How to Date a Widowed Man With Kids
Finding love after a loss can be a wonderful thing when the timing is right. When it comes to dating a widower, the dating process is one of understanding, allowing grieving and taking things slowly to gain the trust of not only the widower, but that of his children.
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Instructions
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Give him time to grieve. Before you date a widower, you need to allow him and his children ample grieving time. He needs to release his attachment to his significant other before he can pursue another relationship.
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Take it slow. Dating a widower with children requires the courting process and overall dating process to proceed at a much slower pace. The grief of losing a loved one can take time, and often can get in the way of the dating process.
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Handle jealousy from the children with understanding. Often they are jealous that there is a replacement parent in the picture; therefore, you need to make them feel comfortable. Most children will be happier with their father dating if they see that the person they are dating is making him happy.
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Never ask him to remove old pictures. There will always be memories of his former spouse, and you do not want him to forget the past.
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Handle special dates from his past with respect. Dating a widower with children will require you to be understanding. Dates like a wife or mother's birthday, vacations and anniversaries will come up. Know that is okay to respect those dates. Find an equal balance between remembering those special days, but not over-glorifying them.
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Show the children respect. Remember that these children have lost their mother, and they are still grieving this loss. Children will not always be accepting of a new girlfriend or possible step-mother. Keep in mind that this is not a competition for who can get the most attention from their father. There will be days the children accept you and days they react to your presence. Be prepared for both; never take it personally.
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