Going into a relationship with your eyes wide open is important especially when dating a divorced man. Even without conflict dating a divorced man can have it’s challenges because men typically don’t get it when it comes to women.

To give you a better understanding of what might be going on with your divorced man let’s look at the seven warning signs you should know and avoid. The seven areas of potential conflict I like to call ‘red flags’. Each red flag is potentially a warning sign, an indication for you as a woman that something might not be right.

Okay, let’s get started…

Red flag #1 – Possessive

Beware of the possessive man. He constantly needs to be with you. He is unable to act independently of you and is best avoided.

A possessive man will be very needy.

Red Flag #2 – Controlling

Similar to possessive and even more intense controlling men a better off avoided.

A controlling man will refuse to allow the woman to interact with others independently of him. He will want to limit her contact with the outside world.

Typically she will find that she is unable to be herself. This is not a good situation.

Red Flag #3 – Different Values

A couple examples of how different values can cause conflict are family and holiday traditions and money.

During the holidays he may be accustomed to spending them at his mother’s house and never take the time to consider the woman’s tradition.

Money is the number one source of conflict in relationships. When the man and the woman have different tendencies, such as, one being frugal and the other being a spend thrift conflict is inevitable.

Over time different values, if not addressed, can cause great conflict.

Red Flag #4 – Sexual Tendencies

From sexual styles to sexual appetites having different values in the bedroom can put great stress on a relationship.

Whether it’s rough and tumble versus a more conventional style or wanting to experiment versus a more conservative style sex is something to be considered.

Red Flag #5 – Friends

Getting along with each other’s friends is important. Relationships established outside of the couple’s relationship are healthy for both partners.

Life long friends matter and are key to maintaining a healthy relationship.

Red Flag #6 – Family

You can’t avoid families. Family involvement is a fact of life. The relationships and attachments to each other’s families will be a factor in any relationship.

Red Flag #7 – Ex and Children

The ex can be a great source of conflict from using the children to using the courts as leverage she will be a factor in any relationship involving a divorced man.

When there are children an imbalance can occur when dating a divorced man due to his obligations and commitments with and for the children.

The sooner you address the red flags the better off you and your relationship with a divorced man will be.

Keep in mind a red flag is an opportunity for the woman to step back and to ask herself ‘Is this what I really want to be doing?’.

These red flags are offered for women like you, women who are dating a divorced man. Hopefully you can avoid the heartache and wasted effort of dealing with a man who is not committed to “getting it right”.

To your happiness,

Frank Spitzig