| If you are dating as a single parent then you will want | | | | smaller children. This will enable your new partner to |
| to introduce your kids to your new partner once the | | | | interact with your children whilst they are having fun |
| time is right and you will obviously want the meeting to | | | | and not entirely focused on them and will probably |
| go well. If everybody has a good time, they will all | | | | make the first meeting go more smoothly. |
| leave with a positive first impression of each other | | | | There are many more options if your children are |
| which can only make life simpler for you. Neutral | | | | slightly older, but the emphasis should still be on having |
| ground always makes for an easier introduction than | | | | fun and distractions rather than focussing the attention |
| at home, where the kids may feel a little territorial. | | | | on getting to know your new partner as there will be |
| More difficult still would be meeting at your partners | | | | plenty of time for that in the future. A trip to the |
| home, particularly if they are not use to having kids | | | | cinema or a sporting event provides an ideal |
| around. | | | | opportunity for you all to share an experience without |
| So where do you go? What kind of venue takes the | | | | any pressure to make conversation initially. And if you |
| pressure off all of you and has the best chances of all | | | | do decide to have a meal afterwards then you will all |
| going well? | | | | have something in common to talk about! |
| The obvious answer is to choose something the kids | | | | By putting your kids interests first and having your |
| enjoy. Your partner should be prepared to fit in with | | | | partner go along with them, you stand the best chance |
| your children and a kids trip out will be a subtle way of | | | | of a the first meeting being a success. However, there |
| reinforcing that to your children and help them feel they | | | | is always the possibility of a tantrum or bad behaviour. |
| are important. If you put your kids in an environment | | | | So try not to expect too much of your kids and do not |
| where they are bored, uncomfortable or overly | | | | be any harder on them than normal because you are |
| constrained, they will subconsciously associate that | | | | too anxious for things to go well. Your kids are no |
| feeling with your partner being around and may resent | | | | more perfect than anyone else and are virtually |
| them. So do not choose anything formal like a lunch or | | | | guaranteed to play up if you are tense and set the |
| dinner where conversation may be forced and the | | | | expectations on behaviour too high. Let them be |
| atmosphere a little tense. | | | | themselves and remember to relax and have fun with |
| You will need to choose an activity or venue that is | | | | them yourself too. Then your partner will get the |
| pitched at the right age and interests for your family to | | | | chance to see how you operate as a family and |
| ensure that the meeting is a success. If you have small | | | | where and how they can fit in and make things work |
| children then choose places like the zoo, park or | | | | in the long term. |
| perhaps an adventure park that has rides designed for | | | | |