my son's advice

Hi
all u single moms out there.. Its a beautiful world.. so what if you aint getting any child support or any support for that matter from your ex, so what if he has gotten remarried and has another child and you are still wondering if you should start seeing guys again!

As my first post here goes.. this is something that i wrote last year and which appeared in october in toi..

My Son's Advice

Swati Deshpande

''Why did you get divorced?'' This was not a question I was equipped to answer close to midnight. So the an swer went, ''Sometimes, you know, two adults can't stay together''. Thankfully the questioner was accommodating enough and shot out the next question which literally took my breath away. ''Why don't you remarry?'' and an earnest ''You must'' followed. I was floored. I looked into his eyes and told my eight-year-old, ''Sure, I will''. I thought, how ironical — most single mothers would be worrying about whether their child would accept a new man in their lives. And here was my son who was telling me to get my act together and get him a new dad. ''I want a dad. Please find a nice guy. He must really be nice'', my son's voice broke my reverie. I stuttered, ''I will. But it's difficult''. The Spanish Inquisition went on. ''What about your colleagues?'' We both burst out laughing. ''Most of them are married'', said I, a little relieved. But the little monster would not stop. ''Most. Not all''. He will surely become a lawyer when he grows up, I thought quietly. I tried a different tactic. ''You know, first I must find a nice guy and then it's the guys who do the asking''. But the lad persisted. ''Not necessary. You can ask''. And with a final command to do just that, he wished me good night. Two days later I was woken up with ''So, did you ask?'' It took a second to register. And we both giggled. Only kids and bosses can follow up with such persistence. I had to admit I had not 'asked'. He looked a tad crestfallen. But immediately perked up with more suggestions, ''What about your friend's colleagues?'' Ever the escapist, I told him that it was breakfast time. This little fellow was certainly more evolved than even many young Indian men. The conversations did trigger a sense of panic. Was I letting my child down by not providing him with a complete family? Was I running out of time? It also made me realise that kids today are more mature. Sure it would be great to have two coffee mugs and one Ovaltine at the table. But what the heck?