Childless, dating men with children in your 40s

[2024horizons]

If you are in your 40s, childess and dating someone with children, do you feel part of a family?

In a serious relationship I mean. For context I am not, I am single, but wondering if it can work.

I feel regret at not having a family, and I'm not trying to run from that grief or replace that, but I don't want to feel excluded iyswim.

I have a really strong relationship with my DFs partner who he met when I was in my 20s. She's pretty amazing really and always made an effort to include everyone.

Do you mean ‘do you feel part of a family with his children, at the dating stage’?

I suggest you take a look at the step parenting board.

I do. My family have made SD so welcome, she has been part of our family now for 10 years. And SD & I have a good relationship and enjoy spending time together. I feel lucky considering I don't have any children of my own.

That's lovely

Op I think it just depends on the kids and also how your boyfriend and his ex get on and whether she has moved on herself can sadly make a big difference

I didn't, and in part, my last relationship ended because of it. 4yrs, living together for 2.

I made an effort, his child made an effort (I'd known her since birth anyway, so we were familiar as friends from before) but he did not make an effort to build a "family" bond between us all, and as the pivotal person, it was really his efforts which were needed to create it...

I think it absolutely could happen, but it does depend on the personalities involved.

I am in the same position and haven’t successfully found a similar case where I would be part of the family. It does seem impossible these days.