Advice needed for new man meeting my kids

[GuideDogsForTheStupid]

Things are going really well between me and my 'boyfriend' (hate that word, sounds childish!) so we've talked about him meeting my kids.

My boys are 11 and 13 and already know that I'm seeing someone (big gob relatives) and are not in the slightest bit bothered.

So how do we do this? Do we go out for the day? if so do we meet him there or have him pick us up?

My kids have a tendency to show off in front of each other - therefore I'm thinking of having the initial meet individually meeting youngest first and then oldest so when he meets them together it isn't such a novelty to them?

I'm thinking a game of bowling? everyone is kept entertained and there is no awkward sat around a table not knowing what to say?

Argh this is harder than I imagined!

I doubt that deep down they are 'not in the slightest bit bothered' - I would have been sick as a parrot at meeting DM's new boyfriend as a teenager. I mean you might have to live with him, AND he is shagging your mother - aaaaagh.

Maybe a museum eg air museum, train museum so there are things to look at and you don't HAVE to speak to each other, then a snack in the restaurant, then home, that might be enough for a first meeting.

Bowling sounds a good idea. Meet him there, have the game and maybe something to eat after (perhaps fast food, rather than having to wait to be served etc) then say goodbye to him and go home with your sons. Maybe repeat a few times - cinema, museum etc before you all get together at your place (i.e. your sons' territory) or his place. Whatever you decide, I hope it goes well.

11 and 13 is definately a lot easier than if they were small children.

Bowling sounds fine.

No reason for it to be hard to do at all. They know you are seeing someone, and are plenty old enough to understand what that means.