We're always taught that the average period is like 2-7 days, but I've never met anyone whose period is 2 days and to be honest the concept of that sounds like something out of a fairyland where everything is sunshine and rainbows 24/7, so. To me 5-9 days on average seems more realistic.

edit: so today I've learned that God really does have favourites (which is NOT to say that all those who have short periods are said favourites, just that they are out there, you lucky lucky people), but also that I suppose just in the same way that to me a longggg period with lighter flow at times is normal, so is the opposite for others. Also apologies to anyone with periods who doesn't identify as a woman for accidentally excluding you in the wording of my question 😅

My plan going into this was to hold for a decade and my plan hasn't changed. It's going to be rough and I realize that. The past two days have been the scariest days of my life. My parents still don't know I've lost 1/3 of my inheritance. Every time I talk to them they can see how stressed I look and they keep asking me what's wrong and I don't know what to say. How can I possibly explain this to them? My only option is to hold for a decade. So that's what I'm going to do. I know people are going to shit on me, and you should. I recognize I made an unnecessarily regarded decision. I have received a lot of DMs and reddit notifications offering me mental help and Suicide hotline numbers. I appreciate your concern but I'm fine. I'm holding long term. I'm sorry if my decision made you upset and reflect on your financial situation, that was not my intention. I appreciate all of your support and constructive criticism. Some of you have been really mean but its ok, I know I deserve it. But im holding. Forever. Intel will succeed.

First off, thanks to everyone who reached out on my last post. I’m fortunate to have a place to find people for support during all this. Below is a link to my first post.

Since everyone wanted an update, I’m back. Last night I took a lot of peoples advice after the kids went to bed and stayed up to talk with her. I expressed how her all of a sudden buying sexier clothes, self tanner, etc. and staying up late all the time had me concerned and if she was okay. She told me that she’s been depressed, and was trying to feel better about herself now that the kids are getting older and she doesn’t have so many “mom responsibilities”. This made sense to me. I asked what she was up to on her phone at night and she said mostly scrolling through Instagram, Facebook, that she was depressed and couldn’t sleep.

She offered me her phone to look through if I didn’t believe her but I declined. This was a pretty emotional conversation. She also said that she still loves me but things have gotten stale, which I agreed with. After raising 2 kids, work, life stress and everything maybe we hadn’t put enough importance on our relationship. She then asked if I’d ever consider an “open marriage”, or atleast be willing to try. I was abit taken back. She said that she’d understand if I didn’t want to, but thought it could add some excitement and referenced her friend who has an open marriage with her husband (which I was unaware of). She said her friend said it’s brought them closer and really energized the intimacy between them.

Anyways, I told her I would think about it and we could talk this weekend when the kids go to their grandparents. Thanks again for giving me a place to vent about this, don’t really have anyone in my personal life I can talk with about this.

About 11 months ago, I (m28) found out that my gf (f24) was cheating on me. We'd been together for 4 years, and lived together for almost 2.

I thought we had a great relationship, we got along well, regular weekly dates, traveled a lot together and had tons of plans for our future together. We'd even talked about me proposing as soon as she got her finances in order.

I found out she was sleeping with a guy who's friend with a best friend's boyfriend.

I told her to kick rocks and that I never wanted to see her again.

She went on and moved in with that best friend and her boyfriend. During that time, she never told her family that we broke up or no longer lived together.

A few weeks, after she moved out. She reached and told me that she was pregnant and that she is certain that it's mine because the times she cheated they used condoms.

For context, my pop passes when I was a child and I have very little memories of him and as a result my family struggles and I affected me for a long time.

I told her, when the kid is born and is confirmed as mine. I'll take care of everything. Until than leave me alone.

A few weeks later, we met up and she swore of everything that the baby is mine and said I should help cover maternity/pregnancy stuffs.

I told her, keep receipts of everything you spend of pregnancy/maternity stuffs. After the child is born. If it's mine, I'll cut you a check to cover all expenses. If it's not then well part ways. She agreed.

She then proceeded to get a midwife and a doula for herself.(Both pretty expensive), she decided on a home birth.

Comes time, baby came early and there were complications, she was rushed to the hospital for emergency C-section and baby was kept on those wards were they keep new born who can't survive alone.

The day of birth I went to see her and a nurse took me to see the baby.

Two weeks ago she sent me receipts for everything, and it's totalled over 40k and she asked for money to pay the doula and midwife. I told let's wait for dna results.

Well, turns out I'm not the father. I told her I'm sorry but she's on her own. She cried and said she and the child are ruined if I don't step up and help them and went on on how we can have a successful relationship together and raise the kid and how's she matured and will be a good partner.

I told her I have no interest raising someone else child and to call on the real father.

Well, the guy is broke and is cashier at the local store.

Now everyone in her family is trying to convince me to at least pay off the 40k and before going our ways.

I said no.

AITAH for refusing to step up here?

For the people here who AREN’T good at the whole food-making thing but want to take BABY STEPS to get better.

I’m talking microwave. I’m talking little to no dishes to clean afterwards. I’m talking thrown together, pantry-to-plate

None of this “only 10 minutes” business: 2 minutes of active effort or less or you’re disqualified.

If I catch even a hint of flexing. Disqualified

If you so much as think the word sauté… Disqualified.

If you mention fresh garlic or sliced lemon or something like that… you’d better have a damn good argument or secret technique that makes them easier to add.

Or you’re disqualified.

(Toasters and toaster ovens are allowed as long as you don’t have to clean them)