5 signs you are dating a man child

It’s easy to find a match today. But finding the right one? That’s a task. You may have a hundred specifics on how your partner should be. But here’s something in common: you want an equal relationship. And dating a man-child is definitely not the answer. But how do you steer clear of one? You don’t have to date a guy for years to know whether he is a manchild. There are some obvious signs that you are probably avoiding altogether. Here are five signs you might be dating a manchild.

When you bring up something that bothers you, the tables are turned. You are trying to share something real, and yet somehow you end up apologising by the end of the conversation. He gets defensive, so you soften your approach. You end up comforting him because he felt attacked.

A manchild is emotionally immature, and taking accountability for something is not in his rule book. So, the times when he even puts in basic effort, it becomes a special occasion. He acts as if he deserves a medal when he remembers something you mentioned in passing. And somewhere down the line, you find yourself being grateful for the absolute minimum. That’s not a sign of a good relationship.

You will hear him making promises that will never see the light of day. He will say things like, ‘One day we’ll get our own place’, or ‘I want you to meet my family’. But the truth is, that never happens. Those are just hollow words. His family is in town, but he will tell you it’s not the right moment yet. There is only talk, no action. Beware of this kind of person, because that is never going to serve you well.

A manchild is always ‘too busy’ to listen. You end up repeating yourself endlessly. Be it showing up on time, or how his seemingly harmless sarcasm is hurting you, or failed plans — you will have to explain a hundred times, and yet he won’t really hear. Each time you explain, he understands. But understanding and caring are different things. Someone who genuinely cares listens the first time.

A healthy relationship should make you feel secure, not anxious. If you deal with uncertainty all the time, you are in the wrong place. You are overthinking every text, every word, and always wondering whether things will work out. This only means one thing: you are with a person who takes responsibility lightly. Love shouldn’t feel like confusion. Secure relationships ground you. They calm your nervous system instead of keeping it in a permanent state of alert. If you’re more anxious than secure, that’s a warning sign.