Mom’s Big Date Night: Starting the Conversation with Our Kids About Love After Divorce

August 15, 2025

By Aleisha Kelly – Children’s Author & Youth Literacy Advocate

When I wrote Mom’s Big Date Night, I knew I wasn’t just creating another children’s book — I was opening a door to a conversation that so many families tiptoe around.

As a single mother who has been divorced for six years, I’ve experienced firsthand how dating again can feel complicated, not just for me, but for my children as well.

In many households, the idea of a parent dating after separation or divorce isn’t something openly discussed. For some kids, it can bring up feelings of confusion, uncertainty, or even fear about what’s changing in their family dynamic. For parents, it can be hard to balance our desire for companionship with our children’s need for stability and reassurance.

That’s why I wanted Mom’s Big Date Night to exist — to show a diverse, loving household where the mother is not just a parent, but also a person with dreams, hopes, and a heart that still desires connection. Representation matters, and I believe our children should see families like theirs reflected in books — whether single mothers, fathers, grandparents, or any other loving caregiver lead those families.

This story is more than just about a mom going on a date; it’s about trust, communication, and helping children understand that a parent’s love for them will never change, no matter what new relationships come into the picture. It’s also about giving kids permission to share their feelings — even if those feelings are complicated.

As parents, we know that the dating journey after divorce or separation can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. We want to protect our children’s hearts, but we also deserve the chance to live fully and love again. My hope is that Mom’s Big Date Night can be a gentle starting point for families to have those sometimes uncomfortable — but necessary — conversations.

I’d love to hear from you.
If you’re a single parent who’s navigated dating while raising kids, how did you introduce the topic to them? Did you have a conversation, or did they just notice? What worked, and what would you do differently?

Share your story in the comments below — because the more we talk about it, the more we can help each other (and our children) through it.

(pages from Mom's Big Date Night)