Not much tops the feeling of when your child gives you a hug and says, “I love you mommy (or daddy).” Although children are fun and can provide a warm feeling all over adults do need adult companionship. Dating as a single parent is just one more challenge to add to the mound that single parents face every day.
Many say children are resilient and bounce back easily. As true as this statement is most of the time – children still endure the pain and suffering of when a relationship between adults goes bad as much as adults do. Whether the parent waits a year, a few years, or even just a few weeks to start dating again the parent should not introduce the child to the new person until it is reasonably safe to assume this person will have a positive impact on the child’s life. Even then the new person should be introduced as a friend and not a “boyfriend” or “girlfriend” until the child has had time to become comfortable with the new person.
If the child has deep bonds with the absent parent, the new situation could create feelings of intrusion – as if the new person is trying to take the place of the absent parent. The new person could also be considered as an intrusion between the child/custodial parent relationship as well. Separating the single parent’s adult relationship from the child can be difficult especially if the parent cannot afford a babysitter. As difficult as it is the parent must put the child first as the risk involved are not worth the gain.
Share your dating story and how it affected your child in the comment section.
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