Dating after divorce can feel like being dropped back into high school with more baggage and less patience. I want women to hear this from a guy who is really trying. There’s one thing I want women out there to know about, though that hasn’t really been talked about on the site. I’m a divorced man, with two awesome kids. I got onto the dating scene about two years ago and I’ve noticed something - the divorced women who are out there on the scene are just plain bitter.

I get that divorce can be brutal and leave scars that do not heal overnight. Still, first dates shouldn’t feel like sitting in on a courtroom recap. They spend all of their time talking about how their exes wronged them and it just turns potential suitors off. A guy starts wondering if he is next in line to be the villain in the story.

I’ve had my share of drama, and believe me, my own history is not exactly squeaky clean. Now, I know how it is to have a crazy ex, but I’m not going to bore a woman I’m trying to date to tears talking about her. I wish more divorced women out there would show that they are well-adjusted, over their exes and ready to date by leaving the past in the past. That kind of calm confidence is incredibly attractive.

There is a right time to dig into the heavier stuff, and it usually comes after some trust is built. Sure, if I date a woman long enough, I’m going to have to hear what happened between her and the ex, but it doesn’t have to on the first date and it doesn’t have to be for two hours! Just a little advice from a man who wants to date a good, divorced woman! -- Chris, New York