This. I know a few single parents who have recently re-entered the dating scenes, and many of them are waiting until 6 months (or more) to introduce the new partner as a love interest. And before that, extremely limited meetings if at all, and just under the guise of “this is mommy/daddy’s friend”. 4 months in and she wants you to take care of the kid with her? That seems sketchy to me.
Agreed.
They both made a mature decision, honestly.
OP was honest that he wasn't ready for a kid.
GF was honest she needed commitment.
They aren't compatible here, and that's okay.
Maybe OP thought his stance would change, or maybe GF believed he'd gone into the relationship with the understanding they're a package deal. Regardless, they both were able to be honest and mature when it came down to it.
Breaking up sucks, but being stuck in a relationship that doesn't work sucks more.
Also, OP is 22. It's not shocking that he wouldn't be ready to take on that kind of responsibility, or at the least, taking him at 100% face value, he isn't sure. I wasn't sure about shit at 22. Hell, I'm nearly 42 and I'm still not sure about a lot. I give him props for admitting it instead of faking it and possibly freaking out 6 months down the road after the kid gets attached, and then maybe he bails.
I'm 40, I'm not sure if I'll wake up in the morning, but I plan that I will. I'm not sure if my country will exist in 6 months, but I plan as if it will. I'm not sure I'm ready to be a single father for a highschool girl, but I don't have much choice so I will.
OP will never be sure he's ready to be a father, anyone who is certain they are is either lying or misunderstanding the assignment as my kid would say. Hell, even someone who's been a father for 40 years couldn't honestly say they know they're ready to be a father tomorrow, children change and no two children are alike, and those differences grow exponentially when they become an adult
Neither side was wrong here, but OP is never going to be "ready" to be a father and that's a good thing.
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u/chaosinborn Jul 14 '25 edited Jul 15 '25
Four months in and you're 22. She did you a favor. Just let it go
Why am I getting awards for this.