Single Parent Dating Advice
How Hard Can it Be?
Is it hard dating as a single parent?
Although dating at any age can be a challenge, often times it is more challenging for a single parent to get out there and meet new people. But dating as a single parent doesn’t have to be as difficult as it sounds. There are many small things that can be done to help you, as a single parent meet singles and maybe begin a relationship.
Don’t Become a Hermit
How do single moms get time to date?
Dating can be difficult for both the single parent and the child, but there are a few things to keep in mind when beginning dating. First and foremost, make time to take care of yourself. Make taking care of yourself a top priority. People who take the time to properly care for themselves show that they also have the ability to take care of another person in a relationship. It is always easier to take care of someone else, after you have taken care of yourself.
Another thing to keep in mind is to make an attempt to get out of the house regularly and create a wider circle of friends. Get some exercise by walking around your neighborhood daily. You will start seeing the same people, and can develop new friends who are also your neighbors. And maybe you will also meet other single parents that you can potentially swap babysitting duties with. Also, by allowing the kids some time with friends or family, moms can free up an evening (or late afternoon) for a date. Getting out of the house increases your chances of meeting new people who could potentially be a great person to go on a date with. By getting out of the house you will also train your children to be fine with you not being the only person who can care for them. Many single parents want to get out more but feel guilty about leaving their children with someone else. Don’t fall into that trap. It can be as unhealthy for the children as it is for you.
Try an Online Dating Site
What is the best dating site for single parents?
While some people have an aversion to online dating apps (and prefer church/neighborhood groups or friend referrals to find potential dates), many more people turn to online dating to meet people.
For single parents online dating apps can make it easier to find people who share similar interests. By meeting people at an online dating site, it allows you to narrow down the qualities that you find attractive in people from the comfort of your home. The most important thing to keep in mind is to be honest with your online dating profile. Your qualities will bring enough people to your profile; there isn’t a need to exaggerate them. Being yourself is always the best approach. Another thing to keep in mind when creating your profile is the profile picture. Always make sure to include two or three photos to prove that you are who you say that you are. It is also important to make sure that it is a clear high quality photo as many people may skip over blurry photos.
So what is the best dating site for single parents? Well, the best site all depends on what you’re looking for. If you want to get back into a serious relationship you might want to stick to the older/established sites like eharmony or match.com. If you’re looking for something else; maybe just flirtatious chit chat after the little ones go to bed, you might want to try other sites. It really depends on what you’re looking for and how much you want to spend if you decide on a paid dating site.
A word of caution. When dating online be very careful about giving out any private information; or any information about your children. While there are up front people (just like yourself) online; there are also those that are not what they seem. At the very least do an online search on a potential date before you agree to meet up.
Take it Slow
Taking dating slow is the way to go. If someone you just met (online or otherwise) seems too good to be true; or is rushing things in the relationship slow things down because this is a potential red flag. As a single mom recognize that you might be vulnerable and an easier target for someone to take advantage of you. If you start dating someone who you think is so perfect for you, then they will understand that the healthy thing to do is to take the relationship slow. Letting new relationships progress at a slower pace will also help your children get used to this new person in your life before they have to accept him in their lives.
Don’t Get Discouraged
In this day and age it seems it’s getting harder and harder to meet quality people to date. And there are added health issues with meeting up with new people. Don’t be discouraged though. Take time to work on yourself and the relationships that you do have. And lean into your faith. The more content you are with yourself, the more attractive you will be to others.