After what seems like hundreds of Not Quite Mr. Right’s, you have met a great guy. He is compassionate, and kind. He is understanding of the fact that you are a mom, and respects your time with your child. He has met your child, and they seem to both genuinely like one another. Is it safe to let your new boyfriend take care of your son when you aren’t around?
The Case of Kyron Horman
I will be the first (of many) to tell you that I am a worrier. When things like the case of Kyron Horman come to light, I feel justified in my constant state of worry about the safety of my child. Kyron was last seen on the morning of June 4th at Skyline Elementary School in Portland, Oregon – a few mere miles from my home. Kyron was last seen by his step-mother that morning at the science fair at his school. Tragically, 7 year-old Kyron has not been found, and the investigation seems to be turning towards his step-mother as the suspect. Kyron’s biological father, Kaine Horman, has filed for divorce from Terri Horman, full custody of their only biological child together, as well as an order of protective custody.
I cannot help but be overwhelmed with compassion for Kaine Horman. If in fact his wife, Kyron’s step-mom, had something to do with his son’s disappearance, that poor man is going to blame himself for not knowing that she was capable of something of that degree. He is going to blame himself for not protecting his son.
Ask Important Questions
As a single parent, you have to be careful when you bring new people into your child’s life. You have to be brutally honest with yourself about your new partner. A few questions you want to ask yourself are:
Do this person have good relationships with their family?
Has this person held consistent jobs?
Has this person geographically bounced around for no good reason?
Does this person have friends who think highly of them? (Especially friends with kids!)
Most importantly…how does your child feel about this person?
Trust Your Gut
Never, ever, ever doubt your gut instinct, or the gut instinct your child has of this person. You may feel that if your child doesn’t want you to date, then they will always say that they don’t like someone. If you truly pay attention to the behavior of your child around your new squeeze, it will be pretty easy to see if they don’t want you to date, or if they don’t want you to date him.
Be optimistic, but be cautious.
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