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How Soon Is Too Soon To Date?

By Sheila Ellison Updated: Aug 22, 2009
Sheila Ellison
I've run into many people who feel that there is an unwritten rule about how soon you should date after a separation or divorce. How soon is too soon?-- Robert L., 40, Poulsbo, Washington
 
Robert: It is too soon if all you can think of to talk about on a date is how horrible your ex is and what she did to ruin your life!
“Some people work through the grief of losing a marriage while they are still married”
Some people work through the grief of losing a marriage while they are still married; they take the time to look at what part they played in the relationship failing, and are honest with themselves. They are ready to date. The issue isn't really how soon to date after a separation or divorce, but rather if you are using dating to avoid doing the work you have to do in order to move on, heal and grieve. If dating is an avoidance technique, then maybe you should wait. However, dating can also help in this process if you are clear with yourself that dating is an opportunity to learn about yourself, to choose different patterns and to meet others who are on the same journey.
Sheila Ellison is the author of "The Courage to Love Again: Creating Happy, Healthy Relationships After Divorce," "The Courage to Be a Single Mother: Becoming Whole Again After Divorce," "How Does She Do It? 101 Life Lessons from One Mother to Another," and "If Women Ruled the World" as well as six bestselling parenting books. She is the founder of SingleMomsConnect.com, an organization that connects single mothers in a one-to-one friendship that offers practical, emotional, and physical support as each woman rebuilds her life. She has appeared on "Oprah," NBC's "Later Today, and "The Early Show" on CBS. Her web site is CompleteMom.com.
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