Are you a single parent dipping your toes back into the dating scene? Or did you meet a single parent on a dating app but have never dated someone with kids? Whether you’re looking for dating tips when you have kids or when someone you like does, you’re in the right place. Keep reading for our top recommendations for Christian dating with kids.
3 Tips for Dating When You Have Kids
1. Make Sure You’re Ready
First off, make sure you’re ready to date again before jumping right in. It’s important to take time to heal from any pain caused by your past relationship and ensure you feel comfortable managing the challenges of juggling parenting and a potential relationship.
2. Make Time for Yourself
Secondly, don’t forget to make time for yourself. Having kids takes up a lot of your energy–and so does dating. So consider carving out little moments throughout the week to be alone and focus on yourself and your mental health.
3. Make the Most of Each Date
And finally, make the most of each date you go on. As a busy single parent, you might not have a lot of time to go on lots of dates. So make sure to ask meaningful questions to see if there’s a deeper connection, and don’t waste your time when you see lots of red flags. Remember–you’re dating for yourself and your kids, so it’s essential to find someone who shares your beliefs, respects your boundaries, and desires to have a family.
3 Tips for Dating Someone Who Has Kids
1. Be Trustworthy
Every relationship requires trust, and this is especially true when dating someone with kids. Earning trust takes time, and the best way to prove your trustworthiness is being honest, honoring your commitments, communicating your needs and expectations, apologizing when you’re wrong, and respecting the other person’s boundaries.
2. Be Patient
Patience is a virtue when dating someone with kids.
Be patient when it comes to their time–single parents are busy, and you won’t be their top priority, especially at first. You may also have to plan your dates around their visitation schedule if there’s another parent involved.
Be patient when it comes to meeting their children–introducing your kids to a potential partner is a huge step. It’s important not to press the issue if the person you’re dating doesn’t feel ready for you to meet their kids when you want to.
Be patient when it comes to earning their trust–someone with kids has more at stake. Showing patience will help build the trust you desire for the relationship.
3. Be Honest
As you’re getting to know someone with kids, it’s important to be honest with them and yourself about your vision for the future. Do you want kids of your own? Do they want more kids? How involved do they want you to be in their children’s life? What boundaries are important to them? What are your worries and fears about dating someone with children? While these aren’t first-date questions, they should be addressed if the relationship progresses.
Dating someone when you have kids and dating someone with kids can be a rewarding journey when you go into the experience with realistic expectations, respect, and God by your side every step of the way.