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When does a boyfriend become a partner

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Graygirl Sun 22-Jun-25 18:37:08

My adult granddaughter and her boyfriend live together,rented flat in joint names, they are more then boyfriend /girlfriend interact with each others families separately and together. What are the rules I am the only one who lives in the area she grew up in these days often get asked about her. They are planning a long term future, saving for deposit, growing there separate careers.

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NotSpaghetti Wed 25-Jun-25 10:46:28

My daughter's partner doesn't live with her.
Just saying!
grin

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sazz1 Wed 25-Jun-25 23:23:29

So much simpler in my youth. You were seeing someone a few times maybe a week or 2 and then he/ she was either your boyfriend/girlfriend or you broke up or stayed just friends, if there was no chemistry between you. You might get engaged or decide to live together so then they were your partner/fiance.

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MickyT Wed 25-Jun-25 23:32:24

They are whatever they decide they want to be

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grannymo123 Wed 02-Jul-25 20:46:17

Interestingly when DS lived in Brighton and I used the word partner, everyone assumed it was a same sex partner. (Not that it was their business or mattered either way)

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CanadianGran Wed 02-Jul-25 21:00:54

I have to say I love the expression bidey-in! I think I'll start using it if the occasion fits.

I've heard the expression lady-friend or gentleman-friend for more mature couples, especially if they do not live together. Otherwise they would be partners. My brother and his common law wife have lived together for over 20 years, so I consider them partners, or even husband and wife, although not legally married.

I tend to think the term boyfriend relates to a younger person.

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Elegran Thu 03-Jul-25 14:57:21

grannymo123 In Brighton is is more likely to be the case than not!

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megan777 Thu 03-Jul-25 16:54:14

sounds like they’re already pretty serious - living together, sharing a place, and planning for the future usually means they’re more than just dating casually. When people start making big joint decisions like that, I’d say the boyfriend naturally becomes a partner. It’s less about rules and more about how much they’re committed and involved in each other’s lives.

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NanKate Fri 04-Jul-25 17:01:05

I think it is great nowadays that women can take their time in settling down (if they want to). Follow a career, buy a property, have a partner.

There were expectations when I was in my 20s in the early 70s that one got engaged, married and started a family.

Having said that I have been happily married for 53 years but I have always been a bit of a free spirit.

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Milsa Fri 04-Jul-25 17:12:37

Without the wording it really depends are they seriously wanting to commit to each other. They might even be on separate continents while dating and marrying immediately when seeing each other ...again, does it matter. Hopefully he is the one and they get married, have kids and all that

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