Would you date someone that has a child/children from a previous relationship?

Contributor: Gunsmoke Gunsmoke
I voted 'yes' but I believe it's a question of circumstances. When I was dating - up to 35 when I finally wed, I would not date girls with children - not looking for an 'instant family'.

However if I should find myself single now, I would expect that anyone I would date would have grown children - but I would not be looking to take on anyone's teenagers!
02/21/2011
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
I think most people who say "no" will have to change their minds as they get older, if they stay single or find themselves single again. As you get older and are dating, the pool is not only smaller, but most people in the pool have been in relationships before and many of them do have kids.

I think it's really easy when you are in your teens or 20s to say, "No way, nobody with kids." But, I think as you get into your 30s and beyond, unless you only date much younger people, it gets harder and harder to find a partner with no kids. Not impossible, only harder.

I have no plans on dating anytime soon, I'm in a long term relationship (marriage) but, I like older guys and would expect only a small percentage of guys over 40-50 to not have kids. As kids don't bother me, it's not an issue. In fact, I think I guy without kids would probably cause me to think twice. I wouldn't automatically rule him out, but as my kids are a central part of my life, I'd want to know why he chose to not have them, or if it simply didn't happen.

I wouldn't, however, date a man who professed to not like or want kids. How would mine be treated and would he want me to put them on the back burner for him? Not a situation I'd want to get into. Of course, a childless man would certainly be a better choice than a Deadbeat Dad any day. A man who had kids and wanted no part in their lives would be not get a second date with me. JMO.

Mileage and all that.
02/21/2011
Contributor: sbon sbon
I'm voting no because right now I would not. I'm 21 years old and in college. I don't think I could handle being in a relationship with someone my age or older (or younger, for that matter) who had a kid or children simply because I don't think I would be able to relate to where they are in their lives. I know that they would have to make a lot of sacrifices for their children and that's not what I'm looking for in a relationship right now. I wouldn't have a problem with it once I'm a bit older. Also, it doesn't matter to me if the kids came from a marriage or not.
02/21/2011
Contributor: liilii080 liilii080
That is such a hard call. I think I would date someone with kids but their relationship with their kid, ex, and how much time they had to spend with me would all be factors I'd have to consider that you don't have in other relationships. It complicates things but I don't think I would rule it out without trying.
02/21/2011
Contributor: Mr.RightNow Mr.RightNow
I'll pass
02/25/2011
Contributor: MoonlightLust MoonlightLust
Quote:
Originally posted by Kimbertrees
Would you date someone that has a child/children from a previous relationship?
Never absolutely not. And I would never date someone who wants kids. Or who drinks, smokes, does drugs.
03/11/2011
Contributor: SiNn SiNn
Quote:
Originally posted by Kimbertrees
Would you date someone that has a child/children from a previous relationship?
absolutly
03/15/2011
Contributor: Sweet-Justice Sweet-Justice
I would have no problem with it. If you love that person I would assume you love they're kids too
But I have my wife whom I'm madly in love with now, so we'll plan on making our own family someday.
03/20/2011
Contributor: Joie de Cherresse Joie de Cherresse
Me and my kids come as a package deal, so I would accept the same from a partner. Me and my husband have "his, hers, and ours" and we love it. We have seven kids all together. I have 4 from a previous marriage, he has 2 from a previous marriage, and we have 1 together. The kids all get along and love being a part of such a big family. Only problem we encounter now is that my van isn't big enough for every one to fit at the same time, lol. Sometimes we have to take two vehicles to get places.
03/21/2011
Contributor: hjtee hjtee
Yes I most certainly would. My father dated my mother and later adopted me. I'm very grateful for him everyday, even more so since my mother abandoned me and even though he is not my biological parent, he's still there for me to this day.
I would gladly be able to be there for the child in whatever aspect the parent (or child if they are older) are comfortable with.
03/26/2011
Contributor: RonLee RonLee
My Ex contracted cancer and didn't have anyone else to help her other than our teenage son and me. When she could no longer care for herself, I did. My partner is the one in a billion, who was supportive of me, as I was being supportive of my Ex.
Lucky for me my girlfriend did not dump me through all of that turmoil.
She's now helping me raise my son.
I love her dearly.
03/26/2011
Contributor: Lithaewyn Lithaewyn
Quote:
Originally posted by ~LaUr3n~
At THIS point in my life no. BUT, later on if I'm not married or divorced or whatever I might consider it but hopefully that never happens! We plan to be married soon and have kids of our own.
Same. I don't know your exact reasoning, but right now I really do not like the idea of being even partially responsible for a child. I enjoy my freedom.
03/27/2011
Contributor: PiratePrincess PiratePrincess
I wouldn't do it now because I am very happy in my situation, but if something ever happened to my partner, I wouldn't mind if they had kids.
03/27/2011
Contributor: Willis2011 Willis2011
There is nothing wrong with dating someone with kids
04/06/2011
Contributor: link82 link82
Tough question!
04/06/2011
Contributor: Solar Ray Solar Ray
Sure... I've done this and it's not a problem at all.
04/09/2011
Contributor: Enchantedkitty Enchantedkitty
At some point yes, not right now
04/10/2011
Contributor: onehotmomma onehotmomma
If you were to ask me this question two months ago no (I have kids and just can't imagine taking on someone elses, or expect someone to take on mine) At that point in time though, I also had no reason to even think about it.

Now that things are unravelling (sorry if that's not spelled right) I would say, yes. I could date someone with kids.
04/10/2011
Contributor: juicey juicey
Quote:
Originally posted by Kimbertrees
Would you date someone that has a child/children from a previous relationship?
yes
04/23/2011
Contributor: juicey juicey
Quote:
Originally posted by Kimbertrees
Would you date someone that has a child/children from a previous relationship?
yes
04/23/2011
Contributor: cobiffle cobiffle
I wouldnt mind it at all cuz i kid wont affect my decision
04/29/2011
Contributor: evelyn evelyn
05/01/2011
Contributor: M. Roth M. Roth
I voted yes because I've done this twice, and I've seemingly started to get my way into a relationship with another single Dad. You can't control who takes hold of your heart, but I feel like I gravitate towards them since I can't have kids of my own.
05/01/2011
Contributor: salaciousrex salaciousrex
I'm a mom and being a single mom for years, there are A LOT of people that won't date you if you have a kid! It can be really tough to do so, on both sides.
I would date someone that has a kid, I am now. Him and I both have a kid from a previous relationship. Mine is with us full time, and his son lives with the mom.
05/02/2011
Contributor: Wondermom Wondermom
I'm not single but I am in an open relationship, so it still applies. Yes, of course! I have a child so anyone I dated would have to be comfortable with that as well, and not just the issue of children but a special needs child.

as for being someones mommy? unless its a long term relationship I don't see where that worry comes into it, and I am not looking to replace anyones biological parent or be called mom
05/02/2011
Contributor: Taylor Taylor
At this point I would prefer not to date someone with kids, but I'm pretty young (24) and I don't think I'm mature enough to handle it. I wouldn't say that I wouldn't try a relationship because they had kids, but I would definitely prefer someone who didn't have them at this point.
05/02/2011
Contributor: amandaco2011 amandaco2011
My current partner has kids and it doesn't bother me at all.
05/02/2011
Contributor: sheree1 sheree1
why not, if you want somebody bad enough you will take all of them including the child
05/02/2011
Contributor: MrRainybowbow MrRainybowbow
No way im to young to even be a step mom!
05/03/2011
Contributor: GravyCakes GravyCakes
Quote:
Originally posted by Kimbertrees
Would you date someone that has a child/children from a previous relationship?
at this point in my life, no. maybe if i were much older.
05/09/2011