Just curious - what would you do? Co-parenting

[PurpleSky300]

One of my friends got divorced about 5 years ago and is bringing up her daughter (7) with shared custody. In that time, her ex-DH remarried, she chose to stay single. Ex-DH makes every effort to include her in his new family life. She is invited to their house for Christmas, she is invited out for lunch and on social trips with DD, ex and his wife, all 4 go to school events etc.

She said to me recently that if she had a partner, nobody would think this set-up was odd - it would just look like good co-parenting. But because she's single and sometimes they get strange 'comments', she has started worrying that ex-DH and DW feel sorry for her / if she should draw back politely. I don't have kids so I don't really know what to advise, I was just wondering what other people thought. I guess my main concern would be - is DD ok with it all? - and then if so, I wouldn't care too much what others thought.

I think they should be proud of having such a decent response to a split. Their child is being raised with love and security, and it's sad that they're worrying about what other people think.

My Mum and Dad had a toxic relationship post split and it was horrible.

If it works for them then it's fine.

If she meets someone else or starts dating in the future she can change the arrangement.

It will change anyway as the child gets older and more independent or might change if her ex has more children.

People under rate good co-parenting relationships and on MN they are often seen as odd or "confusing" for the child but I think this sounds like a great situation especially if your friend has decided to prioritise her child over a new relationship.
When that changes she can gently and gradually move back, she wouldn't be introducing her child to a new partner straight away so she'd have time to make subtle changes to the situation.