"Why would I want to date? I was heartbroken. A piece of my life and my entire vision of the future had been ripped away from me. I didn't want love. I wasn't interested in a replacement. I'd lost the illusion of forever. I just wanted conversation, companionship, and a new way of looking forward and reimagining. But, any kind of reimagining requires imagination and reconciliation. I was parenting a traumatized child while also trying to care for myself."
"I didn't tell my daughter I was going on dates at first. I didn't bring anyone to meet her until I'd had a few positive dates. I didn't introduce her to anyone I didn't think of as potential friend, a good person. I was clear with everyone I went out with that I wasn't looking for something permanent and that I certainly wasn't looking for a new dad for my daughter. My daughter adored her dad, and rightfully so."
Dating after the loss of a partner requires balancing profound grief with parenting responsibilities and protecting a child's emotional well-being. The parent sought companionship and conversation rather than replacement, moving slowly and only introducing vetted, kind people after positive dates. Dates were told explicitly that permanence or a parental role for the child was not sought. The child reacted protectively and evaluated potential partners' age, intensity, and vibe before accepting someone as "pretty chill." Solo parenting created logistical challenges absent in shared custody, complicating scheduling and caregiving while reentering the dating world.
Read at Business Insider
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