Dating Single Mother

 

Question and Answer with relationship expert Dr Dennis

This article is syndicated from BeingAMan.com

So, you’ve just met a beautiful women, however, she has kids and you
want to date her anyway. What do you do?

Rule #1 – Don’t!

Its sad but true. If you decide to date a single mother, you’d better
beware. To many, this seems cold and callous, but there are far more
problems with dating single mothers than you’d think.

Single mothers are first and foremost dedicated to their children,
(as it should be). If she isn’t, you’ve got an entirely different
problem on your hands. You’ll be the one that took her attention away
from her kids in the eyes of her family and friends – the “bad
guy”. No matter what, you’ll never be “top banana” in her
life.

All too often, single mothers are looking for a man to 1) be the
father to their children, to help raise them and care for them, 2) to
pay the bills, and 3) to give her freedom from the kids for awhile. If
the kids have to go to the doctor, she may not be able to afford it and
may not have insurance – so you’ll have to pony up. If they need braces,
have to go to summer camp, need money for a school trip, etc., she’s
likely going to be pretty tight that month. So to look good in her eyes,
you’re going to wind up paying these bills. This is a lot to ask someone
that isn’t even related to the children!

When you two go out, she’s going to have to find a babysitter for the
kids. She can’t do this too often, so your “outings” are going
to be limited. Further, this gets very expensive, very quickly – so,
instead of getting a sitter, she will begin to include them in your time
together. You’ll be paying for meals, theatre tickets, plane trips, and
any other expense that comes up while you are together.

Forget anything spontaneous, and absolutely forget sleep-overs. How
is she going to find a sitter that will watch the kids until the
morning? If you’re at her place, you’re not going to be able to sleep
there either. It is rather awkward to wake up and see the kids faces
wondering what you’re doing there in the morning!

When it comes to actually raising the children (which includes
discipline), you probably won’t have a say. Again, you’re not the father
– and the kids know it! Unless the woman is willing to get behind you
100% and to support your decisions in discipline, you’re out of luck.

The women is probably separated or divorced from the children’s
father, but you will always have this man’s influence in your life –
after all these are his children – not yours. He and she probably
have their own battles and you’re going to be right in the middle of
them. Also consider, that your values probably will not match his. This
means that you will always be at odds with him.

Further, she probably has personal problems with this man, and again,
you’re going to be the one listening to it all, supporting her and her
problems with him, and you’re not going to have much of a say at all.

In short, unless you’re just dying to have a pre-made family, and
can’t make them yourself, you’re in for a real shock. Think twice about
it, then think about it again. You better be ready if you decide to take
this plunge! Better yet, find a woman without kids – they ARE out there!

Ok, you won’t listen to reason, what should you do?

If you’ve decided to take the plunge head-long into parenthood, or
you’re already in that situation, here’s what you should do immediately:

1) Decide what role you’re willing to play with the kids. Be specific
and don’t “give over” to what you think the mother would want.
You need to decide for yourself.

2) Have a discussion with the mother. You need to work out some
specific issues:

• What are her expectation of you with her kids?
• What authority do you have (remember – in your house, YOU get to
  set the rules), and will she back you up?
• What are her “core values” – those she wants to pass on
  to her kids?
• What will she tell them about your relationship?
• How does she expect to handle things as you get closer – does she
  have a plan, or is she going to “wing it”?

3) If you can, meet with the kid’s father. Start by telling him that
you’re not trying to compete with him for the kid’s affection, and that
you recognize the problems involved. Then, ask him what his “core
values” are. As long as they’re not contrary to the mother’s, tell
him you’ll try to pass these along when you’re with his kids.

4) Have a discussion with the kids and their mother. Explain that
you’re not trying to replace “daddy” – he is a very special
person in their lives. But, you and mommy are together and you want to
be their friends too. Tell them that you expect them to listen to you
(and have mommy agree in front of them!) And, don’t make promises or
deals with the kids – this is just to get them involved. Group hug time!

My friend – remember, this is a very difficult thing to pull off –
and relationships with unencumbered women are difficult enough. If you
succeed, you’re definitely one survivor among many dead.