Monday, June 25, 2012

Dating after 30...limited choices

So, I've been 30 for awhile (like nearly 2 years now).  I have found that the guys I meet or date generally fall into the following categories.  And hey, I came up with this list all on my own, I didn't even steal it from someone else. 

The Divorcee
Yes, I've hit that point where it's difficult to find a man who hasn't been married before.  And I have to say this can definitely go many ways (although it's not usually good).  Often people marry too young and grow up and out of love with each other and end up as divorced at an early age.  But more often than not there were issues in the marriage that necessitated it's end.  So what about dating these divorced men?  Well, on the positive side, they've lived through it (hopefully) learned a lesson or two and could be a great boyfriend or husband.  Hopefully they have decided that this time they are going to make it work.  But I would say a lot of divorced husbands are carrying some major baggage about women in general following a divorce as most of them aren't very amicable affairs. 

The Daddy
Ahh, the man with kids.  Now, I like kids, I really do.  But I'm not 100% sure about dating a man with kids.  Talk about baggage - words like custody, child support and baby mama strike fear in my heart.  It would be fine if it was just the kid, but there is so much more attached.  The kid is like a constant reminder that the man has slept with another woman (I kind of like to imagine that I'm always his first - as he is mine, I don't want to picture my man with another woman).  He will always be linked to an ex (that obviously didn't work out) but it's always a danger of those old flames reigniting!  And god forbid he has custody (especially full custody) because try finding a free night where you can go out on a date.  Time suck with kids is huge - and that's fine if the the kid is yours - but if it's not and you are trying to start (and/or maintain a relationship it's difficult).

The Psych Patient
You know the guy who carries more baggage than could fit in a normal sized home - yeah, that guy is always available for you!  Now, I'm not one to distract attention or dis anyone with mental illness (as I suffer myself) but this guy has more baggage and issues than even a psychiatrist could treat.  He could be neurotic, or super type A.  Any crap he has is his own and you really don't want to get involved.

The Picky Bastard
This guy is 30+ too, and honestly every minute we get older our available dating pool is getting smaller and smaller.  Think, in college and your early 20's your dating pool was Olympic sized, now we are looking at one of those cheap plastic kiddie pools you throw in the backyard and they get all scummy after the water has been in them too long (yes, do you get the methophore now!)  Anyway, the Picky Bastard is still acting like he's swimming in the Olympic pool and can pick and chose off the checklist in his head.  Note, you usually will get "dumped" by this guy for something off his list

The Cub
Ugh, I hate to admit this - but I guess I'm considered a "young" cougar.  EWWWW.  But I can count on both my hands and feet the number of YOUNG boys who have contacted me and wanting to date an older woman.  Just the whole idea seems a bit creepy to me.  I can handle a couple of years younger and a couple of years older - but once you get over 5 years age difference there can be some major issues!  He might not even know the Thong Song, while many of us rocked that out in school.

The (Seriously) Older Man
Like i said, I don't mind guys a couple of years older, but when you get over 10 years older it gets a little much.  Men already have a life expectancy shorter than woman.  I don't want to marry a guy, then have him croak and have to deal with all that.  Or god forbid, he's just looking at you as a trophy wife. 

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