How to Keep Your Boyfriend Or Girlfriend From Being Clingy

Sometimes, one partner in a relationship becomes clingy. Clinginess is like codependence except only one partner wants to spend all of his or her time with the other partner. Here's how to keep your boyfriend or girlfriend from calling or coming over all the time and being clingy.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 1

   Understand why someone is clingy.
   
   Usually clingy people are fundamentally insecure. The clingy partner likely has few friends or interests outside of the relationship. The person may be used to living with family or roommates and having every waking moment spent around other people. Another cause of clinginess is depression or dissatisfaction with life. Another cause of clinginess is fear of loss or jealousy.

2. 2

   Address the issue directly and without anger.
   
   Tell your partner that you like them, but you can't spend all your time together. Address the fact that you have friends and interests that you need to address independently. Reassure your partner that you are not cheating or getting ready to move on, simply that you have interests and a sense of purpose that doesn't allow for an overly dependent relationship.

3. 3

   Help your partner be less clingy.
   
   The key is to build up your partner's social confidence. Help the person build his or her social skills. When your partner is more confident in public, he or she will be able to make friends and meet people. Your relationship will blossom when you have different experiences as your partner. Tell your partner that you would really like her (or him) to develop interests outside of the relationship, and then share those interests or experiences with you.

4. 4

   If someone is too clingy, break up with them.
   
   In general, you don't want to commit to a serious relationship to someone who is too dependent on you. If the problem can't be resolved, you may decide to end the relationship before it becomes more serious.

on 2/3/2010 This is very much true. And also, one should learn to trust his or her partner.