New relationships when you have children

[DaveMccave]

Just interested when did you, or hypothetically would you move in together? I've been with my boyfriend a year, and it's something I've only just started wondering about. I don't think I'm ready yet but the fact that I'm considering it is pretty big for me. I also see the benefits of living apart. We stay at each others houses on average 3 nights a week, sometimes more, sometimes less.

Only when you feel comfortable with it and I'd leave an open door to get out at any time

Before my OH moved in, I spoke to my DD about it. She was nearly 4. We spent time together in the day as much as we could before it happened so I could see how well they really did get on. We've been together for 2 and half years now. She calls him dad and its worked well.

I took legal advice and because of that, I only moved in with new DH after we'd got married (after we'd known each other five years). Moving in together can be really precarious especially if you're going to end up living in his property. By waiting until we were married it meant the dcs and I had rights to it, if we'd simply moved in without marrying I would have risked being left homeless in a split. Also be aware that it will affect any tax credits etc you receive (and possibly child benefit from next year) so it really has to be a committed enough relationship that your boyfriend is prepared to shoulder some of the responsibility of being a stepparent (although if you're staying over that many nights, tax credits/benefits will probably already regard you as cohabiting).