Dating after divorce. It’s one of those situations no one wants to find themselves, but unfortunately, it’s a reality for many. Relationships can be full of amazing highs and joys, but they can also reach extreme lows. For some, the lows are too extreme to repair.
A failed relationship can be devastating. It’s only natural for people to start looking to the future and moving on once sufficient healing has taken place. Once you have moved on, there is often a whole new world of situations to deal with, such as introducing children to a new person in your life.
Read more: 12 Clear Signs You’re Ready to Start Dating After Divorce
Watching a parent fall in love with someone other than their previous spouse can be challenging for a child. Because of this, it’s important to know how to navigate those feelings as you start dating again.
Dating after divorce brings up intense feelings for everyone. From the Church to your own family, there are plenty of obstacles to overcome, but none of them are impossible. Here are our top tips for introducing your child to a new partner.
Dating after divorce
Maybe you’re divorced and the Church gave you an annulment. Regardless of your situation, it’s important and good to move on once you’ve healed. As a Catholic parent, no doubt your primary concern is caring for your child. However, it’s important to care for yourself, too. Open yourself to a new life of possibilities that await.
You deserve love. Once your heart is ready and willing to open itself up to someone else again, allow yourself to move on and embrace that which God has planned for you. Yes, it may look different than what you originally had in mind, but sometimes the unexpected paths are the ones that lead us to the most incredible outcomes.
Finding a new chance at love
Beauty can come out of suffering. When you come out on the other end, you can often see life in a whole new way. With a new view and clean slate, the time will come for you to venture out and take a chance on love again.
If you’re dating after divorce, you may find a person who compliments you and your life. Celebrate them! Don’t hide them from your children or the rest of the world. Instead, share them along with your newfound excitement over the relationship.
It may feel daunting bringing a new person into the safe circle that you have created around you and your child. But your happiness is what will ultimately help them see and appreciate your new partner.
How to introduce your new partner to your child
No two children are the same! It makes sense that every child will react differently to meeting your new partner if you’re dating after divorce. While you may have a friend who said that their child welcomed their new partner into his/her life with open arms, you may find that your child is a little more hesitant, and will need time to get used to the idea.
1. Take your time
Time is everything when introducing your child to a new partner. Even if you are excited about your love life and dating after divorce, if you rush into an introduction too soon, it can cause several problems.
It’s important to make sure that you’ve been dating this person long enough that you’re feeling certain that they will be around for a while. Once you and your partner feel confident about where you are in your relationship, keep an eye on your child’s natural curiosity and you’ll gain a sense of when the time will be right to make the introduction.
You know your child better than anyone, so stay in tune to their feelings and emotions and look for the signs that let you know that it’s okay to let them know you’re moving on.
2. Keep open communication
Communication is key when it comes to welcoming a new person into the lives of you and your child. Talking with your child frequently about their feelings will help give you a clear idea of how they are feeling about you dating after divorce.
Open, honest conversation will help your child realize that you value their thoughts and opinions. It will also help them understand that a new person in your life does not mean that they are any less important to you.
Whether it be in the car while running errands or at home in the evening before bedtime, opening a window of time for heart to hearts with your child will help keep you in tune with how they are handling everything.
3. Lean on your faith
When you’re trying to decided whether or not your child is ready to accept a new person into their life, pray about it. Lean in to your faith and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you toward making the right steps.
When living a life in line with your faith, praying about big decisions like this can often lead you into a deeper understanding and clarity. Not sure where to begin? Start with a prayer for your future spouse and a good holy person who will bring only love and joy into the life of your child.
Turn to Scripture as well if you’re dating after divorce. The Bible has a wealth of knowledge and advise for people who are seeking God’s will in their lives.
4. Don’t expect a straight line of progress
Healing isn’t linear and neither is moving on or dating after divorce. One of the best pieces of advice you can remind yourself of is to have realistic expectations.
There will be good days and bad days, many steps forward and likely just as many steps back. Be sure to manage your expectations as well as those of your child and remember to communicate and pray through the patches that seem especially rough.
The bumps in the road will help you grow and teach you new ways to navigate your situation. Don’t let set backs discourage you. Keep your eyes forward and your heart locked into hope.
5. Give yourself a chance
Dating after divorce is difficult, so cut yourself some slack. There is no one size fits all explanation to help you through this journey. Your path will be specifically tailored to you.
You’ve been through a crisis and taken the time to heal, and now it’s time to move on. The important thing here on out is to focus on making a path toward your own happiness, and in turn your joy will trickle down into the life of your son or daughter.
Dating after divorce as a Catholic parent
If your first or second or even third conversation with your child about dating doesn’t go over well, fear not. With time, communication and patience, eventually every kid will come around.
Change is hard no matter what age you are, but for children it can feel like it’s throwing their whole world off kilter. By giving them the time, space and conversation they need, you’ll give them the first step into a healthy acceptance of your new partner, and your new life as someone dating after divorce.
Ready to take the plunge back into the world of dating? Catholic Singles is here for you, and ready to help you along every step of your new and exciting journey
