In a quiet rural neighborhood, a 22-year-old guy’s losing sleep over his 21-year-old girlfriend’s 2 a.m. “solitary strolls,” leaving doors unlocked and keys forgotten. Living in his late grandma’s house, splitting bills like modern lovers, her carefree vibe, leading to burnt eggs and purses left in cars, sparks tension, hinting at undiagnosed ADHD.
His back-door-locking solution triggered a household showdown, splitting Reddit on protective love versus control-freak moves. Her nighttime wanderings fuel a story full of chaos in a relationship rollercoaster.
Boyfriend locks doors to prevent girlfriend from walking around outside after midnight.
What measures would you take if you had to take care of a loved one with a disorder that motivates them to do weird things being out of you control? Our Redditor had this one move, simple, efficient yet controversial.
His girlfriend’s midnight walks, coupled with her forgetfulness (possibly ADHD-related), have him playing night-watchman, locking the back door to ensure she uses the front one.
It’s a move he sees as protective, but she’s crying “controlling!” So, who’s right and who’s wrong?
She craves her moonlit strolls, calling them exercise and a chance for solitude. He’s sweating bullets, picturing worst-case scenarios in their quiet rural neighborhood.
According to a 2023 study by the National Crime Prevention Council, nighttime walks in low-traffic areas can carry risks, especially without proper precautions like a charged phone or a buddy system.
Our Redditor’s not wrong to worry, but locking the back door feels like a plot twist from a “my house, my rules” playbook. She’s not a cat, as she cheekily noted, but his approach might’ve caged her vibe.
From her perspective, those walks are a mental reset, possibly a coping mechanism for her suspected ADHD. Dr. Russell Barkley, a leading ADHD expert, notes in Psychology Today, “Individuals with ADHD often seek stimulation or quiet moments to self-regulate”.
Her late-night jaunts might be her way of finding calm in the chaos, but leaving the door unlocked and her phone on low battery? That’s a script for trouble. Both have valid points: he wants her safe, she wants her freedom. The real villain? Poor communication and a missing set of keys.
This drama taps into a broader issue: navigating mental health in relationships. ADHD can strain partnerships. Studies on Journal of Attention Disorders suggest couples where one partner has ADHD face higher conflict over organization and responsibility.
The Redditor’s hands-off approach to her potential diagnosis respects her autonomy, but it’s left them stuck. A compromise, like sharing her location or getting an auto-locking door, could rewrite this episode. Maybe it’s time for a heart-to-heart, a key-copying date, and a therapist’s number on speed dial.
Here’s what people had to say to OP:
Some believe the girlfriend’s unsafe behavior justifies locking the door to enforce safety.
Others suggest the girlfriend’s nighttime walks are harmless and recommend safety compromises.
Some question why the girlfriend lacks keys and place responsibility on the partner.
One person suspects underlying issues beyond ADHD and suggests medical evaluation.
One user highlights the girlfriend’s broader irresponsibility as a safety concern.
This Redditor’s lockout gambit has us all wondering: was it a clever safety move or a step too far?
His girlfriend’s midnight walks might be her zen, but leaving doors unlocked in the wee hours is a plot twist nobody wants.
Do you think his back-door lock was a fair play to keep her safe, or did he overstep into controlling territory?
How would you handle a partner’s quirky habits that keep you up at night? Share your hot takes!
