Dating is tough. You might not know what to say or do at a time like this, and you’re certainly not alone if you feel like it’s all falling apart before your eyes. That said, these tips for dating a woman with a child will help you get through the messy moments of being in love with someone new.
1) Don’t be afraid to reintroduce yourself and share your interests
2) Take her out for coffee on the first date
3) Talk about her child on their terms, not yours
4) If she has asked you to stop talking about them, respect that request
5) Focus less on their child and more on them (you’ll be surprised how open they are once they trust you)
6) Remember that your relationship takes time, patience, and effort (and often some bumps along the way). Keep going!
Introducing yourself and sharing your interests
It may sound like common sense, but you might not be ready for a relationship if you’re not willing to reintroduce yourself and share your interests. If she’s been through divorce, then she’s likely had some changes in her life that will impact how much time she can spend with you. It’s important that you’re genuinely interested in what she has to say and where this will take the two of you. Share your interests with her so that there are no surprises later on down the road.
7) Talk about her child on their terms, not yours
If someone is open about their child with you, it means they trust you enough to talk about them and want to know what your thoughts are on the topic. It’s only appropriate to listen and ask questions when they’re talking about their child on their own terms; otherwise it’s too easy for one of you to impose your point of view into the conversation before they’ve had a chance to process it further themselves.
8) Support her decisions when it comes to her child
In most cases, women choose whether or not they want children based on who they marry; men don’t make those choices for them. If she announces that she does want children (or doesn’t), support her decision 100% because it reflects upon how much she trusts and cares for you as well as your ability to provide for them both emotionally and financially. It will strengthen your bond over time if you respect each other’s decisions without trying
Take her out for coffee on the first date
This is a great idea to help ease into the conversation. You’ll get a sense of how she interacts with kids and what her expectations are when it comes to them.
7) Encourage her to take more breaks and give herself some space
8) Be patient, don’t push for intimacy right away
9) Start slow and build up over time (remember, relationships take time!)
10) Learn about their child’s interests or hobbies so you can complement their life
11) Listen intently, ask questions, and really listen to everything she says
12) Don’t be afraid to switch it up a little bit—date at home or go somewhere new every once in awhile
13) Make sure your timing is right (she has to be ready too!)
14) If things aren’t going well, talk about it! It’s not easy being in love with someone you have no idea how they feel about you. She might need some time to figure out if this is something she wants or not
Talk about her child on their terms, not yours
When you start dating a woman with a child, it’s important to take her child into consideration. She has a lot of issues that you may not understand, and she has a lot of baggage to deal with. In order for the relationship to work, her child is going to have to be taken care of by someone else–that’s your job.
If she asks you not to talk about their child, respect that request and focus on the mother-to-mother relationship instead. Remember that your relationship will take time and effort if you want it to work–it’s worth it!
If she has asked you to stop talking about them, respect that request
Remember that your relationship takes time, patience, and effort (and often some bumps along the way). Keep going!
7) Ask her about their child. Let them open up and share what’s on their mind
8) Be honest about your feelings for her
9) Reach out to her parents or other family members to get a better understanding of how she is feeling
10) Stick around when she needs someone there for her
Focus less on their child and more on them (you’ll be surprised how open they are once they trust you)
Another tip for dating a woman with a child is to remember that your relationship takes time, patience, and effort. Sometimes you’ll encounter bumps along the way, but keep going. The more time you spend together, the easier these moments will become.
7) Don’t make assumptions about her life
8) Show her that you care for her as a person rather than her parenting skills
9) Be compassionate, not critical
10) Take things slowly and be patient with each other
11) Respect the space she needs from their child (and vice versa)
12) Respect her work schedule
13) Remember to ask about their day when they’re done working rather than assuming everything is fine
14) Be present in their life by listening to their stories
15) Accept that some of your plans might have to change because of their children
Remember that your relationship takes time, patience, and effort (and often some bumps along the way). Keep going!
7) Sleep on it before you make any decisions
8) Recognize that this is a process and not a one-time decision
9) Don’t be afraid to talk about your own child with her
10) Watch TV with her and make memories
11) Help her find a babysitter if she needs one
12) Make time for date nights, even if they’re short
13) Take care of yourself so you can better take care of her
14) Be happy in the moment and enjoy being together as a couple