Maybe you've been dating someone for a while, starting to feel the feels, but something is not right. Is it your own insecurities — or a relationship red flag?
Keep reading to trust whether this is you — or them.
- What are red flags in relationships?
- Common relationship red flags
- Red flags in relationships with single parents
- Red flags in relationships with narcissists
- Do all relationships have red flags?
- Relationship red flag checklist
- How to deal with relationship red flags
- When to call it it quits in a relationship
What are red flags in relationships?
Red flags in relationships are behaviors that hint (or scream!) that the other person is not available for a serious relationship — or even mentally unstable. These red flags show themselves early in the dating, though you may not have seen or heeded them until you were emotionally invested.
9 common relationship red flags to watch for in a man or a woman:
What to look for:
- Any kind of addictive behavior — signs of drinking too much or drugs, gambling, money problems
- Inability to hold a job or manage money
- History of cheating on multiple partners
- Excessive anger at an ex — may be signs of an abusive personality or simply not being ready to date after a breakup
- Jealousy — of other men or women, your friends and family, or your own alone time
- Too cozy with an ex, even if they co-parent, such as giving the ex a say over whether the kids meet a new partner
- Constant criticism or negativity
- Hints of criminal behavior [do a quick reverse phone lookup first]
- Hostile sarcasm
- Anger and hostility towards his or her family or friends
Sexual chemistry is a deal-breaker in relationships, according to Fran Walfish, PhD, a Beverly Hills, Calif., family and relationship psychotherapist, and author of The Self-Aware Parent.
“The one deal-breaker that cannot and should not be looked past is sexual chemistry,” Walfish says. “Most couples who move forward to a deeply committed relationship have their highest levels of physical attraction during the first three months of meeting, though it is not unusual for some people to develop chemistry during their courtship.
“If after the first 3-6 months of dating, good communication, and expression of verbal and physical affection there is no spark the likelihood is that these two people do not, and will not, have sexual chemistry. It is a deal-breaker.”
If your lover's story doesn't seem quite right, you can always run a background check to verify their employment, address, criminal, civil and marriage history. Our No. 1 recommendation is TruthFinder, with its A BBB rating, $1 trial.
3 silent relationship red flags that are toxic
These toxic relationship behaviors cannot go ignored — even if they are subtle:
- Defensiveness — if someone is not open to vulnerability, it will be hard if not impossible to connect in a meaningful way, and grow together
- Criticism — if the person you’re dating seems to dislike everything you like, or not approve of your appearance, mannerisms, life, they are also not open to deep love right now
- Lots of secrets or even evasiveness — it can take some people longer than others to open up, and it should take time to get to know each other (beware of love-bombing and big dumps of too much personal information, too soon).
Finding people online: 9 sites to use and 4 experts’ tips
In a relationship with a divorced woman or man? Red flags to watch for when dating a single mom or dad
Dating someone going through a divorce, or messy breakup can be a red flag in and of itself — but not always. In some places like New York like where I live, divorces take a very long time, and lots of people date while they are still technically married, but emotionally moved on from their marriage. Here are some red flags when you are starting a relationship with someone recently out of one:
- Actually in the middle of a very messy divorce. Divorce, no matter how happy every one is to be ending the marriage, is emotionally, mentally and financially exhausting — and all-consuming. They may be looking for a distraction, or desperate to partner up again — but still in the middle of it. Red flag — at least for now.
- Consumed with their children's well-being. Noble, and understandable, but not a lot of room for a serious relationship until the family gets settled in their new arrangement. If you are happy being with something casual, this is fine. But otherwise, take a pass — at least for now. 15 tips if you're interested in dating a single mom
- They are really still married, but lying about a divorce. The situation may be ambiguous — maybe they are legally separated, or maybe they just haven't spoken in years and have an agreement to live together but separate lives. Perhaps they are taking a break but working on it. Lots of variants, but bottom line: your date is not really, fully single and not being 100% honest with you. Red flag.
- Perhaps your man or woman is totally divorced, the kids are settled, and they are single! But … this is their first dating relationship in decades. They have (understandably) trust issues. They feel unsure and insecure. All 100% human and normal. Also, may not align with where you are right now. Or maybe it does. But be aware.
- Refuse to introduce you to their kids — or insist on waiting a crazy-long time like 1 year or more.
- Perhaps your man or woman is totally divorced, the kids are settled, and they are single! But … this is their first dating relationship in decades. They have (understandably) trust issues. They feel unsure and insecure. All 100% human and normal. Also, may not align with where you are right now. Or maybe it does. But be aware.
If you're interested in dating again, check out our ranking of the best dating apps and sites for single parents.
eharmony is our #1 pick, with an A+ BBB rating, low prices, high user experience, and a focus on serious, long-term relationships.
Read our eharmony review.
Benefits of dating a single dad
In a relationship with a narcissist? Red flags of a narcissist man or woman
“When you date a narcissist you are a spectator at his date with himself,” says Laurel Steinberg. “Some red flags include non-stop talking about himself without showing interest in learning about you, and him possibly telling story after story about how everyone else he's known is stupid or a bad person.”
- Love-bombing with excessive gifts and adoration very early in the relationship
- Name-Calling
- Withdrawing
- Having no or few friends
- Gaslighting — which can include making the other person (you) feel crazy for bringing up issues
- Empty promises
- False flattery
- Conversation hogs, talking about all of their achievements, etc.
- They don’t have any/many long term friends
- They think they are right about everything
- Always blame everything on the other person when the relationship ends
- They panic and lash out if you try to break up with them
Do all relationships have red flags?
Laura Louis, PhD, owner of Atlanta Couple Therapy, says that within a relationship, there is a difference between deal-breaking red flags and issues that need addressing. “I don't think that all relationships have red flags. But all relationships do have problems,” Lois says. “The difference is that conflict can be resolved while blatant red flags just harm you.”
Fran Walfish said that some red flags can be overcome when the couple otherwise has a strong relationship. For example, Walfish counts a lack of ambition as a deal-breaker. However:
“I have seen high-achieving professional women turn their heads when they meet a man who has all of their other fantasy qualities, but lacks ambition,” she says. “I have observed several of these couples over years time establish, nurture, and create very happy, successful relationships in which the female partner becomes the primary breadwinner and the male partner brings in a significantly smaller figure income but shores up the difference by picking up extra load in homemaking, care-giving the child(ren), cooking, and other household duties. Each couple must find and create their own happy balance. The common denominating requirement is healthy open, honest, straight-talking communication.”
Ultimately, every date and person is loaded with reasons that someone will not want to date you — and vice a versa — and not all those reasons mean anyone is broken or unlovable. Every one of us has our triggers, our own list of things that are not permissible, or simply a good fit. Stephanie, a mom from the Millionaire Single Moms Facebook group, says for her, red flags include “someone who doesn’t share my values — political and otherwise.”
Lakeesha says: “I don’t know if I have specific red flags, but I try to pay attention more to whether they feel authentic. Anything that’s too-good-to-be true sets off my alarm bells.”
Other overall red-flags include:
Elisa: “The biggest one for me is the ambition to live a happy life. I don’t need a man to make a lot of money or live a certain way … but if HE is not happy with his current situation, he can’t be just settling and complaining without a plan…he needs to at least be working towards changing the situation that makes him unhappy.”
Cameron: “I learned I struggle to relate to men who aren’t dads. And I prefer to date someone with a college degree and career going for him. Also that if a guy isn’t even remotely interested in travel, that’s a turn off for me, and he’s just probably not a good fit because I want a guy who will travel with me.”
Emily: “A red flag for me is someone with who I feel insecure. I dated over 150 men since my separation nine years ago, and that’s the one consistency I noticed. If I felt any sense of insecurity, there was always a reason behind it.”
To understand your own values and what matters to you, Kirby Davis, LMHP, based in Nebraska, suggests this red-flag checklist. The more negative responses you get from your date or partner, well … you know the answer!
Don’t be a helicopter mom: Overprotective parents can hurt their kids
Relationship red-flag checklist
- How do they respond while they wait?
- How do they respond when their meal is wrong?
- How do they treat others that provide them a service (e.g.,
servers, clerks, maintenance workers)? - How do they interact with and speak about their
family/friends/others? - How do they treat their pet or your pet?
- How do they respond when they are told “‘no”’?
However, Katherine Winny, Licensed Professional Counselor and relationship coach, says that you should look inward to monitor your own internal red-flag checklist.
“How you feel internally is one of the most important indicators you are dating someone with potential,” Winny says. “You should feel calm, able to be yourself and comfortable expressing your needs and opinions.
“One of the biggest red flags is your own anxiety, often triggered by hot/cold behavior from your date, which is a clear sign they are not ready for a relationship or are of an avoidant attachment style.”
How do you deal with red flags in a relationship?
“Once you see evidence that there might be a red flag, you don't ignore it, you double down on it,” says Tessina. “Ask questions about their previous relationships, and how they ended. If the date blames everything on the other people, that's an issue to be concerned about. Before you get too deep into the relationship, meet your date's friends and family. You will find clues there about whether there is addiction, anger issues, hysteria, legal problems, money problems or other difficult issues, like children from a previous relationship and a bad connection with the ex.”
Solid, universal relationship advice from Laura Louis: “If you notice any red flags, attend to it, and state your feelings without attacking the other person. Use ‘I' statements instead of ‘you' statements, which just make the other person defensive and less likely to listen.”
Remember, not every discomfort is a deal-breaker or an insurmountable red flag. Conflict can point to your insecurities, those of your partner, normal sums of fear or trepidation. In other words: Make room for humanity in your dating relationships.
What may feel like a red flag or deal-breaker may really be old trauma rearing its heads. Jill, from the Facebook group, says that her boyfriend's healthy attachment at first turned her off — but helped her heal from a divorce.
“With my current relationship, I tended to see red flags when there weren’t any. They were actually signs of a healthy relationship. I didn’t realize it until I met my boyfriend, but my ex and I were very codependent,” Jill posted. “My ex always praised me and put me up on a pedestal, and also needed me to be with him all the time. When my boyfriend didn’t do those types of things or need the same things from me, I thought it was just because he wasn’t that into me. I'd worry that he chould just find someone prettier or with a less complicated life. But my boyfriend just accepted that I love him and want to be with him, and that was all he needed. He just doesn’t need constant attention and assurance like my ex did, and like I used to.”
Krevalin said that within a relationship, struggles often point back to red flags early on — but can be overcome.
“Trust reigns supreme and it will always be the most important ingredient in successful, loving and meaningful relationships. Trust, or the lack of it — is the ultimate red flag, if we choose to see it. Does your partner put you first? Are they accountable? Are they Kind? Caring? Can you trust them? Here’s your barometer: Trust is knowing that your partner has your best interest at heart. This is something we can discern quite early on in a relationship— but only if we acknowledge red flags.”
Relationship red flags that are deal breakers: When to call it quits in a relationship
Deal breakers for women and men
Of the women and men and therapists experts, lying is definitely considered a deal-breaker and a red flag when dating, and an emotional affair is reason to call it quits when in a relationship. Jealosy is a red flag for women when dating, and extreme jealousy during a relationship is reason for a breakup — including one's own jealosy. “I have to trust him,” Jess said.
Other thoughts on relationship dealbreakers:
Signs of an abusive relationship
- Extreme highs and lows; if they are so into you and extremely passionate this is usually a sign (like no one else could ever be as good as you, if you ever leave me I can't live, so insanely in love).
- Moods change quickly.
- Make or say threatening movements or words during an argument.
- Extremely jealous.
- Blame you for their terrible reactions.
Reasons to break up but not red flags:
- Bad hygiene: don't shower enough, don't clip fingernails and toenails.
- Communication is off.
- Sex sucks and/they won't take gentle guidance to get better.
- Don't stick up for you when needed.
- He lives with his mom — because he never moved out in the first place is a deal-breaker.
- Think you are bragging when discussing good things happening to you (an ex actually did that. He patted my back when I was talking about business. At first I was really confused then realized he felt like I was bragging when I just wanted to share accomplishments).
Dating deal-breakers from Tasha:
From Amy:
- I strongly dislike when men say they live in different states than their children, don't get to see their children much, see their children when they can.
From Kim:
- I would never again be with someone who has seemingly burned all of their past relationships. I'm not saying they need to keep in touch with everyone they knew, but when there is an excuse that everyone is banned… the most common denominator is the true issue.
- Lying about the little stuff. There was no reason to lie, it was one of his hobbies though.
- If someone calls you crazy…. nope.
- Needing action/exciting stuff all the time.
- I wouldn't consider someone with debt, but I am picky about that.
- Just porn sex, bleh.
Need to work through some of your dating hangups before getting out there again? Online therapy is affordable and very convenient. Read reviews of major online therapy platforms. Or, connect with a certified mental health professional through BetterHelp.com. Read our review.
Feeling ashamed or lonely in your single-mom dating. Binging on TV shows and movies about others in your situation can help.
Being friends with an ex: Is it a good idea or should you avoid it?
Red flags in relationships are behaviors that hint (or scream!) that the other person is not available for a serious relationship — or even mentally unstable.
Laura Louis, PhD, owner of Atlanta Couple Therapy, says “I don't think that all relationships have red flags. But all relationships do have problems.”
Solid, universal relationship advice from Laura Louis, PhD, owner of Atlanta Couple Therapy: “If you notice any red flags, attend to it, and state your feelings without attacking the other person. Use ‘I' statements instead of ‘you' statements, which just make the other person defensive and less likely to listen.”
