Dating thread 216 ... spooky fun in cuffing season

[BelladiMamma]

Hi everyone

Can someone else please copy and paste the rules as my screenshot is crap 💩

As Ms @SpringlikeBunk has kindly asked here goes, I know I haven't mentioned anyone previously, been a bit nervous

YummyMummy#1 has declined an invite out to dinner tonight (with all DCs) I really don't know where to start regarding YM1 apart from she doesn't want me and I think she's amazing

Been chatting to MsSunglasses for the past 4 weeks but the last 2 have been more intense, only chatting via email tho, had a very flirty exchange involving tea and cake but no rude language at all which I like. No dates arranged yet but I do like her a lot

@StartingAgain6369

Yeh I think that’s quite normal in dating land - to have a few chats open but nothing solid occurring? Hopefully a date zero with real tea and cake with MsSunglasses at some point - have you raised meeting yet?

@SpringlikeBunk

Whoop whoop on confirmation *@BelladiMamma*

Bet you have butterflies! 🥰

Ha! He still has 25 hours or so in which to change his plans or get a better offer

But he left me the sweetest voice notes this afternoon before going to the theatre 🎭 so still thoroughly smitten 🥰

@SpringlikeBunk

Myself and YM1 go back 15 years, very complicated back story

MsSunglasses has agreed to meet for tea and cake but is nervous and won't set a date atm, I'm fine with that as it's still new for both of us. Hopefully we can meet up soon

Oooh another date with Mr Actor good luck @BelladiMamma what are you going to wear?

Drinking and shagging Ms Wales (hopefully)

Well I've just got free tickets to the new Will Smith film (thanks Telegraph subscription) about the Williams sisters so I thought why not ask Mr Cricket (we both like tennis). I know its on a day he usually sees his daughter so I'm not expecting him to say yes but no harm in asking and they were free so no money lost.

Very happy birthday to you both @Isitreallyme177 and @JustAnother0ldMan. Hope Plan B is just as celebratory isit, and have a fantastic time with Ms Wales just
Not much of a roll call for me, still sitting on the smitten bench with Mr D(imples) and been together for about 4 months now. I mentioned earlier about feeling like a self-sabotager but words from @WeWantTheFinestWines still echoing in my mind and I'm just going to hold tight. My mental/physical health has had a big dip so I feel it's probably all related. He's a wonderful guy and I have completely fallen for him so I won't let go
Hope all the weekend plans pull off @BelladiMamma and Mr Actor doesn't flake (it doesn't sound as though he will!)

@JustAnother0ldMan and @Isitreallyme177 happy birthday. I hope you have bit had lovely birthdays

I have a date 0 tomorrow and 2 potential dates 0's next weekend. All from bumble.

I haven't named any yet and I should probabaly do a little swiping on tinder this weekend.

Good luck on your date zero and swiping @Dancerinthemoonlight 💛

Happy birthday folks!

I'm in a real grump this weekend. Realised ive been actively dating for over 4 years and I'm just so tired of it. But of course I'm back on the apps and swiping, it's just disheartening 🙁

Just having a whinge, that's all.

@Isitreallyme177 and @JustAnother0ldMan Happy birthday 🥳 hope you are having a wonderful day.
I didn’t have any hugely exciting weekend plans but Mr V is having to do a LFT as one of the friends he went away with last weekend has tested positive for COVID. Hoping obviously that Mr V is negative as I don’t want to go 10 days without seeing him- I don’t even know what the rules are now. I guess we will cross that bridge if we get there.
Hope everyone has a lovely weekend and good luck with your dates. @SpringlikeBunk, how’s things been this week with Mr Hedgehog? Are you seeing him this weekend?

All quiet on that front @Onesmallstep67

I’m away hiking before weather gets bad quite soon so if he gets in touch good if not I’ll see how things are over the next few weeks?

(I’m generally quite a fan of sparse contact from both ends so if I get in touch it’s more significant?)

Went after work Friday shopping after a hellish week so going to pretty myself up and practice self care.

I found week before last with all the date zeroes (downing several cocktails, late nights, all sequenced close together) really quite challenging and tiring - my alcohol limit has just gone right down and if I can’t get to the gym and cook and eat healthily I feel rubbish

So if I’m back on the apps at some point must be more controlled with scheduling.

[quote Onesmallstep67]**@Isitreallyme177* and @JustAnother0ldMan* Happy birthday 🥳 hope you are having a wonderful day.
I didn’t have any hugely exciting weekend plans but Mr V is having to do a LFT as one of the friends he went away with last weekend has tested positive for COVID. Hoping obviously that Mr V is negative as I don’t want to go 10 days without seeing him- I don’t even know what the rules are now. I guess we will cross that bridge if we get there.
Hope everyone has a lovely weekend and good luck with your dates. @SpringlikeBunk, how’s things been this week with Mr Hedgehog? Are you seeing him this weekend?[/quote]
He should be getting a PCR if he's been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.

Ah, thanks @VanGoghsDog, I will tell him. Hopefully he’ll be negative. He’s technically on a zero hours contract so I hope for his sake he doesn’t have to have that time off work. He’s been quite worried generally about Covid.

@SpringlikeBunk, I admire your self awareness about prioritising your needs. And how generally chill you seem about taking control of your dating choices.

@Onesmallstep67

Ah, thanks *@VanGoghsDog*, I will tell him. Hopefully he’ll be negative. He’s technically on a zero hours contract so I hope for his sake he doesn’t have to have that time off work. He’s been quite worried generally about Covid.

It's a nightmare, isn't it? He'd still be entitled to statutory sick pay though if he's met the minimum earnings threshold.

I'll be interested if any ladies would care to comment.

Back storey, separated for nearly 4 years, exW after 18 months found new bf and a year after that moved in together, myself stayed single but a close friendship with YM1

I've taken DD2 (13) out tonight for a bite to eat, on the way back I mentioned girlfriends, immediately she said I don't need anymore fake parents or fake step brothers or sisters, so I said what if I meet a lady in her 20s 30s or 40s who hasn't had any babies but wants some, I was told I can't date anyone who's in there 20s and she said regarding the others bin them off!

Now I know I said 20s to poke a reaction (yes I know that's naughty) but the bin off comment surprised me

Ladies with teenagers, especially DDs, do you discuss partners with them dates etc or even general things? What reactions do you get.....

Thanks @Onesmallstep67 - I guess I’m just mindful of not overfunctioning to “get the man” - plus I’m a little bit conscious I’ve worked so hard to open up certain life opportunities so I don’t want a bloke (however endearing and cute!) to jeopardise that!

Of course I’d be delighted to hear from him and if he suggests meeting again will be very open to that, but not feeling in a huge rush right now.

Shopping report - three skirts to return but can keep shoes (curse of no fitting rooms )

@StartingAgain6369, it sounds to me like your DD has had a negative experience with maybe her mom’s dates ? She may be feeling destabilised by the changing dynamics. She will also most likely be developing her own views and experiences of dating( fancying people) I have 2 DDs but I was widowed so a rather different scenario because there was only my dating choices for my girls to deal with. Mostly they have been very accepting of the men they have met - only 3 in 8 years ( just guys I had a proper relationship with). Is your DD an only child? Has there been a stable routine of spending time with both you and her mom ? It might also be simply that the idea that her parent would have a child ( sex 😩) with someone the last thing she wants to imagine on every level. From my years as a teacher young people tend to not like change and she may feel she’s still processing and dealing with the changes her parents splitting has brought about.

@StartingAgain6369 my DD (15) is not impressed that I am dating. She was very upset at first and we spoke about it a few times to try and manage her fears (main fears being I’d move away or I’d move her away from her dad or a man would move in - none of which will be happening). She’s still not happy but hasn’t said anything , just gets super sulky when it’s her weekend with her dad as she knows I’ll be seeing Mr L.
I know I came on here in a panic at the time wondering if I should end things with Mr L just when they were getting going and I got great advice from other posters.
I would try and gently get to the bottom of your DD’s fears and reassure her as much as possible.

Thank you @Onesmallstep67

I've got 2 DD, the oldest is 17, she didn't take the split well but both have said they understand why

The younger started off weekends only and is now alternative week between myself and exW

My oldest only does weekends but that has only been in the last 18 months

Perhaps you are right regarding sex, that never crossed my mind, I was thinking they prefer me single and to themselves, I do tend to pander to them

Thank you @MayEye

I'm not planning on introducing any partner to the girls but I'm trying to prepare myself

Speaking to friends away from MN it seems parents with daughters have more of a interaction with mum/dad dating than sons