That's another reason I probably wouldn't remarry. I'm way past being run past somebody, anybody, for approval. And I wouldn't want someone who was so insecure about his choice that he even felt the need to get said approval.
I joke about that, but it's more nuanced than my flat-affect reply.
It's more about maintaining solid relationships with my kids than getting their approval for a potential partner. My kids are the only people I can depend upon to look after me when I go south. Their mother has been gone for a while and wife #2 didn't work out. They are the most important relationship in my life right now and may be at the end. It is important to me that the communication remains open and honest, even if we disagree.
In addition, I have seen the more responsible offspring of my friends take an interest in their parents' well-being. It's not always healthy, but I don't think it's uncommon. The nasty message I got from Wife #2's son in response to my birthday wishes to him after she moved out, but well before she ended it, is an indication the mother/son relationship may not be any different than the father/daughter aja8888 and I joked about as we age.
Defensive explanation done - To a point you made in another reply, I agree managing the demands and expectations of a new family acquired through marriage can be difficult. From my experience, I think they could be reasons to make the difficult choice to bypass a potential partner. I have several examples of the challenges that can come with the family of a new spouse if you ever run out.
Once one is past the point of building a life together with a long runway ahead, it's a matter of what's the best way to get to the end, IMO.
The kind of issues you and TeacherTerry raise are real, and I believe are reasons to be skeptical about re-marrying, if not reject the idea. And I have mine. Among them - Don't mess with the garage. Don't criticize "my stuff" - throw out anything you don't like after I'm gone. Don't criticize me taking calls from my young college student at dinner and then grab a flight to "help" your 30+ adult offspring after they wreck their car-twice in 60 days. I already know how to do basic cooking and clean a kitchen, I know how to dress for any occasion.
Lastly, I'm not rebuilding another closet to accommodate anything more than 2 dozen additional pairs of shoes. I will not be bested on the shoe collection
