Hi.
My best friend is in her mid-30's and has been a single mom of 2 for about 14 years now. She was always hesitant to bring guys around her kids for all the reasons we hear about: them getting attached, jealosy, etc. So she never did. As far as her kids know, this current boyfriend is the first one she's had since the divorce. lol Her kids are teenagers now and she has brought her boyfriend home for dinners, family activities, hanging out.
I'm a single mom of a 4year old boy. My bf's youngest (a 9th grader)told me to start dating in front of my son now, to get him used to it b/c she said it's hard to deal with it as an older kid. Basically b/c she never considered it. She gets along ok with the boyfriend, but he's not her fave person. I understand my bf's point of view, she was protecting her kids. However, I don't want my son to resent someone I might bring home.
Currently, I'm not dating and not really looking, but if something does develop, I'd make sure it was pretty serious before I introduced my son to my "date". I have several male friends, so I don't know that my son would notice anything different unless I had someone spend the night (HA!) or we made out in front of my son (double HA).