dating and single parents..?

Question

i've been seeing a single dad now for about three months - and have yet to meet his child. i was able to leave my previous marriage (we are both on the fast track to divorce) before having children - so i haven't been in his shoes. i do make sure to ask about his child everytime i see him, and share whats going on with the kids in my family (neices and nephews) - which i know isn't the same - but its as close as i have come to having children at this point.

how long do other single parents usually wait before introducing their b/f or g/f to their children? are their certain critieria you look for before doing so?


please no posting for points

Answer 1

That is a tricky situation. As a single parent myself, you do want to make sure that the relationship is going somewhere before you get a child involved. If not, they would get attached to every person you dated, and it is a lot harder for them to understand why that person isn't around anymore.
I have also been on your side of it before.(before I had my son) I couldn't meet his children because his ex wouldn't let me! It took awhile for her to see that this was real, and it didn't hurt that she realized that she could have weekends to herself if she let the kids stay with us.
Just be patient, talk to him. Ask him if there is anything you can do to make the first meeting a little easier. Suggest meeting on common ground like a restaurant, park, or the mall. Take it slow and don't push the kids. As much as you want them to like you they might try not to because they feel as if they are betraying their mom.
Good Luck!

Answer 2

Most single parents want to make sure they have a solid relationship before introducing their children to someone new. It's hard on kids to meet someone new and then they go away, he is just being cautious. In three months you are still getting to know someone, he just wants to make sure. I would give it another couple months and if you still don;t meet the child, then he prolly has no intention of making you permanent fixture in his life.

Answer 3

as a single parent, i let a man know going into the relationship that i have a child but he won't meet her until i'm ready. if it doesn't work out between us i can bounce back easier then my child can, plus if you introduce your child to everyone you date..what kind of image are you giving them? generally,i wait 6-8 months before allowing them to meet a few times it was an entire year. just be patient, he's only being protective of both you and the child.