Parenting Articles:

Introduction
Definition
Skills
Not By Choice
Church
Dating
Education
Alcohol
Aids
Sex
Blending

Single Parenting - Dating

Dating for the single parent should be an option to be considered with great care when rearing small children. If we do choose to date, we should first know more about our partner then we might if we were childless, as the influence this other person brings into our home can be considerable.

Single parents must choose their partners very carefully. We need to think about the kind of person we want to have around our children. We need to know his or her characteristics, whether or not he or she has children of their own, and if he or she is mature enough to handle a relationship that involves children.

Questions you might ask yourself are: When should I introduce my child or children to my friend? Will he or she respect my child's or children's treatment of them as a step parent? Will he or she take responsibility as a parent? Is this relationship healthy enough to include my child or children?

Will this environment be safe for my child or children? Will this relationship benefit both me and my child? Is his or her values and morals the same as mine? Will the kind of influence he or she will have on my child or children be what I want to see reflected in them? Remember the welfare of your child or children is much more important than a relationship that may be temporary at best.

If a single parent becomes involved with a childless partner he or she should not have to reproduce for that relationship to work. He or she should not be pressured to show their love for the other partner by taking on the added responsibility of becoming a parent themselves. He or she can demonstrate this by becoming a mentor to the child or children of that partner. The male or female partner can take the son or daughter to a ball game or teach him or her how to fish, swim, cook a special meal or plan outings together.

The stigma of not reproducing on the part of the childless partner should not be a concern. The concern should be whether or not he or she is mentally,physcially,emotionally and spiritually ready for the awesome responsibility of becoming a parent. Parenting is hard work.

When a single parent chooses to date, the natural parent should not be pushed out of their children's life. That father or mother still has an important role to play, and your child or children need both their natural parent's love and support.

Not every man should be a father or every woman a mother. However, if you are committed to your partner and his or her children you should be the best partner, mentor, and human being you can.