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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Dd, first time sexual relationship and issues - what advice would you give?

82 replies

Spudmuffins · 27/02/2026 12:37

I'll start by saying that DD and I do have a close relationship enough for her to tell me many aspects about her life including her sex life, I'm ok with that but not sure exactly what to say as tbh, I've only ever had one relationship with DH as we've been together since we were 16.

DD (almost 18) is still a virgin. She has only wanted to have sex for the first time with someone she completely trusts and feels at ease with so although all of her friends lost their virginity some time ago many regret who with and DD says she doesn't want that. She has had two previous short lived relationships but ended them as the boys both seemed possessive, telling her what to do or where she can/can't go and so she ended things.

Her current bf is the same age. They were at school together and have been dating for a couple of months. He genuinely seems a lovely lad, very polite and buys her gifts all the time and appears to respect her.

However, she discovered a while ago that he smokes weed when with his friends, this is a few times a month (although could be more of course). DD is very anti-drugs (my sister's ss is tangled up in a county lines mess). She's let it go as it's only a few times a month and they haven't mentioned it since but I know it irks her.

She also discovered last week that her bf w**ks off to porn every day. She says although they have not yet had full sex they do other stuff and she has noticed when she gives him a hand job he never ejaculates and she is concerned this is to do with the daily porn watching/self pleasuring and she worries he is or will become addicted. She also says she always initiates any sexual contact with him he never does. She is really upset, was crying about it this morning and says she doesn't know what to do or if she should end things with him but she really does love him. She's also concerned, his mum and dad are divorced due to his dad's constant affairs and always on tinder (apparently he's still on tinder even though he is in a relationship!), I suppose she has this like father like son worry. Although he does seem different to his dad.

She has spoken to all of her friends and they all say none of their bf's have this issue during sex.

Tbh part of me wants to stick my fingers in my ears and say 'La la la, I don't want to know about your sex life' but I know she is confinding in me and and I want to give her the best advice I can.

I've said the best starting point is to be open and honest and to tell him her fears and concerns and to say that excessive porn watching is not something that aligns with her values in life and she's not sure if she could commit long term with someone who seems addicted. If he agrees to stop then he respects her, if not then she will have to revaluate the relationship. She's very sad because they get on so well and she says so far he has treated her better than any other boy (DD is very attractive and is aware the attention she often gets is because of her looks and nothing else and that often upsets her, she wants someone who love her for her, not her figure or looks).

What advice would you give if this was your DD?

OP posts:
catipuss · 27/02/2026 12:40

Sounds like she knows this isn't for her, I think she should end it.

Spudmuffins · 27/02/2026 12:43

catipuss · 27/02/2026 12:40

Sounds like she knows this isn't for her, I think she should end it.

She's really upset because she says she really likes him, they have such a laugh together (they are always laughing when at ours) but this has really upset her since she found out last week.

OP posts:
BillieWiper · 27/02/2026 12:44

If she's anti smoking weed and porn use then he's clearly not the right person for her.

I'd just say that not everyone has to have exactly the same values or hobbies to have a fun sex life/relationship, but it certainly helps.

And there's no rush. So if he doesn't align with her beliefs then of course just part ways amicably.

That she doesn't owe anyone sex just because they're dating and did other lighter sexual stuff.

WrylyAmused · 27/02/2026 12:46

I'd say she's 18, and your experience notwithstanding, any boyfriend she has now is unlikely to be for the long term anyway.

Porn use/masturbation to the point that he can't orgasm with a real woman at age 18 is pretty bad - this should be his horniest and most easily arousable time, so it doesn't bode well for him being able to have a healthy sex life in future.

Daily masturbation I wouldn't see as an issue at his age for the same reason, but if he's doing it to the point that other stimulation doesn't work for him, he's now made it a problem for any relationship.

Weed - many teens smoke, many give it up, many become lifelong smokers and it impacts their lives. So can't say right now, but definitely something to keep an eye on. I wouldn't choose it.

Overall, at her age and with this many "issues" this early - I'd tell her to move on and give her affection to someone who meets her values, needs and standards now, whereas this one really doesn't.

Fortheloveofplants · 27/02/2026 12:47

I think what you have said is how I would have approached it. It's a good place for her to start and his response to her concerns will tell her alot about him and their possible future.

I'd probably also remind her that just because he is the one that has treated her the best so far, doesn't mean he is 'the one'. She's still very young with a whole life ahead of her to find her true match. So far she has shown great standards about what she is looking for and she shouldn't let those slip now so she shouldn't rush and take her time to consider things carefully.

Well done to her for standing firm with her standards so far and to you for raising such a strong woman! I can imagine (as you say) you don't want to hear all the ins and outs of this aspect of her life, but I think it's great that she feels safe and confident enough to confide in you and it shows you have been a great mum.

PinkTonic · 27/02/2026 12:49

I would ask her why she’s even remotely tempted to accept two behaviours which are not acceptable to her. She’s 18, she doesn’t need to compromise on core values. No drugs and no porn is an entirely reasonable boundary. She needs to know she can do much better and not settle for less than she deserves.

365RubyRed · 27/02/2026 12:50

Tell her to throw this one back, he's not right for her.

I'm glad my DD didn't confide in me with such graphic detail! There are some things a mother really doesn't need to know. Maybe it's just me, but oversharing isn't a good thing, sometimes.

MabelAnderson · 27/02/2026 12:51

He Isn’t the right person for her. A porn habit and lots of issues around that by the sound of it, why start out with problems like this ? He isn’t for her to fix. I have slightly older dds, neither has had sex yet and this is the advice I would give them. Your daughter wants a meaningful relationship with someone on her level, my eldest is 21, younger 18 and both are also waiting for this. It’s not at all uncommon. I would not have a relationship with a man with a porn habit, DH has never watched porn. It’s fine to have this as a boundary, she needs to wait and find someone she can fall in love with and respect, someone much more suited to her, she shouldn’t have to settle for a teenager who already has issues with sex from extreme porn use.

InWithPeaceOutWithStress · 27/02/2026 12:58

Porn is highly addictive and he’s deep in it’s if he’s already impotent aged 18. He’s likely been using it since a young teen and is unable to be aroused by a human. He’s unable to have a healthy sexual relationship so she should totally give up on that. It’ll damage her self esteem to be the only one who ever initiates, he clearly isn’t interested in real sex. Rather than encouraging her to talk it out she needs to stand by her values and respect herself by not pursuing something with him. If he’s a nice person perhaps they could just be good friends?

MabelAnderson · 27/02/2026 12:59

Having a laugh together - great, great for a friendship. Drugs and porn ? Er no. Stay as friends.
Honestly drugs and porn are my dds boundaries as well, and also were mine when I was single. I wish more young men were being made aware of how damaging pornography can be for young people, emotionally and sexually. We have a family member who developed schizophrenia after using weed so that is a very definite no.
Also, upper sixth is not a great time at all to get into a complicated serious relationship. She only has months left in school.

pinkyredrose · 27/02/2026 13:13

Bloody hell, she's sharing a lot isn't she! I'd have rather died than discuss how wanking off my boyfriend was going with my mother!

Why do you know all her friends have lost thier virginity? That's not her information to share.

DaisyChain505 · 27/02/2026 13:18

This is an important cross roads in her life and learning journey about relationships and coming to terms with the fact that even though you may feel a certain way about someone that doesn’t mean you have to settle for less than or ignore certain behaviours to keep that person.

she needs to love herself more than she loves him and put herself first.

OrlandointheWilderness · 27/02/2026 13:19

Bless her. At 18 I would really not expect problems in bed - but tbh we don’t actually know WHY he can’t cum with a handjob, it might be something completely solvable. We do need to remember that technique etc can make a difference and it can take time when you are young to get experience in how each other works!
Do they do other stuff? Has she spoken to him about it?
porn use at 18 is incredibly common and pretty normal - at 18 I was watching it myself! Same with the weed, I’ve never liked it but my XBF from that time smoked it but he didn’t carry it on. He sounds like a nice lad - MN is very keen to jump to LTB but he sounds pretty normal for 18 to me so maybe don’t write the lad off just yet.

scrimblescramble · 27/02/2026 13:26

pinkyredrose · 27/02/2026 13:13

Bloody hell, she's sharing a lot isn't she! I'd have rather died than discuss how wanking off my boyfriend was going with my mother!

Why do you know all her friends have lost thier virginity? That's not her information to share.

Oh fuck off, she confided in her mum and explained her friends don't have these issues. Why do people like you deliberately miss the point of the post?

Personally OP I think she knows this relationship is not for her, she's sad because she knows eventually it will come to an end. Sounds like she's a smart girl!

pinkyredrose · 27/02/2026 13:30

scrimblescramble · 27/02/2026 13:26

Oh fuck off, she confided in her mum and explained her friends don't have these issues. Why do people like you deliberately miss the point of the post?

Personally OP I think she knows this relationship is not for her, she's sad because she knows eventually it will come to an end. Sounds like she's a smart girl!

Please don't tell me to fuck off.

Spudmuffins · 27/02/2026 13:32

pinkyredrose · 27/02/2026 13:13

Bloody hell, she's sharing a lot isn't she! I'd have rather died than discuss how wanking off my boyfriend was going with my mother!

Why do you know all her friends have lost thier virginity? That's not her information to share.

She hasn't named anyone in particular, just that most of her friends are no longer virgins, she has many friends so I have no idea who they are.

What do you expect me to do when she confides in me? Tell her I don't want to know? My BF also has this kind of relationship with both her daughters, maybe it's a daughter thing, my ds20 doesn't share like that.

OP posts:
scrimblescramble · 27/02/2026 13:40

pinkyredrose · 27/02/2026 13:30

Please don't tell me to fuck off.

Give some decent advice then instead of picking at irrelevant parts and avoiding what the OP is actually asking. It's not hard.

pinkyredrose · 27/02/2026 13:47

scrimblescramble · 27/02/2026 13:40

Give some decent advice then instead of picking at irrelevant parts and avoiding what the OP is actually asking. It's not hard.

You don't get to dictate what I write.

GreenCaterpillarOnALeaf · 27/02/2026 13:52

At 18 I could have lived with the weed but not the porn, personal preference at the end of the day. I absolutely could never tell my mum anything about my sex life though, I think in her mind our three children were dropped off by a stalk lol. It’s good that she is so open with you.

I don’t think he is the one for her, but I will say maybe the handjob thing isn’t porn related. In his defence, I do think with hand stuff you can normally just do it better yourself. Particularly early on in a relationship, but idk hand stuff isn’t really my thing (TMI I know).

LoyalMember · 27/02/2026 13:53

She tells you she w#nks him off? 😳

MaggieMar · 27/02/2026 13:58

Sounds like she should tell him she just wants to hang out and be friends, without a physics side to the relationship.

If he walks away - he wasn’t for her

just because you settled down young doesn’t mean she will - highly unlikely this will be long term. He’ll dump her. She’ll feel awful and move on to the next loser

Cyclebabble · 27/02/2026 14:03

Most of us would have had a messy first time which was ok, but not the best. That I think comes later. That being said, this chap does not seem to be closely aligned to her values. You have met him, we have not, but a porn loving weed smoker would not be my first choice for an important significant other.

scrimblescramble · 27/02/2026 14:05

You don't get to dictate what I write.

😂proved my point.

Spudmuffins · 27/02/2026 14:12

MaggieMar · 27/02/2026 13:58

Sounds like she should tell him she just wants to hang out and be friends, without a physics side to the relationship.

If he walks away - he wasn’t for her

just because you settled down young doesn’t mean she will - highly unlikely this will be long term. He’ll dump her. She’ll feel awful and move on to the next loser

I didn't mean I expect her to settle down early, I mentioned it to explain that I have limited experience.

OP posts:
LayaM · 27/02/2026 14:14

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