In short
This section of Just Divorced Singles is for divorced and separated parents who want to date without unsettling their children. It covers finding time to date, what to tell a co-parent, when and how to introduce a new partner, and life as a blended family. Most parents start with dating as a single parent, then read the introductions guide before anyone meets the kids.
Most parents start dating well before their children need to know about it. If that's where you are, begin with dating as a single parent, which deals with time, sitters and keeping the kids off your profile. Once a relationship looks like it will last, read co-parenting when one of you starts dating and introducing a new partner before anyone meets the children.
Which guide fits where you are
Each stage of dating as a parent has its own questions. This table matches the stage to the guide that answers them.
| Stage | The question on your mind | Read |
|---|---|---|
| Just starting to date | How do I find the time, and who looks after the kids? | Dating as a single parent |
| Seeing someone regularly | What do I tell my ex, and when? | Co-parenting and dating |
| Relationship is steady | When and how should the children meet them? | Introducing a new partner |
| You both have children | How do two families fit together? | Blended families |
Fitting dating around family life
- Dating as a single parent: time, sitters and schedules: how to use your free days, find and check a sitter you trust, and keep your children's details private.
- Co-parenting when one of you starts dating: what to tell your ex, what to keep to yourself, the ground rules worth agreeing for introductions and handovers, and helplines if your ex is controlling.
When a relationship becomes serious
- When and how to introduce a new partner to your children: judging the timing, reasonable checks, planning a gentle first meeting and handling how your children react.
- Blended families: dating when you both have children: schedules, house rules, discipline and stepsiblings, money, and what to settle before you live together.
Keeping your children safe while you date
Your children's privacy and safety come first at every stage. Keep their names and photos off your profile, meet new people away from home, and don't let anyone you're dating look after them until that person is an established part of their lives.
Our safety guide covers meeting people for the first time and keeping your profile private from an ex. If the person you're seeing is new to dating a parent, dating someone who is divorced explains how it looks from their side.
Questions people ask
Do my children need to know I'm dating?
Not at first. Early dates can happen on the days your children are with their other parent or while a sitter is in, and children don't need to hear about someone who may not last. Tell them once a relationship is steady and you plan an introduction, and tell your co-parent before the children meet anyone.
How long should I wait before introducing a new partner?
There is no fixed number of months. Wait until the relationship looks likely to last, your children are settled after the separation, and your partner understands what meeting them means. Our introductions guide sets out these tests and a step-by-step order for the first meeting and what follows.
Should my dating profile mention my children?
Yes, in broad terms, such as how many and roughly how old. It saves time with people who don't want to date a parent. Keep your children's names, photos, school and anything else that identifies them off your profile, because profiles are shared with partner sites in the same network.