She's met her equal.
Daughter started talking again last week. I don't remember how we got on the topic, but she said that The Ex's daughter "wants [Ned] to adopt her." ( This girl is 10 years old. You know what I was doing at 10 years old? Wondering when I could next have a sleepover with my friends. The Ex was asking Son and Daughter if they "could see [Ned] as a father figure" when she'd only been dating him for a few months. Knowing The Ex and how she is, I don't believe this is a genuine thought that this child had on her own; I think it's an idea that The Ex planted in her head and continues to feed. ) I was kind of surprised and Daughter said, "Well, I mean...I get it. [The Ex's two youngest kids'] dad isn't around, so..." ( A friend of mine commented, "Yes, their dad is not around. So for all intents and purposes, Ned is already her 'dad.' Why would she be thinking about adoption?" ) Then, in what was pr...