Taking children on dates

[WhatanEmbarrasment]

I am on a single parents group and many of them are saying they bring their toddlers/ children on dates and it’s no different to meeting a stranger out and about with them. What’s your opinion on taking children on dates? Or meeting someone who bought their child along? I’m surprised so many people would do this but apparently no different to meeting a friend (as in people you don’t know not someone you already know so meeting someone when you have your child with you)

People are fucking morons! I am on dating apps and have come across two or three decent guys who said their date brought along a child! The type of person who takes their child on a date is extremely ignorant and has their prioritises all wrong! They type of people that drop their child for anything and anyone and don't give a fuck about their child's safety or well being and then you hear horrible stories of previously 'loving' parents harming their innocent children when their with a new partner! Sorry to rant, but it makes my blood boil!

Let me add, the decent guys had no idea their coffee date involved their date bringing their child (toddler/baby along)!

Also predators and all kinds of perverts are on dating apps! I don't even mention I have kids on my dating profile. If I speak to someone I know they're talking to me, not because I potentially have kids (you never can be too safe)! I of course do tell them after chatting a bit! But it hopefully weeds out the initial creeps!

Im not on OLD at the moment but when I was I was shocked at the amount of men who had photos with their kids or grandkids on their dating profile. I imagine it’s even worse with women

My DS was 13 when I started dating my last ex and it was still a nearly year before they met

No no no
why on earth would anyone do that to their kids

Most women didn’t see a problem with it. I think it’s more common than people realise. I’ve had it suggested to me before someone told me I could have dates in my garden 😂 so invite a stranger to my house? Must be mad

@WhatanEmbarrasment as I said people are fucking thick and fucking selfish!

@SamW98 I am so put off by people who put pictures of their kids on their online dating profile! I've dated a few guys who also send me selfies with their kids (after we've met a few times) but still feels weird! I'm not dating your kids in dating you and then maybe one day we'll want to meet each others kids but not now!

I think some people just cannot be alone. It’s hard being a single parent with no support but some people cannot be without a man.

@WhatanEmbarrasment I'm a single parent with no support! That is no excuse!

I met my now ex with my son with me. It happened at an activity I went to regularly with DS and we just started socialising together really, there was no big introduction or anything. When we went out outside of the activity it seemed natural to go to a family friendly place and take DS. So I guess while generally it's no sometimes it just happens and works.

Did you not plan date’s separate after the initial meeting? So you took your child on your first proper date? I’m surprised any man was happy with only going to child friendly places and always having your child there? Did he have kids of his own is that why? I can’t imagine a man with no children feeling happy in that situation.

Well if a single dad of two toddlers met a single mum of two toddlers at a soft play for a meet and a coffee I wouldn’t judge them 🤷‍♀️ Personally

@Indifferentchickenwings I find it bizarre! You have no idea who you're meeting or what danger you're putting your children in! By all means take the risk, but as I said previously it makes you a bit off shit parent! Dating should not be a priority when you have kids that young if you can't find anyone to look after them when you're on a date!

Wow. Potential pedofiles/groomers don’t even have to put any effort in at all when their own mothers are practically serving their own children up on platters 😳

Clearly, and I don’t think this is just women who happen to meet single dads at parks or soft play (honestly that’s not something I’ve come across often and I’m a single parent 😂) it’s people actively dating with their child in tow even if I did happen to meet a rare single dad at a soft play place I wouldn’t personally do that but if I did I would have dates without my kids being there but this is women who are actively dating and meeting men and bringing their children along

Her partner has no kids of his own so clearly didn’t meet him at a playground or soft play 🫣

There are a million reasons not to;

• Absolute passion killer
• Not safe to bring children with someone your just dating
• What do you do all the other times, lien when I want to get intimate? If you have a friend/family member, ask them!!
• kids screaming and acting up, overall hassle. Not fun at all.

Somewhat understandable if you both have children and take the children out as parents (and romance is secondary). Otherwise inappropriate and an overall bad idea.

@WhatanEmbarrasment she sounds an embarrassment! What the fuck is she doing taking a five week old baby on dates? Is anyone calling her out for being selfish? Obviously her child's welfare is secondary and she needs validations from any man!

Being alone isn't the problem. It's fine to date and want adult company, single parents don't have to martyr themselves for the next decade or two. Just with appropriate boundaries and safeguarding, please!

I’m not saying they do? But if you have no help and don’t want to use sitters or can’t afford them then what option do you have? That’s my option and I’ve had to remain alone. It’s not a reason to bring them on dates 🤷‍♀️

I’ve been alone for 7 Years because I don’t get days off like other parents. It’s not doable but clearly many women wouldn’t give up their love life/ sex life so will just incorporate their children into it.

No most people thought it was lovely she’s now found someone. Notice she said she was honest with all her dateS just how many dates can someone manage to go on with a newborn!

Cards down, I'm not a single parent and married but answer would be absolutely not.
The sort of bloke who is ok with this is not the sort of bloke you want to have round your children
This is exactly right. I would be highly suspicious if a bloke agreed to the idea, I would be appalled if he suggested it.

Those of you who do, would you also think it wrong to take a child to a meeting with a friend, in a cafe or for a walk or whatever It's not even comparable. If you are meeting a friend for a walk they are,presumably, already well known to you. Going on a first date with someone you don't know is a different kettle of fish.
Personally I'd rather be over cautious and get it wrong than have an easy going, trusting attitude and my children are in danger.
Surely most sane people would feel the same.
Maybe I've listened to too many true crime podcasts but there are people that want to delilbrately target and harm women and children why would you even take a chance.

I think there’s a huge difference between meeting another single parent at the soft play/park etc and dates evolving naturally compared to actively seeking out partners and turning up on a date toddler in tow.

And if single parents are seeking adult company, surely dating would be more than child friendly venues? What happens when they want to do more adult stuff like bars, restaurants, theatre etc? Does the kid just get dragged along?