Single parents deserve to be able to date. Where this is an obvious fact, the most important fact when dating as a single parent is, when can one introduce their children to the person they are dating? No matter if, one is a single parent who is a Christian or a non-believer, the issues are still the same and care must greatly be administered when considering the possibility of introducing someone to the children.
Single parents should be in tune with the emotional well-being of their children before they introduce them to anyone they are dating. When children loose a parent no matter if through divorce or death, children mourn differently and they adapt to situations sometimes faster or slower than adults do.
Children may view the person they are meeting as a threat. If children have lost a parent through death or divorce, they might not be all right with their parent, which they have lost being replaced. Children are especially vulnerable during introductions because they fully understand they have lost one parent and they do not want to lose their other parent, which is why they might not be receptive at the first meeting.
Children are not always eager to trust anyone. It does not take much for children to lose their trust in people and if one's children have experienced such things, they are not going to be happy with someone new appearing, which will break up their comfortable circle. Some children might hold out hope that their parents will reunite, which makes any new person coming into the picture enemy number one. Children sometimes have difficult times in realizing their mother or father is capable of expressing romantic gestures with someone. This might prove traumatizing for a child.
Single Christian parents should always utilize extreme care when considering the possibility of introducing their children to someone new. One should always ensure that the relationship has the possibility of marriage before children are brought into the picture. Single parents continually make the mistake of introducing people too soon to their children only to find the relationship does not work out and then having to mend not only their own broken heart but the hearts of their children.
Single parents should never rush into serious relationships. It is understandable that life proves sometimes lonely but rushing into any relationship can have serious repercussions for all involved, especially one's children. If one does not feel ready for introductions with the children, it is highly likely the children will not be ready either.
When the day approaches and one feel they along with their children are ready to handle these types of introductions, do so carefully and strategically. Do not make a big deal out of the occasion. Have one's "friend" meet them out for a movie or for dinner. Ensure the occasion is light and informal. One does not want the children to feel they have to react in a particular way. Children need to feel comfortable in their own element therefore, the less fanfare which is created in this scenario, the better for all involved with the introduction of one's future husband or wife to the children.