Listener (Aaron)

In the meantime, my spouse and I have discussed our situation and agreed that divorce is the best option. Everything would be ideal if not for these external circumstances. I feel like I've met my soulmate, but we're being kept apart. Is my girlfriend's mother's behavior abusive? What is the best course of action? Signed, eager to make things neater when this mom is my girlfriend's keeper.

In the meantime, my spouse and I have discussed our situation and agreed that divorce is the best option. Everything would be ideal if not for these external circumstances. I feel like I've met my soulmate, but we're being kept apart. Is my girlfriend's mother's behavior abusive? What is the best course of action? Signed, eager to make things neater when this mom is my girlfriend's keeper.

No, not exactly. The timeline is fuzzy. It sounds to me like they met while he was still married, not separated, and only later they decided to get a divorce.

No, not exactly. The timeline is fuzzy. It sounds to me like they met while he was still married, not separated, and only later they decided to get a divorce.

No, not exactly. The timeline is fuzzy. It sounds to me like they met while he was still married, not separated, and only later they decided to get a divorce.

He says he was unhappy for years before that. But I don't know if that changes the facts.

He says he was unhappy for years before that. But I don't know if that changes the facts.

He says he was unhappy for years before that. But I don't know if that changes the facts.

I really can't get a good read on this, mother.

I really can't get a good read on this, mother.

I really can't get a good read on this, mother.

So the girlfriend is saying that her mom gets this way whenever she gets close to a man, which if that's true, that is objectively concerning. And I think that speaks to something weird and coercive in the mom. She doesn't want her daughter to separate and have her own life.

So the girlfriend is saying that her mom gets this way whenever she gets close to a man, which if that's true, that is objectively concerning. And I think that speaks to something weird and coercive in the mom. She doesn't want her daughter to separate and have her own life.

So the girlfriend is saying that her mom gets this way whenever she gets close to a man, which if that's true, that is objectively concerning. And I think that speaks to something weird and coercive in the mom. She doesn't want her daughter to separate and have her own life.

But to your point, does her mom have some reason to keep such close tabs on her? Is there something we don't know here that might explain some of this?

But to your point, does her mom have some reason to keep such close tabs on her? Is there something we don't know here that might explain some of this?

But to your point, does her mom have some reason to keep such close tabs on her? Is there something we don't know here that might explain some of this?

Yes, for sure. And then maybe ask your girlfriend to ask her mom if she would be willing to sit down with you so you can meet her if you haven't met her yet. Talk to her. Maybe you can answer whatever questions she might have about the relationship. You could try to understand her concerns better. This might just be a conversation you guys need to have.

Yes, for sure. And then maybe ask your girlfriend to ask her mom if she would be willing to sit down with you so you can meet her if you haven't met her yet. Talk to her. Maybe you can answer whatever questions she might have about the relationship. You could try to understand her concerns better. This might just be a conversation you guys need to have.

Yes, for sure. And then maybe ask your girlfriend to ask her mom if she would be willing to sit down with you so you can meet her if you haven't met her yet. Talk to her. Maybe you can answer whatever questions she might have about the relationship. You could try to understand her concerns better. This might just be a conversation you guys need to have.