Could you not pre-empt this?
With saying "Dad is... *BLAH* but my mum is pushing up the daisies?" or do you not fancy these people enough to try?
( M3rx likes the Asian ladies, Thu 12 May 2011, 14:51, 1 reply)

I don't want to come across
as sounding callous. I usually try and steer away from parental conversation, but they always come back round to it because it's an easy and "safe" first date topic.
( Damocles wants no part of your debauchery, Thu 12 May 2011, 14:55, closed)

Indeed
I know the "safe" awkwardness well, I was just recounting a story in another post when, in a bid to come up with something original, the girl asked me to tell her a joke...
( M3rx likes the Asian ladies, Thu 12 May 2011, 14:59, closed)

You should tell them, that's probably the problem.
Just say your dad's doing well despite missing your mother.
Your mother dying fairly young is an important part of who you are and telling someone earlier on lets them know your honest and is also helpful to them so they know not to ask.
Edit: "Date Questions", as I call them, do piss me off -- wanting to know your family history and the like on a first date is boring and tedious. I'd rather get to know how someone thinks and learn things in a more natural way.
(Me, I'm not... in any way intoxicated, Thu 12 May 2011, 18:47, closed)