AITA for Buying a House Without Consulting My Girlfriend of 4 Months?
A Single Dad Of Two Teenagers Had Finally Found A Home Suitable For His Family But When He Went To Tell His Girlfriend Of Four Months She Didn’t Take It So Well ⋅ Read More But instead of celebrating, she felt let down. She asked, “How come I am not consulted about this important decision? He understands that she wants a future with him which most likely means marriage and children, but this decision has a significant impact on him and his children, and he feels it is unnecessary to involve her so early in the process.
How a new partner should approach a major life decision was only one of the points of crossover between the two stories, with timing, the nature of family priorities and different expectations about a relationship causing miscommunication at the start of a new relationship.
The early days of dating are like a road trip—you’re both in the car, but you’re still figuring out the best route
One single dad bought his dream home for his family, but his girlfriend of 4 months was upset because he didn’t consult her before signing the papers
Boundaries, Relationship Stages, and Future Expectations
1. Defining Relationship Timelines and Boundaries
The pace of every relationship is different, but when it comes to life changes — like buying a home — bringing a partner into that decision often involves how long and serious the relationship is In this scenario, the OP and his girlfriend had only been exclusively dating for a period of four months. Although exclusivity conveys a higher level of commitment, a couple is still not at a stage in the relationship where their lives are truly intertwined, both financially or within the four walls of the home.
Relationship milestone experts at The Gottman Institute say that big decisions about moving in together or how to approach finances are not made until partners are deep into the “integration stage” of their bond—typically, this occurs after a year or longer after needs and values have been examined in detail.
The OP’s been in an exclusive relationship with his girlfriend for not that long; it makes sense to me that he’s going to want to keep the family he’s got, along with the autonomy that brings.
2. Family Comes First: Prioritizing the Kids’ Needs
OP has only been dating her for 7 months, so his kids absolutely have priority over a new romantic relationship, especially since he is a single father of two teenagers (16 & 14). Buy a house, practical reasons (shorter drive to work, better commute to school, better overall lifestyle, good deal)
He son have the world together then bringing in a girlfriend might be a bit soon for a guy who is looking to settled down for his children. It also suggests that parents make long-term housing decisions in accordance with the needs of their children and with a keen focus on the formative teenage years. Parenting Today argues that having a consistent routine and living close to school/work contributes to meant teens become better students and have improved mental health.
3. Understanding the Girlfriend’s Perspective
On the surface, the girlfriend’s anger may seem unreasonable, especially after such a short period of time. And there is urgency to her goal: At 32, she is at a time in life when many women feel—if not want—children. So perhaps his girlfriend is looking at this house as a home for her future family as his sister said in message 13. If OP has been picturing a life with her in it and she never even knew about it — that could lead to disappoint too, of course.
And there is something to be said for expectations like that (this early in a relationship) which can put a lot of unnecessary pressure on the other person. In healthy relationships, as with all things, timing is key, especially when it comes to major commitment. But maybe his girlfriend reacted like that because they were not at that stage to make a shared decision, and the fact that OP ever thought about doing so brought misaligned expectations on the pace of the relationship.
4. Communication is Key: Aligning Expectations
OP has every right to buy the home* for his children to live in* on his own but it does reflect a lack of communication. Meaningful expectations are not in themselves a bad thing, and part of the problem comes from the fact that not all expectations are bad – as illustrated in so many relationships where one partner is looking towards the future and the other is just having a good time now.
Here are a few steps OP can take to address the situation:
- Acknowledge Her Feelings: Validate her perspective without apologizing for making a decision that aligns with his priorities. For example:“I understand why you felt left out, and I appreciate that you see us having a future together. At this point, I need to make decisions that prioritize my kids’ needs.”
- Clarify the Stage of the Relationship: Gently explain that while he values the relationship, they are not yet at the stage of making shared financial or housing decisions.
- Discuss Future Goals: If the relationship continues to progress, they can discuss shared goals and decision-making timelines, ensuring both parties feel aligned.
5. Red Flags vs. Reasonable Concerns
Now, we have to understand the reaction of the girlfriend is a natural one, but at the same time, it shows her emotions and expectations in relation to being the first person for any guy. Wanting to have a say in something so fundamental so soon could show she is forcing rules on the relationship for many months/years ahead. If this is going to be his approach to things, OP might want to reconsider if their timelines and goals align.
On the other hand, OP going ahead on his own isn’t anything close to selfish — he is putting his kids first and he knows deep down where the relationship stands.
Netizens side with the dad, saying he is not a jerk for buying a home without consulting his girlfriend, since he has been house hunting longer than he has been dating the woman
Let’s dive into this first example and break down why OP is not the asshole for buying a home without consulting his four-month girlfriend. There’s nothing wrong with her feeling disappointed—especially if she sees a future with him—but her expectations are way too soon in the relationship timeframe. OP is a single father, so his best decision here is to focus on getting his kids on their own and becoming financially independent. Setting firmer expectations about what both want relationship-wise and when will help keep both on the same page in the future.
