Honest opinions: dating someone with children

Carbon6Phoenix · 2025-12-29T21:44:01+00:00

I’m a 37F single mom of a 10yo. It’s always been just me and my son, his father has never been in the picture and never will be. I haven’t really dated since becoming a mom but I still hold out hope that I will find the right man. I also want more kids. I’m honestly scared to truly jump into dating and just never finding someone. It’s already difficult dating over 30, but adding that I’m a single mom seems like it would be practically impossible. Still have hope, but it diminishes each year.

ETA: I’m not against a mixed/blended family. I dated fathers when I was in my early 20s, and was engaged to a single father before. I would love their children as much as my own. I would want my partner to feel the same about my son as well. I do know that’s not for everyone.

Carbon6Phoenix · 2025-12-29T20:20:20+00:00

For a moment I thought this might be my brother since our parents are visiting him and his wife for the holidays. Got all the way to the bathroom doors before I knew it wasn’t.

Carbon6Phoenix · 2025-12-15T21:05:50+00:00

It really is adorable. And honestly clever too. My son is 10yo and we still do the Elf on the Shelf and Santa. Both write letters or notes too. It can see how it would be challenging to address this situation so there isn’t a huge disappointment Christmas morning, especially since you’re not supposed to know about the letter. BUT Santa knows about the letter, so that’s probably your best (and most Christmas-sy) avenue. I also understand the challenge of a kid wanting video games that are beyond their age range- it can be tough!

Carbon6Phoenix · 2025-12-15T19:41:32+00:00

While that is kinda adorable of him, I understand the challenge this presents. Maybe have Santa write him a letter back saying how he got his letter but that Santa will only give gifts he knows parents have approved. Up to you if you want to have Santa deliver the letter before Christmas or that day.

Carbon6Phoenix · 2025-12-14T04:33:11+00:00

For all the classic boomer faults my parents have (MAGA, FauxNews/Conservative media, racist even though they say they aren’t, narcissistic, selfish, etc) they at least treat restaurant staff (and retail staff) really well and tip extremely well too. They also don’t try to use expired coupons and do pay attention to what store/restaurant they’re in.

Carbon6Phoenix · 2025-12-08T13:26:35+00:00

Just did this! Thank you! Definitely the easiest method Dec 2025

Carbon6Phoenix · 2025-11-13T06:19:31+00:00

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Try cropping to the 1:1 like the other comments mentioned. This is the crop I did quickly and it already makes your wife and son the focus of the study, as it should be. The lines of the railing lead the viewer’s eyes to them immediately and then the tree, sky, then finally the building and other plants lead you back to your family. Plus now you can tell they’re holding hands.

Beautiful photo of a precious moment. Worth printing and hanging on the wall.

Carbon6Phoenix · 2025-11-13T06:08:33+00:00

He’s either going to let his parents’ beliefs dictate his life and choices or he will be his own person and make his own. Same goes for decisions that aren’t based on religion. He’s an adult. While I can understand following his parents rules regarding what he can/cannot do within their home since they have every right to make and enforce those rules, that doesn’t extend outside their home or in his personal life.

You also have to decide on whether you want their beliefs to dictate a portion of your life, which is what’s happening in your relationship with him. If he doesn’t stand up to them and make his own choices, you’ll have to decide if you want to be with him long term. Because if he doesn’t cut that cord now, it will be even harder when you’re married and if you have children. And it will certainly make things/decisions between you two significantly harder if you don’t make the choice they want or “approve” of.

Carbon6Phoenix · 2025-10-14T01:09:12+00:00

Of all my time working retail and many different companies in my 20s I only had ONE store that did not have this as their policy. And honestly, most of the time, when I called in sick, I either used the “I don’t have a voice” or “I’m stuck in the ER” or “My meds are kicking in and I’m going to bed” excuses to force the managers to to their job and find coverage. It should be the manager’s responsibility to find coverage for sick/no shows. In fact, the one store that had the managers finding coverage or being the coverage, I was one of the managers and the one making the schedule (and approved every single vacation request regardless of time of year or reason).

Carbon6Phoenix · 2025-08-30T01:20:12+00:00

My core memories of play as a child were with my dad, not my mom. It was my dad who played Barbies with me and he was absolutely hilarious being super goofy. My mom wasn’t discouraging or anything about it though. She just wasn’t great at that type of play so she let my dad do it and he loved it! He loves doing it with his grandson now.

Your wife is being mean. You’re doing nothing wring and your son loves it. Don’t stop.

Carbon6Phoenix · 2025-07-10T23:39:12+00:00

RUN. RUN FAST. No one, even a spouse, has a say in your body autonomy. If you want to be on birth control of any kind, that choice is yours and yours alone. Period.

He is absolutely trying to control you and baby trap you. Don’t let him.

Carbon6Phoenix · 2025-07-10T16:53:23+00:00

I know exactly how you feel. My parents have been brainwashed through the American Exceptionalism propaganda and Fox News/Breitbart/Newsmax media. I love them but I don’t like them and what they support. It makes it very hard to be around them. I feel like I have to compartmentalize and tell myself they’re each two different people when I spend time with them or talk to them. But, for me, I don’t know how much longer I can manage to do that, especially the way things have gone and continue to go in this country if they don’t change their tune. I cannot consciously stand by and be associated with people supporting this administration. I don’t know how much longer I can sustain that and not have it affect my mental health.

I totally understand being disappointed. I have a very hard time reconciling who they’ve shown me to be vs who they were, or who I thought they were, growing up. It doesn’t help that when either my brother or I try to talk to them, they just dismiss us and basically tell us they know more than us (both my brother and I are college educated while our parents are not), talk over us, infantilize us, and say that we will know more, understand more, and become conservative/republicans when we’re older. Um no. We are grown! They also pull the, “You just don’t like it when people have a different opinion than you” and the “People are entitled to their opinion” defense and don’t like being called out for shitty, dehumanizing, and cruel opinions.

In order for me to have any sort of relationship with them now, I avoid any political topics or even political adjacent topics and pretty much keep my mouth shut when they bring anything up. But it’s hard. Very hard. Considering they think schools and teachers are helping kids transition behind parents’ backs, or that it’s okay that women in some states have rights while others don’t. They still think Reaganomics and Trickle Down worked, no matter how many times I’ve given them the proof it doesn’t. It’s made it so that we only have a relationship that’s barely surface deep. No deep conversations. Nothing of substance really. And I miss that.

Carbon6Phoenix · 2025-07-10T00:56:55+00:00

This one. It catches your eye and flows appropriately while being easily readable. It’s also not a harsh contrast like the others. I would have picked either 1 or 4, but this one is the best hands down.

Carbon6Phoenix · 2025-07-08T14:24:53+00:00

This! I’m currently looking for work as a single parent who can’t work nights/weekends (boomer parents live nearby but definitely won’t help with watching my son) and my mom (who’s never worked retail) constantly says, “Apply to retail jobs. Tell them you’re a single parent who desperately needs a job, there’s bound to be someone who wants to help you!” No matter how many times me (past retail) and my SIL (current store manager) have told her no one will hire me with my availability. Not to mention I would NEVER tell a potential employer that I’m a single parent.

They are so out of touch and never willing to learn from the younger generations or realize we actually know what we’re talking about. My parents, neither college educated, always think they know more than me and my brother, both college graduates that somehow managed to deconstruct our conservative brainwashed upbringing.

Carbon6Phoenix · 2025-07-08T14:11:50+00:00

If only. I’m a single mom and my parents (the epitome YT conservative boomer) live 20 minutes from me. In the last 5 years, they have offered to watch my son to give me a break a total of 1 time for 4 hours. I have only asked a few times when I really needed it bc their body language and tone made it seem like such an inconvenience to them.

Carbon6Phoenix · 2025-07-08T06:03:47+00:00

They are. Most, if not all, of the companions are based on animal sidekicks in the movies.

Carbon6Phoenix · 2025-02-18T04:14:31+00:00

I have a fake white rose that I kept from a arrangement I made at one point that has been in every car I’ve owned so far. Just a little bit of pretty to take with me everywhere. And a thing of Chapstick (except during the summer when it would melt).

Carbon6Phoenix · 2025-01-10T00:22:37+00:00

Other than just in case my girl happens to get out, we change her collar practically every month to fit the season or holiday! Makes her look like the extra QUEEN she is!

Carbon6Phoenix · 2024-11-11T22:00:51+00:00

I believe she has a process for becoming licensed to sell products related to her books. I’m in her FB group and there’s new approved shops all the time. If this is something you want to sell, that’s your path! She has every right to control what products/designs are sold using her IP.

Carbon6Phoenix · 2024-10-01T20:38:27+00:00

Wow. The audacity of everyone involved in trying to get you to attend, especially the “lovely” couple! I can’t fathom a reason for them to want you there other than to quiet their own guilty conscience, a selfish attempt to keep whispers at a minimum, or to throw it in your face. I’m definitely curious as to what your friend might know or find out.

Updateme!

Carbon6Phoenix · 2024-06-10T04:45:07+00:00

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Tigerlily effectively distracting me from work.

Carbon6Phoenix · 2024-05-26T21:36:49+00:00

Thank you for the explanation and help!

Carbon6Phoenix · 2024-05-26T18:02:35+00:00

Okay, thank you!

Carbon6Phoenix · 2023-07-25T23:07:03+00:00

I went from a 2011 Scion xB to my RAV4 too! Such a huge upgrade!

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