Are you ready?
There's no right amount of time, only what feels right for you.
Some people are ready to date again quite quickly, others need much longer. A good sign is that you're curious about meeting someone new, rather than looking for someone to fill a gap or to prove a point. If thinking about your ex still brings up a lot of anger or sadness, it may be worth giving yourself a little more time.
Think about your children
Separation is a big change for them too.
Children often need time to adjust to two homes and new routines. Dating doesn't have to wait until everything is settled, but it helps to keep it separate from family life at first. Meet people while the children are with their other parent or being looked after, and keep them out of it until you're sure about someone. Our guide on when to introduce a new partner to your children has more on this.
If you co-parent
You don't need your ex's permission to date, but a little courtesy can help.
- Keep it low-key at first. There's no need to share details while things are new.
- Give them a heads-up before the children meet anyone. It's better for everyone if they hear it from you rather than the children.
- Keep the children out of the middle. Don't ask them to pass on messages or keep secrets.
Leave the past where it belongs
It's natural to talk about your separation, and being honest about it is fine. But on a first date, keep it brief and focus on getting to know the person in front of you. Our guide on how to start a conversation on a dating site has plenty of easier topics to start with.