Do your kids try to fix you up?
That’s why we’re both devouring her latest novel Labor Day, which she admits was partially inspired by her own life as a single mom. One anecdote, in particular, is about the time that her own son, Charlie, tried “to find me a boyfriend.”
“We were living — my three kids and me — in the not-very-big New Hampshire town we’d moved to after my marriage to their father had ended,” Joyce says on her site.
“Charlie had come with me to the supermarket that day. As the guy at the cash register was adding up our purchases, he’d recognized me from some book jacket, I guess, because he started talking with me about my writing, and how much he liked my books.
After I paid, and we were heading to the car, Charlie nudged me. ‘That guy might be a good boyfriend for you,’ my son told me. ‘You should let him know where we live.’ ”
Interesting role reversal, don’t you think?
Joyce goes onto add that this supermarket checker was almost certainly gay. Also, in real life, she “was a single mother for most of the years I raised my kids” — and didn’t end up with a guy she met at the grocery store.
Still, the themes that Joyce explores through her fictional character, Henry, are very real for many of us: “Longing for romantic love. The dream of a family. A parent’s responsibility for a child. A child’s, for a parent. The fear of loss. The dream of a second chance.”
We applaud Joyce for putting her own struggles — and triumphs — into her latest novel. We’d also love to give away her novel to three of you!
So, that leaves us wondering:
Have you had similar experiences with your own kids?
Have your kids ever tried to fix you up?
Share your “kid fix up story” — or simply leave a comment to enter.
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Ultimate go-to guide for single mothers. The Complete Single Mother is the only comprehensive and best selling self help book ever written for single parents. It’s packed with savvy advice, sisterly comfort, as well as reassuring answers to all your single mom challenges. |
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Read the book! Single Mom Seeking is a tell-all about how to date and remain a dedicated and involved parent. It’s a spunky, sexy, and moving chronicle of the humor, pitfalls, and rewards of balancing it all — single-mom style. |
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My 15 yr old takes joy in spying single men.. or.. what appears to be single men… to fix me up with. If he’s not wearing a wedding band is one sign she’ll look for.. Handsome, well groomed/dressed.. African American. Although she knows I’m open to interracial dating, she never flirts with white guys on my behalf. She’s great at match-making her friends and figures it’s time to try her hand with ummm.. for me. So far: A restaurant manager; A butcher and two cops. The restaurant manager never called. The butcher wears braces and send text messages like, “Hi” & “What R U Doing?” Both cops were in a relationship. ONE was just too darned old!
She knows I’m not lonely, she just thinks I don’t have too much of a social life and would love to see me go out dancing and laughing out loud more. She’s sweet. But, I think that I will do better on my own. I really don’t like that she’s so forward with men like that. But only in the mall or book store or grocery store.. Of which she goes with me NO more! Makes me look desperate and I think they think, I’m sending my child to do a woman’s work. But it is fun!
JackiesMagic´s last blog ..Meeting random people
Twitter @ Singlemomindebt
My 13 year old son comments about his friends dads that are single. I get the “You know David’s dad is single. Why don’t you date him.”
Kids… gotta love ‘em !
Single Mom Paying Off Debt´s last blog ..Extra $1250 to pay towards debt !!!
JackiesMagic: Welcome! Your daughter sounds precious and very observant. She obviously loves you very much. Keep us posted. We’d love to know if she spots a special someone for you. And, by the way, looking for a wedding ring is the a great way (for any of us!) to start.
Although Im sure my boys would love to have a man around the house, they are far too young to even think of doing anything like that. If they did it would probably be the mailman or one of the firemen from the firehall across from our house LOL I would love to read the book though!
Twitter @ http://www.singlemommindy.blogspot.com
Oddly, none of my kids has tried to fix me up. I say oddly because I’ve been single for over 7 years and have two teens and a tween so you would think it would have happened at some point but it hasn’t.
What HAS happened though is I have met some single dads who are fathers of my kids’ friends. I’ve never actually dated any of them but it is kinda weird to be chatting with a guy in a bar to find out his son is friends with my daughter. Small world I guess.
MindyMom/Single Mom Says…´s last blog ..Four Years Ago Today…
Nope my girls are still to young. But would love to try and win the book!
Haha! Whenever I go out or have a meeting or something for which I have to call the babysitter, I prepare my 7 yo with “So-and-so’s going to come hang out with you while I…”. Recently, he had a male paraprofessional in his summer class, so he started telling me that he had “plans”, and Mr. Rob was going to “come and hang out with” me! Not sure if he’s trying to “fix me up”, but I think he’s catching onto the idea!!
Twitter @ http://www.singlemomsaves.com
My son is 3 years old, and we’ve discussed the possibility of me having a boyfriend in the near future. I think he’s kind of excited about this, but on a few occasions he’s blurted out “You’re not my mommy’s boyfriend!” when I was talking to someone I was obviously attracted to! Maybe it’s his cute way of trying to set me up??? Hehehe…
No, my kids have never tried to fix me up, which my wife wouldn’t like anyway. But I’d love a copy of the book, and I love your site.
Steven Friedman´s last blog ..The Taut Ties That Bind
Twitter @ nich512
My son at one point had that thought but now believes I will just be alone, what a loving son, huh….
I would love a chance to read a book by a single mom who has been there done that.
Twitter @ http://avigail74.blogspot.com
This is somewhat funny—here I am 35 years old and am STILL trying to fix my mom and dad up! I just found a lovely, Jewish woman ( a friend of mine’s mom) for my father. He didn’t want to meet this lovely woman because she has too many grandchildren (12) and he only has one…sigh…the list could go on!
Avigail74´s last blog ..Gypsy Family
Twitter @ http://www.singlemommyhood.com
Avigail: Love it! I recently tried to do the same for my father… it didn’t go well.
My daughter is 13 & has never has tried to or considered fixing me up. She does always bring to my attention when she thinks a guy is flirting with me or looking at me. She makes a pretty big deal about it. I woild be so embarrased if she took it upon herself to try & fix me up. Yikes!
My oldest son today asked me why I don’t have a boyfriend so that he could finally have a dad. He’s 10 and I know he has a void in his heart, but he doesn’t understand how much work a boyfriend can be.
When my daughter was 1-2 she would say “Daddy?” to every guy she saw. Anywhere. Kinda felt like she was trying to tell me something. LOL.
Jennifer´s last blog ..Business people: Learn from your kids
My daughter is only 14 months so I don’t think it will be for a while. I would love to be able to read this book though.
Nope – I don’t have any stories… but I’d love to read this book!
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
Mozi Esmes Mommy´s last blog ..Fashion Friday
I’m a volunteer youth leader at my church and consider the teenagers in the youth group to be “my kids”. They haven’t done a lot about trying to set me up with guys, but there are a few who have made some comments or suggested various guys in the church. Nothing’s come of it yet, but, for those who seem to have a good eye and good heart, I tell them to keep their eyes open.
Sounds like a fun book.
Thanks for the chance to win!
Just got the email that I’m one of the winners! Whoo-hoooo!! I love winning stuff! Just told my facebook friends, too. A few of ‘em are single mommies..Maybe you’ll have more new friends here!
Thanks for a lovely place to visit while online! Thanks for choosing me! AND I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED!! Wedding rings, huh? Great idea! I’m on it!
Blessings! And I’ll be back!
JackiesMagic´s last blog ..I feel a sin coming on ….