I think the answer to each of your questions will vary according to the particular circumstances each of us has to deal with. If the X is a reliable and involved dad, takes his parenting time as scheduled, then most of us confine our dating, and pursuit of other me time, to those times we don't have the kids. When the X is unreliable it is a much tougher situation, especially to keep your dating out of your kid's lives.
There is also a difference considering the age of your children and how new the divorce is. Teens take a while to accept mom/dad have moved on. I just told my teens I was going out with friends. Then, when they expressed that they wanted to know if I was dating, I was honest and told them. Only after a dating situation had been exclusive and looked like it was going longer than a few months did I introduce them to the person I was dating. But in my case, there is no desire for any family blending, my BF and I keep the kids out of our relationship as much as possible.
I do not share any info about my personal life with my X. That is not the ideal situation,but it is how things have to be in my case. I try to keep my seriously mental X out of innocent third parties lives. It is bad enough I have to deal with him, I don't want to subject other people to his wackiness.
The thing to remember is to take time for yourself, beyond dating. Develop your own interests as an individual. Dating isn't the only social outlet for you. And if the kids need more time to heal from the divorce, give it to them.
1) When you are "motivated" you can find all sorts of time!! 2) To juggle dating and parenting - I keep it a secret at first - in the background. My DS is older so this is harder and easier - easier because he has his own activities which gives me more time but more keen to what I am doing. 3) I have a very civil relationship with my exh, but I would NEVER tell him I have a date. I keep my private life private!!
Hi, and welcome!
Welcome
I think the answer to each of your questions will vary according to the particular circumstances each of us has to deal with. If the X is a reliable and involved dad, takes his parenting time as scheduled, then most of us confine our dating, and pursuit of other me time, to those times we don't have the kids. When the X is unreliable it is a much tougher situation, especially to keep your dating out of your kid's lives.
There is also a difference considering the age of your children and how new the divorce is. Teens take a while to accept mom/dad have moved on. I just told my teens I was going out with friends. Then, when they expressed that they wanted to know if I was dating, I was honest and told them. Only after a dating situation had been exclusive and looked like it was going longer than a few months did I introduce them to the person I was dating. But in my case, there is no desire for any family blending, my BF and I keep the kids out of our relationship as much as possible.
I do not share any info about my personal life with my X. That is not the ideal situation,but it is how things have to be in my case. I try to keep my seriously mental X out of innocent third parties lives. It is bad enough I have to deal with him, I don't want to subject other people to his wackiness.
The thing to remember is to take time for yourself, beyond dating. Develop your own interests as an individual. Dating isn't the only social outlet for you. And if the kids need more time to heal from the divorce, give it to them.
QB
1) When you are "motivated" you can find all sorts of time!!
2) To juggle dating and parenting - I keep it a secret at first - in the background. My DS is older so this is harder and easier - easier because he has his own activities which gives me more time but more keen to what I am doing.
3) I have a very civil relationship with my exh, but I would NEVER tell him I have a date. I keep my private life private!!
Hope this helps - welcome!!