How do you know if you like a guy? I'm 18, and only ever wanted to date one guy. Previously, I had absolutely no interest in others.

I'm confused about this one guy because I was initially dating him just for the experience. It didn't give me a "cloud-floating" feeling until after he'd ended it. I was fonder of him in retrospect than when together. I admit though, I did get nervous when I was going to meet him.

Do feelings always take time? Does it mean I have to give every guy a chance before knowing if I like him? Am I super picky and just not met many awesome guys?

Confused

Liking someone "in retrospect" is often a response to rejection... you feel cheated that you had no say in whether this might've become a true romance.

Yes, that means it's often much better to get to know someone before confirming your feelings.

The "cloud-floating" dreamy feeling rarely happens immediately... and even when it does, there's no guarantee it'll last. Instead of looking for "awesome," give decent, honest, likeable guys a chance, too.

I'm divorced and my ex and I haven't seen eye to eye on a lot of parenting issues. We've agreed to disagree, and rarely speak to each other about anything except the kids.

One of the biggest issues in our marriage was his passion for hunting and fishing which he does every chance possible.

When we met, I let on that I enjoyed fishing to please him. Now I realize I did things to be with him and I could care less if I ever saw another dead fish lying on a dock.

Every other weekend my kids are with their dad and he continues to fish/hunt every single weekend. My son loves it. My daughter, ten, has confided that she's enjoying these activities and goes along "to fit in." Her dad bought her a bb gun for her birthday, which she asked for, because she felt left out and wanted to be part of the group (her words).        She's a lot like me. I asked her what SHE liked doing and she said she loved horseback riding and being with her friends. She doesn't mind going along fishing and hunting once in awhile, but feels pressure to pretend she likes these things because she loves her dad and wants to please him.

How do I explain to her father that she'd gladly spend time with him doing other things? I feel great sadness that my daughter continues to be dragged along. I know he'll think I'm being critical and accuse me of picking on him. I do think it's great that he spends a lot of time with his kids.

Same Old

Don't impose your own feelings on your daughter... she may not like those activities a lot, but pleasing and being with her father is still very important to her. However, she can learn to speak up and this is what you should encourage. That'll be the difference in how you two have responded to him, and will affect her approach to future relationships.

Tell her to have confidence that her dad already loves her and is pleased by her. Now she can say that she'd like him to take her horseback riding, as it's something she really enjoys. And she can ask to bring a friend along on some of their outings. She'll have confidence in herself as well as in her choices, if you help her find her own voice.

My sister's living in a blended family with her son and her partner's son. It makes me happy to occasionally bring my nephew, four, a present but my sister says I'm causing problems.

I said that the toy was for the two boys to share but she wanted me to buy for both. I cannot afford it. Also, if I want to take my nephew out, I have to hide it from the other boy.

My sister doesn't help me tell my nephew our secret, and hide it from the other boy.

Unhappy Aunt

Your sister's doing the right thing to "blend" the family and she needs your support. This is about harmony and both boys feeling loved equally by a visiting aunt. It's not about you.

Outings with two little boys don't have to cost much - a park, a snack, that's all they need. Two small toys can be inexpensive too.