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Can kids be a dealbreaker in a relationship?

If you decide to get serious with someone who has children from a previous relationship, how important is it for you to get along with those kids? Would you stay if you didn't like your partner's kids, or didn't want kids in the picture at all?

Background reading

  • 'Help! I hate my boyfriend's kids!'
    What do you do when you love a man but you can't stand his children? Dr. Gail Saltz advises a woman struggling over her boyfriend's decision to have his kids move into their apartment.
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Results with 17 short comments
Total of 925 votes - click on the "Display Comments" bar below to sort comments

22.4%
Yes. Love is complicated enough; kids from a previous relationship are too much to handle.
207 votes
27%
No. If you truly love someone, you must love his/her family, too.
250 votes
50.6%
It depends on the circumstances.
468 votes
Display Comments:
Yes. Love is complicated enough; kids from a previous relationship are too much to handle.

Kids are a hassle! They are loud, messy, and demanding as hell. They are a total deal-breaker. I don't have kids & hope to God I never wil

{"commentId":6947691,"threadId":"573349","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"bedhead75"}
     - 8:46 pm EDT on Thu May 7, 2009
    It depends on the circumstances.

    If kids might be a deal breaker for you, don't get involved in the first place. When a person has children, they're part of the deal. Perio

    {"commentId":6951951,"threadId":"573349","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"ammc654"}
    • 2 votes
     - 7:40 am EDT on Fri May 8, 2009
    No. If you truly love someone, you must love his/her family, too.

    Children don't get to choose their circumstances, you do. You have no right to be in their life if you don't enjoy them.

    {"commentId":6954060,"threadId":"573349","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"spdvm"}
       - spdvm
       - 10:27 am EDT on Fri May 8, 2009
      No. If you truly love someone, you must love his/her family, too.

      Is a package deal, u can't pick 1 and leave the rest. I do hope single/divorce parents choose their kids above any companion in this case

      {"commentId":6954418,"threadId":"573349","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"zorceres"}
      • 1 vote
       - eve@ma
       - 10:47 am EDT on Fri May 8, 2009
      Yes. Love is complicated enough; kids from a previous relationship are too much to handle.

      My boyfriend has 3 children and has custody of them, I have one and we have been together for 9 years

      {"commentId":6954959,"threadId":"573349","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"annep"}
      • 2 votes
       - 11:16 am EDT on Fri May 8, 2009
      It depends on the circumstances.

      You usually know before you get too involved with someone that they have kids, if that is not your thing, don't get involved.

      {"commentId":6955659,"threadId":"573349","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"cathy-11"}
      • 2 votes
       - C athy
       - 11:51 am EDT on Fri May 8, 2009
      It depends on the circumstances.

      if you can't stand thier kids then obviously you're not in love with that person. and it's petty to say i love you but not your kids.

      {"commentId":6955981,"threadId":"573349","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"laceykotake"}
      • 2 votes
       - lkotake
       - 12:05 pm EDT on Fri May 8, 2009
      It depends on the circumstances.

      absolutely they can be a deal breaker, but it usually isn't the kids, but the significant others reaction to them that's the real problem

      {"commentId":6956629,"threadId":"573349","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"AmandaMarie"}
      • 1 vote
       - 12:40 pm EDT on Fri May 8, 2009
      It depends on the circumstances.

      Depends. If the kids are out of control and it destroys the relationship, then obviously it's a dealbreaker.

      {"commentId":6959576,"threadId":"573349","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"robyn-widmer"}
      • 1 vote
       - 3:03 pm EDT on Fri May 8, 2009
      Yes. Love is complicated enough; kids from a previous relationship are too much to handle.

      Not only are you dealing with the children themselves, but you are dealing with your partner's ex as well.

      {"commentId":6962503,"threadId":"573349","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"annacam09"}
      • 1 vote
       - Anna C.
       - 5:21 pm EDT on Fri May 8, 2009
      No. If you truly love someone, you must love his/her family, too.

      If you're too selfish to consider your partner's kids from a previous marriage or relationship, MOVE ON...kids aren't throw away items!!

      {"commentId":6968586,"threadId":"573349","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"kitteekat"}
         - 2:33 am EDT on Sat May 9, 2009
        No. If you truly love someone, you must love his/her family, too.

        My mom married a man who really disliked my siblings & I.The fact that a man who disliked us was in our home,made a lot of problems at home

        {"commentId":7044405,"threadId":"573349","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"BossyGurl"}
        • 1 vote
         - lady_K
         - 11:14 pm EDT on Tue May 12, 2009
        No. If you truly love someone, you must love his/her family, too.

        My mom married a man who really disliked my siblings & I.The fact that a man who disliked us was in our home,made a lot of problems at home

        {"commentId":7044406,"threadId":"573349","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"BossyGurl"}
           - lady_K
           - 11:14 pm EDT on Tue May 12, 2009
          No. If you truly love someone, you must love his/her family, too.

          My mom married a man who really disliked my siblings & I.The fact that a man who disliked us was in our home,made a lot of problems at home

          {"commentId":7044407,"threadId":"573349","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"BossyGurl"}
             - lady_K
             - 11:14 pm EDT on Tue May 12, 2009
            No. If you truly love someone, you must love his/her family, too.

            My fiance has 2 children. i have 4. I hate his son. He's awful and needs to be put on meds!!! I still except them though.

            {"commentId":7074033,"threadId":"573349","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"tda-2006"}
               - 11:47 am EDT on Thu May 14, 2009
              It depends on the circumstances.

              There are a lot of variables to consider. Ex-spouses, interfering in-laws, psychological and or physical problems, poor parenting..

              {"commentId":7144635,"threadId":"573349","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"salli58"}
                 - 12:49 pm EDT on Mon May 18, 2009
                It depends on the circumstances.

                It really depends on the people (and kids) involved. My stepkids are great but their mother is spiteful and has truly damaged my marriage.

                {"commentId":7909527,"threadId":"573349","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"crankybird"}
                   - 2:56 pm EDT on Sun Jun 28, 2009
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                  {"commentId":6946986,"authorDomain":"iammugsy"}

                  spent my honeymoon in a one room log cabin so his and mine could meet and get to know each other on neutral ground...we all had a great time fishing and hiking and learning about each other...they stayed friends til the divorce and really enjoyed my marriage way more than i did....lololol...

                  {"commentId":6946986,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"iammugsy"}
                    Reply#1 - Thu May 7, 2009 8:00 PM EDT
                    {"commentId":6948155,"authorDomain":"cincibengal66"}

                    If the parent of the children doesn't make them respect the new relationship it can be a dealbreaker. Also if the ex badmouths you and makes the kids behave badly at your house and the parent won't step in to stop it.

                    {"commentId":6948155,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"cincibengal66"}
                      Reply#2 - Thu May 7, 2009 9:22 PM EDT
                      {"commentId":6948260,"authorDomain":"capechick1228"}

                      I would not want to get involved with someone who has young children. Been there, done that and do not wish to do it again with somebody else's kids.

                      {"commentId":6948260,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"capechick1228"}
                        Reply#3 - Thu May 7, 2009 9:30 PM EDT
                        {"commentId":6948616,"authorDomain":"gkcpersonalbusiness"}

                        My soon to be ex has three teenage boys. She detested conflict of any type and always wanted to be the cool mom. As a result, our home became a haven for underage drinking by the boys and their friends. Teenage girls spent the night in bed with her sons (they are/were all in high school!), drugs were used right under our noses, and any modest rules (such as putting your dishes in the dishwasher and picking up after yourself) were met with disdain and disrespect. She was/is more interested in being their friend than their parent, to the point that I was undermined at every turn. Dogs and cats (theirs, not mine) were allowed to urinate and defecate in the house to the point that it destroyed the carpet in the finished basement. It was clear that I lost every battle, that I was always the odd man out. She did not respect our relationship enough to discipline or correct her children when they needed it. Good riddance!

                        {"commentId":6948616,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"gkcpersonalbusiness"}
                        • 2 votes
                        Reply#4 - Thu May 7, 2009 9:56 PM EDT
                        {"commentId":6955090,"authorDomain":"annep"}

                        My boyfriend and his kids are almost like what you are saying we lived with each other for awhile but had to split houses, we are still with each other we just keep the kids out of our relationship. We are making it work for us and not them. They do sometimes still get in the way of things, I always tell him that the problem was there were too many "moms" in the same house. I understand exactly how you are feeling and have been there my self. Mine just decided that our relationship was more important to him then living with each other and all the kids.

                        {"commentId":6955090,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"annep"}
                        • 1 vote
                        #4.1 - Fri May 8, 2009 11:22 AM EDT
                        {"commentId":6960154,"authorDomain":"allie0820"}

                        Sounds like my former household....Glad I ran after less than a year of marriage for my daughters sake!

                        {"commentId":6960154,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"allie0820"}
                          #4.2 - Fri May 8, 2009 3:28 PM EDT
                          {"commentId":7367090,"authorDomain":"Glenn-1131817"}

                          My former girlfriend was this person, unbelievable, except she had two daughters. She was intelligent and a successful buisness person. Dated her off and on for 5 years and watched the situation grow worse, everything was my fault everytime and too opinionated. Called it off after their boyfriends started moving in with no jobs and just sold drugs and her home would make you sick from the animal smell. Started thinking I just was a prude glad to see I made the correct decision. Thanks!

                          {"commentId":7367090,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"Glenn-1131817"}
                            #4.3 - Sat May 30, 2009 5:46 PM EDT
                            Reply
                            {"commentId":6950146,"authorDomain":"futenma"}

                            Gee, that kinda sounds familiar to me. Get a load of this. I date a correctional officer who has a son who is in jail more than he is out. My sweeite blames society for his son's ills. Even when the kid was chased home by the cops after getting busted for selling drugs on campus. Such a non emotional response from my sweetie. We will be exes very soon. Ray Charles can see it coming. He thinks that I'm a bad mother because I call my grown kids who live out of state and I send them care packages. He feels I should let them be. Even his dog has issues. She barks and growls at me when he is in the home but she is fine when he is away. Personally, I 'd like to put them all in a cage and poke them with a cattle prod.

                            {"commentId":6950146,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"futenma"}
                              Reply#5 - Fri May 8, 2009 12:04 AM EDT
                              {"commentId":6950352,"authorDomain":"ecowdell"}

                              My step kids were never an issue...ever...I love them like they're my own.

                              The ex-wife on the other hand could have been a deal breaker. I should have spent more time with her before I said "I do". I kid.

                              {"commentId":6950352,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"ecowdell"}
                                Reply#6 - Fri May 8, 2009 12:33 AM EDT
                                {"commentId":6951023,"authorDomain":"JiM-1087864"}

                                it can be a deal breaker. i dated a lady who was really cool but her kids were so out of control that i had to step out. it wasn't the kids' fault, she just couldn't be a parent. on one date, she just allowed them to eat candy all day and then mom had to deal with the stomach aches. duh! i believe in discipline when it comes to kids. so when i see a lack of it from someone i'm dating, its a good indicator things won't work out with us.

                                conversely, i am in love with a good woman who has two kids, one of which is special needs. i am so ready to settle down and live the rest of my life with her and her kids.

                                {"commentId":6951023,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"JiM-1087864"}
                                  Reply#7 - Fri May 8, 2009 2:12 AM EDT
                                  {"commentId":6953953,"authorDomain":"cath49620"}

                                  I am not that shelfish of a person. But the deal breaker is my soon to be ex's lack of parenting skills is the problem. He has full custody, (Mom is a crack head drunk) and gives no guidance to his daughter at all. We lived together for seven months (dated a year before moving in) and I can not take the lack of respect that she shows him and me. I am not able to tell or ask her anything. If she keeps up what she is not doing, she is failing nineth grade. He says he never volunteered for this. I say yes you did when you volunteered the sperm. My two daughters grown, college grad with great careers. Nope I am out of here before his daughter comes home pregnant and saying Daaaad!!!!

                                  {"commentId":6953953,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"cath49620"}
                                  • 1 vote
                                  Reply#8 - Fri May 8, 2009 10:22 AM EDT
                                  {"commentId":6954609,"authorDomain":"lindaluise3"}

                                  My ex has a 38 year old son and 2 grandkids that come before everything and everyone else. He and his mother have bailed the kid out his entire life and he now lives at home with Dad because his driver's license was revoked for 5 years for not paying $.25 tolls - they paid for ALL those tickets, also. They also bailed him out of jail for not paying child support because he honestly thought nothing could be done to him if he didn't pay. Anyway, I can't stand the kid and I could never figure out whether I should feel sorry for him because his father and grandmother did this to him or I didn't like him because he let them do this to him. No matter how much I loved my ex, I would always come in last. The sad thing is, when the kid gets his license back, the only way he will have anything to do with his father is when he wants him to bail him out of some other predicament. Sad, all the way around

                                  {"commentId":6954609,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"lindaluise3"}
                                  • 1 vote
                                  Reply#9 - Fri May 8, 2009 10:57 AM EDT
                                  {"commentId":6958054,"authorDomain":"cath49620"}

                                  I think the kids should come before a girl/boy friend. And that is the problem with me. His kid comes in deal last. And beocause of this his kid will always will be dependent on him. I raised my daughters to be independent, to have careers. He is teaching nothing to his daughter except Daddy will get her everything and anything. Nope.

                                  {"commentId":6958054,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"cath49620"}
                                    #9.1 - Fri May 8, 2009 1:49 PM EDT
                                    Reply
                                    {"commentId":6955179,"authorDomain":"annep"}

                                    I see acouple of problems here with guys being the full time parent, 1 they are not made for it. and 2 they have no idea how to be mom! Oh and one more they should never try to be Mom when a woman is present!

                                    {"commentId":6955179,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"annep"}
                                    • 1 vote
                                    Reply#10 - Fri May 8, 2009 11:26 AM EDT
                                    Reply
                                    {"commentId":6955502,"authorDomain":"mariemontermarie"}

                                    This woman should not be in this relationship. Children come first.

                                    {"commentId":6955502,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"mariemontermarie"}
                                      Reply#11 - Fri May 8, 2009 11:44 AM EDT
                                      {"commentId":6956135,"authorDomain":"laceykotake"}

                                      this woman is a complete self-centered immature child herself. knowing someone kids and expect them to put you before them is the STUPIDEST thing i've heard!!!!! "i love him but hate his kids" is B.S. if she truly loved him then she wouldn't have even asked such a stupid question. love is about compromising and working together. she knew the entire time he had children so it's not like it was a suprise, and she didn't mind as long as they weren't around their father. now if the kids are brats, out of control, etc. then i can understand not having warm fuzzy feelings for them, but to not like them because they take up the "precious" time she wants to spend with him is just plain selfish. if she doesn't understand that being a parent come before ANYTHING she shoule be sterilized, we don't need people like her breeding.

                                      {"commentId":6956135,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"laceykotake"}
                                        Reply#12 - Fri May 8, 2009 12:15 PM EDT
                                        {"commentId":6958114,"authorDomain":"cath49620"}

                                        My heart goes out the my soon to be ex's daughter. She has no idea what a Mom is other than a crack head drunk. I know that he is the reason she is so disrecptful and has no manners at all. He is what created his monster. I have tried to work with him on his parenting skills, but he chooses to let her have and do the world. Sorry society, I tried.

                                        {"commentId":6958114,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"cath49620"}
                                          #12.1 - Fri May 8, 2009 1:51 PM EDT
                                          Reply
                                          {"commentId":6956204,"authorDomain":"clydethepirate"}

                                          I believe alot of it depends on the age of the people dating, if you have already raised your children you probably dont want to start over raising kids. its not the kids fault at all or that there bad kids you just reach a point in life where you are past the young children.

                                          {"commentId":6956204,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"clydethepirate"}
                                            Reply#13 - Fri May 8, 2009 12:18 PM EDT
                                            {"commentId":7312807,"authorDomain":"prsnow0312"}

                                            I totally agree this is my situation I am dating a guy who is 50 so am I raised my kid already she is 24. His kids are young 12+14 I,ve reached the point that I am past raising kids. I 've told him that but he ignores the fact says he understands but really tries to push me into moving him with him I refuse. I am trying to stand my ground and I don't want to hurt anyone feelings. So confused I feel bad but I don't want to get into something that I might regret later. p.s. I like his kids but I don't want to live with them every weekend and all summer, holidays very difficult help!

                                            {"commentId":7312807,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"prsnow0312"}
                                              #13.1 - Wed May 27, 2009 3:46 PM EDT
                                              {"commentId":7437095,"authorDomain":"lemondrop"}

                                              I think your doing the right thing I have raised 3 daughters that are grown now and have grandchildren and you feel you've done your job your at a point in your life where it's supposed to be happy and carefree and unfortunetly with teenagers there's always something, and some things you just don't want to be a part of.

                                              {"commentId":7437095,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"lemondrop"}
                                                #13.2 - Wed Jun 3, 2009 1:01 PM EDT
                                                Reply
                                                {"commentId":6956665,"authorDomain":"ghall1950"}

                                                I was in a relationship for 20 years. He had never married or had children and didn't want to. I had 4 children. He and I each lived in our own houses for the first 10 years, but he totally helped support and raise them with me. He took them camping, fishing, hunting and bought my daughter her first make up (following her around and telling her what was too dark, too red, whatever)LOL. When he finally did move in with me, it was after the kids had left. Then we got to have 10 more years together before he was diagnosed with prostrate cancer and moved out. He keeps in touch, but I feel cheated that we couldn't be together so I could give him even a portion of what he gave my family and me. I will miss him the rest of my life.

                                                {"commentId":6956665,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"ghall1950"}
                                                • 1 vote
                                                Reply#14 - Fri May 8, 2009 12:43 PM EDT
                                                {"commentId":6964133,"authorDomain":"maryanne427"}

                                                My husband has 3 GROWN children from a previous marriage. 2 of them are married. They are selfish and are only nice to me when they want something-like an expensive wedding. They talk about me behind my back and it always gets back to me. If I had to do it over again, I wouldn't have married him.

                                                {"commentId":6964133,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"maryanne427"}
                                                  Reply#15 - Fri May 8, 2009 6:52 PM EDT
                                                  {"commentId":7807971,"authorDomain":"mouse83"}

                                                  I know what you mean; good enough to use but not to respect which he allows and he exs are hateful users...

                                                  {"commentId":7807971,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"mouse83"}
                                                    #15.1 - Tue Jun 23, 2009 4:23 PM EDT
                                                    Reply
                                                    {"commentId":6967886,"authorDomain":"scsherie"}

                                                    I would never be involved with someone with young children. It is not healthy for the children and most times ends bad. The kids have already been through enough, usually a divorce and are emotionally wrecked. I would never want to add to that. I think parents should focus on their children and raise them before they date again.

                                                    {"commentId":6967886,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"scsherie"}
                                                    • 1 vote
                                                    Reply#16 - Sat May 9, 2009 12:44 AM EDT
                                                    {"commentId":10409605,"authorDomain":"kringe"}

                                                    Dr Laura clone?

                                                    {"commentId":10409605,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"kringe"}
                                                      #16.1 - Sun Nov 1, 2009 1:21 PM EST
                                                      Reply
                                                      {"commentId":6968686,"authorDomain":"kitteekat"}

                                                      I have a daughter from a previous marriage. My current husband of 13 years accepted my then 3 year-old daughter as his own, and has been a better parent to her than my daughter's biological father. I couldn't have asked for a better person to accept my daughter and me as a package! He knew before we started dating that I had a daughter and never ever ever expected me to compromise my relationship with her! More importantly, my daughter has always come first in my life - her existence as a child from a broken marriage wasn't her fault! If my current husband would have ever shown any form of jealousy or insecurity toward my daughter, I would have sent him hiking from the beginning! I know my husband loves me - he loves my daughter and has shown me, not just told me, how much she means to him by example. He was there at night to read her stories, he taught her how to tie her shoes, ride a bike, and helped plan for her college! She is now 18, and we're planning her graduation from high school. I consider myself extremely fortunate! And I'm absolutely sure my husbnad respects me more for not tossing my daughter to the side just so he could have me all to himself.

                                                      If this woman is so selfish, jealous and insecure to attempt to accept her live-in boyfriend's kids, she needs to move on and find someone without kids. Why would she love a man that didn't love his kids? The thought of that alone would raise red flags for me!

                                                      The woman in this story needs to grow up!

                                                      {"commentId":6968686,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"kitteekat"}
                                                        Reply#17 - Sat May 9, 2009 3:00 AM EDT
                                                        {"commentId":6981037,"authorDomain":"remo-960"}

                                                        Hello,

                                                        i think when we decide to fill in love(not just love) with some one merrage before ,we must thinking carefully about whats gona happend in the future ,and ask our self :is this love will produce all the lost anergy in this relation? , are we patiant as enough to take with the kids in different ages ?

                                                        Pleaes women the most important things keep your heart away for awhile and think....

                                                        {"commentId":6981037,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"remo-960"}
                                                          Reply#18 - Sun May 10, 2009 3:18 AM EDT
                                                          {"commentId":6994973,"authorDomain":"dianamasten"}

                                                          i have been there and i would never put my kids through that again you have to be very sure about the man you let your children know and you must be aware of how the man treats your kids they came first not the new guy no matter what a man can distroy a childs life its not worth it, be on guard mom

                                                          {"commentId":6994973,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"dianamasten"}
                                                            Reply#19 - Mon May 11, 2009 8:52 AM EDT
                                                            {"commentId":6995185,"authorDomain":"dianamasten"}

                                                            man or woman all relationships are based on respect as the foundation. now as i look over the comments above both of the relations are equaly invoved if one is not move on a woman can be as distrutive to a child as a man evan more so because she set the example for the child so men beware of the woman you choose to be with for your children sake.

                                                            {"commentId":6995185,"threadId":"573320","contentId":"2789044","authorDomain":"dianamasten"}
                                                              Reply#20 - Mon May 11, 2009 9:09 AM EDT
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