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Partnering
- Q: I'm a 25-year-old
male who is "just a friend" (I guess) to this 18-year-old female.
We used to kiss & play around in the beginning but not anymore. She
has plenty of boyfriends, but still spends time with me every day. She is
wild, so I don't like to say no to her if she wants to do something because
I feel like if I do someone else will take my place & then I won't have
any chance with her. I do almost everything she asks because I like to please.
Why does she want to be only friends? I'm not much of a talker; I'm more
of a listener.
- Dr. Klein: This sounds
like a one-sided relationship--she decides how things are going to be, while
you live in fear of losing what you value. The question is not, "how
do I get her to not leave me," but rather, "what kind of relationship
do I want with her," and "does she want this with me?" Once
you decide what YOU want, you can tell her (yes, you'll have to talk, not
just listen!), and find out if she wants something that you do too. If so,
you can head off into the sunset together. If not, look for someone who
does. Yes, it will hurt to let go of your dream of being with her. But letting
go of a dream is the first step toward getting something real.

For hundreds more questions and answers,
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Anything.
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© 2003 Marty Klein, Ph.D. All rights reserved.
Please do not reproduce without permission.