‍The latest Frolo Question explored one of the trickiest dilemmas for single parents: when do you tell your children you're dating someone new?

There are few moments in single parent dating that feel as emotionally loaded as this one. It's not just about whether you're ready for a relationship. It's about protecting your children, managing expectations, navigating co-parenting where applicable, and trying to build something new without bringing your children into uncertainty.

As with so many parenting questions, there wasn't a single right answer. Instead, Frolo members shared thoughtful, honest experiences that showed just how much individual circumstances shape these decisions.

Many parents wait until the relationship feels established

A common theme was waiting until a relationship felt genuinely serious before mentioning it to children, let alone arranging introductions.

One member said she doesn't tell her children "until it becomes anything worth telling them about." In a previous relationship her children met her partner after around six months, following a gradual introduction. Although that relationship ultimately ended after two and a half years, she still feels waiting was the right decision.

Another member explained that while she would tell her son she was dating someone, she would wait much longer before introducing them, adding that the realities of solo parenting mean dating itself is often difficult enough to find time for.

Introducing someone is very different from mentioning you're dating

Several parents made a distinction between talking about dating and introducing a new partner.

For some, simply mentioning that they're going on dates feels honest and age-appropriate. Meeting a partner, however, is something they prefer to delay until the relationship has proved stable.

One member shared that her parenting agreement states each parent should tell the other after three months in a healthy, stable relationship, with introductions to their son taking place after nine to twelve months. She was also clear that this arrangement was designed specifically for their family's circumstances and isn't a universal rule.

Others mentioned hearing a general "six-month rule", while acknowledging that life doesn't always fit neatly into timelines.

Every family's logistics are different

One response highlighted something that's often overlooked in conversations about dating as a single parent: the practical realities.

With an ex-partner living abroad, no nearby family support and paid childcare costing around £50 per date, dating requires coordinating multiple diaries before a relationship has even had chance to develop.

It's a reminder that advice about dating often assumes a level of flexibility that many single parents simply don't have.

Children have feelings too

Some members talked about preparing children emotionally rather than simply announcing a new relationship.

One parent described how, after her son's father left to live with a new partner, she later asked her son how he would feel about her having a boyfriend. His immediate response was no because he didn't want to share his mum with anyone else. After talking it through together, he eventually agreed that it would be nice for her to meet someone.

It's a simple example of how giving children space to express their worries can be just as important as deciding when to have the conversation.

There isn't a magic number

If there was one thing Frolo members agreed on, it was that there isn't a universal timeline.

Some parents felt six months was a sensible guide. Others preferred to wait until they could genuinely see a future together. For some, introducing a partner happened much sooner because life circumstances made it unavoidable. For others, years passed before it ever felt appropriate.

Ultimately, the decision depends on factors like your child's age and personality, how serious the relationship is, previous family experiences, co-parenting arrangements and, quite simply, what feels right for your family.

What matters most?

Reading through all of the responses, one thing stood out above everything else: parents weren't asking, "When am I allowed to introduce someone?" They were asking, "How do I protect my child while still allowing myself the chance to find happiness?"

That's a difficult balance, and there probably isn't a perfect answer.

What there is, though, is a community of single parents who understand the complexity of these decisions because they're making them too.

How would you answer this week's Frolo Question? When did you tell your children you were dating, or what would you do if the situation arose? Join the conversation on the Frolo app.

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