Tips for dating as a single parent

Dating can becomplex no matter what your situation, but dating as a single parent can feeleven tougher. Whether it’s because your confidence has taken a nosedive, yourchildren take up most of your time or you’ve been put off by the stigmaattached to dating as a single parent, throwing yourself back into the datingworld can be a daunting prospect.

With more peoplenow raising their kids alone, the stigma isn't as bad as it used to be, butmany parents often feel guilty about finding a new partner when they havechildren. Not to mention you may be short on time and worried about having tointroduce your children to someone new. 

But we’re hereto remind you that you’re only human and you have the right to a love life asmuch as anyone else. To help you push past your reservations and get the mostout of dating, we’ve pulled together some of our top tips for finding love as asingle parent. Check them out below.

Make sure you're ready

First andforemost, you need to be honest with yourself and make sure you're ready torejoin the dating world. It’s hard to be happy with someone else if you're nothappy with yourself. This means making sure you're over your ex and that you'refeeling good about yourself and your situation.

Free your self of guilt

Remember, youhave the right to move on and continue with your life. Don’t feel guilty ifyour ex isn't over you just yet and don't obsess over how your children willtake the news. While it is, of course, important that you put your childrenfirst, you may find they are fine with everything and just want to see youhappy. So before you begin dating make sure you free yourself of any guilt andstigma - and certainly never apologise for dating or for being a single parent.

Be honest

Whether you'resetting up an online dating profile or joining a dating agency, never lie aboutyour situation. Because let’s face it, how long are you really going to getaway with it? And then you’ll have to tell your date that you lied and it couldpotentially cost you a future together. So it’s best to be honest from thestart. That way, you’ll be matched with someone who knows the situation and isOK with it.

Be strategic about when they stay over

As yourrelationship progresses it’s only natural you’ll want your partner to stayover. If you're a co-parent it might be better to time this so the children areaway. Alternatively, ask a good friend or your family to babysit and have thekids overnight. This way you can keep things discreet in case the relationshipdoesn't work out, or at least until you're ready to tell your kids.

Decide when to tell your children

Timing iseverything and you need to make sure you tell your children when the time isright. Don’t rush into it. If they're younger they may not really be aware ofwhat is happening. Alternatively, older kids may be more intuitive andaccepting of the fact you're dating, but either way don’t rush into introducingthem to a new partner.

It’s also important to make sure you and your new partner are on the same page. It’s not only important that you're ready for them to meet your children, but they need to be ready too.

Dating as a single parent can feel like a daunting prospect, but done right it can be such a rewarding experience and you could come out the other side with an exciting new relationship. It’s important to be honest about your situation if you hope to meet the right person. Here at Ignite Dating, we work hard to match couples who are well suited to one another’s lifestyles - kids and all! So if you’d like to know more about how we can help you rejoin the dating world, get in touch with our friendly team today.