Parents Dating

As a lone parent, single parent dating can seem like just another thing to have to fit into your already-busy schedule.

Dating is by no means necessary.  Do not date if you feel like it is not the right time for you.  However, when you are ready, consider these ideas when it comes to dating again:

• Try not to look at dating as something that only gets done when all the other “stuff” in your life gets done.  For example, there will always be laundry so who cares if it does not get folded tonight.    Rid yourself of guilt that you are taking time away from your children, AS LONG as your children are not being neglected and you still are spending quality and quantity time with them.
• A good way to meet a number of people in one night is to get together in group gatherings.  Not only will you be meeting a number of people this way, you will also be saving yourself time as you get to “sift” through the people there.  After meeting several people, this should give you some idea as to which one(s) you would like to get to know better.
• Don’t even consider it dating.  See it as a necessary part of adult emotional self-care.  Just like we need to breathe and eat every day, it is a natural human desire to enjoy the company of another adult person.  If you are lonely, this is not a good thing for your children.  If you are  happy, this happiness can influence your children’s lives in a positive way.
• Another good way for single parent dating to occur is to date from home.  More and more people are dating this way as it can expand their backyards, so to speak.  The introduction of the internet has been such a great way to meet new people, and it can be done when the children are asleep so you don’t even have to leave your home.

Watch for future posts about single parent dating and how to date so it is not a negative experience for your children.

Comments are closed.