dating someone that doesn’t have children

[AHungryCaterpillar]

If you have children and are a single parent do you think it’s unreasonable to not want to date someone that has children? I say that as I’m a single parent but if/when I start dating again I wouldn’t want to date someone that has children, do you think if you have children you are suppose to only be open to dating those with children? People say now I have children I won’t be able to meet anyone without..

How will you know until you get involved? It’s not the only reason anyway I’m just not keen on kids, I like my own but struggle with other people’s, I don’t want to blend children, my daughter has asd and doesn’t even like her own siblings never mind someone else’s coming to our house. I’m not sure if they are stereotypes as the women were actually saying themselves they will be demanding to meet their exes new partner or she can’t meet their kids/want their phone numbers, even some saying they will want her address 🤦🏻 “For emergencies” apparently, I can’t be dealing with that. I would rather stay single I realise it may be harder to find someone but I’m happy to stay single if I can’t.

@Shiteshow100

I always had this rule, I was a single mum. I made an exception for my ex and it was awful, his child was younger and I ended up looking after and disciplining his child as he was basically incapable and would ignore everything, I was basically the babysitter every other week. Not surprising I resented the child and I'm ashamed to say I hated the mere thought if him. It doesn't help the dad's have guilt so are ultra soft on their own children whilst yours have different rules. I would never date a man with children again just from that experience.

Yes I have noticed the guilt that a lot of nrp have so they are quite defensive. I think I would end up feeling the same way as you.

Well I lived the stereotype and I would never live it again. Step parenting board on here was an absolute lifeline for me and I was far from the only one living that experience. Then there are step parenting podcasts, books, help, dedicated websites. It's far from a crude stereotype, it's real life for lots of people stuck with a NRP with guilt and shit boundaries.

And, its very common for the guilt parenting and crazy ex bullshit to only kick off when there are marriages and more dc. You think you've got a decent partner who is also a decent parent... till you're stuck living a nightmare.

@shiteshow mate I felt the same. Don't beat yourself up about it

I'd be the same I think it's perfectly reasonable.
I have my own kids I don't want anyone else's, I don't really like kids. There are people out there who are happy to date those with kids. Although if I became single from now I wouldn't bother with dating at all, could think of nothing worse, I'd be happy to just worry about myself but when I was younger if single with kids I probably would have and the other person having kids is a deal breaker for me even though I have some.
There are people out there that would fit the criteria it may be a smaller pool but its definitely possible to find someone.

It's up to you but I've found those without seemed to want children, and I couldn't offer that plus I didn't want to blend them into my unit due to my children being small. One of the mums at my school is seeing a wonderful guy with no children and it works brilliantly/he's like a second dad, and it's lovely to see.