Man can fix dating rut in three simple steps

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/12/2018 (2502 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I’m always getting in the same rut, rescuing women who haven’t got their acts together. They all seem different in the beginning, but in the end they turn out the same. My father told me after meeting my most recent new woman that I was headed for the ditch again. I’m 41.

He said to me, “You have good credentials, but you’re aiming too low. You need a woman who matches what you have to offer. When are you going to get that fact of life?”

I was so mad, I jumped in my car and drove home. Who is he to tell me that? But then, in the middle of the night, I realized I do pick the same woman over and over again — different face, same brain, same lack of an independent, successful life. I always pay for everything. What do you think? Is my dad right? I’d actually like to get married and have kids and I’m certainly old enough with a professional job. 

— Thinking Hard About It, Southdale

Dear Thinking Hard: There are three rules you could use when considering whether a woman might be a potential life partner. Keep these simple deal-breakers in mind next time you want to ask a woman out: No job? No date. No place? No date. No car? No date.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: This is about Feeling Unloved, the older mom who found out from a grandchild that her kids are going to try to get her out of her home and into a seniors facility after Christmas.  Her kids had all moved to B.C. and were returning to Winnipeg for Christmas.

Why would the kids think that a seniors home is a good idea? What has changed? We don’t know exactly what stage of life this person is in. Can mom still shovel the walk, mow the lawn and keep the house clean? Are there friends and neighbours and a social network in this person’s life? Is maintaining a healthy diet becoming a problem?

You said she should let her kids know she is aware of their plan and that it won’t wash. 

I agree that “the talk” shouldn’t take over the holiday and family celebration, but there must be something we don’t know. If the kids are working at good jobs and have their own lives, then they probably don’t need the mother’s inheritance. They may be worried about personal safety issues and the fact that an elder is living alone. Who knows? 

— Concerned, Winnipeg

Dear Concerned: They may be worried, yes. But they may just be sick and tired of driving or flying the whole family to Winnipeg for Christmas and want to stay home. Knowing what she does from her little spy, Grandma should phone and tell them she’d be happy to come there, if they can cancel their flights without losing a ton of money.

Send questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave. Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6.

Miss Lonelyhearts
Advice Columnist

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