Just to preface this by saying I'm aware this is probably me really over thinking and being a bit sensitive!
I bumped into a really old acquaintance today and as a relatively new single parent it took me by surprise how anxious I suddenly felt about what questions they might ask me and how I'd feel and how i would respond as I figured they would have been aware of my marriage but probably not the separation and one of the things I surprised myself by dreading being asked was oh where is x today? Or is your husband working?
The obvious answer is "it's just us" as in me and ds... but (and this is the over thinking part - I know!) "Just" feels a bit ... negative? Like it gives the connotation that there should be more but isn't. And it got me to wondering- is there a more positive way to reframe "no its just us" to make it feel and sound more empowering or less apologetic sounding especially within earshot of ds who has no involvement from his dad? I'm really aware of how use of language might affect him as he gets older and more aware of his lack of a father and I want him to grow up hearing phrasing that suggests that we as a two are enough and normal. Any suggestions for alternative answers/phrasing?