You may have read the news that Dylan McDermott (who plays Bobby Donnell on “The Practice”) is currently divorcing his wife Shiva Rose. He is also currently dating Patricia Allred. What will it be like for Patricia Allred dating a man going through a divorce? Can Allred and McDermott’s relationship survive this time? What are the challenges for any woman dating a divorced man?

With divorce increasingly common, more and more people like Patricia Allred are dating divorcees. All of us know many divorced people. As well as disadvantages, there are also advantages to dating a divorced man.

Disadvantages

Hurt: If your partner has been hurt in a relationship before, there will almost certainly be trust issues. In Patricia Allred’s case, dating a man who is going through the divorce will be particularly difficult. No doubt the hurt feelings will emerge. In such a situation, you either deal with these feelings and become stronger, or the relationship falters through bitterness.

Family: Dylan McDermott and his wife have two kids together. No matter what happens, Patricia Allred will have to make room in her life for them. Getting to know the children of your new partner can be very difficult. You have to walk a very fine line with them. They make take against you and attempt to ruin the relationship. When it comes down to it, your new partner is likely to choose them over you.

The Ex Effect: Everyone has a romantic past, but a marriage and children mean that those links will never be entirely severed. Patricia Allred will have to deal with Shiva Rose and will have to find a way to get on with her. It is not unknown for new spouses to befriend first wives, but it is rare. Much more common is a certain degree of suspicion and hidden animosity.

Advantages

Self Knowledge: Anyone who has been through a marriage and a divorce will have a much better idea of who they are and what they want. More than that, they will have made mistakes and learned from them. A man who has never been married will have less of an idea of what it takes to live in a marriage and work together with someone else. This is one area where Patricia Allred might be able to count on having a slightly easier ride.

When it comes down to it, what really matters is the person themselves rather than their history. All relationships will have their ups and downs but I wish all the best to you and your chosen partner and Dylan McDermott and Patricia Allred.

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