Shruti MehtaThe summers are here and this might be the perfect time to meet and greet new people. While the heat is at par, you too might want to dazzle and shine and keep an open mind… to date or to persuade a serious relationship? While dating is experimenting and fun for most of us, it might not be the case with all. There are some who might be very skeptical to enter the pool of dating to just have some fun or experiment. Many people share such a situation but primarily, we are hinting at single parents. What is it like dating a partner with kids!
Having kids is life-altering. A parent is not only responsible for their own life and well-being but is also accountable for their little ones. Single parents might feel lonely amidst all the responsibilities and probably would think twice before gravitating back to dating. Even after entering a relationship, they might have a tough time striking a balance between their newly budding relationship and their precious family. If you are dating a partner with kids, these are certain things you can keep in mind to avoid entering precarious waters. This will help you deal with the situation better and ultimately strengthen your relationship.
Dating a Partner with Kids: 5 Important Things to Remember
1. Clarity is the Essence
Dating is a very crucial and memorable phase for most people out there. To strengthen your bond and relationship, it is essential to share things and incidents that matter to you and hold importance in your life. Generally, it takes time to open up and the couples take their own sweet time to embark on this beautiful journey. But if you are dating a partner with kids, it is essential that you put a foot down and clear the air in the early phase of your relationship so there is no room for any misunderstandings.
Dating a single parent is no joke! Especially not for them, since they are investing precious time in you that they otherwise spend with their child. You must ask some relevant questions so both the partners are aware of the things that they desire from their relationship respectively and know where it is headed or how serious it is. First and foremost, it is vital to know whether they have room for a primary partner. If the answer is yes, there is a scope for discussion on topics like your role in their kid’s life, the boundaries that they will set, your interaction with their child, fears, and worries of both partners, expectations, communication, priorities, and so on.
It is also paramount to know what kind of breakup or divorce they had so there is the least probability for a similar thing to happen again. You could also questions about the other parent and how involved they are in the present. It is also pivotal that you brace yourself for all kinds of possibilities and are not quick to judge.
2. Trust is the Key
Now that you are backed with the power of clarity, use it to establish trust as it is the key to every successful relationship. Rome was not built in a day! Similarly, it takes equal time and efforts of both the partners to set a solid foundation of trust as the base of their relationship. But this might sound too good to be true while dating single parents. Don’t be shocked! We are pointing out a clear-cut fact.
It is unmissable that they would have been in a serious relationship before to create and bring life together in this world. But things might have gone down the drain and it would have shattered their trust into pieces. It would be hard for them to open up again and put their faith in a new relationship. So, it is cardinal for you to have more patience and be more empathetic towards them. This might not have any immediate effect but you will see the results in the long run for sure!
While we continue to throw light on some more essential things to keep in mind while dating a partner with kids, you can know The Power of Empathy in Relationship – 7 Solid Ways so that you can have a smoother transaction with your partner!
3. Each Moment is Precious
One of the things that individuals enjoy the most while dating is the attention and time of their partner. But if you are dating someone with kids, you are all set to have a sneak peek into their lives. Being a single parent can be tough. They are homemakers and take up a job as well to make a living. Or they could be men who might be juggling work and spending nights or weekends with their kids. Due to this, they might not give you as much time as you might expect them to.
But don’t be disheartened. Each moment is precious. They might not be able to spend a lot of quality time with you. But they would try their level best to make you feel special while you are together. We all love big, splendid surprises but at the end of the day, the small gestures, which are brimmed with care and concern matter the most! Look out for those and you will not find yourself complaining that often!
4. Hastening will Lead to No Good
A constructive relationship is where two individuals evolve and grow together while supporting each other amidst the highs and lows. But it is okay if you two are not on the same page all the time. No two individuals can have a similar opinion in all situations. Finally, your efforts and determination are finally paying off. Your partner is slowly and steadily trusting you and opening up. You both have embarked on this beautiful journey and are crossing a salient milestone together.
You might discern that you are ready and well prepared to meet their kids yet they might not feel that it is the correct time. Don’t be shocked or take it too personally. Treading with caution and patience is pivotal in situations like these. This is definitely not a personal attack but they are just trying to protect their little ones from any possible emotional heartbreak. They are protecting their little one from unnecessary changes, and want to be sure how it is working out, and then slowly allow their child to deal with it.
It would be in everyone’s interest that you let your partner take the control into their hands and let them set the meet and greet. Meanwhile, it is also vital that you respect their decision and let them take the lead further. Holding a grudge is not going to help at all, if anything at all, it will just make things worse and nullify the progress that the two of you have made together.
5. Prioritize Yourself Too
Congratulations! You have broken the ice and are now a part of the small yet beautiful family. We are sure that you might be grateful for all of it but too much and too fast might leave you feeling overwhelmed. It is okay to take a step back and look at all the progress you have made in the time you two have been together. While you bask in the joy, it is vital that you prioritize yourself as well.
While you are enjoying the blissful time with your newly made family, you might feel that something is amiss or just isn’t enough. At such a crucial juncture, the thought of starting a family with your partner might occur undoubtedly. Thus, it is important for you to have clarity beforehand whether your partner wants more kids, or wants to start a family with you or not. It is also integral for you to figure out whether you are okay with just your partner’s kids or want your own too. It is paramount to clear this point in the early phase of your relationship or else it might prove to be surely a dealbreaker in the long run!
Like all good things come to an end, our post ‘Dating a Partner with Kids: 5 Important Things to Remember’ too ends here. We hope that these tips help you figure your way out to establish a solid relationship. Don’t let dating a partner with kids deter you to make the most of the dating phase and enjoying it to the fullest. Which tips did you find the most useful? Do you have any other points to mention? Don’t shy away and let us know in the comments down below.
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