Entering the dating world can be tricky, especially if you are going through a divorce and have not dated in many years. The decision on when to start dating again is a personal decision–one that you should consider carefully.
While newly single people are free to see whom they want, be aware that it might not look great to jump into a new relationship right away. It may be beneficial to give yourself some space before becoming a couple again. While everyone requires different amounts of time for this, general guidelines suggest giving it a few months to a year before starting to date after getting a divorce.
In some instances, too, it is not a good idea at all for emotional health reasons; that’s especially true for survivors of domestic abuse who need to learn skills for living independently. And, of course, you need to be careful about whom you date. You don’t want to introduce a third party into the mix who has a history of addiction or criminal behavior.
It can be difficult for young children to accept that their parents are seeing someone new. Many parents find it useful to not introduce a new partner to their children unless the relationship becomes serious.
If you do choose to date soon after a divorce or while divorce proceedings are still going on, be careful about what you post on social media. For example, going on an expensive vacation with a new person could lead to an accusation of wasting marital assets. A video of you consuming alcohol or playing party games may not be something that you would want to appear in court.
Starting to date again can be fun and exciting. However, it is important to be aware of potential issues so that you can do your best to prevent them.