Single Parenting: Preparing Your Child For A New Step-Dad

"body">success of your new relationship and for your child to
With all that's going on for the mother, whether it be aninclude your child in some activities with your new
emotional trauma from the child's father, work, financialbeau. This will eliminate the feeling of being left out and
worries, sometimes it feels good to simply move onassures your child that he or she is still very much a
and be grateful at the chance for a new life partner.part of you and your new man's life.
However, growing up without a father is never easy2. Maintain routines. Sometimes, when your children are
for a child, let alone having to go home one day with aof age, and if you and your child are emotionally close
mother announcing the arrival of a new permanentand have established routines and activities for the
fixture in the home - a new stepfather whom the poortwo of you, it is important to keep these activities and
kid does not even know. Aside from the fact thatroutines even at the arrival of a new man in your life.
children need more time getting used to changes asYour child needs to feel that your love for him or her
they find it hard to accept changes if these are notwill not change. Your child needs to be assured that
clearly explained to them.your new man will never take your child's place in your
Here are some thoughts to consider or to keep in mindlife.
when thinking about dating or marrying again:3. Most importantly, introduce your man into your child's
1. Children need to feel loved. Allowing another personlife slowly. Give your child the time, emotional space
into you and your child's life may send the wrongand support to accept the changes in both your lives.
signals to your child. He or she might feel that he orWarm him or her into the idea of having a dad.
she is being replaced in your life. Although it is importantSingle moms who have succeeded in bringing in a new
for you to know your new man by being alone withdad for her child with the least resistance from her
him on dates, it is just as much important for thechild is definitely a made mom.