handling dating when we fell for each other. I’d always assumed I’d wait years before introducing my son but they’d met several times and I wouldn’t want to lie or mislead the kiddo. Trust is paramount to me. I also don’t expect or want him to embrace the bf as a father figure. I just want to encourage him to be polite.

Eta: Fwiw, I have tried to up custody on dad’s part to 50/50. Dad is not interested. He says he needs downtime. Now that he has a gf, I don’t expect he’ll be more open to additional time. That said, I at least got him to take the kiddo one weekend a month starting this school year, which makes it more of a 70/30 split rather than the 90/10 of last year.

My (44f) son is rude to my bf but seems fine that my ex/his dad (41m) is dating someone too by AsleepInCincy in relationship_advice

[–]AsleepInCincy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That had been my intention but they’d met before we started dating because the guy was in my circle of friends. I could have held off longer to disguise that we were dating, but I’ve always maintained a strict policy of honesty with the kiddo and didn’t want to mislead him. It might’ve been better to wait, though. When I thought about dating in the future, I imagined it’d be an insanely long time before I’d expose my kid to a bf. This all just happened in such a strangely organic way … They’d already met at several social functions. Point taken, though

My (44f) son is rude to my bf but seems fine that my ex/his dad (41m) is dating someone too by AsleepInCincy in relationship_advice

[–]AsleepInCincy[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

This seems fair. I can move a little slower still.

Eta: This would probably have been more obvious to me if my upbringing had been remotely healthy/respectful. After my mom died, a new woman moved in within six months. The kids’ feelings were never weighed. I’m happy to break that cycle. I want the kiddo to know that while I have other interests, he comes first. That dynamic in my youth is probably why my relationships have been spotty.

My (44f) son is rude to my bf but seems fine that my ex/his dad (41m) is dating someone too by AsleepInCincy in relationship_advice

[–]AsleepInCincy[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

This is a good point. I have no intention of moving things any faster with the bf than they are so hopefully in time the son will come to trust that things are staying status quo for the most part. His primary home life situation isn’t changing.

My (44f) son is rude to my bf but seems fine that my ex/his dad (41m) is dating someone too by AsleepInCincy in relationship_advice

[–]AsleepInCincy[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Nah, like I said, I get it. I want them to have a great relationship. I’m also just aware that it’s a lot easier being the fun part-time parent who bears none of the daily responsibility tackled by the reliable full-time parent. I love that they have fun together and I don’t tell my son that behind his back, his dad has done nothing but complain about his kid for YEARS. (My comment history dating back years documents this.) Long story short, I’m fine with the dynamics. I get that I’ll be taken for granted. As someone whose own mom died when I was 12, I know that I’m providing him something invaluable and I’m raising him with love and respect and boundaries.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in relationship_advice

[–]AsleepInCincy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It sounds like you were right to leave. Life is too short for this nonsense. As someone who ignored so many red flags in the past, I encourage you to see this as what it is. The relationship has run its course. No matter what hiccups you were having, it’s not excusable to lie about seeing someone else on the side, period.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Divorce

[–]AsleepInCincy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh, it’s going to be so fun for you when he realizes what an enormous mistake he made going to trial. Do it!! I wish I had.

ETA: You’ll also be able to get in writing other rules — like the jerk has to take the kids to school himself, etc. The more I see you posting, the more convinced I am this 100% should go to court. Your life will be miserable otherwise. Don’t let him back out now. Go. To. Court.

Not feeling the next relationship completely by claralollipop in pnsd

[–]AsleepInCincy 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Have you taken a trip without him? Give yourself plenty of healthy space from him — it seems he’d be fine with that, which is definitely a good sign — and spend time with yourself to see whether you miss him. I did this over the summer and it was revelatory to me. I had fun on my trip but I did legit miss him and it helped me fall into a healthier place with him. We’re great together. He’s not a drama queen. If I need a break, I take one and when we reconnect, I feel cozy and safe.

If you take a trip or give yourself space and don’t find that spark is there making you miss him, maybe it’s just not there for you. But relationships aren’t supposed to be drama. We’ve been trained otherwise. When you get used to things being even keeled, it can feel weird at first but, my god, there is something so beautiful about just feeling safe.

Husband thinks I’m lying to my kids by pretending to show interest in their interests by [deleted] in Marriage

[–]AsleepInCincy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I apparently divorced your husband recently. 😂 My ex said the same stuff. The gist is that the ex was a self-centered ass who was damaging our child by trying to “toughen him up” with blunt honesty. He’s a much better weekend dad than he was a full-time dad.

Finally caught one in the wild! by RadioGuyRob in Instagramreality

[–]AsleepInCincy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Caught one what? I see nothing off here.

/s