Should I go on a playdate with Single Dad?

Just don't play!

Remember - the gransnetters are there with you

So it’s a date then.
Not sure why you are asking others. Good luck, stay safe.

Meeting again later in the week. No kids. He gave me the option so I went with what I felt most comfortable with.

Why would you involve your children at this very early stage of dating? The fact that you're both single parents doesn't mean that the kids have to come along.

Maybe he simply wants some outside-school friends for his kids, and some parent friends for himself.

Just because its a dad trying to arrange it doesn't mean there's any more to it than if another mum suggested it.

Its sad that single/stay at home dads kids miss out.....

And now to answer your question Nicola, I wouldn't start involving the children on your 'dates'.

A playdate isnt a date-date though. Its getting kids together to play.

Actually, I find the term 'playdate' a bit irritating - however, as DD uses it, I just smile and say 'lovely'!

Oh Anja -
Nicola was only asking us experienced women for our advice - the term 'playdate' has emerged in the last 10 years I would say ????
And now to answer your question Nicola, I wouldn't start involving the children on your 'dates'. Get to know him better. All the best !

Yes we still have mutual friends. One of them is a good friend of mine who said that he is a very nice person. Neither myself nor my friend know his ex wife though

Notanan2 maybe. I just have to see where it goes and play it by ear

Are you sure he is interested in you "that way".
I know several single or stay at home dads who struggle to arrange playdates for their children or to make parent friends for themselves as the mums always think theyre asking them out so the kids miss out.

Maybe he just wants a parent friend for adult conversation and some little friends for his kids?

Read the book "Thursdays in the Park"
I've just finished reading that book Grannyknot and really enjoyed it!
I suppose that is a bit different because they were the grandparents of the children who played in the park.

I'm not sure Nicola but I think that meeting without children was probably the wisest thing to do at first.

BlueBelle Tue 01-Jan-19 14:06:32
Some sensible tips from Bluebelle

I would be inclined to find out a bit more about him first before introducing him to your children and meeting his. If you were in the same group years ago do you have any mutual friends still? Did you know his ex-wife?

Then, if you find you get on and want to see more of each other, you could introduce the children at a park or somewhere child-friendly.

Good post buffybee

I was a bit alarmed when I read this early this morning . But having read the sensible follow ups from everyone ,especially Nicola7722 herself ,I now think it's a rather nice idea . I hope good friendships come from it for all of you .

I disagree Riverwalk, the OP is a single Mum and I should hope that her and her children come as a package.
What's the point of becoming serious with someone if they don't get on with your kids and visa versa.
At the moment, she is just meeting this guy as a friend, there is no romance going on, they are just getting to know each other and quite rightly each other's children.
It may go no further than friendship, so there's no problem in them meeting with their respective children, as friends. IMO

What are we? Agony aunts ?

Why would you involve your children at this very early stage of dating? The fact that you're both single parents doesn't mean that the kids have to come along.

Mumofmadboys I definitely will

Please let us know how it goes, if you want to.

Elegran you are right...title a bit misleading

If you don’t meet up again how will you find out where if any where it is going.
If you meet up with kids on occasion it allows you to introduce ‘ a friend’ without having to go into too much detail unless & until you ended up a relationship with this man , best wishes

Nicola7722 It was the title of the thread that I saw first!

Buffybee good idea. Thanks.

Elegran We were only meeting at the playground so the kids could play together

My advise would be to meet him both on your own and at "play dates" with both yours and his children.
Don't rush into anything, see how things go for a couple of months before you start a relationship.
I hope it works out for you.

BlueBelle thanks for your advice. 20 years ago I only knew him as 'one of the group' so we never went out on our own. Then we took different paths in life.