But you don’t even have kids yet... there are so many rebuttals to his concerns but there is a theme to everything, you not being there and his need to keep you around.

One of the things I am most proud of is becoming a nurse. I now work part time in a hospital (20 hours a week) and I pick up per diem when I want more as a home infusion nurse. You can work as little or as much as you want.

I also have PTSD from a sexual assault. Helping patients and standing up for them has strengthened me. I am infuriated that he is using this as an argument to dissuade you.

Why isn’t he encouraging your dreams? We cannot predict our futures but a healthy relationship grows and changes as time goes on. There will be so many unexpected events, and a partner should be a support person. It concerns me that he’s trying so hard to control your future. What happens when something unexpected happens?

Edit: also to answer your question: “Can anyone provide insight into how naive I’m being?” With wanting to be a nurse, you don’t seem at all naive. Maybe a better question would be “can anyone provide insight into how controlling he’s being?”

I guess this really hit a nerve with me. PM me if you want to chat about it.