<p>I agree…huh? I would gladly treat my kids and a significant other to a meal out at a restaurant, I seriously doubt it would embarrass either of them. I would make the offer, and if they insisted on treating me, I would comply.</p>
<p>Soso, why do you think the son would be embarrassed if his mom offered to pay for the meal out? That absolutely makes no sense to me!</p>
<p>SoSo- Congrats on winning my Stupid Post of the Day award! I always treat my kids (even though they are both gainfully employed and one is married) when we go out. It’s just something we do. I don’t think my son feels emasculated at all. I think he feels very lucky since he needs his money!</p>
<p>We usually pay for our kids and their friends, unless it is a special occasion which my kids offer to take us out. When D1 visits her BF’s family, they also pay whenever they go out. On the other hand, if OP’s son should decide to pick up the tab at a diner for his mom and girlfriend it shouldn’t be that big of a deal. I am not sure why Sue needed to slip him some money to pretend he was the one who was paying.</p>
<p>We are in general very low key when meeting our girls’ new BF. I don’t personally take them too seriously until the relationship is at least 3-6 months old. I also don’t get emotionally too attached to their BFs, I only like them as much as my girls like them. D2 just broke up with her latest BF. The first time we met him, H and I said, “He is not going to make it. Not a BF material.”</p>
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<p>When H’s parents were still alive, and H was earning a lot more money than they had available in retirement, they still always picked up the bill if we went out to eat. Same with my parents. They always picked up the tab when we went out. I don’t think H felt emasculated for a second.</p>
<p>Sue, happy for you and your son. Nice to see you post again. On to our new phases in life. My D graduated from NYU on schedule and is also living in Brooklyn and working in Manhattan. I was in the same boat last year. She had a couple of boyfriends throughout college, but only met her current boyfriend and they still together. There is no question in my mind that you did a fantastic job raising your son.</p>
<p>Sue, thanks for the impressive story! You have much to be proud of. </p>
<p>S brought his serious grad school GF here to the Midwest from CA recently. Her first time outside CA. Wished I’d had more time to spend with her. I really enjoy these hints that the family circle may be expanded! </p>
<p>Of course I paid when we went out to dinner! Her dad paid for a graduation dinner for all of us last spring, and in their culture, one person hosts. It was very much my turn. Perhaps someday it will be S’s turn, but he needs a higher income first.</p>