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Relationship Partner with BPD (Straight and LGBT+) => Romantic Relationship | Bettering a Relationship or Reversing a Breakup => Topic started by: shatra on December 31, 2012, 03:19:16 PM



Title: Asking for his help even if I don't need it
Post by: shatra on December 31, 2012, 03:19:16 PM
Hi---

   Happy New Year to everyone! I am feeling disgusted about an ongoing issue----

My wanting to get offers for help from my partner, even if I don't need or wouldn't accept the help if it were offered. So I feel neglected.

   He is nearly codependent i going out of his way to help relatives, sick people, neighbors, etc. But when it comes to me, he has said I am very independent.  So he really does not offer practical help.  If he were to offer, i would most likely say "No thank you" since I can handle many things on my own. But I feel upset that he doesn't offer to help, and I feel jealous that he helps others and not me.

   So ideally I would like it if he would at least offer help sometimes. I'm not sure if using DEARMAN would fit here, since I am not trying to directly ask for help with something, it's just the offer that would be kind.

Bye

Shatra


Title: Re: Asking for his help even if I don't need it
Post by: Rockylove on December 31, 2012, 06:24:32 PM
perhaps I'm missing something here.  You don't need or really want his help but you want him to offer his help knowing that you'll refuse it?  It sounds like you're setting him up... .  I don't mean to sound mean or rude, but it sounds like you're setting him up for rejection.  Perhaps he's a "doer" because that makes him feel significant and if you don't allow him to "do" for you, that may make him feel less significant than he already does.  I'm no expert... .  just throwing that out there as a possibility.


Title: Re: Asking for his help even if I don't need it
Post by: shatra on January 01, 2013, 04:49:31 PM
Hi

  Yes, you're right that he seems to usually enjoy helping others. Yes, I would like his offer to help though I would not actually accept it... .  I feel resentful that he doesn't even offer. If he were to offer, I would feel more cared about.

   Recently and presently I could use his help with a household issue. Though I am already getting help, he knows about this area and offered nothing. So for example I would have felt better if he had said "Can I do anything for the house to help you?"... .  

   I am thinking of saying "It would have been nice if you had offered to help me"  though he may feel attacked. I was going to just let it go, but I still feel upset about it.

Happy New Year

Shatra


Title: Re: Asking for his help even if I don't need it
Post by: 123Phoebe on January 01, 2013, 05:23:35 PM
Hi Shatra, it is hard to watch your SO helping all these other people, but not taking your own into consideration.

That being said, can you maybe flip it around and think what a learning experience this is for you right now?  To not be afraid to ask for what you want |iiii  Not in an attacking sort of way, like you mentioned, more like, 'I'd really appreciate your help and advice with something... .    What do you think about such and such?' 

Your boyfriend might feel more apt to offer help if he knew it would be appreciated.