Your Raleigh divorce lawyer has probably already told you about the dangers of dating during divorce (and not just dating other people—revisiting your ex can spell big trouble, too). But what if you really feel that you’re ready to dive back into the dating pool?
Dating is No Joke
While you’re still married, no dating. It’s that simple. There are plenty of reasons, aside from the legal ones that your attorney has warned you about, that should keep you far, far away from the dating scene.
The biggest? Psychologists say it takes far more time to get over a marriage than most people think. If you start dating before you’ve shed the emotional weight from your divorce, you’re not being fair to the other party… or to yourself.
“You get this feeling that you’re in the worst possible situation in your life,” says clinical psychologist Michael Broder, Ph.D. “Then you may do what you later consider desperate… jumping into a bad relationship you would never choose if you weren’t feeling reckless.”
If you think you’re ready to date, think again.
Kids and Dating Don’t Mix Right Away
If you’re like most parents, your children are your main concern. Dating before you’re divorced, or too soon after it’s all said and done, can send them the wrong message. Introducing your little ones to a new flame should be put on the back burner until you’re sure it’s worth the emotional upheaval it has the potential to cause—and until you’re sure it’s a long-term relationship.
People Tell You That You Shouldn’t Date for a Reason
When people tell you to wait, they’re looking out for your best interests. We all know someone who jumped into a “rebound” relationship that ended in disaster. Often, those types of relationships only prolong the recovery from the original relationship, because the person involved puts off the healing they need to do in favor of enjoying the new one.
Double-Check with Your Raleigh Divorce Lawyer
Before you start exploring the marketplace, make sure you check with your Raleigh divorce lawyer. He or she will most likely tell you that it’s not okay to date before you’re officially divorced. Dating can affect the amount of spousal support that changes hands, your child custody agreement and several other aspects of your divorce.
Once those papers are signed and you’ve fully recovered from the emotional trauma, though, it’s off to the races!
