When it comes to dating, especially if it’s still in its infancy, we tend to turn a blind eye to red flags – and that’s a BIG NO-NO. I get it, you want to see how it works out and maybe you can change them in some way if you continue the relationship with them. But, it can’t always be the case – especially when your partner is emotionally unavailable and acts immature for their age.
If you currently have a partner whom you feel like you have to push to move things forward in the relationship, or basically acts like a man-child, you might be dealing with someone who has Peter Pan Syndrome. What’s Peter Pan Syndrome? Glad you asked.
Well, we all know who Peter Pan is – a boy who never grows up. That’s essentially a man with Peter Pan Syndrome – a person who doesn’t necessarily have any high-achieving goals and expects things to fall into their laps as if they are entitled to them – much like a child.
Oh, Mother
It’s painful to watch your partner’s mother maintain an infantile bond with their adult child. It is unhealthy for an adult to continue to rely on their parents and not strive to become self-sufficient. A parent’s desire to assist their child is admirable, but it leaves little opportunity for them to mature and learn how to be an adult.
Babysitters As Exes
If they have a history of exes who took care of them in ways a mother would – run. The chances of them opening up about their exes are very slim, but with their behavior being easily observable, you can pretty much tell if they have Peter Pan Syndrome. The last thing you want in a relationship is to take care of an adult-child.
#NoGoals
A person that develops Peter Pan Syndrome frequently has a hard time constructing a workable plan as they transition into adulthood. They have ambitions, but they lack the resources to accomplish them. They would get extremely enthusiastic about a goal – but in the end, don’t put in any effort to get it.
Me First!
They frequently prioritise their own demands over the needs of others, which, in my opinion, is a significant red flag. Don’t get me wrong: putting one’s needs first is a wonderful thing, but doing so all the time, especially in a relationship, is damaging. It’s basically like a child – always screaming about what they want and never bothering to ask what YOU want. You can do better!
More on relationship? Read these:
https://lipstiq.com/love-and-relationship/177690/the-importance-of-setting-boundaries-in-your-relationship/
https://lipstiq.com/love-and-relationship/188287/you-arent-my-everything-things-you-dont-need-from-your-partner/