15 Top Dating Tips for Single Parents

Dating as a single parent can be very hard particularly as you have children to consider not only logistically but emotionally too. Aside from that you may be feeling out of practise and low on available time, in either case finding that special someone the second time around can be a daunting prospect but remember it can also be fun and very rewarding.

So if you are feeling a little out of step with dating etiquette or you are just lacking the confidence to get started - The fifteen dating tips below can help single parents to get back out there on the dating scene.

1. Make time for yourself, ideally a regular time, so you can have space to be yourself and not just a mum/Dad. Ship the kids out to ex’s or your parent’s or ask a friend to have them. However you do it create the time and space to be in your own home with enough time to enjoy getting yourself ready for a date. That way you can avoid the guilt of your little one developing a “tummy ache” as you are about to leave the house.
2. Getting to know someone new is exciting so let them get to know you as an individual and resist the temptation to screen them as potential ‘stepfathers’ the moment you meet them.  It may be crucial for you to know that this new person has potential to get on with your kids but resist this temptation and pull yourself back. This is about you and your date having some fun so don’t be second guessing the future so early on.
3. If you don’t get out much or find dates as difficult to come by as hens teeth then you need to be aware of your potential to live it up too much in that one slot of time. You may put too much pressure on yourself to have a good time because its such a rare opportunity – this is why its important to make some regular “me-time”. It won’t then be so precious and so important to cram as much in as you can.
4. Don't rule out potential dates with people who aren't parents. You may find that dating another parent is easier than dating someone who doesn’t have kids as they have an inherent understanding of things that are important to you.. But don’t rule them out they could be perfect for you.
5. Don’t talk about your kids all night, your date wants to get to know the woman he is with and if you stay calm and trust your instinct you will know the right time to connect him with the rest of your life.
6. Dating is about having fun but it does take some practice especially if you have been through a relationship breakdown or if you have been on your own for years.  The more you do it the better you’ll get at it and the more you will appreciate just how many possible relationships there are out there. So Multi-date – don’t get too wrapped up in the first person you find you have any sort of connection with. Keep your options open until you have been seeing someone for a couple of months at least.
7. Don’t be negative! Being positive sends out the best vibes, Try this visualisation trick – give yourself a few minutes everyday to dream that you have met the right someone and you are so happy together, allow yourself to believe it has happened already. You will be surprised at how the power of positive thinking will have a direct effect on your ability to be positive.
8. Smile! And make eye contact with people you see as you go about your daily business. You will want to give the perception that you are warm and friendly as this is an attractive feature. It helps to open up communication with others far more easily.
9. Don’t become too intimate too quickly. Keep him guessing. This also gives you the time to assess your own feelings about this person. The last thing you want to do is dive head first into an intense relationship only to have to backtrack a month down the line because they are wrong for you. This can be particularly emotionally confusing if your children had been introduced.
10. Try not to have an agenda. By forcing a relationship to develop quicker than it would naturally is only going to end in disaster. Both people will express how they feel at their own pace and being railroaded into a full on commitment of ‘love’ before time is a big turn off.
11. Be open minded about your new partners appearance. Remember companionship, friendship, mutual respect and support are far more important than hair colour. The person’s ability to be loving towards your kids is of paramount importance and in any case statistics show many people end up with someone completely different to what they had imagined.
12. Make an effort with your attire – bearing the above point in mind, it is always important to make the effort with your appearance. Especially if you feel frumpy or casual when you are looking after your young brood. Taking the time to look after yourself will only add to your confidence on a new date.
13. Feedback from friends – this is a great way to find out how you come across to others. Your friends will be honest with you and you can use this information to your advantage to make the best of yourself.
14. Don’t be afraid of online dating websites. Thousands and thousands of people find love online everyday. Finding a website that is specifically for single parents like yourself will mean you will be meeting people who understand your commitments and fears – register for free here at Parents Date and give it a try.
15. Finally – Keep a little mystery on a first date – find out as much about the other person as possible, this can really help to ensure your second date as he or she will be wanting to find out about you. Always make your first date short and sweet.