20 Signs You’re Actually Dating a Man-Child (And What To Do About It)

So, you think you’re in a relationship with a grown man? Think again. The reality is, many women unknowingly find themselves dating a guy who’s stuck in a perpetual state of childhood. It’s time to face the truth, laugh it off, and maybe make a few changes for the better. If you notice these 20 signs, you might be in a relationship with a full-fledged man-child—and it’s time to figure out how to handle it. Spoiler alert: You can’t just put him in time-out.

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1. He Can’t Remember Important Dates
Does he forget your anniversary? Your birthday? The date you met? If he’s not keeping track of important dates, you might be dealing with a man-child who thinks a calendar is just a decoration.

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2. He Calls You for Every Little Thing
Got a flat tire? He’ll call you to ask how to change it. Lost his keys? Better get ready to be the “key-finder.” Don’t be surprised if his phone calls are filled with questions you thought he’d have figured out by now.

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3. His Idea of “Helping” Involves Asking for a Reward
You can’t just clean the dishes, he has to “help” with it—but only if he’s praised like he just won an Oscar. If he’s acting like a toddler who wants a cookie for doing the bare minimum, it’s a sign that he might need a bit of… parenting.

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4. He Has a “Favorite” Toy (and It’s Not What You Think)
Does he have a grown-up toy, like a gaming console, that gets more attention than you do? Be careful, if you’re competing for his attention with a game, there might be more childish behavior going on than you realize.

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5. He’s Shocked When You Expect Him to Contribute
The whole “you’re an adult, I’m an adult, we should share responsibilities” concept? Yeah, he’s not into that. If he’s surprised when you expect him to take care of grown-up things like paying bills or making decisions, you might have yourself a man-child.

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6. He Has a Wardrobe Full of T-Shirts You’d Expect a 12-Year-Old To Wear
You know that one shirt with the cartoon character or the slogan that’s so outdated it could be from the ‘90s? Yeah, he wears that. If your boyfriend’s wardrobe looks like it’s stuck in middle school, you might be dating someone who hasn’t quite grown up yet.

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7. He Gets Defensive Over “Childish” Things
Whether it’s an animated movie or playing video games for hours on end, if he gets upset because you call his hobbies “immature,” he’s definitely not taking responsibility for his age. It’s a red flag—no matter how cute his favorite superhero t-shirt is.

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8. He Still Thinks He’s “Too Young” for Serious Things
Does he insist that “he’s too young” to settle down, even if he’s pushing 30? If he’s clinging to the “I’m still a kid at heart” excuse, he’s probably a grown man who’s not ready to deal with grown-up problems. But don’t worry—he’s probably still asking for allowance.

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9. He Whines for Your Attention
He can’t handle it when you’re busy. Suddenly, you’ll hear him whining about how you never make time for him anymore. Is he a man, or is he an overgrown toddler in need of constant cuddles and attention?

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10. His Favorite Phrase is “It’s Not My Fault”
If his responses to every problem revolve around someone else’s fault, you’re not dating an adult. You’re dating a man-child who will never take responsibility for his actions. The sooner you realize this, the sooner you’ll be able to give him a metaphorical timeout.

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11. He Can’t Take a Simple “No”
If you tell him “no,” get ready for a tantrum. Man-children can’t take rejection, and they’ll whine, beg, or try to manipulate the situation. If he’s getting upset over basic boundaries, it’s time for a reality check.

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12. He Doesn’t Know How to Handle His Own Problems
Got a flat tire? Or maybe a minor issue at work? Don’t expect him to solve it without turning to you for help. If he can’t deal with life’s little annoyances without your help, he might be in need of a grown-up talk.

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13. He Thinks You’re His Personal Mother
Does he expect you to do everything for him? From making sure he eats his vegetables to reminding him when to take his meds, he might see you as more of a mother figure than a girlfriend. Newsflash: You’re not his mom.

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14. He Spends More Time with His Parents Than You
Does he still live with his parents? Or worse, does he go home every weekend to “visit”? If he’s more attached to his childhood home than to you, it’s a sign that he’s still emotionally living in the past.

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15. He Gets “Bored” Easily
Does he get bored at the drop of a hat, even in situations where others would be entertained? A man-child is easily distracted and needs constant stimulation to stay engaged. If he’s constantly looking for something new to entertain him, you’re dating a permanent teenager.

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16. He’s Not Interested in Growing Up
Does he refuse to make any adult decisions? Whether it’s picking a date for an event or planning a future, he doesn’t want to deal with the tough stuff. A man-child will avoid anything that requires maturity, so don’t expect him to plan a future with you anytime soon.

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17. He Hates Responsibility
If he dodges responsibility like it’s a game of dodgeball, he’s not ready for adult life. A man-child can’t handle the thought of doing something that requires responsibility, so he’ll always find a way to pass it off to you.

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18. He Tells You That You’re the “Mature One”
This is the ultimate man-child move: when he tells you that you’re the “mature” one in the relationship. Of course, he’s the one avoiding responsibility, but somehow, you’re the adult here. Classic.

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19. He Treats His Friend Group Like a Sports Team
If he’s got a group of friends who act like they’re in high school, you’re dealing with someone who’s mentally stuck in the past. His friends are his “boys,” and they act like they’re always in competition for his attention.

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20. He Will Always Be “In Progress”
No matter how much time goes by, the man-child will never seem to “grow up.” He’s always “working on it.” That’s right, he’s a perpetual work in progress—just like a project that never gets finished.

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Conclusion
So, what do you do if you’ve found yourself with a man-child? You can either put up with it and hope he grows up, or you can have a talk with him about where you both stand in the relationship. At the end of the day, it’s all about balance. But remember, you deserve someone who’s ready to take on adult responsibilities… even if that means cleaning up after themselves once in a while.

Just a friendly reminder: This was all in good fun and for a little laugh, don’t take it too seriously.