When do you intoduce your children? (12)

OK
Would like to know from the single parents how and when they have decided to introduce their children to the new person in their life and how they've dealt with the childs reactions.

Well my 15 year old daughter absolutely freaked out when I went out with someone..She freaked when my ex formed a relationship with someone new..She seems to be over this now.I don't think it matters and there will always be some backlash directed at the parent and the new person for a while anyway..the thing is she couldn't get it through her head at the time that mom and dad are over as a couple.

I had to be in a relationship before I would introduce someone to my kids. This was 7/5 years ago. In the last four years I haven't dated more than once or twice until this year.
I got the 'you can't go out on a date' spiel.
This year they are accepting that mom needs a life to and it's ok to date - I still get the 'ohhhh do you love himmmmmm'

but to answer the question....I would have had to have dated him a couple of times to know he was a person of interest or the very least soemone who will be a good friend before intorducing him.

I've been alone with my girl for 7 yrs,no dating no invlovements until this year. I didn't want to bring anyone into our lives who may not have stuck around because she was having problems dealing with the fact her dad wouldn't keep in touch with her.
This year I finally took the plunge and decided to get a life lol.Had a talk with her and she's looking forward to having someone else in her life either as a friend or more.
My feelings are that for the first few 'dates' or getting to know each other times, I don't let her know I'm talking with someone and then as things move on and i gain trust in the person I gradually tell her about them,is this a good way to go about it?
I've only introduced her to 2 (the only 2)men that I'd been talking to and she took it well.

i would have to be in the "exclusive" stage. Definite boyfriend/girlfriend relationship.

I have at times met new people with kids and had my kids meet them. But that was just as friends. And i explained it that way to them.

This is always a tough issue

I think alot has to do with age and the stage of the relationship. If we introduced our kids to everyone we met what message would that give them. I myself have only allowed my kids to come in any contact at all with 2 people I have dated. They both treated my kids great.

Kids look up to us and trust us and we have to continue to practise this...

That's exactly what I mean,all depends on the seriousness of the relationship.

Most of my past relations haven't really lasted long enough to even consider bringing my kids into the picture. My kids are still alittle young and my ex has not yet introduced them to her "new" relationship and they have been going for about 6 months now.

I can't really tell anyone here WHEN to introduce the kids, but for me ......... if anything last longer then 2 - 3 months, then I'll consider it. AND - only if they want to!

Well for me the situation was a little different. I went on a few dates with different people and always had a babysitter for the time.
But since babysitters for me are far and few in between and i can't always rely on family to watch them for me i went with my gut feeling.
I met my boyfriend once without the kids and after that he had to meet my kids.
I am a package deal. It's you either love me and my kids or there is no need to continue.

I mean i look at it from this point too. Why date someone for 6 months or more before you bring the kids in the picture.
What if you fall head over heals in those 6 months and can't imagine to ever live without that person again and then you bring the kids in and the person you are dating hates them can't stand them or just tolerates them for your sake.
Then all the energy and love is wasted on someone who can not accept your kids. Thats why i also took the plunge. Either you take us all or none!
My kids come first!
And what better way to find out if you are going to work or not then to see how they act and get along with the kids?!
Just my opinion...