this post was submitted on 20 May 2025
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(Yes, I’m aware of these bait-y titles.)

Anyway, I’m 23 years old. I live in my house with my wife. We have many teens in the neighborhood, which is good for my sister-in-law but one of them took a particular liking to me.

The girl and I just casually started talking when I would go for walks, for example. She then started acting really weird, like giggly or flushed. She told me she was bi but preferred women. I’m a lesbian.

Eventually, she confessed that she had feelings for me, though she knew I couldn’t return them. She has also told her friend (19F) that we are dating, when I told her this was not the case and I was married.

I am married and do not like this fourteen-year-old girl. How do I be respectful about not returning her feelings even if she knows I’m married?

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[–] HobbitFoot@thelemmy.club 1 points 23 minutes ago

"Honey, I'm flattered, but I don't have the same feelings for you. Even if I did, it would be inappropriate for us to have a relationship. I hope you find someone else closer to your age."

[–] nun@lemm.ee 9 points 16 hours ago

Why do you need to be polite? If you’re direct or even rude you’re doing her a favour because it might turn her away from approaching other adults who would actually take advantage of her

[–] geneva_convenience@lemmy.ml 51 points 1 day ago (1 children)

These fictional relationship stories are getting out if hand. 23 years old with a house.

[–] poisonapple@lemm.ee 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

It belongs to my parents to be fair, we all live there.

[–] Mr_Dr_Oink@lemmy.world 7 points 15 hours ago (1 children)

Does your wife know about your GF you started dating 2 months ago?

[–] dubyakay@lemmy.ca 5 points 15 hours ago

Maybe they share an account with the sister-in-law.

[–] SorteKanin@feddit.dk 15 points 1 day ago

This story is already strange and OPs post history contradicts it. Seems fake.

[–] starchylemming@lemmy.world 79 points 2 days ago (2 children)

"23 years old. own house . married. "

a work of fiction!

[–] Mr_Dr_Oink@lemmy.world 3 points 15 hours ago (1 children)

They have one other post from 2 months ago saying they just started dating their girlfriend.

So 2 months later they are married and have a house?

Ok...

[–] Aaron@lemmy.nz 3 points 15 hours ago (1 children)

Not doing wonders for the stereotypes πŸ˜†

[–] Mr_Dr_Oink@lemmy.world 1 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

What do you mean?

Genuinely, I'm confused and curious.

[–] Aaron@lemmy.nz 3 points 5 hours ago

Oh lol it's a stereotype that lesbian relationships move fast.. and move in fast πŸ˜† https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/U-Haul_lesbian

Not gonna lie, I wept a little for my own life reading that.

[–] shaggyb@lemmy.world 50 points 2 days ago (1 children)

In this order:

  1. Tell other adults you trust about the situation. Your wife. Her parents if possible. More than one other person.

  2. Explain to her in very clear terms that you can't have that kind of relationship. It's not about what anybody feels, it's about what is possible.

  3. At the FIRST sign of any type of revenge seeking behavior, that's when you consider the authorities and rely on backup from the adults you spoke to.

She very well might listen to you, process the rejection for what it is, and move on. Or she might flip out and cause you a mess. If she handles it well, she's learned something and you've treated a growing human with respect. If she doesn't, your ass is covered.

[–] vfreire85@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

i'd say that it would be the case of turning her down with her parents present as in some sort of intervention.

also, speak to her firmly, avoiding second interpretations, that the two of you cannot be involved in any way, and if she continues her behaviour she will face legal consequences. time to learn that if you f*ck around, you'll find out.

[–] etchinghillside@reddthat.com 136 points 2 days ago (1 children)

No need to be polite. Set clear and firm boundaries and burn the bridge.

[–] Geodad@lemm.ee 28 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Right? That's jailbait and a homewrecker.

[–] Grapho@lemmy.ml 51 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I don't think that's fair, that's a child. Children can get infatuated with people and they don't have the experience or the frame of reference to measure the consequences.

[–] mukt@lemmy.ml 73 points 2 days ago

Please tell everything to your wife first.

[–] grue@lemmy.world 46 points 2 days ago (1 children)

This is not a "how do I be polite" situation. This is a "how do I cover my ass legally" situation. Mistake it for the former at your peril.

[–] Scrollone@feddit.it 9 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I don't know which country OP is from, but it's completely legal in many countries. Source

[–] AnUnusualRelic@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Still potentially risky nowadays. Don't take chances.

[–] Scrollone@feddit.it 7 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Not all the world is the US. Luckily.

[–] AnUnusualRelic@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago

But a lot of the world got caught up in their moral crusades, which they love to export.

[–] Zak@lemmy.world 69 points 2 days ago

It is not impolite to say something like "I'm married, and even if I wasn't, you're underage. We are not dating, and we are not going to date."

She's being very inappropriate in this situation. That isn't really meant to be a harsh judgment of her because she's a kid and kids shouldn't be expected to how to behave yet, especially when they're very new to experiencing feelings of sexual or romantic attraction. Shutting her down firmly (but without any cruelty) will help her learn.

[–] Contramuffin@lemmy.world 54 points 2 days ago (1 children)

First, make sure you're never alone with her. It's important to have someone be able to vouch for you that nothing bad happened. Even if it's not her intention, rumors spread and mutate in the most unexpected ways, and you'll want to make sure you're in the clear if it ever comes to pass that people start to suspect that you are having a relationship with her.

Second, you'll want to speak with her. Make it clear that you are serious and that this is a serious talk. Whenever you see her next, just say something like "we need to have a talk." Might be cliche, but the cliche aspect of it reinforces the serious nature of it IMO, since most people already associate that phrase with something serious.

You don't need to be rude, but you need to be very clear where you stand on the matter. Make it clear that 1) you are not in a relationship with her, 2) you do not wish to be in a relationship with her, 3) you don't appreciate her saying that you're in a relationship with her. With talks of this nature, there's no point beating around the bush. She may be temporarily hurt, but there is a difference between being hurt due to rejection and hurt due to injustice. She will come to appreciate the honesty in time.

[–] Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works 29 points 2 days ago

Tell your wife the situation beforehand, because it's possible the girl will tell lies in retaliation for her hurt feelings. If she's been crushing on you the scenarios are already in her head, she won't even have to make them up. Stay calm and remember you're the adults.

[–] Pacattack57@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago

Why do you need to be respectful? If this is even a real story just tell her you’re not interested and you’re married. It’s not complicated

[–] mrcleanup@lemmy.world 14 points 1 day ago

The only right answer here is that being in a place where you have to extricate yourself from the situation means you are already deep in dangerous territory. Yes follow everyone else's advice too, but if at the end of it you haven't changed your behaviors so you are no longer exposed to this sort of risk, you still have a problem.

Rearrange your life so you aren't alone with/having conversations with teenage girls. If that's not possible, make sure you are never alone with them.

I'm surprised an adult hasn't already heard this girls claim and sent the cops to pay you a visit.

You in danger girl.

[–] Fiivemacs@lemmy.ca 57 points 2 days ago

Uhhh screw respect in this instance? If this kid says something to someone, you could be arrested and brought before a court even if nothing happened. They clearly are already lying about the whole scenario. Burn that bridge, asap. I'd even possibly involve parents so they know what's up. Clear the air before some teen gossip happens and things get out of control.

[–] solrize@lemmy.ml 37 points 2 days ago

Wait, FOURTEEN? I thought you were going to say 19 or something like that. Either way just be honest, you're taken, there's too much age difference, and (apparently) she's not your type. She should meet up with someone her own age.

[–] qwestjest78@lemmy.ca 34 points 2 days ago

Forget her feelings. Make it clear there is no relationship. Otherwise they will hold onto hope and could try to undermine your marriage.

You can't prioritze other people's feelings. Almost always others wont prioritze yours.

[–] LainTrain@lemmy.dbzer0.com 13 points 2 days ago

Tell your wife, her parents, and anyone else who will listen, then call the cops and complain of harassment and get a restraining order on her.

Idc where you live but there's many places where lesbians in this situation will be treated as men and you don't want it to ever get to that point.

[–] entwine413@lemm.ee 21 points 2 days ago

Make sure to never be alone with her.

[–] Jarix@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago

Lawyer up. A few hundred dollars now is worth every penny if you need one later.

Just get them to help you and what to watch out for.

[–] 0xtero@beehaw.org 16 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Tell her to stop. Then cease all contact. No need to be respectful. It’s not a situation that needs fine granularity.

You are the adult in this and it’s always going to be your responsibility to do the right thing. So act like a responsible adult.

[–] southsamurai@sh.itjust.works 13 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Document everything. And avoid the hell out of her. It's impossible to predict how turning anyone down can go, so the safest course of action is to not turn her down, but to never go near her again

[–] mobsenpai@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago

Just don't be