Dating When You're a Single Mom

Dr. Winbow offers the following additional tips for introducing children to dating partners:

• Be sure about your partner's intentions before you introduce him or her to your child.
  
  
• Concentrate on the child, as well as your partner. Be sure you still give your kids plenty of affection and time.
  
  
• Try to stay relaxed about your child meeting your partner. Kids are great at detecting anxiety and tension, so keep it calm and easy-going.
  
  
• Don't pressure either your child or your partner to meet until they are ready.
  
  
• Communicate with your child and your partner frequently about their feelings about the proposed meeting.

Dating can be a tricky business at the best of times, and no matter how good your intentions, things can go awry. With children in the equation, the stakes are raised, but it needn't mean that single mothers shy away from dating for fear of getting hurt again or having their children hurt. By taking the relationship slowly, letting your children get used to your new partner, and not compromising on the amount of quality time spent with your kids, there is no reason why you can't find—and enjoy—a fulfilling romantic relationship as well as be a good mother and provider for your child.