When you date someone, it is often not long before you meet one another's friends. This can be a time to bring up the fact that your new girlfriend has a child, or a time to let it pass. Before introducing your girlfriend to your friends, talk about the situation — is it something he would prefer they know beforehand? Is it a topic he likes to avoid when first meeting someone new? Many single parents, while proud of their children, prefer to get to know others as mutual adults before introducing the fact that they are a single or divorced parent. It is often uncomfortable for a parent to be whispered about as “Jenny, Bob's girlfriend who has the kid.” It is much nicer to be referred to as “Jenny, Bob's girlfriend; we talked for a while the other night and she has a son that she is so proud of!” Someone is bound to say something or assume something inappropriate; addressing the situation with your girlfriend prior to going out with friends can decrease the chances of this.

When you go out with her friends for the first time, you may find that they grill you about your relationship with her child, or how you see yourself in the child's life. This is normal; they are her friends and have her best interests at heart. It could be helpful to form a united front with your girlfriend where she says to her friends, “Bob hasn't met my son yet, and we will tackle that when the time is right” or “Bob and I are just enjoying getting to know each other right now.” There are many ways of stopping the inquisitors without giving out much personal information or sounding rude.

No matter whose friends you are meeting, it is nice to have a bit of a plan in place for those potentially awkward questions or comments.