How to Date During Divorce
Divorce is usually a traumatic experience for the two spouses, and their relatives and friends. For some, entering the dating scene takes a long time while others are able to start dating right away. If you fall into the latter category, know the dos and don'ts of dating during divorce. Doing so will help ensure the emotional well-being of your children and yourself as well as ensure a divorce outcome that is favorable to you.
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Instructions
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Avoid introducing your date to your children. If you must, do not kiss or show other public displays of affection in front of the children. Avoid having your date sleep over when the children are home. Bringing a new person into the children's life before the divorce is final can be confusing for children.
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Be aware that dating before others have come to terms with your impending divorce can negatively affect your relationships. Seeing you with someone else can push relatives--particularly your children--and mutual friends toward distancing themselves from you and sympathizing more with your spouse.
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Make it clear to your children that the person you are dating will never take the place of the other parent. Do so regardless of whether you have introduced your new partner to the kids or not.
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If you share temporary custody, schedule dates during your spouse's time with the children. During a divorce, your children will need you more than ever. Do not allow dating to get in the way of you spending as much time with your kids as possible.
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Enjoy the experience if you do decide to date during your divorce, which can be a means to have fun and relieve stress. Remember, though, that you are more emotionally vulnerable than you think. Do not jump into another serious, long-term relationship quickly.
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Tips & Warnings
Knowing that you are already seeing someone else could push your spouse to making the divorce more complicated and expensive than it would have been otherwise. Protect yourself by agreeing on money and custody issues and outlining them in a legal agreement before beginning to date.
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- Photo Credit Andrew Schmidt: Publicdomainpictures.net
