Navigating dating after divorce — especially when kids are in the mix — is never an easy venture, but The Real Housewives of Potomac’s Ashley Darby and her ex have some rules in place to ease the process.
Ashley revealed during a girls weekend to Lake Norman, North Carolina, on Season 9, Episode 6 that she and her soon-to-be ex-husband, Michael Darby, have agreed to put their two young sons, Dean Michael and Dylan Matthew, first, even as they dip their toes back into the dating waters.
The topic came up while the ladies were sitting by the pool and fellow Housewife Stacey Rusch, who is going through a divorce of her own, asked how Ashley approaches dating as a newly single mom.
Ashley Darby's Dating Rules with Her Ex
“I wanted to ask Ashley, you’ve got two beautiful boys, are they meeting your dates or — ?" she said.
“Absolutely not,” Ashley replied, before explaining that she would have to let her ex know before ever introducing her sons to a new love interest.
“Similarly, if he’s ever gonna have a woman around, we have an agreement that I meet her first,” she explained.
The topic sparked a variety of opinions among the others who were poolside.
While some argued that kids shouldn’t be added to the equation until an engagement ring is securely on their finger, others took a more relaxed approach.
“I’ll just give you what I did, I wanted to make sure that I was engaged first,” shared Karen Huger.
But new Housewife Keiarna Stewart had a different perspective, calling Karen “a little bit old school” and pointing out that seeing how a love interest interacts with your children can be an important part of determining if the relationship will work.
“OK, so I’m in a relationship with someone who has children. He gets the chance to see me with his children and see me be a potential, you know, positive figure,” she shared.
Jassi Rideaux — who just recently got engaged to NFL player and father of two Darius Harris — sided with Karen.
“I do agree with what Karen said,” she explained. “I am in a situation where my significant other does have children and it can be very tricky even if you’re very serious within relationships. I would say once you knew that engagement was around the corner would be a more clever time.”
The conversation wrapped up with the women agreeing that whatever dating strategy is in place, the children should be the focus.
“Whatever leads to your ultimate happiness, I say go for it,” Karen said before adding “with your children being a priority.”
Is Ashley Darby divorced?
Ashley also gave an update on her impending divorce in the episode, sharing that she was making strides to finalize the split.
The GnA cofounder was looking forward to a mediation appointment that was just weeks away, aimed at helping the former couple iron out the details and logistics of the divorce.
“It’s nervewracking, but I’m excited to finally take this step to end my marriage,” Ashley admitted.
The mom of two was clearly looking toward to the future later that day when she shared a new EDM-inspired version of her song “Healing and Thriving” with Gizelle Bryant.
“I’m in a place I can finally celebrate,” she sang along to the lyrics as she thrust her arms toward the sky, before telling Gizelle, “That’s the truth, girl.”
Ashley also opened up to producers about how music has helped her heal after the stressful split.
“Over these last couple months, I’m like re-finding myself, leaving my ex-husband and living on my own, you know, being a single mom and everything,” she said. “So, I really leaned into what brings me joy and happiness and that is singing and writing music.”
Ashley’s positive approach to her new single life has clearly resonated with Stacey, who offered a toast in her honor that night at dinner.
“Ashley, you and you alone have allowed me to feel comfortable opening up in this group and how you’re handling your life, your divorce, and your family, you’re giving me the courage to be a little bit more open about talking about mine,” she said before raising a glass to her friend.
“Cheers, Stacey, that’s big,” a clearly moved Ashley replied.
To find out whether Ashley’s divorce will move forward or whether any new men might enter her life, watch Season 9 of The Real Housewives of Potomac Sundays at 8/7c on Bravo or available streaming on Peacock.
