Every bad date is a good story. Call your best friend or your daughter and laugh it off. Humor is the best way to reclaim your time. A Note for the Adult Children

Always have a friend or an adult child on "standby." If you send a specific emoji, they know to call you with a "leaking pipe" emergency.

The "mother’s bad date" isn't a failure—it’s just a bumpy detour on the road to finding someone who actually deserves her time.

The "Mother’s Bad Date": A Survival Guide for Parents and Adult Kids

If your mom tells you about her bad date, It takes a lot of courage to put yourself back out there. Don't mock the bad luck; instead, offer to help her polish her profile or simply take her out for a "palate cleanser" dinner where she doesn't have to worry about small talk.

If you find yourself mid-entree with someone who is clearly a "no," here is the survival protocol:

If you’ve heard a mother vent about a recent outing, chances are the guy fell into one of these categories: