JLo was catching a ton of heat all over the internet last week. There were many, many reasons for this. Apparently her Fiat ad was staged and Jenny from the Block was not actually on a block but was on a sound stage…and a body double was used for her shots of her in the ‘hood. Newsflash people…she doesn’t drive a Fiat either.
The other big story with JLo was all about her new boy toy. 42 year-old Lopez is dating her 24 year-old back-up dancer Casper Smart. Oh he’s smart all right. Why wouldn’t he? But why would she? The teeth on this guy are…well I’m guessing it’s not about his teeth.
Anyway – the side story to this that had the internet all abuzz was the fact that he was hanging out with her and her kids on vacation. Judgement was all over. Too soon! Not healthy for the kids! So confusing!
Well, I’m coming here to defend JLo and her choice to have him around. (I can’t defend her taste in men though…je-sus!). Her kids are three. Not that I hang with her like say, Leah Remini, but I’m guessing she and her kids are surrounded by different people all the time. I’m sure they’re used to having new people play with them and read them stories and be around their mom.
The pictures of them making out? Well – did you see the kids anywhere there? No.
Now that I’ve reentered the dating scene, it’s something I thought about. Will is 3 and a half. I’m blessed to be surrounded by friends – women and men. I have many platonic male friends that hang out with us, have dinner with us, play with him…and he’s not thinking they’re his new dad. I have no plans to start groping anyone or putting Will in front of a DVD to get some nookie – so to him, having the person I’m dating meet him, is just like hanging with any of my guy friends (except Mom might not be in her sweats and glasses).
If Will was older (or JLo’s kids were older) it would be different – in my humble opinion. But for now, cut JLo some slack. She was married to Marc Anthony – girl needs some fun…even with a guy who is almost closer in age to her kids. High five Jenny!
*oh and the dude in the picture is not Casper Smart…but check out his HAIR!
omg that hair was the FIRST thing I noticed.
but erm, to your point? I think having a guy hang around and seeing how they interact and so on is a good idea, honestly, before anyone worries about taking any next steps. and yes, she likely has an entourage with her and her kids often, so another person is probably not that big a deal to them, especially since he presumably tours with her, too.
Hey Laura – thanks for commenting in. I’m not in that position…but I would hope that it’s not perceived differently. I wonder. It must be difficult with an ex. Does he run it by you first that he’s going to be intro’ing the kids? I hope so…but am I kidding myself?
I agree. Age of child matters. I am in the unfortunate position of having a bone-head ex who thinks that ‘playing family’ with his girlfriend and our three kids (ages 13, 10 and 8) is a good idea. He gets my kids attached to the woman (and her kids!) and they inevitably break up, break my kids’ hearts and then he moves on and they don’t. I, on the other hand, did not introduce my kids to my boyfriend until we were engaged (although they didn’t know we were engaged yet, their awareness of our relationship was always one step behind, because as the mother I had to know what I was doing first!) and their relationship with their step-dad is great, so I know I did the right thing.
Do you think it’s perceived differently whether mom or dad is introducing the little ones to a new partner? Are mom’s supposed to ‘protect’ the kids, but dad’s are given more slack because they are men?
The kids are going to be around forever. If the guy is not good/comfortable with the kids it’s good to know that right away. Actions speak louder than words…