Branching off on the marriage thread, I am sure many of us have kids who are 30+ and have not met a long term partner. Although I am fully supportive of a decision to remain single or “self-partnered,” my child harbors dreams of a building family as well as a successful career. The pressure on this age group is tremendous, especially since so much of their vacation time, social life, and budgets go to attending friends’ weddings! As their friends begin to have children, their social dynamic is also changing which exacerbates the problem. I’m not sure whether the rise of internet dating has helped or hurt this situation. Anyone else feeling an uptick in anxiety as their children are navigating their 30s?
That would be my other kid. Over 30 never had a significant other. That said, he’s got enough Asperger’s traits, that he may be better off alone. I’d be lonely if I were him, but I don’t think he is. He sees people at work.
My soon-to-be 30 S does not have a SO at the moment. He had a gf for 1.5 years, but they broke up 1.5 years ago. Part of the problem is that they’re still good friends and he spends most of his free time with her and her friends. Hard to meet someone new under those circumstances. He’s shy and quiet, so meeting new women and feeling comfortable with them isn’t easy for him. His brief foray into the dating apps was not successful.
My 30 y/o smart, pretty, D does not have a significant other and would love to meet someone. Unfortunately, her job has very unpredictable hours so it’s not easy for her to date and though NYC is filled with men, it’s not easy to meet them. She uses dating apps to varied degrees of success, though other than one 10 month relationship that ended 2 years ago, I don’t think she’s been on more than a handful of second dates since. I have learned to accept what info is given me and that asking questions is not a good idea. I still believe she’ll meet someone when she’s not looking, but that may be an outdated idea.
There should be a CC dating app 
Our son is 32 with a very good job, tall, good looking, lives in Seattle, has never really dated, kind of a geek, and is socially awkward. He needs someone who would take the lead in a relationship. He is smart, clean, and has decent manners. Any takers ;)? Even a friend to do things with would be nice.
I have the sweetest, kindest most wonderful 30 something son. He is a great cook, loves the outdoors, and loves the arts. He has friends, but not a s.o. I hope he finds someone someday.
Gosh. This thread is discouraging to me! My ds is only 22!
My concern about his finding a SO is primarily selfish. As many others on this board, I had him a bit later in life - mid-30s - and I’d like some grandchildren before I am 70! I mean, I do want him to find someone wonderful and be happy - for his sake. But, what about meeeeeeeee and my need for grandchildren!!!
Raising my hand!
Oy, yes. Raising 2 hands, 1 for each daughter. I started a thread about dating late-bloomers about 6 years ago (I think) and my “kids” still seem to be chronically single at ages 30 and 26. Not sure how this happened but it definitely gets harder as more time passes. Younger D is not sure which gender she prefers, still tries dating apps, and speaks freely about her situation. Older is heterosexual, living out of the country right now, has tried dating apps in a very limited way and not for years, and is much more reserved. Like the OP, whatever makes them happy…but this really is a sore point for both of them. I think they both want to have kids. Hate to think this way, but given the state of the world, I would almost rather they find already-born kids to raise than produce new ones (but that’s another thread).
Oh lordy, raise both my hands, my feet, DH’s… Our oldest dated in high school, became fairly serious about one of them as they started college – the mom intervened and had the gf break up as sophomores. Broke his heart into itsy bitsy pieces. Fast forward to post 25; he dates a woman he adores despite several of his trusted friends waving him off, she breaks his heart into very itsy bitsy pieces. He volunteers and has several close female friends that have never converted to romances. A mother could lose her mind…
He says women only like high profile guys, but mostly he seems scared of your daughters’ ability to break his heart. He’s got an interesting steady job, his own place, is tall, not unattractive, funny, friendly, cooks, travels, calls his grandmother and dotes on his sister in law. But he seems to be squarely in the friend zone. I don’t care a bit about grandchildren, I just want him to have a someone. He deserves that! Tell your daughters to ask a guy out!
This was me up until last fall. S hadn’t had a serious gf for a few years. He is best friends with a couple exes, and lo and behold, at the wedding of one of them this fall, he met a girl! And they’ve been dating ever since. So, you never know…he’s also sort of shy, a little nerdy, smart, funny, but did not want to do dating apps. I wasn’t too worried for myself, since his sis has taken care of the grandchild issue, but I was concerned for him. Seems very happy now, so I hope this lasts a while.
My two oldest daughters, ages 27 and 25, didn’t really date in HS or college. They were very focused on academics and friendships. They got out of college, settled into their careers and said: “now it’s time for a relationship.” Both met their now long time boyfriends online - one on “Hinge” (been together almost 5 years) and one on “Tinder” (been together almost 2 years). (I’ve only recently stopped cringing when I say that.) It’s so the opposite of my generation (I met my then very drunk husband at a college fraternity party) but it seems to work for them.
I have friends who feel the same. One fulfilled her need for grandkids by volunteering at the local Boys and Girls Club…
Yup.
Yup, that was me until my eldest (set up with his wife by her cousin, a high school classmate of his - they married at 33 (him) and 36 (her) 2 1/2 years ago) provided the desired grandchild (the 15 month-old light of my life at the moment 
) and my middle son (met his wife on Bumble )is getting married in a month, so all I want is for D to be happy. She’s an associate at one of those crazy big law firms in NYC so her life and her time is not her own. It’s hard for many guys to understand. Even the doctors (residents) know when they have a day off. For her, a day off can become a workday at 3pm on a Saturday.
My eldest (19) is younger than most in this particular thread but he called a few weeks ago and fessed up that he’d begun dating a boy from SoCal. I’m thrilled to pieces for him! He’s smart, very good looking, and incredibly kind… but also quite introverted unless he knows you well and deathly afraid of romantic relationships.
I don’t particularly care how long this new relationship lasts, or how serious is gets, I’m just happy he’s comfortable enough in his sexuality to start dating.
Of course I would love to see him meet someone special. I was engaged at 21, married at 22, parent at 23 (my god, we were young and dumb!!) but I don’t see my eldest being at all ready for that in just a few years.
My son, just turned 23, is an employed journalist, straight, blond hair, blue eyes, 6’3", gamer, D and D dungeonmaster, picky eater, underweight, Christian, probably voting for Bernie if he votes at all, does his laundry and showers faithfully, but is a slob otherwise. Any takers?
My D is very pretty, smart, articulate, and makes friends easily. She’s had guys who were interested but so far, no romantic relationships and she’s 30! She lives in a house full of guys who are brothers to her.
S had one summer to Thanksgiving college romance and not much else. Now he’s had a GF for 3.5 years! They met online. I’m happy for them and we are fond of her.
I see a real potential of a CC dating service here.