"Instead, you should consider filling in as an additional person in the child's life, so that they think of you as someone extra, not someone who is replacing." This is generally true whether your partner is divorced or widowed. Cooper says that these conversations should be brought up early on, and that you should never assume what your role in a child's life would be.

"If you're interested in children of your own, you're getting a glimpse into what they'll be like," Dr. And information like that can bring you and your partner even closer.

It turns out there is very little literature on how to date someone who has children. After running into him over a period of months, we began dating.

Overnight, I was thrown into a brave, new world -- one that involved a tween.

For now, my advice is to also play the waiting game with the ex -- take your time before you meet him or her. Realize you are taking someone else's child into your life.

Show that you care about the child, and you will go a long way towards a good relationship with the mother or father of your brand new kid.