Whether you just started dating someone new or you’ve been with him for a while, you’re wondering whether he’s really mature enough to handle a real relationship long-term. It’s a reasonable concern. After all, you don’t want to waste your time. So how can you know for sure? Look for these signs.
- He’s Open About His Interests. You can tell he’s mature enough to handle a relationship by how open he is with personal information. He doesn’t refuse to answer basic questions about his career goals and family dynamic. In fact, just the opposite. He lets you into his life without you having to beg for it. He wants you to know who he is, and that’s because he’s looking for something real.
- He always keeps it real with you. You don’t question his intentions, partly because he sounds so genuine and partly because he’s proven himself worthy of your trust. You’ve never caught him in a lie or felt he was being disingenuous. He lives by values and he’s comfortable in his own skin. This guy doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the walk.
- He’s Financially Stable. Okay, so maybe he’s not a millionaire, but he’s a smart spender. He’s not throwing money down on materialistic things just for the sake of having them. He’s saving his money and cutting costs when possible. He might not have plans to buy a house anytime soon but he’s thinking big picture when it comes to money. That’s a good sign he’s ready for an adult relationship.
- He’s Had A Few Relationships. You aren’t his first — he’s actually had several serious relationships over the course of his young adult life. You might not love that, but it’s actually a good sign. It means he’s seen first-hand what it takes to be with someone else. Sure, the relationships didn’t last, but at least he’s had practice, and that’s what counts.
- He’s Not Childish. You don’t feel like his mother and that’s because his mother raised him right. He’s self-sufficient and can take care of himself. He might go to you for advice but he doesn’t expect you to do everything for him. He cooks his own meals, cleans up his own mess, and folds his own clothes. He’s not looking for a maid, he’s looking for a partner.
- He’s Realistic. He’s not walking around with an unrealistic expectation of what love is. He might not be an expert, but he’s seen enough to know what relationships should look like and more importantly, what they shouldn’t. He knows relationships aren’t perfect. He’s expecting there to be bad times and good times, and that’s how you know he’s mature enough to handle a relationship.
- He Respects Differences. His friends aren’t all the same and that’s a really good sign. It means he’s able to respect and understand different opinions. He doesn’t need to be surrounded by like-minded people to have a good time. He’s self-aware and completely confident in who he is, and that’s why he makes such a good partner. He’s a respectful person and that means he’ll always be a respectful boyfriend.
- He Fights Fair. Does he scream and shout or does he react calmly even under stress? A guy who’s mature enough to handle a real relationship knows how to handle their emotions. They’re rational (at least most of the time) and know when to go off and when to hold their tongue. Most immature people are clueless when it comes to their temper. They don’t know how to control it and they don’t care to even try. He’s not like that.
- He Knows He Has Flaws. He’s not ignorant of his flaws. He knows there are things he needs to work on and that’s why he’s actively trying to improve. He doesn’t keep making the same mistakes and blaming other people for his problems. He identifies his issues instead of ignoring them. Is he perfect? Hell no. But at least he doesn’t think he is.
- He Treats You Like His Girlfriend. You’re his person even when you’re in a bad mood and hate his guts. He doesn’t just treat you like a girlfriend when it’s convenient for him, he treats you like a girlfriend all the time. That’s a sign he’s mature enough to handle a relationship. It means he’s in it for the long haul and he’s ready to love all of you, not just during the bad times.
