1. Be sensitive to your child’s larger family and his need to have contact with members of it.
2. Make peace with your former spouse, at least for the sake of the child(ren).
3. Dating is a natural desire, but it is not a requirement; if you do it, do it discreetly so far as your child is concerned.
4. Your child needs to keep things straight; introducing your date to her as her new mommy or daddy, or insisting that she call your new spouse mommy or daddy, does damage to everyone involved.
5. Talking about anyone behind his or her back is inappropriate, and it is a serious offense to your child to speak badly about the absent parent in the presence of your child.
6. Do your best to speak well of your ex-spouse in the presence of the child; your child needs to honor both parents and needs all the help he or she can get from you to do it.