Single parents face many challenges when they start dating again. Sometimes parents find themselves single because a spouse dies, or divorce, but whatever the reason, they are now single and want to date again. Single parent dating involves finding a person that accepts you and is comfortable with your children. Running a home, having a job, and raising a family by yourself is a major task and can leave very little time to yourself Dating seems like an impossible task right now, but not impossible. As a single and responsible parent, you want to be very cautious about who you date and eventually bring home to meet your children.

Dating as a single parent is not just about dating. You have all ready been there and done that. You want to find someone who accepts you for you, the whole package. If you are going to date, do not bring home every date to meet you children. Some may last one or more dates, some a few months or longer, children do not need to be exposed to everyone you bring home like a revolving door. While long engagements are generally not a rule of thumb for second marriages, in the case with children, they should be.

Meeting several different people over a period of time will confuse them, and they may come to resent your dating anyone else at all. Sometimes, when your date does meet the family, there might be a realization that it might not work, and instead of one heart broken, your children’s hearts will be broken too. Be sure to consider the possibility that if you do break-up you are now helping your children through yet another difficult time

Each child depending on its age and personality will react differently to your dating. Most children fantasize about their parents getting back together, and they do not want their single parent replaced, and they fear that they might loose your love and affection and become less important to them.

When a single parent dates, it often creates anxiety in children and teenagers and the changes and losses children have experienced may cause them to feel insecure and jealous. They might become uncooperative, withdrawn, and rebellious or over-attached to you.

Be honest with yourself and your partner. Not every dating relationship reaches the level of commitment that is going to include your children. You may very well be enjoying a casual, lively social life with a person who is fun to be with but you are not going to marry him. If you are thinking of long term with a person then it is critical because once you involve your children, you leave them vulnerable to becoming attached.

Some tips to help you through the challenges of single parent dating. Date responsibly, and that your children are not disrupted by your dating. Get to know the other person first before dating. Go to PTA meetings, church, school or sports events is a great idea. The public setting provides safety, a chance to get to know the other person, and to find out what others think of your new friend. If your children meet your friend publicly, it will seem much less of a threat to them and less pressure on everyone. Rules are not just for children, but also for the family as a whole to help make running your home easier for everyone involved. Setting and keeping rules might seem like a drag, but it is more sensible and reasonable to follow some guidelines that can help the situation a lot and makes it easier on everyone.

How do I go about telling my date about my children? Invite your date to pick you up at home and introduce him or her to your children. Cook a meal at home for your new friend, and have your children take part in the preparation of the meal. This is a great way to introduce you children to your new friends. Talk to each other during your dates and find out if either one of you have children. If you are talking online, or telephone prior to meeting in person tell your potential friend you have children. Find out first if this relationship is going somewhere before you introduce your children.

The whole idea of dating is to find someone you are compatible with and one who wants you for yourself, no matter if you have children or not.