Hey fellow divorced dads,

Wondering if anyone’s been through something similar or has insight to share.

I’ve been dating a woman for a couple of months — we had about 10 dates before anything physical really happened. For most of that time, it felt like breadcrumbing: she was guarded, vague, hard to read, and slow to open up. There were moments of affection, but emotionally it felt inconsistent. I kept wondering if she was even into me.

Then, almost overnight, everything flipped. In the span of two consecutive dates, we went from guarded hugs to a 24-hour sex marathon. It was intense, passionate, wild — and she even talked about wanting deeper intimacy and sleepovers.

But here’s the kicker — it came with brutal emotional swings:

  • One minute she’s super affectionate and saying she wants to be with me daily

  • The next she’s cold, anxious, or spiraling into emotional distance

  • She’s asking for reassurance but also throwing red flags — guilt-tripping me if I question her pace or intentions

  • There’s also a lot of shifting in terms of plans, last-minute changes, or “tests” like popping up on the app where we met

To be honest, the sexual chemistry is off the charts, and I’m not in a rush to commit without clarity, but I’m also trying to stay grounded. It’s a rollercoaster of connection and chaos.

Has anyone else gone through something like this — where a woman flipped from cold or slow-paced to hyper-intense intimacy, with huge emotional volatility riding alongside? Was it just delayed passion, or something deeper (i.e. unresolved trauma, anxious attachment, manipulation)?

Any takes, experiences, or advice appreciated. Especially from other dads navigating dating again post-divorce.

Thanks.