Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with singleparent

Just the three of us

hadjiboy — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:45:45 -0800

Single mom/Single parent: How does one go about building a lasting relationship with a single mother, to show her that you will not only be there for her, but also for her son? (She's 22, and he's under five I'm assuming.) I'm pretty good with kids, but have no experience what-so-ever dealing with a child whose father is not in the picture. (We haven't yet discussed it in length, so I don't know the specifics of who the biological dad is, but I do know that this woman is special, and if there's any chance in hell--I would really, Really like to take things forward with her the best way I can.) Also, for any of the Single Parents out there: what's the best way to proceed in doing this. We've already started talking and have got a good rapport going, and I don't want to mess things up by asking the wrong questions (eg: when do I bring up the topic of her son in a little bit of detail?).

Thank you to anyone in advance who can shed some light on this for me. Much appreciated!

Younger Guy, Older Woman: Tell Her Kids?

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 17:28:51 -0800

Soap Opera Situation Filter: I'm suddenly seeing a much younger guy - who happens to be the son of a very close friend and, as if that is not enough, is also a good friend of my children AND is currently living on my couch. We've been keeping it secret. Should we tell my kids and if so, a) when and b) how? And if we don't tell them but they find out somehow, is there any kind of preventive damage control we can do now? There's a 23 year age difference (he'll turn 21 in 2 months.) I was close to his mother and knew him well as a child, but then I moved away when he was about 12. His mother & I have always stayed in touch and she ended up moving near me about 6 months ago, which brought him back into my life, suddenly a devastatingly attractive adult. He's gone through some rough times - last year, his father died and he went through some bad drug problems. He's clean now and serious about staying that way. He's living with us since his family lives way out in the boonies and transportation, etc. is much easier from my house. He moved in about a month ago. He's about halfway in age between my two children, who are 15 (son) and 24 (daughter,) close to both of them and in fact he, my daughter and her boyfriend are currently planning to rent a house together.

Which would all be well and good, except that this past weekend we spent a lot of time together alone and, probably inevitably, ended up in bed. It turns out that the wild attraction I've been feeling for him (that I've been really, really, hopelessly trying to suppress) is mutual. We get along brilliantly - like the same music, the same books, same movies and so on. We have a great time together. We laugh at the same dumbass jokes. And physically, oh. my. god.

He says we should keep this secret: that the fallout will be terrible and I know he's right. This may not go anywhere, probably won't: I know that too. I just am terrified that one of the kids will walk in on us at a bad moment (we're being very careful but hiding stuff like this is hard, and it's a small house.) I'm afraid my children, my son in particular, would be horrified and betrayed and never speak to me again or something. I honestly don't know how they'd react. I've been divorced for many years, so that isn't an issue, but I haven't dated anyone for a long time, either, and they're used to me being alone. On the other hand I think his mother & stepfather would be pretty happy about it: that's not a conversation that's worrying me at all.

I'm trying to live in the moment right now, and I do honestly feel that it's noone's business but ours, but I'm aware that we have a ticking time bomb in the living room here. So. Should we keep on trying to keep this secret, at least for a while and then, if it fizzles or becomes unbearable, noone ever need know? And what is a while, really? Two weeks? Three weeks? Three months? Should we tell them, and if so, how exactly does one phrase something this, um, unusual? And, bonus question, if we do get caught, what kind of damage control will be possible?

Yeah, I know this is kind of skeevy. We've talked about it and he surely doesn't feel any kind of quasi incestuous molestation is going on here. He's been living on his own since he was 17. He's very mature, certainly not a virgin and, considering that by the time I was his age I had a toddler and the beginnings of divorce proceedings, I don't confuse 20 year olds with infants. I'm as taken aback by the whole thing as anyone else, but on the other hand I'm having a great time, so "You should both be dipped in bleach; dump each other immediately and do penance" responses are not really what I'm looking for here.

poopin' tooth and nail.

DragonBoy — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 07:06:46 -0800

ToothfairyFilter: Yesterday my six year-old son swallowed his loose tooth. Now the tooth is in his digestive tract and I'm sure there is The little guy is worried that the tooth will stay in his stomach and never come out, so he's asked dear old dad, me, if I will be willing to disect his poop in an effort to retrieve the tooth. He really wants to see the tooth again and doesn't care about what kind of shit I'll have to go through to get it.

My question for you, fellor MeFites, is how long will it take for a tooth to work its way through the digestive tract and come out the other end?

Bonus points if you can suggest the easiest and most sanitary way to explore poop, what sort of damage the digestive system will do to the tooth and how to best clean a tooth post poopage.