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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Worried about DD's relationship with BF...

8 replies

SpecialPerson · 04/02/2025 12:08

Hi All, so here goes...
Just for reference my daughter (DD) 19yrs and her boyfriend (BF) 22 yrs, have been together for about a year.

This is DD first proper boyfriend and she is loved up so can't see any thing wrong and no bad in him, always defending him and trying to make out he is better than he is. Where he is a lazy chap with no ambition to find a job and have a career. He is a cling on, this is not me being rude he is emotionally abusing her, he won't leave her alone and follows her around everywhere and even gets jealous when she spends time with her family and is constantly on the phone messaging her trying to get her to go to his and not stay at home with family as he wants her all to himself.

She was a top student and since meeting him her grades started going downhill and did not do well at her exams as he was always on the scene and telling her it doesn't matter and lets go and do things.
She luckily managed to get into university which was what she really wanted to do and to be honest we thought the relationship would ease off, but it hasn't. As soon as DD comes back from uni to see family he is going on at her to see him and stay at his (he lives with his mum) and we just found out he is also going to her uni all the time he stays there once or twice a week (at night) as that is all the uni allows but he is there alot more than that in the day. It is a bit weird and worrying that it's affecting her uni work and being this is going to be a big debt after uni and she's hoping to get a good career, the last thing she needs is to throw it all away as her BF is distracting her.

Her friends from uni have even said he is always hanging about he doesn't talk to them or make conversation or anything he just hangs around on his phone almost stalking her. DD is also a musician and when playing with her band he goes along but not there supporting her and cheering her on etc he just stands at the bar looking bored on his phone drinking, but has to be there and when she is isn't performing he is just following her around it is honestly odd and looks daft, it's like he doesn't want her having a life/fun.

DD thinks it's just because he loves her and wants to be with her she has no idea but it really isn't normal.
You try and have a conversation with him and you can barely get anything out of him, he is constantly on his phone and may say hello and that's it really. He is so difficult, he leans into her and mumbles so doesn't have an actual conversation and/or involve anyone else. DD also said he gets anxious and worries about things when she is not with him but when she is there he has someone to be with and takes his mind of things so she feels like she needs to be there for him as she is helping him!

My point is, this is not normal and I am so worried about DD and don't know what to do. My husband (her Dad) keeps saying we should speak to her, but I am worried this may make things worse, we have a good relationship with DD we always have done, we are quite a close family and always there for her and she knows this. Saying something worries me it may upset her and the last thing we want is her running to him.
Anyone been in similar situation... Any advice... Do I just leave it or should we say something ?

OP posts:
suburberphobe · 04/02/2025 20:18

Oh god, he sounds awful.

You seem to have a good relationship with your daughter. Can you have a heart-to-heart with her?

She sounds intelligent and switched on, I'm surprised she can't see it herself.

Emma543 · 04/02/2025 20:22

Over 10 years ago now I was in a very similar situation as a teenager, my mum and dad never said a negative word about him and left me to it, eventually came to the realisation on my own what an awful relationship and terrible person he was and learnt a big life lesson on what I want from future relationships from it.
I’m not saying every scenario is the same and if you felt like a friendly discussion with your DD may be of benefit then do so however I think I wouldn’t have paid much attention to my poor mum!
Hope it all gets sorted soon xx
ps. My next relationship was much better and my now husband so hang on in there 🤣🤞🏻

SpecialPerson · 05/02/2025 08:29

Thank you. This is her first relationship and proper boyfriend so I think she is loved up and doesn't see it but not only us as parents but her friends and family around her is starting to see it and I am worried being she is so wrapped up in him at the moment that she wouldn't listen and don't want to cause upset or issues with our relationship with her and push her even closer to him.

We really thought it would fizzle out when she went to Uni but shockingly it hasn't and him keep going to Uni and seeing her / hanging around all the time is worrying. I will try and have a heart to heart with her and carefully say something when she is back from Uni.

OP posts:
user1492757084 · 05/02/2025 08:40

Have a heart to heart and be sure to stress your pride in her uni efforts. Tell her to never feel bad about putting her own needs first for the next ten years of her life.

When Boyfriend is over, have DH ask forthrightly at the table what his plans are for himself and his career. Have DH follow up and be interested in him expanding what he is skilling up in and where his training is headed. Your daughter needs to hear ordinary, normal discussion about her Boyfriend's work and study.

Hopefully he will not be long term but he could end up a problem if he starts stalking her!
Give your DD good hints about how to proceed if stalking occurs.

SpecialPerson · 05/02/2025 08:58

We are and she knows we are supportive and when she has gigs etc or Uni events we will always try and go to them and support her, which she really appreciates. We have a good relationship with DD and she knows we are there for her. DH wants me to say something to DD as worried he will just go on about BF where as I will be more Suttle.

We have been out for a meal and the BF has come round couple of times when first going out with each other and we asked all the typical questions and about his work and what he wants to do etc. He worked as a kitchen hand in a restaurant which DD worked at. But since she left for Uni he quit and now does nothing and he has no interest in doing anything as a career.

He does already seem to be stalking DD this is what is concerning us. DD can't see it as she is loved up but not only are we thinking this, her friends are starting to think this and have spoken to us about it - this has raised major alarm bells and how we know he is always at Uni.

But being she is loved up as her first proper boyfriend I was worried approaching her about this might cause upset and don't want her running into his arms. But when she is back from Uni, I will try and have a heart to heart with DD and just ask how things are with BF etc and that we are always there for her no matter what and can talk to us about anything which I feel she already knows but I will make this clear to her.

OP posts:
Daleksatemyshed · 05/02/2025 11:09

If you try to tell her he's bad news your DD probably won't listen, she has no previous BF to compare him to so thinks his behaviour is normal. If there's anyway you can get her to read up on abuse/stalking maybe it will make her see him more clearly

SpecialPerson · 07/02/2025 15:02

@Everyone Thank you all. Just an update:
My daughter mentioned something about BF and I think she saw the look on mine and her Dads face and she then said do you not like him!!! So this made me have the 'talk' I said nothing against him personally but feel you can do better and she was totally shocked and so I then explained a few things and our worries. But also clearly stated we were there for her no matter what and she could talk to me about anything etc. So hopefully she gets the idea but if it actually does anything I highly doubt it but at least she knows our thoughts. EEk!

OP posts:
Mossey55 · 02/11/2025 17:23

Have you thought about doing the Clare’s law enquiry, you could find out if he has history of stalking , coercive control etc

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