Dating someone who has children

[LauraW8]

Has anyone ever dated a man who has more than one child from previous relationships?

I'm seeing a very caring man who I really like however he has 3 children from his past relationships (one from the first relationship and two from the second).

He is financially stable and has his own business, respects both mothers and is a great father. I'm just wondering if this is too much to take on (I'm 41) and have no children.

Has anyone else been in a similar situation and did it work?

I haven't been in a similar position but obviously 3 children is a lot of responsibility and expense. I assume they won't live with you full time? Even if they don't, they will factor large in your boyfriend's life, which by default means they will also factor large in yours. They will be staying with you (depending on the arrangement) maybe once a week and he may take them away on holiday every year with or without you. Being a step parent is not an easy ride, but I'm sure you know that already. Aside from the children, I'd be rather concerned about him being twice divorced/seperated.

I'm assuming you don't want your own children OP? Unlikely he'll want more.
Also are you happy to set up a potential life with him and his children? What would happen say if one or more of his children could no longer live with their mothers, would you be happy dating/living/marrying a man who has full care of his children and all that encompasses? If not then consider walking away as this is a man who has responsibilities, it's very different from dating a man with no children. Too many women go into this situation blind and then start moaning about the DSC, wanting their partner to be free, not have to pay maintenance etc. If you are happy with the whole package and can see yourself as a potential SM then great, if not let him find someone else who can relate better to his situation.

I love children and would have loved to have had children myself, unfortunately it just never happened.

I genuinely wouldn't mind being a SM, it's just all a bit daunting.

It depends on whether you are happy to be a step-parent. I personally wouldn't. It would be a reflag that someone who has children from two separate relationship is seeking someone without children. I think it if was just one relationship but not two.

I think kids from 2 different relationships could be tricky, I assume he sees each “family” at different times? My BF has one child who’s early teens which makes it a bit easier too as she can be fairly independent and he often complains that he hardly sees her on his contact time!! It does mean you can’t just do what you want as a couple any time though. Thankfully I haven’t had any dealings with the Ex wife yet!

That's what I think, if it was 1/2 children from one relationship I wouldn't think twice but to have a third from another relationship worries me. But then I think he has to meet someone eventually in his life that I am just being over cautious.

His children are all fairly young, but as I say in a previous comment. He has to meet someone eventually unless he stays single forever, am I just being over cautious? I mean look at the likes of Rod Stewart, he has 8 children by four women 😂

How old are the kids? My stepson moved in with us full time at 14 and the younger one did at 16. We did actually have two of our own. It was tricky but ok - they were old enough I didn't have to 'mother' them, but it meant of course that they were always around and teenagers are something! And having teens with their schedule and baby and toddlers with their schedules- let's just say I'm grateful we had a big house. Plus the ex wife was always a presence as DH had to communicate with her about the kids (and she was not at all happy they chose to live with their Dad).

My experience of dating/developing feelings for a man with young children is that it doesn't take too long to find out why. Most women would rather be with the father of their children so it would be a warning sign that he has 2 families and is not a resident parent to either.
Speaks volumes.
My partner's wife divorced him and I can understand why. His children are grown up and we don't live together