On the other post we are talking about dating. I have just started and have done everything while the kids were with their mother. I have a date this Fri because the x said she would take the kids Thurs and Fri nites. <P>Now X tells me she is working Fri and is taking them Wed and Thurs. I told her I have plans for Fri and she says she will take them even though she is working.<P>I feel guilty for dating when the kids are at home with me, but I don't want om or his mother watching my kids. My d is old enough (13 next month) to watch my s(9yo) so that is really not a problem except in my head. I don't know if this will freak them out or not. I guess I need to sit down and discuss with them.<P>Also on the other hand, if x marries om, as she was pressing to do last year and now is rumored to have a "ring" then there is nothing I can do in the future about the kids being around there.<P>X is getting desparate too. She took om to her uncles funeral last week to meet the rest of the family. Meanwhile she blew off her parents 50th wedding anniversary and her sisters 20th.<P>How are you guys working your dating around your kids ?

What are the arrangements in the divorce decree?<P>DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT everything. If you have to go back to court in the future for custody/visitation issues (you will, I’ll bet paychecks) you want the facts laid out.<P>------------------<BR>Prayers & God Bless!<BR>Chris<BR>For relationship info check out <A HREF="http://www.pcisys.net/~chriscal1/resources.html" TARGET=_blank>Marriage & Relationship Resources</A>

Bob, <BR>I really feel that after the divorce is final, that you are entitled to a life. I do beleive that you should not expose your kids to anyone unless it is serious, but you can't just live your life as if another relationship is never in your future. <P>My d is 16, older than yours, but she had a little trouble with me dating, telling me it was "too soon". If they had their way it would be "too soon" when I am 60! I told them that if I could change things, I would, but that their Dad and I were never getting back together, Dad had gone on with his life, and I had too. And dating would be part of that. You do not need to parade it, but it is going to be part of your life, and they need to see this. <P>------------------<BR>Susan

There is a recently D guy that is a neighbor of mine. I have causually known him for a few years and I also know his x wife.<P>I have been talking to him at school and then him and his kids join the same pool as I did for the summer, so I have seen him there. <P>We have had a few great talks....I know his kids and he has meet all of mine now....<P>My daughter tells me a few nights ago that we make a cute couple.......I could not believe she said that. She also said she would love having two younger step sisters. My daughter is 12. My oldest daughter who is 18, said that if I meet someone that treated me nice and that I would have a good time with, I should go out with them....my son has not said much.<P>I do not feel like I should have to ask permission either......I am almost 42 years old. If this guy had not already known my kids ect...and I was interested in him, I would not introduce him to my kids for a long time and would just date (which I have not yet) while the kids are with their Dad. My kids are older and can stay by their self too...but if I am going to movie ect and tell them they want to come too, which is fine...but if I am to meet a date some where I would not bring them.<P>We deserve a life after D. But our kids also need stability and not have other people coming in and out of our lives. If they get attached to one of them and you break up it hurts the kids too....so I would not introduce my kids to anyone until I was pretty committeed.<P>What ever happens I am taking things very SLOW. But talking to this guy has made me see, I can have a life out there, there is nice guys single guys around.