First time meeting the kids

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
First time meeting the kids
7
Fri, 08-08-2008 - 6:00pm
I am not a single mom, but I am dating a single dad and I am about to meet his kids for the first time (4 and 7).

Any tips for dos and don'ts on first meetings with the kids based on your experience introducing people to your kids? I am a little nervous.

AJ, enjoying life with C.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-07-2005
Fri, 08-08-2008 - 7:24pm

Welcome to the board.


Advice?


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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-15-2008
Fri, 08-08-2008 - 8:26pm
I've just done this myself.

JH

Avatar for myprecioustwo
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
Sat, 08-09-2008 - 1:11am
The 4 year old should be fine and wanting to play with you. The 7 year old maybe a little jealous. You'll have to feel it out. My kids both were still very playful at age 7 and enjoyed new people, but my sister and some of my friends who met ages between 7-9 had issues. The girls were jealous because they WERE Daddy's girl and another woman just wasn't cool to them. So take it in stride, treat her like a grown up, compliment her, be nice but let her have her distance. The 4 year old will be much different and more open.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
Sat, 08-09-2008 - 9:21pm
Thanks for all your replies. I really appreciate them.

I met them today -- we met at his house and then just went to the park for an hour and had lunch together. It went really well, and both the kids warmed up to me pretty well. They were both excited to show me their rooms, their toys, etc. The boy (7 yo) was even leading me around by the hand.

Phew. :) It probably helped that I brought little presents and cookies for them.

I think DBF had prepped them beforehand -- they both welcomed me at the door, already knew my name, etc.

At lunch, DBF was a little quieter than usual. I think it was a big step for him to have me meet them. Do you all feel that way when someone new meets your kids? I can only imagine how much emotion that must create.

AJ, enjoying life with C.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-30-2004
Sat, 08-09-2008 - 9:40pm
Oh yeah it's a lot of emotion involved when bringing kids together with a significant other.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
Sun, 08-10-2008 - 5:39pm
>> I'm still not 100% comfortable sometimes. <<

I can definitely see that. I think it will be that way for us for awhile as well -- baby steps, right?

AJ, enjoying life with C.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-13-2005
Sun, 08-10-2008 - 7:12pm
I am glad everything went well - how nice that you brought them treats! And how cute that they wanted to show you everything. Good luck!!