I get a lot of questions about when a divorced dad should introduce his girlfriend to his kids… or when a now-single mother should introduce her new boyfriend to her children.

While there is no easy answer to this very specific question the over-all rule is after dating for six months.

The danger to early introductions is that your children may make an emotional connection to your new love interest much faster and easier than you do.

After all, your new girlfriend/boyfriend is always going to be at their best around your kids. Likely even seeming better than you are, the full-time parent (even if you only have your kids on the weekend).

Your connection might not be as strong to this newcomer as your kids and your children may not fully understand what happens if your new relationship doesn’t work out. They might not be as secure about another breakup as you hope or think.

Protect your kids as you would your own heart, with no unecessary or early exposure. And if your new partner doesn’t agree with this approach to your children’s emotional needs, this is a big red flag for how your relationship will continue with your children involved.

Take your time, you have the rest of your life to enjoy each other but only a second’s worth of indiscretion to confuse your children’s understanding or relationships.

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