Single parents and their children always seem to have a completely unique connection. They often tend to interact with each other differently than most parents and kids do. So, if a new partner wants to enter a nuclear family setting, it can feel slightly challenging.

This is what a woman felt five years into her relationship with her partner. Within the first year of moving in with him, she began to feel suffocated by his child’s presence. To her, it almost felt like he was trying to be a third person in their relationship.

More info: Mumsnet

Dating a single parent requires a lot of patience, understanding, and effort, especially if you want to be part of their life

Image credits: Curated Lifestyle / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

The woman shared that she had been living with her partner for a year, and at the start, her relationship with his 12-year-old son seemed manageable

Image credits: OPPO Find X5 Pro / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

After a while, the woman began to feel irked by how much her partner’s son wanted to be a part of their “adult conversations,” discussions, and meals

Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

Previously, the poster wasn’t bothered by the tween when he treated her like any other adult, but now she feels as though he expects her to act like a parental figure

Image credits: Dpmn553 

Her lack of experience with children, and her discomfort over the boy’s constant presence, made her feel like she couldn’t be herself or manage her romantic relationship with her partner 

The woman shared that her partner’s 12-year-old son was an only child and that he and his dad had a very different dynamic. Both of them spent a lot of time together, discussed important matters, and seemed in tune with one another. This is not something the OP was used to, which is why she felt confused whenever the kid chimed up during their conversations or wanted to be around them a lot.

It’s important to truly understand what it means to date a single parent and how one should go about it. That’s why Bored Panda reached out to Karina F. Daves, a relationship coach who teaches women how to enjoy more satisfying partnerships by decreasing their arguments and increasing their intimacy. 

Karina uses her experience as a former social worker and adjunct women’s studies professor to teach women how to strategically evaluate their personal identity, values, and standards so they can elevate themselves and their relationships. She told us that “dating someone with kids isn’t for everyone, and you don’t need to feel guilty about it.”

“Instead, understand what it is that you value, and honor that. Don’t force yourself into a situation that isn’t for you. That not only keeps it in the best interest of you but also protects the children from experiencing that disconnect,” Karina explained.

We also reached out to Heather Hopson, the founder of Motor Mouth Multimedia, a communications and marketing firm made up of a collective of creatives and consultants of color. Using more than a decade of television news reporting experience, Heather assembles teams to tell diverse stories, provide unique perspectives, and increase the visibility of important issues for clients. 

In 2018, Motor Mouth Multimedia produced Single Mom Defined, a photo essay and video series that provides a more accurate definition of single black motherhood than the one society presents. Heather explained that when it comes to dating someone with kids, you should “Be patient! Just like you should not rush into a relationship with an adult, you should also take your time getting to know a child.”

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“It’s natural to feel a little awkward or nervous when you first meet your partner’s child. But if those feelings never go away and you continue to experience uncomfortable encounters, the best thing to do is to ask yourself if this is something you really want to sign up for. You’re not a bad person if you say no!”

This is the type of thing to be expected when the parent and the kid have always only had each other. What made it tougher for the OP to adjust was the fact that she didn’t have kids of her own and wasn’t sure if she was cut out for motherhood. She also suspected that she might be neurodivergent, which made it difficult for her to cope with any intrusions on her privacy and space.

Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

Apart from the boy wanting to be a part of their discussions or spend a lot of time with his dad and partner, the kid had started treating the OP almost like a parental figure. This made her uncomfortable because she didn’t want to take up such a role so soon. She felt things were better when he was treating her like a regular adult.

An important aspect of getting into a relationship with a single parent is understanding that their kid plays a big role in their life. Nurturing your connection with your partner is obviously essential, but you’ve also got to understand and bond with their family. 

Heather Hopson shared that “The level of responsibility you have dating someone is different than when you marry someone. Be sure to have an open and honest conversation with your partner to set expectations and boundaries. Don’t just jump into discipline or make decisions about the child. Also, don’t take everything personally.” 

“Remember, you are not this child’s parent. It is not your job to set or enforce rules with someone else’s children. Nonetheless, all parties should feel respected and included when appropriate. Talk to your partner about your expectations, and remember, children are not baggage! They are a bonus. They can expand the capacity to love,” Heather shared.

Even though the OP seemed okay with her partner’s son, she didn’t make it a point to connect with him as much. She also seemed to exclude him in certain situations, like during mealtimes or their conversations. Netizens felt like she was taking such behavior too far and ruining the dynamic that the father and son already had.

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An important point Karina Daves mentioned is that “if you’ve never dated someone with kids before, I want you to be prepared to be uncomfortable because this is such a new space for you. I also want you to work a lot on assessing if this is the right relationship/family dynamic for you.” 

“You should be conscious of the fact that kids are very routine-based, and you are coming into their already established routine, creating a new dynamic for them. Work with your partner to solve for that. I want you ultimately to know that dating someone with kids is less about forcing yourself to make it work and asking yourself if this is something that you do want to make work.”

Along with the OP making more of an effort to bond with the kid while also staying true to herself, the dad needs to step up and take control of the situation. Karina explained that “it’s super important for the parent to begin having these conversations early on with their children and walking them through what dating with two adults looks like and how they will navigate it.” 

“Also, talk about alone time and what that looks like, as well as what to expect and how there will always be a safe space for them to share their feelings,” she said. This kind of groundwork might help the OP, her partner, and his son have a happier, healthier, and more balanced connection.

What do you feel about the OP’s concerns? Do you think she is right to feel uncomfortable about the tween’s behavior? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section.

Folks did not side with the poster, that she was technically an outsider to her partner and his son, and that she should definitely try to include the kid more

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