You are glad you divorced your children’s other parent. So much so that you are ready to take a flying leap into the dating pool. You may even hit the jackpot and meet that perfect companion on your first foray into online dating.
In fact, even though it has only been a few brief weeks of dating, you are ready to kick it up a notch to the next level. You want to introduce your new partner to your kids. Can you do that?
Slow down a second
In your haste to divorce your former spouse, you may have signed a mutual consent custody agreement stipulating that neither of you would introduce new partners to the kids until a certain span of time had passed – six months, a year – or the relationship had evolved to permanent status.
Even if none of that applies, there are still many reasons you may want to slow your haste with the introductions. The kids’ ages, how they feel about the divorce and about sharing you (and your time) with someone else so soon.
Be a parent first, then a partner
Your children deserve to be your first priority following your divorce from their other parent. Make sure they realize that. Especially if your new partner has their own children they bring into the situation, this can take some time to finesse.
What if I object to my ex’s new partner spending time around my kids?
There’s a difference between disapproving of your former spouse’s new partner and not risking the kids’ safety. If the new partner drinks and drives, does drugs or there are domestic violence episodes. You may need to revisit your custody or visitation agreement if the latter occurs.
