Written by Rebecca Stokes on CafeMom’s blog, The Stir.
Dating after divorce is tricky. If you haven't been divorced yourself, you might worry that dating a someone who has means dating someone with baggage. Well newsflash -- we've all got baggage, that's just part of being human. If you've gone through a split yourself, you might worry that you both have been too badly burned before to give love the second shot it so rightly deserves.
It's natural to be full of trepidation. But when you really look at it, dating a divorced man is in many respects an easier and better experience in the long run than dating a single guy who has never tied the knot before.
While it's true that dating is rife with challenges no matter which way you slice it, spending time with one of these fellas actually has a lot of benefits. We spoke to a relationship expert and came up with a list of why dating a divorced man is one of the best things you can do to help your love life.
1. You Know He Can Commit
Sure, his previous relationship might not have worked out, but you know he has it in him to buckle down to just one person. That's a lot more than can be said about other single guys out there.
2. He Might Already Have Kids
You see a different side of a man when you see him with his children. A man with kids is "less likely to keep his guard up," says relationship expert Leslie Pruett. That's an incredible bonus.
3. He Knows Communication Is Key
Any person who's been through a divorce comes out the other end knowing that "communication is everything," says Pruett. You can trust that whatever his first impulse is, he won't run away from a problem if he's serious about you.
4. He Can Put Other People First
A man whose been married before has learned that he can't always come first -- whether he learned it the hard way or not! That's a definite plus when it comes to relationship building.
5. He Has Experience
No, not just sexually -- although that helps. A man who has been divorced has lived a life. He's got a history that informs the way he thinks and feels and operates. Who doesn't want that in a partner?
6. He's More Realistic
He is "more likely to know what he's looking for in a relationship," says Pruett. Expect fewer games and more honesty. If he's not ready for something serious, he'll tell you. That takes the guessing work out of dating.
7. He Believes In Love
If a man has divorced and is still out there dating, he know he still believes in love even if it didn't work out the first time around. That's about as romantic as it gets.
How has being divorced changed the way you date?
More from The Stir:
The 5 Types of Guys You’re Stuck Dating After Divorce
5 Mistakes to Avoid When Dating After Divorce
10 Dating Rules That Have Changed Since You Were Married & Divorced
10 Dating Red Flags That Should Send You Running
This Is Officially the Worst Email You Could Ever Receive After a Date
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