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My 36 year old boyfriend hangs out with our 17 year old male neighbor

My 36 year old boyfriend hangs out with our 17 year old male neighbor (who is a Junior in High School).

Our background: We have been together 7+ years, have a 4 (almost 5) year old daughter and I am pregnant(8 mos.) with our 2nd (and last) child. He has not worked in almost 2 years (bad economy). I have my B.A. and work for a reputable, national company.

Okay anyway... my boyfriend has been hanging out with this kid for some time now. He is not a relative or the child of any friend of his. It is just our neighbor's kid (he lives with is Dad). I initially did not find it too alarming as it was very rare and sporadic that he would stop by. They had Playstation 3 in common (the boyfriend is a partial gamer) and I just didn't think much about it.

But, now he comes over quite often, text's my boyfriend all the time, has him (boyfriend) buy him ciggarettes or dip, etc. And recently took him out pseudo-hunting (my boyfriends hobby of the last 3 years has been hunting)and takes him over to other friends (of my man's) houses on occasion.And talk about "stuff" together. Which I think is a big part of it. My man enjoy's running his mouth, talking about his youth and seem's to find enjoyment in just talking to him about his adult life (jobs, people,girls, whatever).

And although I think that for the most part it is harmless. I find it extremely odd (as do my friends and family) for adults to hang out with kids that are not your own, are not family, you aren't there big brother/ big sister or even a very close friends child. I feel other people may perceive it as strange and there are other implications... if he got ticked at my man for any reason he could lie and say he was mistreated in our home or in my man's company.

My boyfriend does not find this friendship strange. And states that he had "older" friends as a teen. As did I, but, not over 5 years or so my junior that I actualy hung out with as a teen. Plus, they truly don't have much in common. The young man is very "emo" as they call it--- which would have been "alternative" in my youth.With pimples and shaggy long hair & well just lost in youth. And my man is more tall, macho, masculine,Latin, short hair, etc. That played sports in high-school. Two very different individuals before you even throw in the age gap. FYI: it wouldn't matter what the kid is like; I find the fact that he is a high-schooler (period) alarming and unethical.

And P.S. my boyfriend is in no shape or form the mentoring type. He is a good Dad but, is not in any position AT ALL to self elect himself as a big brother for a young man that doesn't even come from a broken family or appear to have any extreme issues(his Dad appears normal). And I also find it odd that his father doesn't find it odd that he is always over here.

So bottom line is it just me? Or is this scenario not so normal?
Do you think it's normal?
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Comments (10)
I see nothing wrong with it. I grew up where there no other kids my age. everyone was 20 years older than me. I actually learned a lot from them. I wouldn't panic just yet.
hmmmm not sure... but frankly I would feel the same as you do... there is a big age gap there but maybe they have a connection..what kind?? you have to find out
Why do you call the man you have lived with for over 7 years who fathered 2 of your children your boy friend? I ask because that seems like a pretty marginal designation - he's your husband (common law).

And he has been unemployed for 2 years - so he is on the margins there. You say it is the economy. So what is he doing to a) find work; b) upgrade his skills to get work.

And he spends all his time with this 17 year old, and hanging out.

Well I find all of this odd - the over-involvement with the 17 year old is the icing on the cake. Not outrageous,mind you, but odd.

I think the thing your husband & this 17 year old mainly have in common is their levels of maturity, way too little in responsibilities & way too much much time on their hands.

You are expecting & will be going on maternity soon. Isn't it about time your bf Peter Pan got his act together?

Time to put an end to this charade in never never land and have a great big talk with - yes - your husband.
will your bf buy me some booze?
@: Ollieo
i kind of disagree with ollieo for one reason. i was 12 and hung out with a 35 year old my parents thought the same as you. this man gave me an education that has been with me for over 20 years and has had nothing but positve impact on my life. some times a mentor comes in strange packages. no offense ollieo
None taken. There is nothing wrong with it per se - as I said it's just the icing. The cake is that there is something wrong with evading adult responsibilities through this friendship.

Any way, thats what I think but who knows. I hope it all works out for the mom here.
seximal91 said it all.

Your BF is kidding himself; being admired in his own mind, and the kid is using him to buy booze and smokes.

If the kid [or any of his friends] kills someone while drunk driving, YOUR BF goes to prison for manslaughter, and then he will have a NEW GF, named BUBBA.
BTW, if THIS is what he's using to make himself feel better, tell him to get off his ass and get a job. THAT will make him feel better. And what kind of doormat are YOU? Can you relly afford to support him AND 2 kids??? Idiots.
are they having a secret gay relationship? sounds too friendly to me texting each other all the time!
This is a funny situation in my opinion.

I just finished writing a script on three families that all are connected and live off of each others problems. Though your situation is not the same as my characters it is very similar.

Anyway I won't go into detail but one of the husbands winds up being gay in the end.

I think you should question more than what they are doing, instead question how they go about doing these things. Why doesn't your husband and the kids dad hang out?

If he is going out of his way to see this kid or answer text messages there's definitely something wrong he should be going out of his way for you.

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