Introducing Children To Your New Partner

Introducing someone new to your children

As a parent, following the loss of a partner, you could one day find yourself in another relationship and facing the delicate task of introducing someone new to your children. Understandably, you will be anxious about doing this and concerned that this could make them feel insecure. If there is, however, a respectable distance since the loss of your partner, it is hoped that by now your children are feeling confident in the knowledge that there is life after loss.

That being said, every situation is different and will need a unique dialogue, with the age of the children being fundamental. A mature son or daughter, who is also in a loving relationship, may be able to relate empathetically and actively encourage you to seek happiness with someone else.

Before introducing your children to a new partner, it will help if you’ve had a few conversations with them about this new person in your life. If he or she is also widowed, you can explain that you have both been feeling lonely and missing having someone to share the various activities you both enjoy. This could make the situation easier for your children to understand. Letting them know there are times when you miss having someone to go to dinner with, or sharing other adult outings, could make it easier for them to accept the situation.

Your children may think you’re trying to replace their missing parent

A younger child may be confused and think the new person in your life is going to steal you away. They may also think you’re trying to replace their mother/father. Explaining that this is not the case is an important step and must be done in such a way that helps them to fully understand the situation.

Children of any age could feel threatened or angry and confused about your interest in someone new and it’s important to respect their feelings. They also need to understand that whilst you will always cherish the love you had for their mother/father, you’re starting to miss the adult companionship you once shared.

Concerns that you might forget their mother/father

It will no doubt be very important that your children – old or young – will warm to the person you’re introducing to them. It is possible, however, that their initial reactions might harbour concerns you will forget their deceased parent and that they, too, might become of secondary importance to you.

If you ensure, every step of the way, that no one could ever replace their missing parent, or lessen the love you have for them, they will eventually come to terms with the idea of someone new in your life and theirs.

Moving on for the good of everyone

Taking things slowly and encouraging them to talk about anything that could be worrying them is the way to go: ‘What would mum/dad say if they thought you were going out with someone else?’ is a typical question and it’s important you have a clear answer at the ready. Older children will hopefully understand that in certain situations we eventually move on, if we can, for the good of everyone.

Showing your children how much you love them, and letting them know how important they are to you, will help create the understanding that you’re on their side and what you do with your life includes them, and that they will always come first.

Getting together as two families

If the new person in your life also has children, it may be that all of the children are more interested in assessing each other rather than the new partner. Arranging a meeting when you can get together as two families might help younger children to understand they’re not alone in this situation. Some sort of treat like a meal out to a favourite restaurant, or an outing providing a useful distraction like bowling, for example, will help them to think of the new family in a positive way.

One last thought. Meeting someone new and feeling romantic and euphoric about the idea of falling in love again can be quite exhilarating and can lead us to behave differently. Best avoided is being overly tactile with a new friend in front of the children, or allowing ourselves to be distracted when they are present. After all, your children could still be adjusting to the new person in your life and they could find it  difficult to see you showing too much physical affection to your new partner.

Summary

Involving your family in dialogue concerning your relationship, as much as possible, will help everyone to feel integrated. In time, your family will see how happy you are and will hopefully come to terms with the idea of someone new in your life, and theirs. Letting them see your contentment should help to move the situation on and provide all of you with the knowledge that the future can bring fulfilment and lasting happiness for all.