How it works in the movies: Single parents have it made in holiday rom-coms. After a long day at work, you meet for a romantic dinner. You have two wonderful children and probably just came from a PTA meeting, but you only look disheveled in an endearing kind of way. After dinner, the night is still young. See where it takes you, because you definitely don’t have to get home to relieve the sitter.
Also, sorry for your loss, because you’re only single because your spouse died. Luckily, something about the crisp air and scent of pine has given you the closure you need to move on, put yourself out there, and find love again.
What would really happen: Um, do these people not know the going rate for a sitter? Unless they have grandparents living next door who are delighted to offer free childcare, an eight-hour date will set you back around $200, and that’s without dinner and drinks. Also, while c-parenting is a thing, so are bitter divorces.
In Christmas movies, most single parents are grieving lost spouses, and they’re finally ready to heal their family and give their lovely, well-behaved children a wholesome new father figure. (Or mother, depending on the movie.) In real life, you’re more likely to bicker with an ex about who’s year it is to have the kids for Christmas and when it’s acceptable to get them an iPhone.
