I've been dating someone for 8 months and I love her a lot. Since she quit her job, she has been on "vacation" and having fun. She has been hanging out with a new girl friend she met about 3 weeks ago. They go everywhere together. They go shopping, get tattoos, and go lay out at the beach.

Recently, she told me I was boring and blah and that she wanted time to go hang out with her "friends". I'm a little concerned because she has no money and she always said she would have to trust the person giving her a tattoo. When I asked her where she was getting the money she said her friend was getting it from her ex-husband. When I asked about the tattoo she said the guy did great work and she trusted him. Now comes the part I'm unsure about. The guy she dated before me was a tattoo artist and did all her work for free.

I was going to call her friend's ex-husband to ask if he was giving them money but I was thinking that would be inappropriate. I don't want to think she is cheating on me because she said she never would. She doesn't come home lots of nights and basically calls and says she's hanging out with friends getting drunk and stuff. She's 22 and I'm 29. I recently bought a house for us to move in and start our lives together but every since then she acts like she doesn't care.

What do you guys think she is telling me? If you need to know more I will answer all I can.

I've been dating someone for 8 months and I love her a lot. Since she quit her job, she has been on "vacation" and having fun. She has been hanging out with a new girl friend she met about 3 weeks ago. They go everywhere together. They go shopping, get tattoos, and go lay out at the beach.

Recently, she told me I was boring and blah and that she wanted time to go hang out with her "friends". I'm a little concerned because she has no money and she always said she would have to trust the person giving her a tattoo. When I asked her where she was getting the money she said her friend was getting it from her ex-husband. When I asked about the tattoo she said the guy did great work and she trusted him. Now comes the part I'm unsure about. The guy she dated before me was a tattoo artist and did all her work for free.

I was going to call her friend's ex-husband to ask if he was giving them money but I was thinking that would be inappropriate. I don't want to think she is cheating on me because she said she never would. She doesn't come home lots of nights and basically calls and says she's hanging out with friends getting drunk and stuff. She's 22 and I'm 29. I recently bought a house for us to move in and start our lives together but every since then she acts like she doesn't care.

What do you guys think she is telling me? If you need to know more I will answer all I can.
Unfortunately I don't know how to say this very nicely, but this woman sounds really self-centered. I think it's a syndrome for people in the 20 - 40 age bracket these days. Everything is me first, or as long as I'm happy that's all that matters. If I hear one more girlfriend say that phrase I might throw up.

You sound responsible and are obviously wanting to settle down and you are preparing for a family by buying property and she has her head in the clouds. You are smart because settling down in your 30's becomes much more difficult especially with all the baggage the "sex and the city" life can give you from your twenties. I see so many desperate people in their 30's and I can guarantee you that this girl will probably be one of them. If I were in your shoes I would make a move to break it off. If she doesn't come around to try to save the relationship, you will have just saved yourself that much more time you could have spent looking for someone who will take you more seriously.

Sounds like she is still sewing her wild oats and may not be as serious about settling down as you are. She may be taking advantage of the friend with money... but when that runs out... where will she go?

Maybe you can think back 7 years and look upon foolish things you did?

I know 7 years ago I was a completely different person. (I'm 29 now) But man how things have changed...

She probably hasn't thought much about the long term effects of her actions... sounds like she is living for the moment...

I have thought about the things I did when I was 22 and I try to give her advice based on my experiences. The problem with that is she thinks I'm trying to tell her what to do or that I'm stopping her from having fun. I've tried helping her manage her money but that was a waste of time. Her philosophy is spend it while you got it. I've tried to help her go back to school but she got frustrated when they denied her re-entrance. I've tried to help her get braces but she got upset that we couldn't afford them.

She always says that I am all she has and that if we ever break up she'd be lost and probably be devastated. My feeling is if she really felt that way why wouldn't she want to spend more time with me.

Yes I think she is very selfish because she always finds something for me to buy or do for her. Her views on relationships, in my opinion, are outdated. She feels the man should do all the work and she should stay at home and do nothing. By nothing, I mean nothing; not even cleaning up or cooking. When she told me that I said well it's 2008 not 1958 and things now have to be 50/50. I just wish she could see it from my point of view.

I guess the reason I'm still hanging on is because I think she will come around and be the best thing I could ever ask for. I also want to remain logical and I know that she is not going to change unless she wants too.

Her family made a comment the other day that kind of made me feel bad. Her dad said that the house I purchased was a slap in the face to her and him. That she deserved much better than a rinky-dink house in the country.

She may grow out of it... I did... well all accept that spending money like water thing...
But I'm working on it LOL

Mike met me when I was 22 (he is 12 years older)

I think part of him liked the "wild" side... I grew out of it when I started having kids though.

Maybe she needs a reality check... if she wants to spend money, she needs to make it. Have you tried being wild with her?

If she doesn't want to include you at all... that doesn't sound good...

When I started dating my husband all I ever wanted to do was be with him. When I went out with my friends he came with me. When he went out with his friends I went with him. We always wanted to be together. We still do. We're together 25 years and married for 21.

The same thing happened with my friends. When they met the person they eventually ended up marrying they just wanted to be together all the time.

I think that a good relationship includes wanting to be together rather than doing so many things apart. And the longer that the relationship continues, the stronger it should get.

I'm sorry, since you probably don't want to hear this, but if she says that she thinks you're blah and would rather hang out with her friends then she's not the right one for you.

ConfusedInAk,

I have tried being wild with her but the more things we do that are wild the more she expects. I can't stay out until 5 in the morning drinking and stuff anymore. I've been to clubs with her dancing, even though I can't dance. I've been to more concerts in 8 months than in 28 years. She'll include me its just at a time convenient for her. I don't want to spend my time waiting for her to calm down.

I have thought about the things I did when I was 22 and I try to give her advice based on my experiences.

The main thing I have learned in my 30's is that you really can't change a person. You can only change yourself. You can give advice but most people don't follow advice-- they follow example and they learn from their own mistakes. The best thing you can probably do for her is to show her that her behavior will cost her a potentially rewarding relationship. By holding on to her, you really are only encouraging her. People have to be faced with losing something before making true change. Of course you run the risk of leaving and her not following. If that's the case you shouldn't look at it as a loss. It's only a test of whether the relationship was truly meant to be. Ya know?

I mentioned leaving her once and she said she would try changing. She did for one week and then feel right back doing the same stuff.

Going back to the thing about being wild with her... She thinks I'm in a comfort bubble and I'm scared to do adventurous things. Is it not Ok to be comfortable with someone or is that a bad thing for a relationship?

She doesn't do anything I haven't done before. Nothing she does is adventurous. The most exciting thing she does is getting a tattoo and I will never get a tattoo. It's not like she is out skydiving or climbing mount everest. Her typical day would be going to the beach, going shopping and then eating out somewhere.

I think at some point becoming too comfortable with one another is not necessarily a good thing. I hear a lot of friends complain about things that their partner does simply because they are too comfortable LOL

Will she do any of the things that you find exciting?

See with me and Mike... we don't have the same hobbies... period. He hates Bingo, I play all the time. I will never jump out of a plane willingly and he loves sky diving. He duck hunts, I'd prefer to stay warm. In fact we have VERY few common interests. He will never get a tattoo and I can't wait to get one.

But he does his thing and I do mine, and we never go out together (unless it's to a fundraising event or something). I don't think couple have to share every interest to make it work... there just has to be some understanding that if she wants to party instead of hang with you, the least she can do is help around the house.

I don't think ultimatums are going to change who she is. The last time I went out drinking at a bar or something I think I was 26... Now if I go, I am the DD. At some point I started to dislike loud music and dancing all night.

It sounds like you really want to stay with her, so I'm not going to tell you it won't work.

I mentioned leaving her once and she said she would try changing. She did for one week and then feel right back doing the same stuff.

Going back to the thing about being wild with her....She thinks I'm in a comfort bubble and I'm scared to do adventurous things. Is it not Ok to be comfortable with someone or is that a bad thing for a relationship?

The fact of the matter is she doesn't do anything I haven't done before. Nothing she does is adventurous. The most exciting thing she does is getting a tattoo and I will never get a tattoo. It's not like she is out skydiving or climbing mount everest. her typical day would be going to the beach, going shopping and then eating out somewhere.

You need to stick to your words.

Since you told her you're leaving her if she doesn't change, the abide by that motto.

Just like the Marines motto of"Semper Fi" or "Always Faithful," you need to keep your words.

If she doesn't change, leave her immediately.
She's heading her life just like a rail-road coal cart that is heading down into a deep mine.

I know relationships grow in various ways. Some have to be nurtured and others grow on their own. Some of the things I enjoy, she does. For example, riding four wheelers or amusement parks. If we don't spend time together are we really in a relationship? Sometimes it feels more like roommates than bf/gf.

I don't want to offend you and if I come across as an a-hole I'll apologize up front. You used your situation as an example, ConfusedInAK. Do you or your boyfriend/husband go days without seeing each other and spend the night with friends? If Mike called and said I'm saying over at a friend's house see you sometime tomorrow. I'm going to go out and drink tonight. How would you feel?

To me it's not the fact that she does these things it's just the fact she doesn't want me to come along.

Well... first I may have a heart attack that he used the words I'm going out with friends LOL I have to literally BEG and PLEAD with him to get out of the house... go away... do something! Finally got him to join a softball team and now a soccer team. I have to kick his arse out of the house to do things. I even insisted he HAD to buy a boat for himself. He doesn't like to do things because everything costs money...

Now me on the other hand, I just make sure he didn't have plans and I tell him I'm off to bingo, or the bar with my best gay, or to go babysit my girlfriends while they get wasted so I can drive them home LOL I have my phone, if he needs me all he has to do is call... which isn't what he typically does.. he usually just sends me dirty texts ;)

And sometimes we are like room mates LOL which from talking to most married people seems to be a common "feeling". In fact most days we simply coexist... and tolerate each other. Bottom line is though we do love and trust each other...

But out of all the "long term" relationships I had... this has truly been the easiest one.

You 2 have only been together for 8 months... it's hard to say what will happen for you.

Somehow we are fine and have been together longer than most of our friends stay married.

ConfusedInAK, it sounds like our relationships are kind of the same thing. I guess I feel the same way about staying at home but I do want to go do things it's just not every night or weekend I want to do them. If I do something like go to charleston to see my best friend from childhood she thinks I supposed to invite her to go, but if she goes out to a bar or club she never asks me to go. So why does she expect me to think about her while she never thinks about me. And I hear you about the texts and phone calls. If she is out I don't call because I think if she needs she she'll call, she gets on me all the time about it. She'll send me text messages like "Are you even worried about me?" or "Do you care that I'm not at home?" and I'm like ?

Just wanted to keep getting input and let you guys hear how our night was.

First, she did not see me at all after 8:30 Monday morning. I met her after I got off work Tuesday around 6 PM. She was hanging out in a local bar with two guy friends. I got a call from a friend of mine and talked to him for about twenty minutes before I went in to see her. I walked up to them and said what's up to everyone and was going to give her a hug but she had her back to me. Right as I get there the guys leave and it's just me and her. I tell her a job she applied for called and asked me about her; that made her happy. She then proceeded to tell me she was out of money, gas, and she wouldn't be able to pay her car insurance this month. I told her we would talk about it later, somewhere private. She tells me I should have told her to get some extra clothes to change into instead of her wearing the same thing for 2 days. We leave to go stay with my parents because our house is not finished getting serviced yet.

We arrive there and its just me and her. We ride bikes together for about 15 minutes until everyone starts getting home. She doesn't like what my dad is cooking so we go to our house and get her some taco mix and shells for tacos. While her food is cooking, my family is in the living room talking about there day and getting along fine. We are in the den watching TV; she says my folks are getting on her nerves because there are talking too loud and it's bothering her. After we all eat, things settle down.

She then asks me again for 60 bucks to help with gas and her insurance. I ask her why she didn't save the money instead of getting 2 tattoos. She makes the comment, "Well thanks for the talk Dad!". Then she goes on a rant about how I never support her and that now she has nothing to do tomorrow except sit at a place she doesn't want to be. We go outside to check on the 4 cats we own and 3 of them have escaped. They are in the yard but not on the porch. We find a whole in the screen door. I tell her the cats will come back in when they get hungry. She sarcastically says, "Fine, you want them gone anyway.".

We get back inside and she tells me she is ready for our house to be ready for us to move in. Asks about money again and I finally tell her no and she shouldn't have gotten the tattoos. She says I don't care about her because I won't give her money. She then tells me that she has been going to the tattoo shop where her old boyfriend works and that they talked briefly. She reassures me that they don't like each other anymore and that an old man has been doing her tattoos. She tell me her friend, that I think is using her for a ride, borrowed her car and drove an hour round trip to warm up some food because she was hungry. After the tattoo is completed, they go watch a movie that we have been wanting to see for a while now, Mirrors. She says I told her that I hate scary movies and that's why they went and because I hadn't asked her to do anything recently. Then they crashed at a friend's house. After we are laying in bed together, she rolls over kisses me and says she loves me and wants us to last forever.

I have never met anyone like her. When I try to help her I'm her daddy and if I let her make her own decisions I'm a bad boyfriend. Are all women like this?

Sorry for the long post. I need to write all this down because it helps me a little to vent like this.

I know when I tell Mike to put his dishes in the washer or put the toilet seat dow, or heaven forbid actually put dirty clothes in a hamper... He says to me "What are you... my mother?" Sometimes I need to "scold" him for his language in front of the kids...

I suppose sometimes we may have to act like a parent to remind them what needs to be done LOL

At times he will "ground" me from spending money on certain things LOL

But as I stated before... that is something I struggle with... not that I'm spending it on myself but I do spend WAY too much money...

Just wanted to keep getting input and let you guys hear how our night was.

First, she did not see me at all after 8:30 Monday morning. I met her after I got off work Tuesday around 6 PM. She was hanging out in a local bar with two guy friends. I got a call from a friend of mine and talked to him for about twenty minutes before I went in to see her. I walked up to them and said what's up to everyone and was going to give her a hug but she had her back to me. Right as I get there the guys leave and it's just me and her. I tell her a job she applied for called and asked me about her; that made her happy. She then proceeded to tell me she was out of money, gas, and she wouldn't be able to pay her car insurance this month. I told her we would talk about it later, somewhere private. She tells me I should have told her to get some extra clothes to change into instead of her wearing the same thing for 2 days. We leave to go stay with my parents because our house is not finished getting serviced yet.

We arrive there and its just me and her. We ride bikes together for about 15 minutes until everyone starts getting home. She doesn't like what my dad is cooking so we go to our house and get her some taco mix and shells for tacos. While her food is cooking, my family is in the living room talking about there day and getting along fine. We are in the den watching TV; she says my folks are getting on her nerves because there ar
e talking too loud and it's bothering her. After we all eat, things settle down.

She then asks me again for 60 bucks to help with gas and her insurance. I ask her why she didn't save the money instead of getting 2 tattoos. She makes the comment, "Well thanks for the talk Dad!". Then she goes on a rant about how I never support her and that now she has nothing to do tomorrow except sit at a place she doesn't want to be. We go outside to check on the 4 cats we own and 3 of them have escaped. They are in the yard but not on the porch. We find a whole in the screen door. I tell her the cats will come back in when they get hungry. She sarcastically says, "Fine, you want them gone anyway.".

We get back inside and she tells me she is ready for our house to be ready for us to move in. Asks about money again and I finally tell her no and she shouldn't have gotten the tattoos. She says I don't care about her because I won't give her money. She then tells me that she has been going to the tattoo shop where her old boyfriend works and that they talked briefly. She reassures me that they don't like each other anymore and that an old man has been doing her tattoos. She tell me her friend, that I think is using her for a ride, borrowed her car and drove an hour round trip to warm up some food because she was hungry. After the tattoo is completed, they go watch a movie that we have been wanting to see for a while now, Mirrors. She says I told her that I hate scary movies and that's why they went and because I hadn't asked her to do anything recently. Then they crashed at a friend's house. After we are laying in bed together, she rolls over kisses me and says she loves me and wants us to last forever.

I have never met anyone like her. When I try to help her I'm her daddy and if I let her make her own decisions I'm a bad boyfriend. Are all women like this?

Sorry for the long post. I need to write all this down because it helps me a little to vent like this.

GOOD JOB ON STANDING ON YOUR STANCE!
You didn't give her the $60 for her insurance and bills~

That's her fault... she's trying to guilt-trip you, but you didn't fall for her trap!

This girl sounds like a major brat.. she doesn't appreciate anything you are doing for her..

You need to sit her down and have a nice long talk with her and tell her how you feel.. honestly I don't think that's going to do anything.. but at least you can try...

Then, if things don't change, I think you should end things.. it's like you said, why should you wait around for her to change,

You want to live your life with someone that fits for you.. why waste your time with her?

It will hurt to end things, she will make you feel guilty, but it will be better in the long run.. you will find someone who is appreciates you for you.. there is a girl out there that will..

I said it before... and I'll say it again... I'm not going to tell you to leave her.

You said you want to make it work, but understand that she is still "immature" and not likely to change anytime soon.

I hate judging people but from what you have told us it sounds like she wants the world on a golden platter but she's not willing to lift a finger to have it put in front of her.

You have already given her everything (based on what you have told us here) and she still wants more but does not want to change.

You won't be able to change her... she is going to have to want to change herself.

People have to go through life experiences to make and want to make those changes.

It definitely doesn't sound like she is on the same as you are in terms of your relationship. 8 months is not a long time at all to be jumping to buying a house to live in together, that should come after a couple years. You are probably scaring her away, I would be scared if all that came to me after only 8 months. Talk to her, and take a step back. It sounds like that is what she wants, without telling you. Just communicate and see what pages you both are on.

I don't know if I will tell you to leave her - that is your choice and only you can decide how much abuse you want to take.

You asked for a woman's interpretation - so here goes...

It sounds to me like she is using you for a roof over her head and some cash. She has out and out told you that " you are boring and blah". She wants her cake and eat it to.

If you are looking for a "forever" relationship - I don't think you have found it with this girl. She would rather be out with her friends at all hours and have you give her money than to get a job and work on this relationship.

My interpretation? She is using you for all that she can get.

I don't mean to sound harsh, but that is my opinion.

It definitely doesn't sound like she is on the same as you are in terms of your relationship. 8 months is not a long time at all to be jumping to buying a house to live in together, that should come after a couple years. You are probably scaring her away, I would be scared if all that came to me after only 8 months. Talk to her, and take a step back. It sounds like that is what she wants, without telling you. Just communicate and see what pages you both are on.


Thanks for a different point of view. I can understand what you are saying but my GF is the one that has been pushing for marriage, kids and a house every since the first month. Even before we became a couple she always told me that I was the person she knew she wanted to be with the rest of her life. I guess some background info is needed here. We met at a bar while we both were seeing other people. We ended up leaving that night with each other. We did some wild stuff (drank a little, smoked some weed, stayed up late, played video games together) before we started being a couple. We never left the house or even went on dates. We were mainly home bodies. I would stay with her or she would stay with me. I moved in with her after she kicked her best friend out.

I thought she really wanted a commitment and that didn't scare me because we hit it off so great and she kept telling me she was ready. I think this is where I became boring and blah. I started trying to save every dime that wasn't necessary in order for us to have a future (house, kids, wedding) and I stopped drinking and smoking. After we became a couple she started telling me about her past. How her other boyfriends had mistreated her and gave her promise rings to show their commitment. She kept pushing for a ring to let her know I was serious.

I think I'm a fun person it's just when I set a goal I commit to it. When I lived alone, I saved up to get my own house or move to a larger city to get a better job. When I thought we were both on the same page, I started saving for us. She thinks that now I'm all about money and I think I have to be because she isn't. I have to worry about her, mine and our bills.

I have asked her several times if she is scared that something good is finally happening to her after all the abuse and losses she has suffered in the past but she reassures me that she is ready. I'm just scared that if we do start living together and down the road have troubles, it will end up being a legal issue and not a get your stuff and leave issue. Maybe I should ask that in another forum.

I've been dating someone for 8 months and I love her a lot. Since she quit her job, she has been on "vacation" and having fun. She has been hanging out with a new girl friend she met about 3 weeks ago. They go everywhere together. They go shopping, get tattoos, and go lay out at the beach.

Recently, she told me I was boring and blah and that she wanted time to go hang out with her "friends". I'm a little concerned because she has no money and she always said she would have to trust the person giving her a tattoo. When I asked her where she was getting the money she said her friend was getting it from her ex-husband. When I asked about the tattoo she said the guy did great work and she trusted him. Now comes the part I'm unsure about. The guy she dated before me was a tattoo artist and did all her work for free.

I was going to call her friend's ex-husband to ask if he was giving them money but I was thinking that would be inappropriate. I don't want to think she is cheating on me because she said she never would. She doesn't come home lots of nights and basically calls and says she's hanging out with friends getting drunk and stuff. She's 22 and I'm 29. I recently bought a house for us to move in and start our lives together but every since then she acts like she doesn't care.

What do you guys think she is telling me? If you need to know more I will answer all I can.
Dump her now! She is having her cake and eating it too! You don't deserve to be treated like that. Don't allow her too. If you do break it off, it will prob shock her and then she will want you back, but don't give in she is only being selfish as she is proving she already is.

Oh yeah forgot to add that she has recently been talking to her ex and now refers to him as her friend. Also, she used my cell phone last night to text a friend and then ended up deleting all the messages on my phone; even the important ones I needed for work and from friends. She told me they were about her friend mistakenly texting her ex and they were talking it out. She is starting to act very shady.

You sound like a nice person. You need to forget her. It will be hard. But from a girls point of view I'm telling you she is just around because you are accomdadting her every need. She is using you! What you need to be asking is why you are allowing yourself to be treated this way. You sound like you have your life in order. You will find the right person in time, but as long as your wasting your time dwelling on her it's only going to slow you down even more.

Oh yeah forgot to add that she has recently been talking to her ex and now refers to him as her friend. Also, she used my cell phone last night to text a friend and then ended up deleting all the messages on my phone; even the important ones I needed for work and from friends. She told me they were about her friend mistakenly texting her ex and they were talking it out. She is starting to act very shady.

You have got red flags all over the place. Don't ignore them.

I just get the feeling from reading what you have posted that this girl is up to no good. That she may not be the right one for you.

From the rest of the story, it sounds like you have both changed...

This girl wants to keep you as her life boat while she goes out and explore. It very don't sound like you two are match for each other because you both want two complete different things. You want an commitment while she wants to explore. I understand this whole things started fast but sometimes things don't go as planned. It is better to end things now than later. Buying a house was not a good idea and don't let he move in because you will have many problems getting her out and she can sue you for a lot of things. I hope her name is not on the deed because if so you have more legal problems. This girl actions is speaking volumes and you need to play attention to them otherwise she will only leave you in heartache and out of money. Don't plan a future with her because if you do the future isn't that bright.

Thanks for a different point of view. I can understand what you are saying but my GF is the one that has been pushing for marriage, kids and a house every since the first month. Even before we became a couple she always told me that I was the person she knew she wanted to be with the rest of her life. I guess some background info is needed here. We met at a bar while we both were seeing other people. We ended up leaving that night with each other. We did some wild stuff (drank a little, smoked some weed, stayed up late, played video games together) before we started being a couple. We never left the house or even went on dates. We were mainly home bodies. I would stay with her or she would stay with me. I moved in with her after she kicked her best friend out.

I thought she really wanted a commitment and that didn't scare me because we hit it off so great and she kept telling me she was ready. I think this is where I became boring and blah. I started trying to save every dime that wasn't necessary in order for us to have a future (house, kids, wedding) and I stopped drinking and smoking. After we became a couple she started telling me about her past. How her other boyfriends had mistreated her and gave her promise rings to show their commitment. She kept pushing for a ring to let her know I was serious.

I think I'm a fun person it's just when I set a goal I commit to it. When I lived alone, I saved up to get my own house or move to a larger city to get a better job. When I thought we were both on the same page, I started saving for us. She thinks that now I'm all about money and I think I have to be because she isn't. I have to worry about her, mine and our bills.

I have asked her several times if she is scared that something good is finally happening to her after all the abuse and losses she has suffered in the past but she reassures me that she is ready. I'm just scared that if we do start living together and down the road have troubles, it will end up being a legal issue and not a get your stuff and leave issue. Maybe I should ask that in another forum.


If that's the case, you guys can still be together and not live together. If you both don't feel ready for it, or you feel like you don't want to chance all that just yet - so what! It doesn't mean you can't be together, and not living together and jumping into things so soon, might actually make things better and stronger. Your girl may have felt like she was ready for the commitment and all right up front and was honest about it, but sometimes infatuation takes over. Were you her re-bound? Was it comfortable? Sometimes women's emotions get quickly involved with a man, and when we take a step back or have time to ourselves we see things in a different perspective or realize we may not want such a commitment up front. In this case it sounds like she wants to be with you, but to play it safe on both end, I wouldn't rush into anything like you guys are. You have your WHOLE LIVES ahead of you, if she really is the one. You both were involved with other people at the time, so maybe its fair to say that a little space is good - just to make sure it's what you want, since normally people have space and time to themselves before jumping into another relationship. It's healthy.

Don't jump into living together. Just take it day by day and go with the flow. That's what I would do. You sound too worried about it all. Especially after less then a year of being with her.

I've been dating someone for 8 months and I love her a lot. Since she quit her job, she has been on "vacation" and having fun. She has been hanging out with a new girl friend she met about 3 weeks ago. They go everywhere together. They go shopping, get tattoos, and go lay out at the beach.

Recently, she told me I was boring and blah and that she wanted time to go hang out with her "friends". I'm a little concerned because she has no money and she always said she would have to trust the person giving her a tattoo. When I asked her where she was getting the money she said her friend was getting it from her ex-husband. When I asked about the tattoo she said the guy did great work and she trusted him. Now comes the part I'm unsure about. The guy she dated before me was a tattoo artist and did all her work for free.

I was going to call her friend's ex-husband to ask if he was giving them money but I was thinking that would be inappropriate. I don't want to think she is cheating on me because she said she never would. She doesn't come home lots of nights and basically calls and says she's hanging out with friends getting drunk and stuff. She's 22 and I'm 29. I recently bought a house for us to move in and start our lives together but every since then she acts like she doesn't care.

What do you guys think she is telling me? If you need to know more I will answer all I can.
Sounds like a mess, but it is really simple.
You need to sit her down and talk to her, not accuse and interrogate her but have a calm mature conversation where you tell her your concerns about the relationship and ask her what's up. Frankly, no one but her can help you figure this out because no one knows what she is thinking or how she is feeling. So all in all, have a serious talk with her but be nice and understanding.
I hope it all works out for you!

have a calm mature conversation

Not possible. Anytime I voice any concerns or tell her how I honestly feel, she says that everyone around her always finds something wrong with what she is doing. She says that she will never be happy; that when she finds something that makes her happy people take it away from her. She used the example of me asking her to balance time with me and her friends a bit better. She said that I saw she was happy and I was taking that away from her.

On a side note, I went out last night with some friends and it seemed to piss her off a little. When I got home I started calling and text messaging them to see if they got home OK and she kept asking who I was talking too and why I wasn't paying her attention. I laughed a little inside.

You can't talk to her? She gets on the defensive all the time and deflects what is being said? She seems to have either something to hide and/or has low self esteem. If she can't be happy with herself first - she won't be happy with anyone. And I don't think she will have the capability of making anyone else happy.

I can talk but she won't listen. She will get defensive or try to counter by saying something that she thinks is wrong with me She'll say stuff like I'm boring, a mama's boy or a home body and she doesn't like that about me. I never insult her like that.

She has very low self esteem. She thinks she is overweight because the Air Force told her she was. She has to have new clothes anytime she goes anywhere because the older ones are out of style or don't fit anymore. She doesn't know how to be happy.

She has many issues she must fix from the inside and this is something she must do and must want to fix. I can understand her getting hurt in the past by guys but everyone have. I been in some real messed up relationship but I don't think everyone is the same until they prove me wrong and I never carry any bagage from my old relationship to the new. Communication is a key to having a successful relationship but it seems like this is something she's not capable of doing right now.

She's not that into you...

The more you pull her close the more she resists.

She's taking you for granted.

She's seems to be young and not ready for what you might be ready for.

I hope you consider dating someone that has the same goals as you do.

This will only serve to make you feel insecure if you continue on w/ this girl...

I don't know if anything has changed between you and her since you originally posted, (and I haven't read any responses... don't have time today :(), but I honestly hope that you'll consider dating women that are in the same mental "space" that you are in... not ones that are still in "party mode"...

I wish you well...

She seems to have gotten 2 jobs now: a job at a local bank (full time) and a retail store (part time). I'll bet money right now she will end up quitting one of those jobs within a month and it'll probably be the full time job she quits.

At first when we started our relationship, she always said I was insecure because she had a lot of guy friends and that made me feel uncomfortable. I trusted her, I just didn't trust these guys I didn't know. I have since then gotten over the fact that she has guy friends, it honestly doesn't bother me but it's just the fact that if I talk to one of my girl friends, she gets mad. I wouldn't consider myself insecure because I think I totally understand my/our situation right now.

Maybe I can write a book someday about my experiences with this girl because I think it would be a best seller.

I've been dating someone for 8 months and I love her a lot. Since she quit her job, she has been on "vacation" and having fun. She has been hanging out with a new girl friend she met about 3 weeks ago. They go everywhere together. They go shopping, get tattoos, and go lay out at the beach.

Recently, she told me I was boring and blah and that she wanted time to go hang out with her "friends". I'm a little concerned because she has no money and she always said she would have to trust the person giving her a tattoo. When I asked her where she was getting the money she said her friend was getting it from her ex-husband. When I asked about the tattoo she said the guy did great work and she trusted him. Now comes the part I'm unsure about. The guy she dated before me was a tattoo artist and did all her work for free.

I was going to call her friend's ex-husband to ask if he was giving them money but I was thinking that would be inappropriate. I don't want to think she is cheating on me because she said she never would. She doesn't come home lots of nights and basically calls and says she's hanging out with friends getting drunk and stuff. She's 22 and I'm 29. I recently bought a house for us to move in and start our lives together but every since then she acts like she doesn't care.

What do you guys think she is telling me? If you need to know more I will answer all I can.
I have a money issue with my b/f but I think that you need to look at her past job and what does she want out of life. That is a hard thing to look at but you need to in the long run. If she has not even started a job hunt then I think that is a problem esp if you are living together. She could be dependent on you at some point and I know money issues are touchey but I would just ask her are you going to get a job I will help you in every way that I can. But the new friends thing- that sounds like bad news. Do the girls have jobs and what are there jobs. But I would think it is time to get a new person to go with.

I have a money issue with my b/f but i think that you need to look at her past job and what does she want out of life. That is a hard thing to look at but you need to in the long run. If she has not even started a job hunt then i think that is a problem esp if you are living together. She could be dependent on you at some point and i know money issues are touchey but i would just ask her are you going to get a job I will help you in every way that i can. But the new friends thing- that sounds like bad news. Do the girls have jobs and what are there jobs. But i would think it is time to get a new person to go with.

She actually does have 2 jobs now! I didn't find out until this weekend that they are both part time jobs. She doesn't have any benefits or insurance. She has been dependent on me for a few months now. I figured her bills not getting paid would motivate her and I hope it is what finally got her off her butt. This entire weekend she spent at home with me. I have a feeling it was because I was supposed to go to a reception( I told her I had to go but I didn't). Once she found that I made plans without her she dropped her plans to be with me.

As far as her new friends, to me they symbolize what she wants more than anything: FREEDOM. They are anywhere from 21-29 yrs old and they are still stuck in college party mode. This girl Ashley her new friend seems to be a chaotic person. She lives like a gypsy (honestly) but her soon to be ex-husband basically gives her money to spend so she is happy. I think this is what my girlfriend wants. I don't see why my girlfriend thinks what she does shows me she is independent. Just because she goes off by herself means nothing; in the end, she always comes home when she is in trouble.

I have totally stopped helping her. I did what I could to help her when she was unemployed but she wanted to just take a vacation and not worry about anything. Her tags went dead and somehow it was my fault. She hasn't stopped any utilities from our apartment and somehow that is my fault. She looks for a scapegoat and always find the negative and not the positive. She will never be happy.

So, if you KNOW what she wants is freedom - are you sticking around? Being that scapegoat?

Also, are you falling into the trap of playing games to get what you want? Like making plans without her and then not attending your function so she spends time with you?

I think she sounds like a co-dependent girl that is acting like a typical 22 year old. I have a tough time believing that she is with you because you make her happy. Some people just would rather be in a semi-satisfying relationship than be alone. She can have the comfort of having and knowing you'll be there but still go out and party and do the typical things most 22 year olds do. What you need to ask yourself is why you are settling? Make a list of positives and negatives of the relationship as it is today... not what you are hoping it will be. There should be a handful of positives to every negative. I think you know deep down it won't work out but are just holding out hope... don't be afraid to let her go... when you close that door to something that isn't working another one will open.

I just don't know anymore. I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't.

I guess I have been playing her games. I treat her just like she treats me. Whatever she does to me, I in turn do it to her.

My life has been better since I came to this site.

But playing games should not be part of a mature and healthy relationship.

I don't know if I understand why you think you are "damned if you do/ don't" Do you think that if you end things with her that you will never find anyone else?
The way I look at it - the longer you stay in an unhealthy, doomed from the start, hurtful relationship - the longer you are putting off finding the person you are MEANT to be with.
You are learning a life leason right now. You are learning what you don't want or need in a partner. There is value in that. But, I think you know it is time to move forward.
Good Luck.

She's an immature brat, and a user. Do yourself, and her, a favor and find someone at your own maturity level. Wait until you have your own kids to take on the job of raising one.

I think that she is taking you for granted. It probably is inappropriate to talk to the ex-husband but that is something I would do just because I'd have to know. You shouldn't have to check up on someone you love or have to worry. If you just basically bought a house for you two and she's acting like this that isn't a good sign. And this is only the beginning of perhaps a life together? I don't know thoughh

If she is never happy --then why are you with her. It is as simple as that. Adventually she will drag you down into that as well and there is not easy path out. If the things you do togther never make you happy then noting will. The more freedom one has they also have to take the responsibility as well- it is a balancing act.

I don't know if I understand why you think you are "damned if you do/ don't" Do you think that if you end things with her that you will never find anyone else?


I say "damned if I do/ don't" because that's they way it is in the relationship. If I do anything for her, she finds something wrong with it. If I do nothing for her, she gets angry. I'm not stressing anymore. I'm taking care of myself and she can do what she wants. No more waiting on her to become mature.

If she is never happy --then why are you with her. It is as simple as that. adventually she will drag you down into that as well and there is not easy path out. If the things you do togther never make you happy then noting will. The more freedom one has they also have to take the responsibilty as well- it is a balancing act.

I'm not really with her. She basically follows me. She will never drag me down to her level of unhappiness. I have too many good things in my life so I don't need to worry about some bitter person.

But playing games should not be part of a mature and healthy relationship.

I agree and I've already stopped playing 95% of them.

Honestly, I think you need to move on. And let her know that. You need to find a woman who has the same goals as you. Who is done with the party lifestyle and is mature enough to handle a relationship.

I think that she is taking you for granted. It probably is inappropriate to talk to the ex-husband but that is something i would do just because I'd have to know. You shouldnt have to check up on someone you love or have to worry. If you just basically bought a house for you two and she's acting like this that isnt a good sign. and this is only the beginning of perhaps a life together? i dont know thoughh

I never worried or checked up on her. She would always get mad because I didn't. The house may have been for us but we both decided to try it for a month. If I'm unhappy she's gone!