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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think dd’s boyfriends behaviour is odd?

33 replies

Willowandwonder · 24/07/2026 16:31

My dd is 18, late summer born so she's just finished her first year of uni. She's had a bf for about 6 months. She had a previous boyfriend for 2 years from 16-18 and he ended up cheating on her so I was a bit weary especially as dd moved on quite fast. I met him once in May/beginning of June time and he didn't speak at all which I thought was odd but thought he was just shy

He went home for a few weeks to Poland but he's back and he's been staying for the last few days since he got back

DD says his English is much better than he lets on bur he still not really spoken to me. I don't know whether he's painfully shy or just doesn't want to speak to me

Today DD’s working a long shift and he's in her room on his phone. I took some washing into DD’s room and knocked, he got up and opened it and sat back down on his phone and I asked if he wanted a drink or something to eat and he just said “no thanks” except he hasn't eaten at all today or drank as I've been home all day and he's not been downstairs

The eating seems to be worrying me though as he never eats a proper meal with us, hell say he's not hungry or he’ll eat a few mouthfuls and stop. It isnt my cooking either as dd says he just doesn't really have a big appetite, they can order a pizza for example when they're at uni and he eats a slice or 2 and says dd can have the rest

But later on food disappears like crisps, chocolate, biscuits, yoghur, half a load of bread, occasionally fruit etc

He never seems to sit down and eat either has constantly picks at things instead. But a couple of times I've walked into the kitchen and he eats really quickly and shoves it in etc like he's been caught doing something wrong and then he suddenly isn't hungry at all. He also drinks a huge amounts of water compared to everyone else

Andon 2 occasions he’s gone into the toilet dowstairs and it sounds like he's been sick. I mentioned it to da as sort of an is he ok and he said he didn't feel very well but the on the. Other occasion he said he was fine

The other thing is he's constantly touching dd, if she's in the kitchen he's stood behind her with his arms around her. If she's watching tv in the living room he's leaning over her, if she walks past him he touches her shoulder or her waist. The other day I got home early and walked in on them in the living room as well which I obviously found uncomfortable, yes they're adults but there's nothing wrong with dd’s room for doing that sort of thing

AIBU for finding this odd? Any advice opinions etc appreciated

OP posts:
pouletvous · 24/07/2026 17:14

Why doesn’t he bugger off out for a few hours and eat at a cafe or buy stuff from a supermarket and eat at the park

i would hate this !

freerangethighs · 24/07/2026 17:13

Does he live at your house? How has this happened without his speaking to you? If you've agreed he can live/stay there, I'd leave it up to him to say yes or no if you offer him food, but if food is disappearing that is meant for the whole family then of course figure out who is taking it and address it (not sure what your arrangements are for him and/or your daughter contributing to the household food budget). The constant touching is often a sign of immaturity/insecurity (e.g., it's his first relationship, it's new, he doesn't read social situations well) but I'd probably leave it alone if it's not inappropriately sexual and your daughter seems comfortable. If it is sexual, you are reasonable to remind her that that behaviour is private, but in the case you described of walking in on them she probably didn't expect you to come home during.

pouletvous · 24/07/2026 17:12

What an awful house guest

gently/subtly point out his behaviour is rude. Childish, unwelcome

hopefully she gets the ick

Lmnop22 · 24/07/2026 17:00

So he’s moved in with you for the summer basically and still hasn’t said a word to you? That’s odd.

I wouldn’t necessarily jump to eating disorder - he may just be shy with eating around you or helping himself or asking for food/drinks so he’s being secretive for that reason.

I would have a word with DD though and ask what might bring him out of his shell a bit - he can’t just sit upstairs in your house all day on his phone, how awkward for you!!

Willowandwonder · 24/07/2026 16:58

Duvetdayneeded · 24/07/2026 16:45

Why is he there when your dd is doing a long shift?

He has nowhere else to go

OP posts:
Duvetdayneeded · 24/07/2026 16:45

Why is he there when your dd is doing a long shift?

LondonKara · 24/07/2026 16:45

I agree this is eating disorder territory, the poor guy. Could you have a word with your daughter about being worried about his eating, to gauge her awareness?

The touching is normal, that's young love for you, but that one's easily remidied, just ask them to keep it to the bedroom.

Retrolady13 · 24/07/2026 16:36

I wouldn't worry about the touching, apart from asking them to confine anything more to her bedroom.
It does sound as if he has an eating disorder though. Could you express your concern to your daughter?