Feeling like you’re ready to date again is a great thing! This can be a really exciting and fun time - It can also feel scary, strange, confronting, nerve racking and sometimes all too hard!

Your children's reaction to you dating will vary and depend on their age, the length of time they had to get comfortable with their parents no longer living together, and their emotional stability.

It's normal for children to have a negative reaction to the possibility of their parents bringing someone new into their lives, reasons for this may include:

• The realisation that there is not going to be a fairy tale reunion
  Children's sense of identity is very closely tied to their family, therefore when the family dynamic changes their sense of identity is threatened. It's common for children to fantasize that their parents will reunite and the world as they knew it will be restored.
• You're MY mummy/daddy!
  Be aware that your child has probably not had to share you with anyone else besides your former partner and doesn't want to. They may feel threatened, confused and anxious.
• Fear that they will loose your love and affection
  Your children may feel anxious that they will be replaced by your new partner and that they will no longer be important to you.
  Keep communication open and reassure your children that they are loved and this will not change. Be sensitive to your children's needs but don't let them control you. Listen to their feelings and help them to understand that you like to spend time with friends, just like they do.

If things get tough don't give up on the idea of dating, spend quality time with your children individually to help them feel more secure and better able adjust to changes going on around them.