When my 8 y/o is handed back to her mum, hugs and waves for me mean everything

It means I'm succeeding at being the best dad I can for her in the trying circumstances of being a pair of seperated single parents.

She still gives me lots of unscripted hugs.

It's sad when she goes back to her mum, but I know it means my time for a little break for a day or two then back into work for the next week before seeing her again.

I could not put all that aside to have an adult romantic relationship again, and it would be next to impossible to find a 50+ woman accepting of my situation. I couldn't date anyone much younger as I'd be labelled as a creep for dating a 'significantly younger' woman, whether or not she has her own kids.

There's a big stigma in the 'manosphere' about single dads dating single mums, but there's an even bigger stigma on the 'womanosphere' about single mums dating single dads.

I still much prefer to be the 'invisible man' in social situations.

My daughter asked me a few days ago why I don't have any friends like her mum does and a lot of socialising, etc.. I just said it's because I'm 'different'. She understands as far as I can tell.

plinkplonk · F

I think there are a lot of women, in your exact situation, who would love to have a blended family with you. Life is difficult, it's nice to be able to share in the struggle ... when you are ready.

I guy I dated in high school. He got married, had a kid, got divorced and waited 6 years before dating. He found a woman who was 7 years younger and had kids his daughters age. They dated for a year and then he found out he had brain cancer and died 3 years later. You have no idea what life has in store for you.