Is it normal for my boyfriend to always listen to his mother?

Alright.. So in my past writings I have written about how much I have had to struggle lately. I have a boyfriend, we have been together for 1 year and some change. He's been spending the night at my place consistently for the past 3 or 4 months.

We never talked about moving in until my roommate decided that it was time to skip out on his share of the lease after knowing him for 9 or so years. So he sees me starting to struggle trying to hold things together… So I asked him… why not move in? You're here all the time and you have belongings here, we get along pretty well, and it would be helping me out in a great way!!! why not just make the move. He replied he needed to think about it.

Heres a little bio on him: He's 22 going on 23. He and his family are pretty close, from Italy… I can go on..

So anyways, he comes back and tells me his mother said no he cannot move in. I immediately thought to myself… wait… you asked your mother? I asked you to move in, not your mother if you can move in. He said that his mother said if he can pay rent he can pay a mortgage for a house… Perhaps I am confused here, but I know its a big commitment to move in with your significant other, but buying a house isn't?

Then he goes on to say that his mother finds it odd that we hang out all the time and doesn't like it. Also doesn't like the fact that he spends so much time at my house. I knew 22 is still young… but my wings stopped being clipped at 17. I moved out at 17 and I have been on my own since then. So he continues to stay here which pisses me off because about 80% of his life is spent here and he refuses to help me out with rent or bills that he helps accumulate.

So… I calmly try to have a conversation with him about it. I start by telling him that he sees me struggling because of the sudden abandonment of my roommate. Everything is on me and I just need help. So since I said this to him, he has been staying away from the house. It was NIGHT and DAY difference how sudden it was. Now he doesn't want to stay because he would think I would think he's obligated to paying bills…

I don't want him to become distant because I absolutely love his company… however, it just seems like he isn't being completely honest with me and would just rather hear him say he just doesn't want to move in… but the fact that we have been together for a year and I've held my stuff together and now I am falling apart… I would think that he would be more inclined to want to move in.

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46% Normal
Based on 70 votes (32 yes)
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Comments ( 12 )
  • Audacia

    Try and meet in the middle. His mother has a valid point, she doesn't want him wasting his money on rent and supporting this girl he's dating when they're not Married.

    But then in your view, if he's causing so much of the bills surely he should pay something. Which is totally fair.

    Try and find out whether he genuinely wants to live with you. Seems like if you love each other and want a future he should just move in or you two come to a compromise where you get a new place with a joint mortgage.

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  • UliNalaMansae

    bloody hell... parents.

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  • Jen118584

    Your boyfriend sucks! Get a new roommate AND a new boyriend. OR just a cute roommate.

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    • LOL that was toooo Funny!

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  • crissyabear

    This is where the saying "why buy the cow when you get the milk for free" comes in. He's been getting all the benefits with little or no payout. Also do you really want a man who asks him mom for permission at 20-something? It will never get better. Run!!!

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  • Audacia… I for got to mention that we aren't boy and girl relationship… hence why his mother finds it odd that we spend so much time together. I have been pretty independent to this point. I became sick with offing lymphoma which caused me to take a leave from work and sucks because I work salary+commission+bonus… being on leave means no Commissions no bonus… I feel so much better and calm and feel like I am going to be ok when he is around… He was there when I first started getting sick and honestly thought that he would of ran off when he first heard I was sick… but he has stuck by my side emotionally…

    I am not asking him to move in and pay my bills.. I am not asking him to take care of me… But it would be sooooo much stress removed of my mind if he just helped out where he could.

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  • flax

    Hrm, I want to laugh but sadly this is how most migrant European families are....I know I come from one and am first generation Australian. And the fact he's Italian, forget about it his mother will always rule the roost end of story. My best friend from way back in high school was Italian and only moved out of her parents home after she was married and they bought a house.......she was 28.....this is just part of the culture - and ppl brought up in that mindset don't usually question it...oh the stories I could tell....lol

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    • I do understand that this is the way of the land… My ex is also Italian (i know right) and it was the same thing… but not as bad. He wanted to leave the nest but the family and friends were very much involved in our relationship.

      @ Samantha… He broke that rule a LOOOONG time ago

      @ Flax…. His sister just got engaged.. she is 28 and just moved out to Italy to be with her fiancé. WE are different because the possibility of marriage is not a possibility… In Ohio anyways his mother would probably kill us both is she knew the ENTIRE story.

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  • Lonely2

    Its slightly cultural...in some cultures your still a " kid "until your married or about 35...anyway, he is choosing to listen to his mother so ultimately its still his decision...but he listens to her to avoid conflicts

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  • samanthab1997

    His family is traditional Italian, so no sex before marriage rule is applied here.

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  • seali001

    He likes kicking it with you, but isn't willing to pay to do it...That would require him to get a job..sheesh...he is a man boy and is not interested in playing house, just laying up having sex...Get yourself a new roomie and tell him to go comb his mommie's hair or something.

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  • Yeah...no.

    Tl;dr her boyfriend's a little bitch.

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