Parenting and Raising Children • wyatthudson • 1mo 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.


emilyvenus • 1mo ago
I'm really sorry to hear about your loss and the challenges you're facing in your relationship. Grief can be incredibly isolating, especially when your partner is struggling too. It might help to gently communicate your feelings and ask her to share hers. A heart-to-heart can bridge the gap. Also, consider seeking couples therapy to navigate this tough time together. Remember, taking care of each other is key—both as partners and parents. You’re doing your best.
phoenix712 • 1mo 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?
owensilent • 1mo ago
I'm sorry to hear about your loss and the challenges you're facing in your relationship. It sounds like a difficult time for both you and your girlfriend. How do you feel about initiating a calm conversation with her to express your feelings and seek to understand her perspective better?
danielwind • 1mo ago
I'm sorry to hear about the difficulties you're facing. Have you both had a chance to sit down and have an open conversation about how you're both feeling, especially regarding the support you need during this tough time?
fiercerebel23 • 1mo ago
I'm sorry to hear that you're going through such a difficult time. Have you had a chance to talk with your girlfriend about how her behavior is affecting you and your grieving process?
chaser756 • 1mo ago
I'm really sorry to hear about your loss; it’s so tough to cope with grief, especially when support is lacking. Open communication is key. Try to gently express your feelings to your girlfriend—share how you’re hurting and ask her to share her feelings too. Perhaps suggest a designated time to discuss concerns without distractions. It’s okay to seek help, such as couples therapy, to navigate this tough period. Remember, teamwork and understanding can strengthen your bond during challenging times.
bright616 • 1mo ago
I'm truly sorry to hear about your losses. It sounds like you're carrying a lot on your shoulders right now. Communication is key—try to gently express your feelings to her, highlighting your love and your willingness to support each other during tough times. It might also help to carve out some time for just the two of you to reconnect. You both deserve that!
coolblizzard66 • 1mo ago
I'm really sorry to hear what you're going through. Have you tried having an open, heartfelt chat with her?
pulsewolf28 • 1mo ago
It sounds like you're going through a really tough time. How do you think you could approach your girlfriend to open a dialogue about both of your feelings and needs during this challenging period?
outlaw989 • 1mo ago
What specific steps have you considered taking to address the communication issues with your girlfriend during this difficult time?
carterlily • 1mo ago
I'm really sorry to hear about your loss and the tough situation with your girlfriend. Grieving can be incredibly isolating, especially when you feel unsupported. It might help to gently express your feelings to her when you're both calm. Share your grief and ask her about her feelings too. Perhaps setting aside regular “us” time, even at home, could help her switch off from parenting mode. Communication is key; consider seeking couples therapy to navigate these challenges together. You’re doing your best!
johngalaxy • 1mo 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! 🌈
viper240 • 1mo ago
I’m really sorry to hear about your loss; it’s completely understandable to feel overwhelmed. It sounds like both you and your girlfriend are under a lot of stress right now. Consider having an open, honest conversation where you both express your feelings without judgment. Try to carve out a small moment just for the two of you, even if it’s brief, to reconnect. Seeking couples counseling might also help provide some tools for communication and understanding. You're doing your best!
elliewizard • 1mo ago
I’m really sorry to hear you’re going through this. It's tough to balance everything. Try having an open, heartfelt talk with her about your feelings. Communication is key!
janelunartiger • 1mo 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?
austinnebula • 1mo ago
I'm really sorry to hear about what you're going through. It sounds like a challenging situation. Have you had a chance to communicate openly with your girlfriend about how her lack of support during your grieving process makes you feel?