As a couple before your separation or divorce you may have socially mixed with other parents, joined in at parties and playdates or chatted at school drop off and pick up. You were one half of a parenting couple, and you still are but, you are now part of a separated parenting couple. New territory? Get on board.
So – how will you deal with bumping into other parents and how do you socially mix?
It all depends on the age of your child
Children get invited to parties. The need you to taxi them, provide a gift for the party child, collect them, stay with them etc. Organisation is key as little children don’t like to miss or be late to parties. You could be ostracized at these parties for being the ex-husband or the single dad. For older children and teens, what happens at the side of the rugby pitch or collecting after clubs? Who do you talk to at the school gate or sit next to at the music recital? As a single dad is it still ok to take a group of children trick or treating or out for pizza?
Being a single man in a group of women
Single men are often viewed with suspicion amongst a group of women. How can you fit into their group? There have been a few sitcoms exploring school parents’ social groups and they sometimes reflect on the rogue single dad or stay at home father in the group. Single men hold a certain appeal to mums in the group, so are you prepared for crushes or romantic offers? It can be messy if your next partner also has a child in the school!
Are there other parents socially or from school that your ex has ownership over? Is there anything about your split that you feel embarrassed about? School gate gossip is real and there may be a few knowing looks and whispers. Be prepared. Be ready for questions and decide if want to answer them.
Will you bump into your ex at school functions and socials? Are you on speaking terms and can you be civil? Will you bring a new partner and will your ex’s new partner be there? Try to keep any potential battles and disagreements away from the school and the school yard.
Older Children
Maybe your child is older, and they don’t take part in extracurricular activities. There may still be drop offs and collections, liaising with other parents for teen sleepovers. Are you going to allow your child to have sleepovers at your new home? Do other parents need to know if you have a new partner at your house and is it ok for you to taxi other children around? It is something to think about.
Like to explore this further? Get in contact.
