Divorce is one of the most stressful life events you can ever have to deal with. However, it is not uncommon to try to give love a chance again after your divorce is final.
Handled properly, dating after divorce can help you put your life back together after a difficult and straining marriage. Handled improperly, on the other hand, dating could as well cost you the custody of your children.
Here are two tips for dating after divorce if you have children.
Talk to your kids about your decision to date
While you might not introduce your new partner to the kids immediately, it is advisable that you talk to them about your decision to date. This will help them get a sense of things and feel reassured of your love.
Of course, the decision to date may be easier to discuss with older children than the younger ones. However, you can look up to friends and family who have had a similar experience for advice. You can also seek professional help from a relationship counselor before having this discussion with your kids.
Never compare your current partner to your children’s other parent
This may seem straightforward. Unfortunately, some parents fall into the temptation to compare their new partner with their ex-spouses, especially when the divorce was acrimonious or when they feel the other party was responsible for the marriage’s failure.
Despite the hard feelings you may have towards your ex, never compare them to your new partner in the presence of the children. Besides hurting them, this may also prompt your children to hate your new partner. Worse still, you risk a tightening of your custody and parenting rights if the matter comes to the attention of the court and they find that you’re interfering with the relationship your children have with their other parent.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with finding love again after a divorce. Find out how you can protect your custody rights and interests when dating after divorce.