Dating is hard enough on its own. You have to find someone you like, make sure they like you back, and hope they do not have any strange habits. But when you are a parent, it is even more complicated. You are not just thinking about your own heart. You have to protect your children’s hearts too.

So you have met someone special. They make you smile. They laugh at your jokes. It feels like this could be the real thing. That is wonderful news. You deserve to be happy. But now you have a big question hanging over your head. How do you tell the kids?

It is normal to feel nervous about this. In fact, most parents feel a bit sick at the thought. You worry the kids will be upset. You worry they will feel replaced. You worry they will hate this new person. These are all very common fears. The good news is that with a bit of planning, you can make this conversation go smoothly. Here are some simple tips to help you handle the big chat.