how long should you wait before introducing a new partner to your children?

Answer 1

wait until you've agreed to a committed, monogamous relationship and future together. If you haven't seriously discussed a future together, keep your kids out of your love life drama.

Answer 2

I dont think there are any hard and fast rules to this one. You will just know when the time is right. I dont think there is any point introducing just any old boyfriend to your children. They can get hurt too, if the relationship doesnt work out. When you and the new partner are serious and sure that it is going to be a long term thing, and you are both totally committed to each other.....That is when the time is right.
My partner and I had only been together 3 and a half months, though we had known each other for 6, when he wanted to meet my children. We were already sure we were in a lasting relationship, and so in love.....So anyways, I asked them if they wanted to meet him. Had they said no, then I would of waited longer...It is important to always be honest with your kids....otherwise they can feel like you are hiding things from them, and keeping them out of your life. They jumped at the chance to meet him and now 3 years later they are all best friends with him. Trust your parental instinct, talk it over with both your partner and your kids. Dont expect miracles all at once, just be patient. Younger kids are more accepting than teens, my eldest was the one who found the situation the hardest.....Good luck to you all, I hope it works out for all of you.

Answer 3

would you think twice about inviting a new friend round for a coffee? i think you can introduce a new partner to your children as soon as you like BUT as long as you dont mention the word "boyfriend/girlfriend" and as long as the toucy feely stuff stays behind closed doors for a while. kids dont need it rammed in their faces that you have someone new now. When the time comes you will know if this person is going to be around for a while and you wont need advice on when to tell the kids cos you will just know!! Also it will get to the stage where they get usedto your new partner being around more and more frequently and they will work it out for themselves without even realising or making a big thing about it!! Good luck with it though

Answer 4

i think i t depends on the person. U should have know the person for at least 6 months, hopefully more. First u need to know where he works, meet his family. U can never be sure on how soon to introduce ur kids to a new partner. Talk to ur kids and make sure they are ready too. Make sure they understand what that means and what this person will be in their lives. Good luck and always put your children first.

Answer 5

I think it depends on under what circumstances that lead you to have a new partner and how old are the children as this would greatly affect their acceptance of the new partner.

But all in all, I think first you ought to be comfortable with the new partner first before breaking it out to the kids. If you aren't comfortable with the person yet, no point in bringing the kids into the picture yet. However, don't neglect to mention the kids thing to the partner ! =)

Answer 6

Tough question.

I think it depends on the ages of your children
But it also depends on the seriousness of your relationship with the new partner.
If you have a new partner often, I would not recommend introducing them to the children.

I have the view that you want a relationship with me, my kids are a part of the deal. But I wouldn't introduce until I was pretty sure that the relationship was getting serious or had the potential to be long-term.

Answer 7

Tough question because it depends on the ages of your kids, their personalities, their reactions to the divorce, and how they feel about their natural father. This calls for a balancing of these interests. Do the children blame themselves, or does one of them blame himself/herself for the divorce? Has daddy found a new girlfriend and has he introduced her to the children? If dad has already hooked up it should be easier for you to introduce your new friend. If you're in a rush, for whatever reason, bite the bullet and just do it. Both you and your friend need to recognize you can't control the kids' reactions. Don't try to bribe or buy the kids affection. Don't push it. He should be polite and should avoid, as long as possible, becoming involved in discipline. If you two are going to live together, he still has to feel his way around concerning discipline. Good luck with this one.

Answer 8

Personally, I don't think theres a point to waiting.
If I was dating you, the first thing I'd want to do is meet your kids.
If they're planning to stay with you for the long run, there shouldn't be a panic meeting them.

Answer 9

I would wait at 6months to a year, because you do not want to confused the kids and you will have more time to put him through the fire and make sure he is ready to take on the responsibility and if it's not what you the kids want have there hopes up high.

Answer 10

it depends really, i think it should be a gradual thing. ie let your children know that you might start dating, then tell them when you've met someone, you think worthy of meeting your children. soud out how they feel about u being with a new partner, they may surprise you and be really supportive. so it really depends on what your children are like, just play it by ear.