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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:
Poppingby · 27/02/2026 14:18

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.

I think this is a lovely post. Op I think you have handled this in the best possible way. You can't make the decision for her or tell her what to do, but you can help her see how crucial her own values are to any decision she makes.

LlynTegid · 27/02/2026 14:18

My advice would be to end the relationship. Talking illegal drugs is condoning the murders in Mexico and elsewhere, and in a way indirect racism. Never mind the self love whilst looking at film of exploited women.

TeflonMom · 27/02/2026 14:24

I agree that the porn use and the weed smoking don’t align with her values so she wouldn’t be unreasonable ending things with him or raising them with him.

However I don’t think it’s any of her business how much he chooses to masturbate, that’s his own business.

Also, to say someone is likely to cheat because their father was a cheater is horribly insulting, reductive, black and white thinking and she would be very unreasonable to mention this to him.

Dexy7655 · 27/02/2026 14:24

I would want to talk her through some of the many problematic aspects of porn such as trafficed actors, promotion of dangerously misleading notions such as anal and strangling is usual and safe and of course women enjoy it etc. The misogyny and objectification. And of course the death grip.

Charliede1182 · 27/02/2026 14:27

I think the most important thing here that you haven't mentioned and apologies if it is already in hand but make sure she has reliable contraception in place.

I got pregnant at her age and whilst I wouldn't change my son, I would definitely do things differently if I had my time again.

Most teenage boys are probably looking at porn and wanking left and right whether they admit it or not, and far more of them than their parents would like to think smoke weed, so if she's going to have a boyfriend the same age, these things are par for the course.

She isn't going to marry him, this phase of life is as much about finding out what isn't for you as well as what you do want. I would emphasize to her she does not need to have sex with somebody after two months, but if she does, as long as it's safe and consensual i wouldn't be too troubled by it.

If the lad is not initiating sexual contact then it doesn't sound as if she is being pressured or coerced, and it is probably more a case of her friends have (or say they have) all lost their virginity - remind her that this is not always true, nor is it a race.

FabuIous · 27/02/2026 14:31

I would mention that it in a healthy relationship they would both be instigating.

It sounds like he’s not really attracted to her which will be rotten for her self esteem.

Spudmuffins · 27/02/2026 14:43

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

I'm a worn out perimenopausal 53 year old woman currently caring for her mother who is in advanced dementia. I am not in the habit of making stuff up on SM platforms, I'm too old and too knackered for such shit.

As far as I and my DD is concerned, losing your virginity means sexual intercourse anything outside of that is being sexually active. If you see it as something else then that's up to you.

Of course I have advised my DD to seriously consider if this is the kind of relationship she wants to carry on with, the whole point of MN is to get advice and experiences from a wise range of other people. That's all I am doing.

OP posts:
Spudmuffins · 27/02/2026 14:47

Dexy7655 · 27/02/2026 14:24

I would want to talk her through some of the many problematic aspects of porn such as trafficed actors, promotion of dangerously misleading notions such as anal and strangling is usual and safe and of course women enjoy it etc. The misogyny and objectification. And of course the death grip.

We have already had this conversation, many times hence her annoyance with him admitting to heavy porn usage. I am very against porn for the exploitation reasons you mention and DD is too.

She says she is not sure she can carry on with him if he continues using porn.

OP posts:
Spudmuffins · 27/02/2026 14:48

Charliede1182 · 27/02/2026 14:27

I think the most important thing here that you haven't mentioned and apologies if it is already in hand but make sure she has reliable contraception in place.

I got pregnant at her age and whilst I wouldn't change my son, I would definitely do things differently if I had my time again.

Most teenage boys are probably looking at porn and wanking left and right whether they admit it or not, and far more of them than their parents would like to think smoke weed, so if she's going to have a boyfriend the same age, these things are par for the course.

She isn't going to marry him, this phase of life is as much about finding out what isn't for you as well as what you do want. I would emphasize to her she does not need to have sex with somebody after two months, but if she does, as long as it's safe and consensual i wouldn't be too troubled by it.

If the lad is not initiating sexual contact then it doesn't sound as if she is being pressured or coerced, and it is probably more a case of her friends have (or say they have) all lost their virginity - remind her that this is not always true, nor is it a race.

She is covered for contraception.

OP posts:
LoyalMember · 27/02/2026 15:08

LlynTegid · 27/02/2026 14:18

My advice would be to end the relationship. Talking illegal drugs is condoning the murders in Mexico and elsewhere, and in a way indirect racism. Never mind the self love whilst looking at film of exploited women.

😆'indirect racism...'

LumpyandBumps · 27/02/2026 15:09

Does she know what sort of porn he’s watching?
An 18YO male who can’t orgasm sounds unusual. One who doesn’t initiate even when it’s clear that a certain level of engagement would be welcome makes me think that, for whatever reason, your DD is not his ‘type’

Spudmuffins · 27/02/2026 15:10

LumpyandBumps · 27/02/2026 15:09

Does she know what sort of porn he’s watching?
An 18YO male who can’t orgasm sounds unusual. One who doesn’t initiate even when it’s clear that a certain level of engagement would be welcome makes me think that, for whatever reason, your DD is not his ‘type’

Edited

That was the first thing I said to her tbh.

OP posts:
pinkyredrose · 27/02/2026 15:10

scrimblescramble · 27/02/2026 14:05

You don't get to dictate what I write.

😂proved my point.

Edited

Bless you! 😂

Op he isn't the one for her, tell her to throw him back.

beadystar · 27/02/2026 15:24

She won’t be alone in finding weed and porn off-putting at best, even if he’s otherwise a nice lad. I would advise her to throw him back, he sounds like he has some growing up to do. He’s probably been watching god knows what kind of porn for years if he can’t orgasm with a girl in real life at 18 years old.

Clarabella77 · 01/03/2026 15:26

Spudmuffins · 27/02/2026 12:43

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.

This is the first hard relationship lesson. Sometimes liking someone is not a good enough reason to stay in a relationship. Alignment and compatibility on the important stuff, like sex, should hold equal weight with enjoying someone's company. He won't be the only man she ever likes.

CapacityBrown · 01/03/2026 15:34

Sounds like she's under a lot of pressure to lose her virginity, particularly from her friends and the OP, who made a point of saying she "is still a virgin". She doesn't need the pressure, get rid of the boyfriend and find someone much better.

FrozenFebruary · 01/03/2026 15:40

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.

There was nothing wrong with @pinkyredrose post. I agree the DD is sharing miles more than is normal with your Mum!

& I don't necessarily agree with the last paragraph, but there's nothing wrong with her having this opinion & posting it.

your post, however, was rude & uncalled for.

BreadstickBurglar · 01/03/2026 15:43

Poor DD. For what it’s worth I think this boy isn’t for her. She’s 17, there are literally billions of men on this planet and things like drugs and porn use are something where it’s important she doesn’t feel she has to compromise now or ever. The fact that he doesn’t initiate sounds exhausting and demoralising as well. I had a boyfriend as a teen who later come out as gay and even he didn’t behave like that.

She would be better off calling the relationship quits, becoming friends and having all the laughs but none of the stress. She needs to believe that she deserves someone aligned with her who will put in effort with her and you know not use drugs every week and porn every day. It’s not actually a high bar. But it will be hard in the short term. You’ve got a really important role here OP as she’s looking to you and essentially asking “is this all I can expect?”

AttilaTheMeerkat · 01/03/2026 15:47

Your DD needs to dump him and sharpish. Weed use and porn are bad combinations in men regardless of age.

Merely liking him is neither a good reason nor basis to remain in such a relationship and she can end a relationship for any reason she chooses. I would concur you have an important role here as she is indeed looking to you for guidance.

FrozenFebruary · 01/03/2026 15:56

Spudmuffins · 27/02/2026 14:47

We have already had this conversation, many times hence her annoyance with him admitting to heavy porn usage. I am very against porn for the exploitation reasons you mention and DD is too.

She says she is not sure she can carry on with him if he continues using porn.

Then she needs to break up with him.

He uses porn, giving him an ultimatum will not work. He may agree to stop, he may even stop (highly unlikely) but it's irrelevant, she wants someone who is aligned with her ethically (as it seems she's ethically against porn, rather than being upset he's enjoying other girls bodies Iyswim)

Weed, she can only decide for herself how much of an issue it is for her & go by her own morals.

compromising her beliefs because 'she likes him' .... she needs to be able to live with her choices.

No need to compromise her morals plenty more fish in the sea for an 18 year old, irrespective of the actual issues.

and on a more 'base' note, she's an attractive 18 year old. If he can't get off with her hand job (no matter how inexperienced) it's not going to do her self esteem or sexual confidence any good & that will last many years.

Soundsmadeup · 01/03/2026 15:56

Come on ladies let's all talk to this innocent poster about teens losing their virginity and wanking. Sounds legit 💯

BreadstickBurglar · 01/03/2026 15:58

Soundsmadeup · 01/03/2026 15:56

Come on ladies let's all talk to this innocent poster about teens losing their virginity and wanking. Sounds legit 💯

Literally nothing I’ve read on here is remotely explicit except the op

FrozenFebruary · 01/03/2026 16:00

Soundsmadeup · 01/03/2026 15:56

Come on ladies let's all talk to this innocent poster about teens losing their virginity and wanking. Sounds legit 💯

Then you know the drill, report if if that's what you think.

in the meantime many of us will support a mum in a difficult situation until proven otherwise.

besides it's not exactly a thrill producing thread is it, so I imagine any hairy handed trucker would be very disappointed.

YYURYYUCICYYUR4ME · 01/03/2026 16:00

She knows he is wrong for her, by unloading her issues. He already has a warped view of relationships and tell her to value her good instincts, that not all those you love will ever reciprocate and that her talking to you demonstrates she knows that there's a barrier to any form of a good relationship.

Spudmuffins · 01/03/2026 16:24

DD ended it all a few days ago. Thank you for those who offered up helpful advice and kind words.

For those who doubt my post all I can tell you is I am absolutely genuine. I have frequented MN for many years, since my first dc was born in 2005 and after watching the TV show Justine and Carrie used to present, which lead me to MN (back in the day when most posters where helpful and kind and less cynical).

Not that I should be having to justify myself but what l can tell you is that I am a worn out woman in her 50's currently caring for her mother who is in advanced dementia whilst dealing with her own health issues and trying to help her young adult dc navigate their live's.
I only wish I had the idol time to post absolute shit on the internet just for kicks, ffs you just can not win on MN, if I had said in my OP that dd had tried to confide in me about something to do with her sex life but I had told her that was overshare and she was to deal with it herself those of you telling me I know too much about my daughter's life would now be telling me what a shit mother I am for not helping and advising.

My best friend also has this kind of relationship with her dd's, I feel proud that my daughter knows she can trust me enough to speak to me about issues some of you obviously can't with your children or mothers. Sorry you don't have that kind of relationship but that's not on me, that's your issue.

And that leads on to CapacityBrown why on earth would you think that I am eager for my dd to lose her virginity? That could be far from the truth. Jeez, doesn't matter what you type on here, people will twist your words no matter.

OP posts: