DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: Ever since my friends got divorced they have gotten along better than even when they were dating. When we’re all together it seems like they are flirting with each other, even though they are both with someone else.

Is all this normal? --- BETTER APART THAN TOGETHER

DEAR BETTER APART THAN TOGETHER: It’s not uncommon for a divorced couple to get along much better once they’re no longer together. I think it’s a sign that both parties are at peace with the end of their marriage and are in a better position to move on with their lives than those who harbor anger and resentment at their ex-spouses.

As their friend, aren’t you glad they’re both able to continue as part of your social circle? With an amicably divorced couple, it seems less likely to me that anyone has to choose sides, and if the ex-couple and their new partners are good with being around each other, hopefully their friends will be too. It may be awkward at first, but that should eventually fade away.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: When we started looking for a house it was right before we found out I was pregnant. That timing made getting out of our one-bedroom even more urgent.

We saw some deals on townhomes up for sale in our target part of the city. We also looked into a development that just started construction. Before they build, the builders wait until they have sold a block of five of the townhomes. We were told the next available block is projected to be getting started in late spring-early summer, which is right around when our son’s due. I told my husband I do not want to be moving right before or after giving birth.

Our financing is preapproved and we could be in one of the available townhomes within a month of going into contract. That would give us enough time to give notice to our landlord and be moved into a new place a few weeks before we have a baby to bring home.

My husband fell in love with the new builds, and they’re gorgeous, but are they worth the extra stress of waiting to move in? My husband thinks so, but I would be happy with move-in ready now. He isn’t thinking about how things could keep getting pushed back because the builder doesn’t sell enough units to start in the late spring, or the weather can be bad, and delays could cost us more too.

Don’t you think it would be better to be settled before our son gets here? --- READY TO BUY NOW

DEAR READY TO BUY NOW: I may be a little biased because although I’ve never bought a newly built home, I’ve heard plenty of tales about the trials and tribulations of being the ones to break in a brand new home, as well as how the final price can be significantly higher than the homeowners originally bargained for.

So I’m with you on not putting yourselves in a position to be juggling more stress than you’ll already be facing with both a move and an addition to your family.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My wife has always way outearned me in a career she loves. When we started having kids (we have two) we agreed it made more sense for me to stay home with them, which I did.

Our youngest started fulltime pre-k this school year and I finally have time to get a bunch of things done inside and outside the house with both kids being out at school most days.

I’m home with the kids when they’re sick or there’s no school. My wife never has to take time off to get them to doctor appointments or afterschool activities. Not to mention we save a bundle on before and after school care, and with the summer coming, we won’t need to find fulltime camps or daycare if I’m home with them instead of out working.

I think my wife finds it hard to believe I am actually happy doing what I do. I seriously doubt I would find anything with nearly the same amount of job satisfaction. She keeps telling me I need to find something, anything to get back into the working world with other adults, but we don’t need the money right now, so why should I tip our lives upside down? --- HAPPY AT HOME

DEAR HAPPY AT HOME: Hopefully you’ve made the same case with your wife that you did in your letter.

It’s possible she’s thinking that with the kids away from home more, you’ll need new ways to keep yourself busy after you finish your to-do lists.

Should the time come that you feel you’d like to fill your days differently while the kids are at school, rather than discounting your wife’s suggestion of working outside the home, why not consider looking into volunteer opportunities in the schools or elsewhere in your community? You could also explore something flexible or parttime within the school system. You might be surprised at the range of jobs available that follow your children’s school schedule.

If your wife’s object is to give you something to do even a few hours a week, your local school system may be just the place to start.