How to Introduce a Child to a New Boyfriend

You are a single female with a child, and you have a new boyfriend. Some thought needs to go into how you introduce your child to him. Whether you are a single mom who has divorced, become widowed or never married, make the introduction as smooth as possible by following these steps.

Instructions

1. Plan to introduce your new boyfriend to your child only after you have been dating him seriously for at least eight or nine months. When you are dating more than one man casually, it is not a good idea to introduce each man to your child because it is confusing.

2. Talk to your child before the day of the introduction. Say that you want the child to meet your really good friend. Assure the child that your love for her does not change because you have this new friend, even when you spend time away from her to be with the new friend.

3. Choose a neutral location for the introduction. It is less stressful for children to be introduced to their mom's new boyfriend in a setting such as a park or at a friend's picnic.

4. Arrange for a sitter your child likes if you are going out with your new boyfriend after the introduction. You want the child to think of date night as fun for him, too.

5. Consider the child's age when anticipating a reaction to the introduction. Young children often react by seeking the new boyfriend's attention and competing with the mom for that attention. An older child is likely to react with ambivalence. Set expectations with your child in advance that they must be respectful.