He wants to meet without children

[UniqueTraybake]

I'm part of a single parent what's app group and we live in a big city

One guy has recently joined and has attended a social. He's got his child 50:50.

It was the weekend and he messaged the group asking if anyone wanted to meet, he didn't have his child and he's the only single man in our group. We are mostly donor children.

What do you think, aibu in thinking that's weird?

It's a social group for single parents, which he is. It's not like he's doing a Mrs Doubtfire and trying to inflitrate the local WI.

You're not being bullied.

You seem to think this bloke is weird for asking to meet without children.

Some of us think you're being weird in the way you look at it.

That's all 🤷‍♂️

Yabu and I’m confused why you think he’s unreasonable.
It’s perfectly normal and acceptable to want to meet other adults without the kids. For example people may not want to take kids to a pub or a restaurant.
If you don’t have childcare then that’s obviously fine and not unusual but a lot of single parents have babysitters available and would like to relax for a few hours without the kids. If that’s not your cup of tea then that’s also fine.

I don’t know how you cope with life if you think a difference of opinion is bullying.

I think his messages sound like a tentative attempt to make some casual friends amongst the group. To have relationships that aren’t just about the DC.

They don’t sound weird to me, as I don’t believe he intended to proposition the whole group over WhatsApp

You dont go anywhere without your child?

WTF have i read.

This is the plot of the Hugh Grant film, About a Boy.

Bullying? 😂Gosh this took a weird turn. Stay at home with your child, you clearly can’t cope with life outside.

You beat me to it!

I was thinking the same!

Oh god yeah this is bringing back "spare bedroom sleeping arrangements" 😂

In most of the hobby groups I’m in, for a specific activity or “night” etc, it’s also perfectly normal for members to put out an occasional “hey, I’m thinking of doing X today, anybody like to join me?” or “weather’s looking great next weekend, anybody fancy a cycle / run / picnic meet up?”

If he were private messaging members individually it might be a bit weird if you aren’t particularly close, but most people join groups because they’re looking for connections and friendship and likeminded people to spend time with.

You’ve taken a seemingly perfectly innocent text from someone you’ve no evidence is anything other than a perfectly innocent man, you’ve posted about him on line to the point where anyone in your group would be able to identify him and you’ve called him weird.

And you’ve got the brass neck to be accusing other people of bullying behaviour? Someone is weird in this scenario. It’s not him.

I wouldn’t worry too much though; as soon as he gets to know you, I doubt he’ll be repeating the invitation.

Or perhaps I see things different

Good builders don’t need to spam random WhatsApp groups for work. If you have damp and mould, you need proper professional advice.

It’s ok, it’s just Emily (and Milly, obvs)

Wow. Seriously?

Well yes, that’s coming across loud and clear 🙄

Well I don't think anyone is disputing that

Yes I think it's because he just left it very open.... And the message for a date five months later.

Oh and he also wrote "I envisioned us all going camping". Just comes across as too much

Maybe he's just trying to make friends with other parents and meet up, the same way you would meet friends if you were child free?

I'm not sure why you are finding this weird or unusual.

He’s not hitting on one single person though? He’s asked a group of people who he knows if anyone is free, maybe he just thought as you were mostly single parents if someone was it’d be nice to do something? Maybe he’s just trying to broaden his friendship group. Also he may also be gay and not interested sexually in any of you like that anyway?!

😂😂😂😂

I can't see the issue here. Single parent asks other single parents if they would like to meet up when they are child free.

What was it that you found odd about this?

She’s finding it weird and unusual because, gasp, he’s a…. man…

Call the cops.