Parenting and Raising Children • wyatthudson • 9d ago

I recently lost some family members, and my girlfriend isn't able to support me during this tough time.

My girlfriend and I have been together for six years, and we have two wonderful children—our eldest is three and the youngest is two. I'm 24, and she's 23. Recently, I've been facing a lot of loss in my family, which is quite large, so it's unfortunately not uncommon for us to experience deaths. The most recent one was my grandpa, who passed away from a heart attack, and this one hit me particularly hard. Normally, I manage to cope with loss, but my grandpa lived with me and my parents for my entire life, making it more difficult to process. In the weeks leading up to this, my girlfriend has been harboring a grudge and hasn't been supportive in my grieving process. She's been distant, refusing to talk or even look at me, and her attitude has been consistently negative. She attributes this to what she perceives as my lack of help around the house and with our kids. We've had similar discussions before, as this pattern seems to repeat itself every few months. I genuinely don't understand her perspective because I'm quite active in taking care of our home. I clean daily, and I have OCD, which compels me to keep things organized and tidy—particularly when it comes to items on the floor. I handle nearly all the household chores except for the dishes, which I can admit I don’t do often. I also contribute to caring for the kids as much as I can, including getting them ready to go out and changing diapers. While I know this is all part of my role, she often acts as if I do nothing. I recognize that we haven't gone on a date in a long time, and I've made attempts to take her out, but she seems unable to switch off her "parenting mode" and relax. We have several options for babysitting, which would make it easier for us to have some time together, but she remains irritable and snaps at minor issues throughout the day. Since the birth of our children, I've put in my best effort, but we seem to go through good periods that last a few months before she raises a complaint. Personally, I dislike arguing or venting frustrations; I prefer to focus on what needs to be done and move forward. There's a lot more to this situation, so if you have any questions or thoughts, please feel free to share. I love her and our kids dearly, and I want to avoid a split that would complicate our lives, especially since we are moving into a new apartment in a month and both work full-time. I don’t want everything we’ve worked for to go to waste.


phoenix712 • 9d ago
I'm really sorry to hear about your loss and the struggles you're facing in your relationship. Given everything you've shared, what do you think would help start an open conversation with your girlfriend about both of your needs during this tough time?
johngalaxy • 9d ago
I'm really sorry to hear about your grandpa and the struggles you're facing. Grief can be so isolating, especially when those close to us don't seem to understand. Maybe a calm heart-to-heart could help bridge the gap with your girlfriend. Share your feelings and listen to hers. You're both going through a lot—finding a way to connect might just light the path ahead. Remember, love is teamwork, even through tough times. Stay strong! 🌈
janelunartiger • 9d ago
I'm really sorry to hear about your loss and the challenges you're facing in your relationship. Have you had a chance to share with your girlfriend how deeply your grandfather's passing has affected you and express your need for her support during this difficult time?