Be honest… dating a man with kids seems intriguing at first. Even when your friends tell you that you’re crazy, you just keep holding on.
The responsibility. The dad-bod. Not to mention, the kids!
What may seem like a hopeful fairytale life ahead can quickly be cut short when you realize all of the baggage that comes with him.
To be clear: Your partner’s children are not baggage. The “extras” that come along with them certainly are.
What I mean is this: When you first start dating a man with kids, you have no way of knowing how amazingly complicated it will be. For every pro, there is [at least] one con.
First things first, you have to make sure the relationship is worth it. In some relationships, for better or for worse, you may find yourself overlooking red flags, or making excuses for unacceptable behavior. You cannot do this when you’re dating a man with kids.
There are so many “extra” components you will need to navigate while dating, especially if you progress into marrying a man with kids. I do not think I could have handled all of my husband’s shared parenting ups and downs over the years if he wasn’t perfect for me otherwise.
If he doesn’t treat you like the queen you are, then leave.
Everything I Needed to Know about Dating a Man with Kids
When I first started dating my now-husband, I had people in my life on all points of the supportive Likert scale. I had relatives who immediately welcomed him with open arms, and others who outright opposed the relationship.
A quote from a relative that stays with me is this: “Ashley… you don’t want to raise someone else’s kids.”
…that quote came from someone who raised me, which may be why it stung so badly. You can read about my non-traditional upbringing here.
Four years into my relationship with my now-husband, I can confirm that some of my friends’ and family members’ warnings were valid, and some were not.
Today, I’m here to tell you everything I needed to know about dating a man with kids. I hope it helps!
Sometimes you will feel like you’re not his priority.
That’s because sometimes, you aren’t. You are a priority in his life, but you’re not always his #1 priority. It’s easy to confuse those two things.
It’s common to be dating a man with kids and feeling left out. There isn’t a typical honeymoon stage. Sometimes your date nights include watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse while cleaning up toys (over and over again).
Sometimes, he isn’t going to be able to do whatever you want to do. You have to be okay with that. You’re not a doormat, but his kids should be his #1 priority. Think about it: you wouldn’t want to be dating him if he was a bad dad, right?!
Meeting your boyfriend’s children is a big deal.
Don’t brush over the fact that meeting your boyfriend’s children for the first time is important. Take your time meeting the kids. Perhaps get introduced as “Dad’s friend.”
Let your boyfriend take the lead on this. Don’t pressure him into making the introductions. When it finally happens, don’t put too much pressure on yourself, and don’t set your expectations too high for the meeting.
Depending on the age of the kids, how long it’s been since their parents separated, and countless other factors, the meeting could go well, or it could be a nightmare. Brace yourself for either scenario.
Meeting your boyfriend’s family is a big deal.
It’s common sense to stress out about meeting your boyfriend’s children for the first time… but what about his family?
When he and the mother of his child separated, his family suffered a loss. No matter “how badly she treated him,” or “how nasty the separation was,” his family lost a member of their family.
Be sensitive to their loss, and don’t expect them to welcome you with open arms. If they do, great! But if they don’t, try not to take it personally. Give them time and space. They will come around!
You may feel like family before everyone else considers you family.
This is a big one when you’re dating a man with kids. You may feel like a stepmom long before everyone else considers you to be a stepmom. You may consider his parents to be your in-laws before you’re even engaged.
When you’re helping your boyfriend raise his kids, the process of becoming a family happens at an accelerated rate. Even when you feel like a stepmom, or like a permanent part of the family, don’t forget that others may not see you that way yet.
Not to worry, there is no shame in being the girlfriend! While you’re neck-deep in the shared parenting trenches, don’t forget to—you know—date! Be intentional in scheduling your date nights and alone time. Your relationship needs to be prioritized!
Let your boyfriend handle all shared parenting matters.
This is hands down the biggest lesson I wish I would have learned much, much earlier in my stepmomming journey.
It’s normal for you as the girlfriend, to want to help your boyfriend document conversations with his ex, prepare for a custody modification, etc. But newsflash—your boyfriend is more capable than you’re giving him credit for.
He is his child’s parent. He had a child with her. They need to work things out among themselves.
The next time you catch yourself drafting a text message from his phone on his behalf to his ex, HAULT! I mean it! Let your man handle his business! This will save your mental health and your relationship!
His finances may be a mess.
Just as you bond quickly as a family because of the intimate topics you encounter daily, you also may have to talk about money quicker than you want to.
He may be paying child support and alimony to his ex. He may still be in debt from the lawyer he hired 3 years ago, who only managed to “win” him 120 nights a year with his children. Despite having a good job, he may be really broke.
You may not be able to take the romantic Caribbean trip you want to take, or throw the big 30th Birthday Bash you desire. You can choose to combine finances or keep them separate, but either way, you have to be patient with him when it comes to money.
Your stepmomming journey will look different than everyone else’s.
You may have a friend who’s a stepmom. When she met her boyfriend’s kids, it may have been all sunshine and rainbows. His family may have welcomed her with open arms. You may be expecting a similar welcome party…
And it may not happen. You need to go into all new situations with your boyfriend with no expectations. Not low expectations. No expectations. That way, regardless of what happens, you are not disappointed.
Learning to let go of everything you think will or should happen in your stepmom life is much easier said than done.
Support groups at Stepmomming are led by a Certified Stepfamily Coach. And it is your best bet to get personalized advice specific to your situation, and connection with other women who understand your journey!
If you’re dating a man with kids, you have to be strong. Be confident in your abilities and in your self-worth.
Blending into your boyfriend’s family will be unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before. It takes time, and has its ups and downs, but is so rewarding.
If your boyfriend is “the one” for you, then stick with him. Don’t let shared parenting matters impact your relationship. Be flexible and patient.
If you can make it through the initial entry and dating phase with your boyfriend, you can make it through anything. Stay strong!
P.S. If you’re reading this too late in the game, you’re not alone. Here are one stepmom’s 5 biggest mistakes she learned in her early stepmom days.
Thank you so much. I read this out of panic after my new boyfriend told me he has a daughter. This type of news is sure to give me anxiety, especially because we have known each other for 5 years and had a good buildup to finally deciding to become a couple this year. Given that he has already made big promises to me and seems to want marriage, it worries me a bit that he did not tell me about his daughter earlier. I have known about this for less than 24 hours, and I’ve known him for much longer, but I am already questioning his true character. I cant help but be scared of the unknown future, It’s overwhelming.
It can be a lot to take in, but if you’re with the right person, it is such a rewarding role. Only you can decide if he waited too long to tell you or if it’s a relationship worth pursuing. We’re here to support you!
This gave me so much reassurance. I find myself needing a mental break from all of it and he understands. Just a little time to myself to regroup, it is a lot of parenting ups and downs but you would think we made his kids together they’re so great but the extras that come with the children can be a bit much for a woman who doesn’t have kids or the extra that comes with it. It is rewarding but can be very draining sometimes. What tops it off is he treats me like a princess and I know he really tries by his actions for our relationship.
Dating a man with kids can definitely be challenging! Give yourself grace when you need a break. It’s completely natural!