Divorce and dating with kids

28-Oct-2020 21:37

Introduce the new partner as a “new friend” and not the new “love of my life.” Sensitivity Counts.Children may have more trouble adjusting to their fathers’ dating relationships than their mother’s.Specifically, single mothers’ dating behaviors directly influenced their son’s sexual behaviors, and indirectly influenced their daughter’s sexual behaviors by affecting her attitudes on sex.Parents should talk about appropriate behavior for adults and adolescents before either side starts an intimate relationship.While there have been several studies on divorce, remarriage and step-parenting, very few exist for the courtship period parents go through before remarriage.

Teenage children are entering a new world of dating behavior that may include sex, and will look to their parents as models of behavior. Research has shown that single parents’- and especially mothers’- attitudes and behaviors on sex and dating influence their children’s attitudes and behaviors.

Parents should be sensitive to their children’s feelings but not turn to a permissive parenting style because they feel guilty or embarrassed.