Dating is hard these days, with the majority of meetings happening between complete strangers on dating apps. I’m not knocking it totally – that’s how I met my husband – but it certainly looks different than it did even twenty years ago, when people still had to ask in person.
It gets exponentially harder when there are exes and children involved, and though sometimes all of the focus is on single moms who are out there in the dating world, there are plenty of single dads looking for companionship, too.
Is it good? Bad? Easier or harder than before kids?
If you’re curious, Fatherly asked these 10 women to give them the dirt.
10. It doesn’t sound like this was ever meant to be.
“One thing I had to remember when I dated a divorced dad was that I needed to protect my own life. And I’m glad I did. Of course, we both hoped things would work out, but it didn’t happen that way. Going in, I knew that there were going to be parts of his life – with his kids – that I’d just never be a full part of, no matter how great things were.
So, I tried to keep some of my own stuff sacred, as well. I wasn’t being evasive or secretive, just making sure that I still had a semblance of my own identity, which I think that’s important in any relationship.” – Lynn, 35, Texas
9. There’s a lot of baggage, and most of it has nothing to do with the kids.
“I loved my ex’s kids. He had a son and a daughter who were just precious. But his ex-wife made sharing custody such a pain in the ass that it ruined our ability to schedule anything. She would pop up unannounced and he’d have to deal with it right then and there.
I’m 99 percent sure she was doing it on purpose, too, as a way to sabotage our relationship. It worked, too. We parted amicably, and still keep in touch, but I couldn’t deal with the baggage the kids brought into the relationship.” – Tara, 37, Michigan
8. Remember you’re not their mom.
“I’ve heard horror stories of women who get so anxious about dating a guy with kids that they just thrust themselves full-speed into that mother role. And no one wants that. So, when I started dating my husband, I had to really, really, really train myself to play it cool.
I definitely wanted to be involved with the kids, but I didn’t want to be overbearing or scare them. I knew I wasn’t their mom. I made some mistakes but, in the end, I’m glad I took it slow and steady.” – Janey, 41, Michigan
7. She was more mature than him, despite him being a dad.
“Dating a guy with kids is hard, because what are you supposed to be to them? When it starts out, you’re just ‘Dad’s friend.’ Then ‘Dad’s girlfriend.’ Then there are all these weird, nebulous stages in between that I just didn’t know how to navigate. I asked for help — pretty bluntly, actually.
I would often ask him, ‘Is this appropriate?’ or ‘Is this what I should be doing?’ when it came to interacting and bonding with the kids. He almost seemed annoyed at that, which is why we didn’t work out.” – Cassie, 38, Florida
6. Patience, understanding, and compromise are the cornerstones of any lasting relationship.
“The one thing a divorced parent doesn’t have much of is time. I feel like going into the relationship with my now-husband, who has one son, the best thing I could’ve prepared myself for was being patient. I had to be patient with him, with his son and, most importantly, with myself.
I had to remember that our courtship wasn’t going to be anything quick and dirty, but was going to take a lot of time, understanding and compromise. And we made it work. Truthfully, patience wasn’t one of my strongest traits before I met him, so our relationship gave me a chance to actualize that part of myself as well.” – Aimee, 39, Tennessee
5. This seems like the ideal if you can make it work.
“I’m currently dating a guy with kids. He has two girls — one is a teen, the other is a few years younger. He and I have been together for almost three years. There have been talks of marriage, but we’re not rushing. My relationship with his girls is very unique.
I’m definitely not their mother, but I’m in this special, one-of-a-kind role that’s like a best friend, plus a mentor, plus a role model. But it’s wonderful. I’m able to be there for them — and him — when girl stuff becomes a priority, which has been pretty frequent lately.” – Emily, 40, Connecticut
4. You’ll never be more important than his kids. And that’s ok.
“I always roll my eyes when people say that a couple’s priorities have to be exactly the same. On the same page? Sure. But, exactly identical? I don’t think so. My fiancé has a daughter, and she’s his priority. I’m okay with that! That doesn’t mean he doesn’t love me, or wouldn’t do anything for me.
It just means that he devoted his life to someone before we met. I wouldn’t want him to break that promise to his daughter for me. He does a wonderful job making me feel loved, adored and respected. But, I know she’s his true queen. And, like I said, I’m okay with that.” – Nora, 37, Kansas
3. It can take time to find your place.
“You know that scene from 30 Rock where Steve Buscemi is dressed like a high schooler, and he goes up to a bunch of kids and says something like, ‘How do you do, fellow kids?’ That’s how I felt hanging out with my boyfriend’s kids for the whole first year we dated. Nothing I said was cool, or funny, or interesting.
I was just a poser trying to be a part of the conversation. It’s not like I was trying too hard, either. I was just unaware of what kids were into. Luckily, I’ve learned a bit since then. I’m definitely not cool, but at least I’m informed enough not to sound like a jackass.” – Millie, 39, Pennsylvania
2. You have to know when it’s just not the right time.
“I dated a guy with two sons, and they hated me. No reason. They just hated me. Maybe it was because they thought I was trying to become their new mom? Or because they were jealous their dad hung out with me sometimes, instead of just them. I don’t know.
But, in the end, he told me that our relationship was stressing them out, and that was it. I felt bad for him. I really did. It’s a tough position to be in, for sure.” – Candace, 34, Colorado
1. Family is family, if you’ll let it become that.
“My current husband and I are both once divorced, with kids from our previous marriages. When we first started dating, I was terrified that they were all going to hate each other. And, truthfully, it wasn’t The Brady Bunch. But, once they got to know each other, I think they realized they all had a lot in common.
Specifically, divorced parents. I don’t know how much they talked about that, or how in depth, but I know it brought them together. They don’t get along all the time, but they fight like brothers and sisters, which is exactly what we had hoped for.” – Carin, 42, California
I honestly hope to never be in this situation again, because dating is not the best, y’all.
Have you dated as a single parent?
Tell us how you would describe the experience in the comments!