How long is the recommended time to wait before introducing a new partner to the children?

[BobDowne]

Any experiences please? Good or bad?!

Its a tough one. Hate to bat the ball back at you but you will know when the time is right.

How old are your kids and are they showing signs of being open to you having a new partner?

They are 10 and 14. They seem ok about the whole thing.
I don't think the time is right yet, as i've only been seeing new man for two months and not sure where it's going at the mo.
Exh thinks it should be at least six months whatever the situation and would prob go mental if the kids were to meet him earlier.

my dc are younger and I introduced quite soon, might be better to wait a little longer with older dc. Tho his are 11 and 13 and I met them quite soon also, did feel a little more anxious about this somehow. It's not a time limit more how you feel.

Like Ninah, mine's younger but was fairly soon and in a relaxed atmosphere.. I've always introduced in local pub or over lunch

depends what they are used to as well though, to be honest at that age, if they know you have a boyfriend I would ask them straight up

"look kids, you know I've been out with someone a few times and we quite like each other.. I'd like you to meet him and thought we could go to XXX . Would that be ok?"

My children are 9 & 5, and I waited until a good 5 months into the relationship before introducing them. IMO there was no rush & I wanted to be 100% sure the relationship was serious before getting the children involved as they had been through enough with the break up.
We started with a gentle introduction, first with DS, who I told that mummy had a friend coming round who was a man, and did he want to stay up to say hello. He chose to meet him, and a few weeks later I introduced DS2 in a similar way. They are now fine with my DP & seem to like like him. (have even been cheeky with him, which is a sure sign they're comfortable!!)

pc am glad things going well for you and yours xxx

fwiw bobdowne, it's got sweet f.a. to do with your ex (imho) he may have some small say but it's up to you whether or not you accept his advice. dd's dad would use anything he could to stop dd meeting any future nm. good luckxx

Agree with mrsmortenhasredroses, it is up to you when you feel you are comfortable with introducing your partner to your dcs. The fact that you are seeking advice on here, shows that you are a caring mum who wants to get things right.

Good luck and hope it goes smoothly

I met DP's DD around five months after we met. Both DP and I wanted to be sure that the relationship was going somewhere before I met DSD. Even then I was introduced as a friend of daddys not a gf. This worked well for us.

Sounds very similar to how we did things, ER. Worked well here too.

Thanks all for your replies.
All good advice. I would wait until i feel it's definitely a serious relationship. I think it might be heading that way!
Had the most romantic valentines day i've ever had - he was lovely

Ah, that's lovely, BD. I hope it all goes well for you.