Why won’t boys in their 20s grow up?

QUESTION: What is it with guys in their late-20s who don’t know what they want?

My best girlfriend’s been living with her boyfriend for 18 months.

She thought they were going to make plans for the future.

Suddenly, he texts me to get over to their place because he’s leaving her and doesn’t want her to be alone.

He told me what he’d said to her — “it’s not you, it’s me, I don’t know what I want.”

He’s probably already started up with someone else. Or, maybe he’s a boy who is scared to be a man.

What’s your take on this? — Fed Up with Boys

ANSWER: Your friend will need some time to settle her own reaction (so she really does need your support).

First, there’s no gender monopoly on immaturity, indecision or cheating. The sudden exit happens with young women, too.

It’s a hurtful way to leave with no discussion, but often there were warning signs that both sides ignored — moodiness, frequent disagreements, etc.

Age does play a part, sometimes. Being 20-something calls for major adapting to adult responsibilities and figuring out a future vision.

Not everyone’s ready when the next phase looms close.

His sudden bolt shows he’s scared to face her, yet worried about her and his intent is unknown (whether it’s a break, or over).

She needs time to heal her hurt, and re-think what kind of relationship they actually had.

She should then be more aware of what to look for in a “man” with whom she’d consider a committed partnership.

QUESTION: I’m a man who has been friends with a woman for eight years, both in our mid-30s.

We’ve supported each other through significant heartbreak.

Over the last year, I’ve developed stronger feelings for her, while she often flirts. She’s dated some interesting fellows over the years, who’ve all left her heartbroken.

We joke that if we’re each alone at 40, we’d be one another’s insurance. Visualizing the future is a tricky thing.

I’ve thought of taking that extra step, but I fear our wonderful friendship would be lost. She has told me the same.

Now, she has moved away to study French until the New Year, and she constantly tells me she misses me.

I’ve tried to move on and over the past two months, started seeing someone new. She, too, is great but I can’t get over my feelings for my friend.

How do I deal with this? — First World Problems

ANSWER: Your friend has rung the wake-up bell — she misses you. Her return date in the New Year is not far off.

Dating this other woman till then is a “muddling” tactic: You’re trying to protect yourself from being hurt if your friend and you don’t get into a romance.

So you’re complicating things, but it’s unnecessary.

Show some spark. Tell her you miss her too.

Make a New Year’s plan to get together (even if it’s a day or so after the big night).

Be bold. Tell her you’d like you both to consider dating when she returns, and that it’s about feelings, not about “insurance” to not end up alone.

Be honest with this second woman. Tell her you’ve had feelings for a longtime friend and need to know whether it’s mutual.

You’ll be amazed at how clearheaded you’ll feel when you deal honestly and straightforwardly with people. TIP OF THE DAY When a live-in partner bolts, focus on healing, then on what you want in a next relationship.

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