Hi all first not sure if this be under parenting or not? But i'm a single dad of 16 yo boy (it's hell and fun at same time) and I work 12+ hrs a day, we've finally started getting along, but I want some me time. I've realized paying bills ain't everything and want to have fun and maybe find friends or other now. But to do so i've gotta cut time from somewhere, and feel guilty about anywhere I take it from, when I stay up late so as not to steal time from him or household stuff, I'm late for work! Should I just wait till he's grown or not? Let house fall down around us? Wanna be happy not sure how?
No, you should not wait. He's 16!! He can do stuff on his own, and surely he's got his own thing to do in life as well by now. 16 is the age where things become a lot easier, you can also talk to him about it, he will understand, as long as you convey it the right way. He knows about wanting to be with a girl, so he can surely understand YOU want to spend time with a woman. He may go eeewww.. don't mention sex, lol, kids do NOT want to know their parents want or have sex. But dating, why not? He's not a baby anymore, so stop treating him that way? He may even be happy to get some alone time on a Saturdaynight himself. He might tease you about dating, great!
You shouldn't hide from being human, a man. Kids in their teens can know, understand and learn to respect that their parent(s) also would like to do things themselves.
Make sure you still have quality time with him. It's not the quantity per say, it's the quality that counts! And that quality is also what he will remember when he's older ..
If need be, make a schedule, i.e. one Saturday afternoon or evening a month you go on a date. If you're real busy, don't go for 1 each week, just be realistic and see what you can fit into your life.
Oh and very much what No1 said: keep dates away from your kid, including phone calls if you can help it. Okay if he knows you date, no need to confront him with it (yet).
Edited by
SparklingCrystal 💖💎
on Fri 11/21/14 09:12 AM