How Long Before Kids Of A Marriage Can Become Comfortable With New Partner?
If a divorced parent becomes serious with a new partner, what is a reasonable amount of time before the parent’s kids can be expected to be comfortable interacting with the new partner? Assume age range of kids to be elementary school age, and junior high to high school age.
on November 13th, 2009 at 5:32 am
Sometimes never, it very for each child, but you should give it at least a year minimum.
on November 13th, 2009 at 5:32 am
I’m assuming you were not dating this person until the divorce was finalized. If you were dating them before hand (yes even if you were GETTING a divorce) your children will naturally feel you replaced their parent with this person. They may even blame your new partner for your marriage breaking up. If you met them post divorce, hopefully you spent a few months dating them before introducing them to your children. Even at that point it could take months or even years for your children to accept your new partner. The older children may find it harder to accept and may never bond with them.
on November 13th, 2009 at 5:32 am
As has been pointed out, it’s different for everyone.
Usually, the younger the child, the easier it is on them.
Quite frankly, your junior high and high school kids are old enough that you can ask them this question yourself and see what they have to say about it. That way you have opened the door to communicate and talk to them about it.
on November 13th, 2009 at 5:32 am
if being a single parent you didn’t allow time for yourself and tell the children go play by themselves like you would in a regular marriage, then you’re going to have problems. if you made them your world of course they are going to continue to want that which isn’t healthy or teaches them that they are just children and adults need time as well. single or with someone. if you’ve prepared them by having time for yourself instead of catering to them then a relationship wouldn’t be a problem. besides what are you teaching them by making them the center of your world? how are they going to build a relationship when older. teach them well even if you are a single parent. the world cares not that you think they are great…the rest of the world could care less about your children. teach them you need time by yourself probably which you have not done.
on November 13th, 2009 at 5:32 am
As there is no hard and fast rule book on this and nothing is written in stone, no one can answer this. Anyone else’s experience will not necessarily be your own.
on November 13th, 2009 at 5:32 am
Sometimes never~~!