OLD and photos of children

[raspberrylipbalm]

I’m seriously considering OLD, after several years of being a lone parent. TBH I’m finding the whole thing slightly overwhelming, and wanted to ask about the done thing for uploading photos of myself to my profile. Advice seems to be to upload a number of photos, and include some of you doing hobbies/interests/looking happy. I don’t have much time for hobbies, imagine fairly boring stuff like reading, keep fit etc, none of which will make for an interesting photo. I do have some nice photos of myself with the DCs, who in fairness take up a lot of my life albeit are not my hobby, and wanted to ask about the OLD etiquette for including photos of children. Just to be clear, not the children on their own, but in a photo with me. Should I include them or not include them, or am I just overthinking the whole thing?

Definitely don't post photos of the children, no. I didn't even tell DH I had a child until our third date as I didn't see it as any of his business unless we were going to continue seeing each other. However he had kind of worked it out anyway as we slept together on the first date and he had seen my 12 year old c-section crinkle and chose not to raise it..We are 5.5 years down the line now and 2.5 years married and I have no regrets about not disclosing about Dd to him immediately. Your private life including your children is just that until you get to know each other a bit better. I think he met DD about 2 months in - earlier than I would have anticipated but she was 12 and was very much in 12 year old girl land and really not that arsed either way. Nearly 18 now and they're close, we're tight knit :-)

No...

Don't mention your children at all

Even though I know that a lot of people online dating have kids, photos with their kids puts me off. Maybe I subconsciously think it’s unwise, or maybe if feels like an implication that someone wouldn’t have much free time. I wouldn’t put photos of them or mention them in your profile, but do tell people early on if you meet/get chatting. Some people might be put off but ultimately there’s not a lot you can do about that.

I'd find it very difficult not to mention my kids as they are such a big part of my life. Also, in my experience, people ask if you have kids so I wouldn't mislead someone if they did.
I always asked quite early too if it didn't state on their profile as I wanted someone who did have kids so that they would be more understanding of my situation.

I wouldn't post politics though-no chance.

*photos!