Introducing your boyfriend to your toddler.... Where? How?

So this Saturday is the big day, my wonderful boyfriend(of a surprisingly shorter time then I always planned before the 'big meet' ) is meeting my 3yr old...

He's nervous as hell that she won't like him haha, but more then ready  

Anyway... How exactly do I explain it to my daughter? She's pretty smart for her age but she's never met any of the guys I've dated in the past, and as far as I know she's never met any of the girls her father has dated in the past. Do I just introduce him as mummy's friend? Is it wrong to kiss him in front of her? I wouldnt allow it to go further then just a small kiss obviously...

And where is a good place to do it? She's a very active kid so either of our houses are out, I'd rather not do it in a restraunt, even a place with a playground, and obviously not the zoo or any place like that.... Would a park be good? I was thinking maybe a nice picnic at a park would be nice?  

I would say "Mommy's special friend"

and a kiss is fine. Obviously not making out. But kids need to see affection too. So hand holding, back rubbing, a peck here and there.... it's all good

It all depends. How long have you two been together?
I would worry about her getting attached to him, and you two splitting up.
It's really not good for a kid to have that happen.
If you don't feel 100% sure that he is the one for you, or you haven't been together long enough to really know each other's quirks I would just introduce him as a friend... and not have him around her TOO much. I wouldn't even kiss in front of her. I'd keep it as friends.
Jmo.

<blockquote><b>Quoting *Cade*Mak*Col*:</b>" It all depends. How long have you two been together? I would worry about her getting attached to him, ... [snip!] ... him as a friend... and not have him around her TOO much. I wouldn't even kiss in front of her. I'd keep it as friends. Jmo."</blockquote>




I have thought of that Thankyou and it's serious. She hasn't met anyone in the past for the exact reasons you said, and I'm well aware of the risks, but she has to meet him eventually, I can't hide her away forever. I wouldn't introduce her if It wasn't serious. But honestly, she could get attached to a normal friend an then have them disappear, that's not really the issue here.

Not really what I was asking for advice on.... But thanks for the answers you did give.

Quoting Kelly&Coralie:" I would say "Mommy's special friend" and a kiss is fine. Obviously not making out. But kids need to see affection too. So hand holding, back rubbing, a peck here and there.... it's all good"

This!

When I was in this boat, my daughter was a bit younger so it was less explaining and more seeing. He was very hands on with her and they just played... hmm, the first time we went to a restaurant, then the park! I would think park is a good idea it's her 'element'  

Have fun love!

Sophie met my ex after 3 months of us dating... at the zoo.. I'm sad it didn't work out with him (my fault) because he was so good with her  they adored each other..

I would say its mommys friend. And i would do it at a park or something where he can play and interact with her. Or a zoo would be fun too.

Thank ladies  

I have thought about the zoo, but we'll have limited time(she goes to her dads at 12 this Saturday) so that mainly why I'm leaning towards a park.

He has young cousins that he adores, so I'm hoping he'll be good with her  

Quoting Manda♥Bella:" Thank ladies   I have thought about the zoo, but we'll have limited time(she goes to her dads at 12 ... [snip!] ... so that mainly why I'm leaning towards a park. He has young cousins that he adores, so I'm hoping he'll be good with her  "

Good luck! It's an exciting thing. I am sure he will be great with her. I was so nervous when I was going through this, but seeing them together made it all worth it!

We went to the mall, so it was low-key. I had already told her about him and that I love him and we're going to get married. We held hands and kissed around her, but not excessively.

He's awesome with her and she adores him. He's moving in this month. Next step is to tell her she's getting a sibling.

<blockquote><b>Quoting ag iompar clainne:</b>" We went to the mall, so it was low-key. I had already told her about him and that I love him and we're ... [snip!] ... He's awesome with her and she adores him. He's moving in this month. Next step is to tell her she's getting a sibling."</blockquote>




I am not looking forward to that one lol!

A mall is way out, crowded places over-excite her, and I want her to be behaving pretty well, he can see her craziness later haha

I think the park is a good idea. Then he can run and play with her too. I think affection is fine, just as long as it's not wrapped around each other making out on the park bench. lol. How do you think she would deal with seeing you showing someone else lots of affection though? Would she get jealous that mummy is holding someone elses hand and giving someone else kisses and cuddles? You would know her best, so only you could really be able to say how far to go with the hand holding and kissing and stuff. She's a pretty smart kid though, so I reckon she will be fine  
Amelie was only 14 months old when me and SO got together. So I don't think I really bothered introducing him as anything other than 'Jon' but she had met him before, we were friends for years before we got together.

<blockquote><b>Quoting ~Jekka~:</b>" I think the park is a good idea. Then he can run and play with her too. I think affection is fine, just ... [snip!] ... introducing him as anything other than 'Jon' but she had met him before, we were friends for years before we got together. "</blockquote>




See i've never done anything in front of her before, so I have no idea what she'd be like and what she'd cope with, which makes me anxious lol. I think we'll just have to see how it goes, I think she might get a little jealous, she hates when I hold Sai, because I'm her baby and not him haha.