Single Parents Guidance to Find Love Online and Be a Good Parent

Most single parents could walk in any circus and get a job. Why? Because all of them are master jugglers. Kids, work, friends, family, dating… Keeping all those in the air is a skill.

We won’t pretend that we can help you with all of them. We’ll focus on tips for dating without neglecting your kids. The first tip is more than that. It should be a rule.

Prioritize Your Children's Well-being

Anyone who has kids and doesn’t put them in the first place shouldn’t be a parent. We’re sorry if that hurt your feelings. Imagine how hurt kids are when they know their mom is going out with a different guy every night while their empty stomachs lull them to sleep?

Choose the Right Dating Platform

Select a dating platform that aligns with your goals. It’s fine for a single parent to want casual dates. It’s not okay if they look for them on a site for marriage-seekers. Even if they get some action with members of that site, their goals will be different, so the relationship has no chance of surviving.

And another factor that’s vital for single parents is location. They can’t afford to travel to dates, so a platform for finding local hookups makes a lot more sense. With the help of an accurate “Matches Near Me” filter, parents hide everyone outside their area. That way, they don’t get on video chat with people they can’t put their hands on.

The same is true for single parents seeking love. Don’t waste time on casual dating sites. People may try to use you there. Get on a site with other parents who want something serious and try your luck there.

Honesty from the Start

Be honest. Don’t mention that you like long walks, but avoid mentioning kids. People don’t like surprises like that. It’s okay to not let someone meet the kids, but don't negate their existence.

And those who aren’t honest usually realize that people could get over the fact that they have kids, but not over their dishonesty. Remember, there’s nothing more powerful than the truth.

Safety First

This is the rule in everything, especially online dating. While single parents should be honest about their parental status, they shouldn't share their kids' social security numbers with everyone they meet on a hookup site.

Also, first dates should always be in public places. Someone else should know where you’re going and with whom.

Take Your Time

Once loneliness starts pinching, people start a new relationship with the first person who seems fit. But single parents aren’t alone. They need to think of their kids.

Building a meaningful connection takes time, and patience can lead to more meaningful relationships. And waiting before committing gives the time to the other side to potentially reveal their red flags.

Introduce New Partners Carefully

When it's time to introduce a new partner to children, it should be done in a way that feels comfortable for everyone involved. Ensure the children are prepared and willing to meet your date. Any of the things to do with kids in Edmonton is decent for the first meeting because it’d take the attention of the small talk and put it on the activity. That would lower the pressure and help everyone relax and bond.

However, single parents looking for hookups shouldn’t introduce any of their partners to their kids.

Date Responsibly

We mentioned this at the beginning. Balance is vital. And if something has to suffer, it should be the parent’s love life, not the kid's well-being. Single moms in some parts of the world have built a bad reputation for them because they think they can act like they’re 16 even though they’re responsible for someone else’s life.

Don’t be like that. Don’t be part of the problem. Be the change.

Seek Support

Connect with other single parents for support and advice. Facebook groups and forums are great for developing a sense of belonging. Those who isolate themselves from the world are doomed. Sooner than later, everyone faces problems. And those who don’t have anyone to lean on get broken.

Communicate with Your Children

Never, ever neglect the children. If they say they don’t like someone or something, they have their reasons. Understand them. An open and safe communication in which both sides can share their concerns is the only way to build a relationship with a new partner without ruining the relationship with your kids.

In the end, your kids are with you for life. Can you be so sure about your partner? Of course not. Act accordingly.

We know how difficult it is for single parents out there. Hopefully, the tips from this article will make things a bit easier.