Blog Posts by Redbook

I am a single father looking for love, and my biggest problem is that a lot of women will not date me because I'm a dad. I am not a big drinker and partier, so the possibility of meeting women out in the social environment is nonexistent. I am active in many hobbies, but they are hobbies where I tend to be either by myself or with other men. I have tried the online dating thing, and it didn't work for me. I'm also pretty shy. So my question to you is: How can I meet a woman with my current situation being the way it is? - J.D., 34, San Antonio, TX

Related: How to Have a Better Relationship


I find it hard to believe that women are turned off because you're a dad. In my neck of the woods, a caring single dad is almost as appealing as a man in the park with a new puppy. So I'd say it's not your life circumstances that are holding you back; maybe you're just looking for love in all the wrong places (as the old song goes). You mentioned not being able to meet women "out in the social

by Alice Bradley, REDBOOK

While visiting the Today show, Michelle Obama told Matt Lauer that she doesn't allow her kids on Facebook. Just when I thought I couldn't love her any more, she goes and says this. Oh, Michelle. Your parenting is as spot-on as your ability to accessorize.

Related: The Best Mom Moments

I am highly resistant to the idea of my kid on any kind of social network. Right now Henry has zero interest in Facebook, but he is ITCHING to register on Lego.com so he can voice his opinions on the latest Harry Potter set or how the Lego figures should all come with several different heads so he can change their expressions. Fortunately, you can only register to comment on their products if you're thirteen or older. Yesterday he found some kind of a community aspect on the site, and asked if he could join that. I reminded him of the thirteen-and-up rule, having no idea if it applied to this part of Lego.com, but hoping that it did. Because if anything worries me more than the

Five years ago I met a married guy who fell in love with me. I knew he was married, so we didn't communicate for three years, but when we did, our relationship blossomed. Now he's trying to talk me into a long-term relationship; he's ready to leave his wife for that, but I don't want to be a cause of his family's breakdown. I'm torn between my heart and my conscience. What should I do? - R.G., 47, Las Vegas


Related: How to Have a Better Relationship


If you truly cannot abide the thought of being the cause of his family's breakdown, tell him you'd love to hear from him after his divorce is final; then go about your life. Doing this takes guts and grit. You have to deny your unruly heart. And the only thing you get out of the bargain is knowing that you're a woman of character. In the long run this has many benefits: You can sleep at night, and you don't have to lie to anybody. In the short run, however, it pretty much sucks.

Related: The Best Mom Moments

There is, however, one other

by Aaron Traister, REDBOOK

DEAR WHYS GUY:

I've lost and kept off 135 pounds. I'm coming out of a bad marriage and I know nothing about dating. How can I expect a man to be attracted to a woman who, let's face it, looks like an empty gym sock naked?

-Jacki, CA

Related: How to Have a Better Relationship

DEAR JACKI:

First of all, good for you for making big life changes. That stuff isn't easy. You're hard-core, and you should be proud of that. Getting over this hang-up should be simple in comparison.

Related: Get-Close Secrets for You and Your Guy

You've got some loose skin? You know what? I've got hair on every part of my body except my head. I'm like a middle-aged Sasquatch. My point is, who do you think there is out there in the dating pool? Guys like me. Hairy guys, fat guys, skinny guys, bald guys, messed-up-teeth guys, halitosis guys, guys with big ears, love handles and acne on their backs. Everybody has some equivalent to your "empty gym sock." The playing field is level,

by Jessica Smith, REDBOOK

Casseroles make great cold weather comfort food, but their typical cream and cheese filled ingredients list places them high on the fat and calorie count. Turn your next casserole into an easy, healthy homemade meal idea with our four favorite hearty (but healthy) recipes:

1. King Ranch Casserole. This creamy, cheesy Tex-Mex chicken casserole is a delicious dish, a typical serving can weigh in at over 600 calories and almost 30g of fat. That's why we love this lightened up version.

Related: 12 Delicious Low-Carb Meals

2. Spanakopita Casserole. Not every casserole has to include meat. Try this amazing vegetarian recipe for this Greek spinach pie and save about 200 calories and 15g of fat per serving.

Related: The 10 Hottest Health Trends

3. Sweet Potato Casserole. A holiday favorite, this casserole is made with vitamin A and C rich sweet potatoes, making a nutritious and delicious side dish at any time of year.

Related: What Really Counts as Exercise

4. Turkey

My cousin and I had always been great friends, but four years ago I found out she slept with my husband. (He and I had just separated.) When I confronted her, she admitted it and showed no remorse. In fact, she proceeded to tell me I had done bad things too and was a bad mother. I told her to stay out of my life. Since then, she has made an effort to become close friends with my teenage daughter (through MySpace), my ex-boyfriends, and friends. She has told mutual friends and relatives that we are no longer friends because I am jealous of her life and her pregnancy. How do I get past my resentment of this sorry excuse for a relative? - V.H. 32, Dallas

Related: 7 Things He's Not Telling You

Life would not be complete without a few annoying relatives. They should be added to the short list, along with death and taxes, of things that just can't be avoided. What your cousin did was downright despicable, and from the sound of it, her behavior continues to be both irritating and

by Aaron Traister, REDBOOK

DEAR WHYS GUY:

My fiancé always points out women on TV he thinks are "hot." It really bothers me. Why does he do this? Why not point out how hot I am?

-Jamie, PA

Related: How to Have a Better Relationship

DEAR JAMIE:

Karel is sitting next to me as I read your letter and telling me I have no business answering it, because I do the exact same thing. At least let me explain why: I feel weird and guilty when I check out other women, especially because I'm so obviously distracted. So I'm totally honest with her about it in the hope that my honesty will score me some brownie points-which it doesn't.

Related: Get-Close Secrets for You and Your Guy

My advice? Tell your fiance how much it bothers you. If he's slow on the uptake (like me), force him to watch Twilight movies with you and give him a taste of his own medicine.

Related: Dear Whys Guy: "Do Guys Believe in Finding One True Love?"

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Need help decoding odd male behavior? Redbook columnist Aaron

by Aaron Traister, REDBOOK

DEAR WHYS GUY:

Why don't guys give compliments without urging?

-Michele B., Warsaw, IN

Related: How to Have a Better Relationship

DEAR MICHELE:

I think guys give compliments much more freely than women do. Which of the following sounds more familiar to you? "Honey, you look beautiful in that dress, and I really like what you've done with your hair." Or, "Hey dude, your bald head looks really great today." Go ahead, close your eyes and say it.

Related: Get-Close Secrets for You and Your Guy

Guys can be conditioned to be complimentary, even if it sometimes takes a little work on your part. On the other hand, I think the nicest thing Karel has said to me in the last month is, "You remembered to get trash bags! Good."

Related: Dear Whys Guy: "Do Guys Believe in Finding One True Love?"

I don't even think that counts as a compliment. The point is, we may need prompting sometimes, and we may not notice your new haircut until you tell us about it, but at