Dealing With Your Teenagers Reactions To Having Their Parent Dating

As a single parent you know that you need to put your child's needs first.
However, as adults you also know that you have needs too and one of those needs may be for adult companionship with someone of the opposite sex. However, single parent dating can have it's difficulties especially if your child or children are teenagers and are use to having your attention all to themselves.

While some teenagers are relieved to see you, their parent dating others see the new man or woman in your life as a threat to the family unit especially if the relationship goes beyond a date or two. It is not unknown for a parent to witness their normally polite and friendly teen turn into a rude or withdrawn individual when confronted by the new "love" interest in their parent's life.
While you can't always predict how your teenager is going to react to the idea of you dating in general or how they will feel if you meet that someone special.
There are things you can do, to help reduce the risk of your teenager resenting the new person in your life and dealing effectively with their reaction to anyone you may date.
Don't Make Dating A Secret Some parents make the mistake of keeping their dating a secret from their children regardless of their children's ages.
While you don't have to explain to a 3 year old, that Mommy or Daddy is going on a date, a teenager is different matter. Letting them know that you have friends of both sexes that you enjoy going out with even before you go on an actual date, makes the idea of you having a date less of an issue and easier to accept.
Answer Your Teenagers Questions About Your Dates Without Going Into Detail While many teenagers show little interest in what you, their parent, happens to do in their free time, others are curious especially if they know you are going out on a date. Avoiding their questions makes them feel as though you are being secretive and may cause them to feel insecure.

While there is really no reason for you to go into detail about the private parts of your date, you should answer their general questions as openly and honestly as possible. Many teenagers, want to know what your date is like, where they took you and what the two of you did.

Your child will feel more secure if you answer these questions honestly. You can say things like, "She seems really nice, but we are just getting to know one another.

" then mention the restaurant you took her too and the movie you went to see.

Or you may be asked where the two of you met and when he asked you out.
Some of these questions will asked out of simple curiosity and some out of concern for your well being. If your child feels that you are not being forthcoming or a hiding something from them, then they are more likely to worry and will be more prepared to dislike the date on sight.
Introducing Your Teenager To Someone You are Dating Eventually there will come a time when you are going to feel the need to introduce someone you are dating to your children. When introducing a date to your teenager for the first time, you should try and make the introduction short and matter of fact.
For example, you can have your date meet you at your home just prior to going out and simply make the introductions before spending the evening out. After a few such meetings, you can then have them over for coffee.

This allows your teenager to get used to the idea of whom you are dating slowly at first so they can learn about them a little at a time. Give your child and your date both an opportunity to discover common interests they might have and to develop at least a superficial friendship before pushing for you all to spend a large amount of time together.

The more comfortable you teen feels around the person you are dating, the less likely they will be to see them as intrusion into your lives.

Listen To Your Children If your child seems to take an instant dislike to someone you are dating, don't simply dismiss their feelings.
Sometimes, children pick up on red flags that you don't see or have pushed aside in a relationship.
Even if your child's concerns are unfounded, by listening to them and talking to them about their feelings you help them to know that you are still putting them first, and taking what they say into consideration.