Less Supportive Friends and Family
Wouldn’t it be nice if the family and friends were on board with where you are in relation to your readiness to be dating?
Yesterday was Thanksgiving. I could have brought a date to avoid the pitying glances of the various aunts, uncles and cousins, all of whom are married with children, but because of the lack of support from my mother, I had to come alone (dinner was at her house). She subscribes to Dr. Laura’s opinion that women who have children should forego dating and marriage until the kids are out of the house. My kids were with their dad and the bimbo, so I didn’t even have that distraction.
While everyone was playing 31, comfortably cuddled up to their spouse and children, I lay on the couch and nursed my cramps with a rice bag and dozed off and on for a couple of hours. Yup, I was seriously the life of the party! I just couldn’t be the lone partner in the card game. Too much to handle with pms to boot.
As I was inwardly whining about having not taken a date to Thanksgiving dinner, I realized that it could be worse. What if I was in no way ready to be dating and they were all pressuring me to do so? Yikes. That would not be pretty! I’m such a rebel without a clue that I would probably never date again just to make ‘em think.
So yes, it would be nice to have my mom (and some of my less supportive friends) on board with my decision to date regardless of having children at home, as it would be nice for those who are not ready to date to not be pressured into it by their friends and family. But I guess that is part of our challenge in this mortality: to make decisions for ourselves regardless of what those whose opinions mean much to us decide for us. We are our own agents.
Now get out there and date! Or not!
Thanksgiving, family, friends, supportive family, dating, dating with children, marriage, pressure
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