DOD265: Positively Negative

Pretty sure this is the first episode where the dads touch on adoption, and we have a great listener email to kick off discussion about a particular aspect of creating an adoptive family. And since we kicked off the episode talking about optimism and pessimism, please be sure to chime in on the comment thread below or in the Facebook group with your position on whether you are a "hope for the best" kind of person or an "expect to be disappointed" person! Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email [email protected]

Tom gives us a health update of his own that is WILD and exactly what we've come to expect and love about our Tom; then, the dads answer a listener email involving choice paralysis and how to help our kids, if it's something they experience, through it. Personally, I blame the Grail Knight scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade for mine. "He chose...poorly." Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email [email protected]

... we could turn off auto ads. I don't know. I almost titled this "If I had a new partner" instead of a nickel but it didn't actually make sense. Annyyyyway We're making Tom talk about polyamory again! Join the dads as they dissect a truly awful Reddit post about a marriage opening up. Is any part of what happened in that story actually ethical non-monogamy? Does the polyamory community co-opt language that should be reserved for other groups? And in a spirited back and forth, could the "right person" make you "be" monogamous or polyamorous? But first, BLUEY TALK. Because those two topics go together. Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email [email protected]

The dads dive into a question that they saw in the super fun Facebook group that you should definitely join - is it okay to charge your kid rent while they live in your house after 18 years old? What about if they're 30? And at market rates? Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email [email protected]

A pair of topics for today! First - something awful happened at the BAFTAs and the dads dig into it. Who all messed up in that situation? Are we blaming Alan Cumming?! Is there actually a limit to inclusivity? Then - Tom shares some important and personal updates. Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email [email protected]

We have a listener question that asks something very reasonable: so many in this podcastiverse community are pretty left, and have strong feelings about the United States military and various federal agencies. What if our kids wanted to pursue careers in those fields? Would we stop them? But first, please enjoy a ridiculous story from Thomas and Lydia's Valentine's Day evening (safe for work). And only the patrons get exclusive cooking insight from Donovan at the end of this episode! Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email [email protected]

A stunning press moment at the Olympics has the dads discussing "grand gestures" in romantic relationships. Does anyone ever actually want to be on the receiving end of one of those, or are they primarily done for the benefit of the person "giving" them? And in the patron exclusive bonus, hear how Tom's kids absolutely blew the rest of us out of the water for Valentine's Day. Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email [email protected]

One of the dads was very surprised to find out that many people expect their kids to take care of them when they are elderly. Beyond that, it also is a very common reason people give as to why they even HAD kids. This seems insane. Is it? Yes. Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email [email protected]

We've got another listener question, and the dads dig into it almost right away! How do you tackle conspiratorial beliefs from your partner? Is this type of mismatch in a relationship DOA or is there hope to work it out? It isn't OFFICIALLY claimed as a three bears situation during the show, but I can tell you now that it's definitely a three bears episode. PLUS: our amazing patrons get an extra long patron-only segment at the end! Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email [email protected]

The dads are here today to answer a listener question in which their teenager's friend started talking (talking talking, iykyk) with the teen's very recent ex-girlfriend. Oh boy. Did the listener handle this opportunity for advice well? What, if anything, would the dads have said differently, and how do we feel about a friend like that? Is this part of the "bro code"? Join the Facebook Group! facebook.com/groups/dearolddads For comments, email [email protected]