Once you enter into a serious relationship with a single mother, think of ways to get to know her children. "Psychology Today" contributor, Kristi Pikiewicz, Ph.D., suggests avoiding attempting to get to know your girlfriend’s children until you both agree to take part in a committed, exclusive relationship. Once you establish a serious relationship, proceed with caution, because you can’t gauge her children’s reaction in advance. Let your girlfriend mention you to her children before meeting her kids formally. After you meet her kids, participate in some group activities , with your girlfriend present.

When you participate in group activities with your girlfriend’s kids, notice the activities that interest her children. More importantly, learn about their school activities, their extracurricular involvement and what struggles they face, but do not use this information to further your relationship with your girlfriend. Develop genuine, authentic relationships with her kids, because that is how she will evaluate you. If her children love roller-skating, go to a rink. In her column on parent dating in “News for Parents,” Lisa Crohn notes this takes the focus from trying to build a relationship to focusing on enjoying the activity itself. This may help the children not to not feel pressured into developing a relationship with you; if they enjoy themselves in your presence, they may not even realize they are developing a relationship with you.

Learning about the interests that your girlfriend’s children have is one step you can take toward getting to know them. However, you can develop the relationship by encouraging them to find new interests. You can begin this process by learning about their current interests and suggesting similar or related activities for them to try. While encouraging them, offer your support. If they’re interested in a new sport, offer to attend the tryout with them. They’ll appreciate the extra support, and may be more interested in developing a relationship.

Your smile can help build a strong relationship with your girlfriend’s children. When you are around your girlfriend’s children greet them with a smile and maintain enthusiastic. Equally as important is maintaining eye contact with her children. Be sure to listen to her children, as well. No matter the age or gender of your girlfriend’s children, show them that you care about them will help you connect with them.