Ah, another installment of how disastrous and disappointing my dating life has been recently.

I recently started up a conversation with a lovely man, lives locally. We talk about general things, he seems respectful. There is overlap in people he knows that I also know. He’s big on taking things slow, letting things build and I have enjoyed getting to know him.

The problems started when we tried to make plans to meet. The first time one of us cancelled was because of me. There was a mix up in when my kid was leaving for university so I had to cancel coffee on a weekend. We arranged for something mid-week instead. Fine.

Until he had to cancel the morning of the drinks because he was feeling unwell. That’s okay, I thought. There’s still plenty of opportunity to meet up and see how we get on, right? Only three weeks have passed since then. Not only does he not seem that bothered about rescheduling plans but every time a weekend rolls around he also seems to have his child with him. Every single weekend.

I asked him recently, does that mean you have your child full-time? I was expecting that a divorced man might have some time on his own at some point? That’s a reasonable assumption, right? Only he seemingly does not. He said that he does co-parent but that there’s flexibility in his arrangement because of his work. Which I think sounds plausible, maybe? But to me something just seems off.

Unfortunately, even though he messages me most days to check-in, I am of the opinion that this dude is married or otherwise in a long-term committed relationship. And I don’t have any enthusiasm or energy to walk into the drama for this person.