I'm 31, single mum to 2 DC. I separated from exH a year ago, we were together for over 10yrs before that so the last time I was dating was in my late teens!
There is a man I really like and I feel so out of my depth with dating these days I don't know what I should do! He's a single dad, his DD is in the same school year as my eldest DS. We've known each other in passing for a few years as the DCs went to nursery together but it's only since we've seen each other more regularly on the school run that we've started to talk a bit more.
He's really great, seems so kind and thoughtful. He's a wonderful dad to his DD and very involved parent (50% custody since she was very young). I really admire his parenting style and how patient and understanding he seems to be with her. Everyone I know from the school group talks very positively about him (things along the lines of 'oh have you met Brian? Isn't he such a nice guy?' etc) he seems the kind of person who gets on well with everyone. Physically he's exactly my 'type' and I find him very attractive.
I see him a couple of times a week on the school run and occasionally when the DC are invited to the same parties etc. We've chatted quite a bit at a surface level (about DC, school, weekend plans etc) and the conversation always feels really easy. There have been a few times where it's just the 2 of us and I've felt there's been a connection with more intense eye contact and smiling but I could be completely making that up because I want it to be true!
The problem is I only see him for 5 minutes a couple times a week (sometimes less if we're late / kids are ill etc) and there isn't really a lot of opportunity to get to know him better. I have his phone number because our DC have attended each others parties and there was also a time where he asked if he could take a photo of our DC doing an activity at school together (think sports day / school fair) and said he had my number so would send the pic to me after (which he did). Would I be completely crazy to text him and ask if he'd like to go for a coffee or something? I've never asked anyone out in my life!
I'm worried that if he says no it'll be really awkward and I'll have to avoid him for years until our DC leave school! I'm also in a nice little friendship group of school run mums which includes his DD's mum - we're not close but get along well enough. For what it's worth she is with someone new and has talked about setting her ex up with people before so I don't think there are any lingering feelings there but could still be awkward!
Any advice welcomed please, I feel like a teenager again 🙈 Sorry this is so long!