dating | The Whole Parent

Dating Men of a Certain Age: Bumble Is Not the Answer

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:February 22, 2021
Post category:Dating Joy Love relationship building Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad
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You can keep playing around on Tinder and the like. Or you can get on with your life and living and engage with people who are equally engaged with their lives. You need someone who's happy and thriving on their own. Who wants a relationship, but only when it's right. You need someone who is not wasting time chatting online with super-attractive partners who are 10-years younger.

the heart is an odd engine : a poem

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:February 18, 2021
Post category:Dating Joy Love Poetry relationship building Relationships Self-care Single-Dad Spirituality
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i do love the snow and you the drifting spin of lazy white flakes putting me at ease to sleep at peace with where i am in the world…

Online Dating Refresh 2021: Can We Start Over?

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:February 9, 2021
Post category:Dating Divorce Health and Fitness humans of divorce Joy Love relationship building Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad Spirituality
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I quickly and clearly expressed my change of plans and released them back into the stream of possibilities. Get more clear on your dating goals. And if you need someone to talk to about all of this crazy mess, I'm here.

Online Dating Optimized – The Next Chapter of Dating After a Breakup

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:April 25, 2019
Post category:Dating Depression Love Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad
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In a seemingly random and brutal series of events, my life began a transformative reorientation. I was praying as hard as I could. I was working an entry-level job (that I loved by the way) at a local specialty grocery store, and... horror of all horrors was/am living with my 85 yo, mom.

The Trouble with Alcohol: She Likes To Drink, I Don’t (Or Didn’t…)

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:April 20, 2019
Post category:Anger Dating Drinking Health and Fitness Married Life Relationships Self-care Single-Dad Third Glass Series
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If she drinks the third glass I begin looking for what I'm going to do that evening when she's fallen asleep. If she asks for water, my mind enters into a different set of fantasies that involve her participation. The real joy is that we've had this discussion.

I Cannot Fix Your Broken Wings, I’m Still Repairing Mine

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:March 10, 2019
Post category:Anger Dating Depression Health and Fitness Love Relationships Self-care Sex Spirituality
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In a relationship that is not quite right, we (I am) are constantly on guard for things to begin going wrong. And either you work through those issues together or you don't. And if you don't you will be miserable trying to stay together. Better to move on.

A Moment of Silence, Followed By… (checking-in on holiday depression)

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:November 12, 2018
Post category:Dating Depression Health and Fitness Relationships Self-care Sex
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Patience is not my nature, but it's probably my path forward. Jumping into a relationship that has big red flags is most definitely a path towards drama and disconnections.

Relationships at the Speed of Life: On Becoming a Couple Together

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:September 18, 2018
Post category:Dating Health and Fitness Joy Love Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad Spirituality
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I'm a handful. I'm whimsical. I'm capricious. I have a lot of irons in the fire. And, sure, I demand a woman with a high level of confidence and well-seasoned experience in relationship building. We've got to both be into the evolution of becoming a couple.