| I'll admit that I have been attracted to my | | | | Other parents, coaches, volunteers and |
| children'steachers. I've gotten dressed up | | | | tutorsare all dateable. A certain amount |
| in aflirty outfit before parent's night. | | | | oftrepidation on your child's part is to be |
| | | | expected whenever you startdating. But if |
| Being a busy single working Mom I used to | | | | the possibility of datingthis particular |
| joke that the only way I'dmeet a guy is if I | | | | person is causing your child an excessive |
| backed over him in the parking lot. It | | | | amount of anxietythen it isn't a good idea. |
| wasn't very funny because it wastrue. I was | | | | Your firstpriority is making sure your |
| so busy running between theoffice and taking | | | | children are spared from extra stress. If |
| the kids to soccer practice and games that | | | | you child is overly excited about |
| there was no timeto meet anyone new. So it | | | | thepossibility of you dating someone in their |
| shouldn't havebeen surprising when I found | | | | life it can also be a warning signthat |
| myself flirting with the soccer coach. For | | | | romance is a bad idea. Kids maycreate a |
| some of us single parents the onlycontact we | | | | fantasy in their mind of you and their |
| have with other adults, outside a | | | | favorite coach or best friend'sparent getting |
| professional setting, comes fromthe teachers, | | | | married and living happily ever after. Of |
| coaches, and other authority figures in our | | | | course that isn't usually how things endup. |
| children'slives. But is it a good idea to | | | | Most dating relationships don't lastforever. |
| start uprelationships with important people | | | | But your child doesn'tunderstand that and you |
| in our kids lives? | | | | don't want them to be crushed if you break |
| | | | up. |
| First of all, there are some people who are | | | | |
| just off limitsbecause it is a conflict of | | | | Just keep in mind that it is a great big |
| interest. | | | | world and youreally are not limited just to |
| | | | the people you see on a daily basis. Break |
| For example, your child's current teacher is | | | | out of your funk by joining a |
| on the undateablelist. Your kid spends as | | | | socialnetworking group with other people who |
| much, if notmore, time with his teacher as he | | | | share your hobbies or interests. Just be |
| does with you. The collision of his academic | | | | sure to avoid things like book clubssince |
| and home liveswould be uncomfortable. | | | | they tend to be dominated by women. |
| Imagine if on ofyour parents started dating | | | | |
| your boss? | | | | If you are looking for a guy start doing |
| | | | things that guys do. Take a class on home or |
| You would worry if they were talking about | | | | automotiverepair. Start becoming involved in |
| you or what would happen ifthe relationship | | | | spotsor fantasy football leagues. Being |
| failed. It is a lot ofstress to place on | | | | theonly woman in these mostly male groups |
| your child. The goodnews is that the ban | | | | makes it easy to meet new people. And there |
| only lasts for as long as your child is in | | | | are always internet dating andnetworking |
| that classroom. If you do feel an attraction | | | | sites available to expand your horizons. |
| just wait untilthe end of the school year. | | | | |
| Dating yourchild's doctor is another bad idea | | | | There is nothing inherently awful about |
| since a bad ending to that relationshipcould | | | | dating your child'steacher or coach. But it |
| mean having to find a new Pediatrician or | | | | also isn't theideal situation either. |
| else having some awkward annualcheckups. A | | | | Itunintentionally brings your child into the |
| good guideline to keep inmind before starting | | | | middle of your live life, which issomething |
| on a romantic relationship with someone in | | | | that neither of you want. |
| your child'slife is asking, "What is the | | | | |
| worst case scenario?" If it means a | | | | Keeping your options open and trying to have |
| substantial negative change inyour child's | | | | friends and interestsoutside your children |
| life then it isn't worth going for. | | | | will make it more likely that you will find a |
| | | | partneroutside of their life. |
| But that still leaves a lot of possibilities. | | | | |