Not exactly sure how to word this but here goes.
I have been dating this guy off and on since January. Right now we are taking things super slow and getting to know one another better before deciding the fate of the relationship. I knew from the beginning that he has a 9yr old daughter. In fact on our first time out together we brought her along for a movie. But I haven't seen her in some time and the other day I was at his house. As I am leaving, she walks up to me and gives me a big hug and says "I love you." Thankfully she then turned and left the room before I could respond.

How does one respond to this? I don't want to reciprocate the statement and hurt her in the long run if the relationship doesn't work out. But I also felt dumb just sitting there...

Has this happened to any of you? And if so, what did you do?

I think children imitate alot of things without truly understanding them,,, she may just be going through motions that she thinks are 'polite'

something like,,'and I love your hugs' may give enough reciprocation to appease her without encouraging too much attachment

This may sound wrong but I am really glad she did not give me time to respond.

If it happens again, I will try that. Thanks.

I've been in some relationships where there were children involved.....missed the children more than my ex significant others.... You'll see that a child has a more emotional attachment to you than he will. You'll do things together, play games, read books and so on. It's nothing to be scared of. People get hurt, it's a fact but, a 9 year old getting emotionally hurt is a different story.......she won't understand. I saw my ex girlfriends child born.....I was in the room when she gave birth to him, I cut the cord and was with that child for six months......then we broke up. It was.....I should say, the hardest thing I EVER had to do in my life. So....this is what you should think of. The little girl will not be the only one to get attached......you will too... Don't neglect her love because you don't want to hurt her later. Love is SOOOOO wonderful and even if the relationship doesn't work out.....I will GUARANTEE.....she will remember you. Don't hold back and let it flow.....go with the flow too..... Take it day by day and hour by hour... You'll see what's best for you as time goes on. All it takes is experience. You'll do fine and the best of luck to you in your relationship.

This is precisely why I don't let anyone meet my son until I'm sure that we will have a long-term committed relationship (hasn't happened yet). It's one thing for me to get hurt emotionally after a breakup, it's entirely another for him to get hurt. The divorce was hard enough on him...

there is nothing wrong with having a child like U! U can always remain friends with her, I dated a lady for 2 years and her kids and I became close and when we decided to just be friends, her kids and I also remained friends!! It became like a Big Brother thing and all 4 of us would go to the park or have a cookout on a friends basis and gave the kids a mentor to look up to!!

Ditto , I always dated guys for at least 2-3 months before they met my kids... Just for that reason kids don't need to be exposed to others until they know if they want to be with that person or not....

My kids are grown now and it is still at least a couple of weeks or more before they met them....

But never turn away or ignore a child's advances there is nothing better then a child's love....

Sorry I haven't responded to this thread lately. I really do appreciate everyone's advice. Right now I am just taking things day by day. I do spend a lot of time with her. She really needs a woman in her life (not sayin it shoule be me) because her own mother is pretty much worthless.

Thanks for all the great advice everyone