What’s reasonable behavior to be expected when dating a man with kid(s)
how much is reasonable to expect a single dad with 50 percent custody to be a planful, thoughtful partner? my boyfriend has never taken me on a trip in the almost two years I’ve dated him. I was going to go on a business trip with him but I got sick. he tells me how much he loves and appreciates me, how he wants to marry me, all the things. I believe he is sincere about this if nothing else due to the fact that I have a much better financial situation, no kids of my own so could help him out with childcare, own a home, am considered conventionally attractive. feel free to check out my post history for more specifics.
what prompts me to ask this is I recently found out a trip to Cancun I thought/hoped he had purchased for a romantic getaway for him and me is actually a family vacation and he expects me to go along. I’m not even sure he’s going to pay for my plane ticket. theres no way I won’t be implicit childcare in this arrangement. Needless to say, I’m not thrilled about using PTO and possibly money to function as a free part time childcare worker.
im honestly kind of hurt that he has time and money to take 3 trips with his friends in the time we’ve been dating (3rd one is an expensive snowboarding trip this winter), but I’m not even worthwhile to take for a romantic getaway for a weekend somewhere. the only trip he plans with me is one where I will have a childcare role.
maybe my expectations are too high and this is normal for dating single dads. I realize his schedule is busier and finances are a little tight with supporting a child.
we don’t live together (tho he wants to), if that wasn’t clear from the post.
Posted Dec 7, 2025, 11:46 PM UTC