Becoming official before meeting the kids?

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beelibra
@beelibra
12 Years

Comments: 0 · Posts: 76 · Topics: 23
So this guy and I have been dating for a little over a month now. We had a low key exclusivity talk, I've met his parents, we've had sex and have had sleepovers, lounged around, dates...etc. Sounds like were boyfriend and girlfriend, haha. And we talk (text) from morning to night. The thing is, he's kinda hard to open up and I have a hard time reading him emotionally. He's a capricorn, I'm a libra. Anyways, I have a 2 year old daughter. She's no secret, we talk about her and it goes well. But I don't want him to meet her til were together for at least 6 months, but I would like to be official before then, and I think he'd want the same but hes never dated someone with a kid before so is probably waiting on my cue and doesn't know how to approach me about moving forward. How should I go about this? We already kind of got in a little argument because my ex kept calling me all day long while we were together, and he got annoyed as well as I did. But I told him that I had spoke with my ex when I picked up my daughter and told him that I was seeing somebody else and that he took it okay. That was just last weekend so I'm hoping that he's okay with that situation now and that's water under the bridge. Opinions, advice? Thanks guys!
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capgirl69
@capgirl69
12 Years1,000+ PostsCapricorn

Comments: 31 · Posts: 2423 · Topics: 55
I always like to wait about 90 days at least before introducing a guy to my kid. I just tell them I want to make sure they will stick around a while first. Hasn't been an issue so far. Been exclusive with guys and not introduced them either.

When I did introduce my boyfriend to my son, we met in a public place and we did something fun.

Only introduced my son to 2 guys.
With the first, we met him and his son at a carnival so it was kind of like a play date for the kids. We only got together with both kids, but I don't recommend that because when we broke up my son lost a friend.

With this one, he doesn't have kids but he met my son and I at the movies to see a kids movie.

I don't like to bring a guy to my home in my kids space at first. That's why I like the outings, so they can meet and it's not threatening at all.
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capgirl69
@capgirl69
12 Years1,000+ PostsCapricorn

Comments: 31 · Posts: 2423 · Topics: 55
I reread the OP and I think you should just say you want to wait at least 6 months and you would have to be exclusive as well to introduce them.
You don't owe any explanation. I had a guy tell me once he wouldn't want me to meet his kid unless we had a serious commitment and were talking about marriage. Any decent person will respect your decision.

I also think people don't really want to hang out with your kid, if they do, that seems weird.

Sometimes it almost becomes a necessity though or feels like it, if you'd like to see each other more than once a week.
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truecap
@truecap
13 Years10,000+ Posts

Comments: 8 · Posts: 20090 · Topics: 685
It's not much different with teenagers. Actually, I think it's more difficult because teens are way more vocal. My son tends to be very protective. And if the teen doesn't like your guy/girl, your relationship probably won't survive. They can be very manipulative. When my cousin was a teen, she ran off every woman my uncle dated. She had a variety of tricks. It was so sad. She couldn't get past her own feelings and selfishness to allow her dad to be happy. Poor man was so lonely.

I think it's easier when the child is young, but there are also other factors to consider like their attachment to the person and you want to make sure you know that the man isn't going to do anything inappropriate with the little ones. Hey, it happens!

I think yall are smart to wait before introducing.
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jessgoogoo
@jessgoogoo
12 YearsLibra

Comments: 18 · Posts: 266 · Topics: 2
I have not introduced my kids to anyone I was dating, I don`t want to confuse them and it would hurt me if they end up liking someone who I didn`t end up realy wanting to be around after time passes. My Ex has a Different way of doing things and he introduces them right away, which they have met a few of his girlfriends over the past. For me I can not do this to my kids until I know I been with this person for awhile and they ain`t going anywhere anytime soon. As for my ex I will let him figure this out on his own as I can not make him understand my thoughts on this and he can not understand mine.