Have seen several post from people with children talking about the hardships they face dating . So got me to thinking . What exactly are the rules for dating someone with kids . Should you offer to pay for the babysitter . How long should you be dating before you meet the kids .and there are a myriad of other things one has to consider when children are involved. I know every sitiutation is differnt . Was just wondering what everyone else thinks

There is no answer to this, or I should say the answers will be as varied as the people who respond. I think the biggest question you should ask yourself is: am I comfortable dating someone with kids and am I comfortable dating within the inevitable parameters that this situation brings? If not, everything else is a moot point.

kids should not be involved until you know for sure things are gonna work out for the two of you..dating with kids is not easy but my kids will be there regardless so they always come first in my book..

GOOD ANSWER.......GOOD WOMAN/MOM............

It depends on the two people involved . There are a lot of questions you have to ask yourself and her. After your sure you want to continue seeing each other.. things like their educational needs, medical needs, the mother or fathers viewpoint on punishment. what are the parents guidelines? I mean the two of you can be great together but have totally different views on how to raise children. And as we all know our kids come first. This is why my last marriage didn't work she let her mother set the policies on behavior and whats acceptable. Clue here "standing up on your chair at the dinner table and belching as loud as you can was considered to be acceptable to them, not me."
Or that putting your face to your plate and using your hand to push food into your mouth. They knew I would never stand for this. Yet MOM allowed it because "grandmother said so" and thats just the tip on the iceberg you may face dating single parents. And on the other hand you can have the very same view points and agree on everything completely. My pice of advice> is not to say its okay with you if it really isn't.. sooner or later you won't put up with certain things.

Hmm, I don't know, never dated anyone with kids.

there are rules?

crap I thought you just figured it out as you went and tried not to screw everything up

Amen brother. Most of my dates expressed little to no hesitation about introducing me to thier spawn.