I (42M) have been dating my girlfriend (18F) for six beautiful months. She’s sweet, fun, and has this youthful energy that I find very refreshing after my third divorce. But lately, she’s been acting in ways that make me question her maturity.

For context, I met her when she was just starting her first job at the local mall. She complimented my Rolex and said she loved my “dad vibes,” which I quite didn’t understand but took as a compliment because I am proud to be more like my dad. Things moved quickly from there and our relationships seemed fine.

However here’s the issue: I’ve been noticing that she does a lot of things that are, frankly, childish. For example, last week we went to a very nice restaurant (I’m talking linen napkins and a dress code), and she ordered chicken nuggets. Chicken nuggets. When I quietly suggested she try something more sophisticated, like the foie gras or at least the Caesar salad as normal woman usually do, she rolled her eyes and said, “Ew, gross,” loud enough for the waiter to hear.

Another time, we went shopping for furniture for my condo (she’s moving in soon), and she insisted on getting a beanbag chair for the living room. A beanbag chair. I told her, like sweetie, that’s not really what adults have in their homes, and she pouted and said I was “killing her vibe”

The final straw came last weekend. We were at a dinner party with some of my colleagues, and when someone asked her what her goals are, she said, “I just want to be happy, you know?” My colleagues were stunned into silence. I had to jump in and explain that she’s still figuring things out because she’s “young and carefree.” Later, she accused me of being condescending, which I thought was unfair since I was just trying to help.

Now she’s saying I’m too controlling and that I need to let her “be herself,” but honestly, I’m just trying to help her to finally grow up a little. I feel like she doesn’t appreciate the wisdom and guidance I bring to the relationship.

Am I the angel here for wanting my girlfriend to act more like a normal adult should? Or will it be better if I just let her keep embarrassing both of us in public?

(writing this from my girlfriend’s account so she could read your comments and understand my point)