DATING & RELATIONSHIPS
Times have changed. Relationships are more open, sex is not a taboo subject, and through social networking, we have access to more people. More over, it is not uncommon to meet a young single parent. Dating a single parent is a different experience. Dating someone with a child requires abiding by a different set of rules. Those rules change from person to person. However, there is a certain approach that you can take that will help ensure the success of the relationship between you and a single parent.

The Evaluation
A good parent wants what is best for their child. With that being said, when a single parent evaluates you, they’re not just doing it for themselves, they are doing it for their child also. Everything they would look at in deciding to make you their partner is magnified. Your maturity level, reputation, habits, finances, friends, choices, etc. are all placed underneath intense scrutiny. Most importantly, you will be evaluated on your understanding of the relationship between parent and child. If you understand that their relationship takes precedent over yours, you are on the right track.

The Other Parent
One of the toughest things to deal with when dating a single parent is the other parent. Unlike a typical ex, they have a special connection to your partner, the child. If they are involved in the child’s life, they will be part of your life whether you like it or not. More so, a good parent is going to want to get to know you. After all, they need to know what type of person is going to be around their child. However, be aware that some parents will use the child to intrude in your life. Assess the situation. If the other parent is crossing the line between being a good parent & trying to win your partner back, speak up. Address your partner first and see if they are seeing the same things. If they are, you both can come up with a reasonable solution to the problem.

Not The Parent
The most important thing to remember is that you are not that child’s parent and you shouldn’t try to be. You also shouldn’t try to be their friend either. What you should try is establish an amicable adult to child relationship. In the beginning, they may not like you. After all, you are taking away some of the attention from them. What you want to do is establish that you are not the enemy and that you want to join the team. Gain their trust and earn their respect. Develop a line of communication. It’s important that you know how they feel about you and that they know how you feel about them and their parent. A relationship with a single parent is delicate and you should treat it as such.

Follow Me On Twitter: @TheilluminADY

You can find this topic and others like this weekly on www.balleralert.comand on the Baller Alert iPhone app.

SEX
No one wants to be a lousy lover. In some instances, you may not know you are a lousy lover. You may not get complaints but you aren’t getting applauded either. Upgrade your sex by avoiding these 5 mistakes:

BEING SELFISH. You made the sex about you. You did what it takes to make you orgasm but failed to do what it takes to make them orgasm. Now you’re fast asleep, and they’re tweeting about #BadSex

LACK OF COMMUNICATION. There is a difference between talking about sex and communicating sexual desires. One requires simply speaking and the other requires speaking, listening and understanding.

PREDICTABLE. There is no excitement in being able to tell what is going to happen next. Change things up.

TREAT ALL YOUR PARTNERS THE SAME. People have different personalities. They enjoy different things. What works for one may not work for the other. Learn what makes them tick. A kiss on the neck for may be arousing to one & a nuisance to another.

COPYCAT LOVER. What is made for television isn’t always applicable to real life. Though porn can be a teaching tool, it is also entertainment. Some of what you see may look good but it doesn’t feel good. Have an understanding of what certain acts may make a person feel before performing them.

Note: Sex should always be committed between two consenting adults. Always practice safe sex.