Imagine finding yourself in an awkward spot when you’re at a restaurant with your partner and their kids, and they seem to have forgotten their wallet again. It’s a tricky situation, isn’t it? This is the story of a woman dealing with this exact dilemma.

She turned to an online community for advice, trying to figure out if her reaction to the recurring situation was justified. She was worried that her actions, especially since they were in front of her boyfriend’s children, might have appeared selfish.

According to her account, her boyfriend’s kids were quite fond of dining out. So naturally, the couple, along with the children, visited restaurants weekly. But each time, there seemed to be a familiar problem – her boyfriend would conveniently ‘forget’ his credit card at home, leaving her to foot the bill.

At first, she didn’t think much of it. However, the financial strain began to weigh on her after repeatedly paying for several meals in a single month. Feeling increasingly uncomfortable, especially since she was juggling a couple of jobs to stay afloat, she decided it was time to say something.

There was this particular evening; she had just been paid for some extra work she had taken on. Once again, they were heading out to eat. Anticipating another ‘forgetful’ moment, she sent a friendly reminder to her boyfriend to bring his wallet. But he merely laughed it off.

When they arrived at the restaurant, the excitement was palpable as her boyfriend’s children eagerly explored the menu, selecting some of the more expensive dishes.

The dinner had just begun when she gently prodded her boyfriend about his wallet, hoping the reminder had been taken seriously this time. To her dismay, he performed his familiar routine, patting his pockets with a surprised look, apologizing for leaving the wallet in different jeans.

Her boyfriend asked if she could cover the bill ‘just this once’ more. This was the tipping point for her. Frustrated, she decided to leave the restaurant before dinner was served. Her decision was met with disbelief from her boyfriend, who questioned her intentions.

Firm in her decision, she explained she wasn’t in a position to continuously pay for him and his children without any contribution from his side. She left, standing her ground on the matter.

Later that evening, her boyfriend called, accusing her of being selfish for abandoning him and his children hungry. He expressed frustration at her lack of understanding and sympathy, noting he even had to cancel their meals. But for her, it was more about setting a limit on the ongoing pattern.

It’s a common theme in relationships, isn’t it? We’re left figuring out where the give-and-take balance lies, especially when it feels like one side just keeps on taking.