10 Dating Tips For Single Parents Pt.1
Photo:© Voyagerix/Dollar Photo Club
Being a single parent in the dating world can be exciting, challenging and very rewarding in many ways. It takes skillful time managing, and solid boundaries.
Single parents need to fit their daily routines with kids, their work, their personal commitments, and their dating life in a single person’s schedule. It can be very challenging.
In most cases, going online and looking for an online dating site is the best choice for a first step. You can go through the whole process gradually, and just start by checking out what’s out there, so you’re completely clear what you do or do not want.
Once you’ve decided to date, there are many things that must come to mind:
How is this going to work?
How will I manage to fit my date with my busy schedule?
What to say to my kids?
Before you allow these questions to make you second guess dating, here are 10 tips to help you have an exciting, rewarding love life as a single parent.
1. Don’t rush things
Make sure you take things nice and slowly. Getting back into the dating pool may be overwhelming, but remember that you have your kids to deal with, and rushing into a relationship with someone you know nothing about might turn out to be a disaster. Take your time getting to know the person you like. See if the two of you are compatible, talk to them about everything before deciding to start a relationship.
2. Always remember: your kids are your priority
No matter if you’re single or in a relationship, parenting never stops. It’s very important that you don’t get carried away with your new date and stop being there for your main priority – your kids.
3. Don’t introduce the new person to your kids right away
Your kids shouldn’t meet your date early in the process, no matter how much you like your date. You can’t just bring anyone in the family. The butterflies in your stomach might disappear in a few days, and this is why you should make sure this relationship is leaning towards a long-term one, before you introduce your date to your kids.
4. Listen to your children
When you decide to begin dating, you need to let your kids know what you’re doing and where you’re spending this time. Keep it short and simple, but make sure you answer any question they might ask. And don’t like to them. Be honest with your kids from the start, and most importantly – always be there to reassure them and listen.
5. Have clear relationship expectations
Make sure your expectations are clear, before you start dating. Ask yourself what it is that you want from a relationship? Do you want a casual thing, no strings attached, or do you need a serious, long-term relationship? Whatever it is you decide you prefer, make sure you tell your date about it, as early as possible. You are not in a position to play games, those days are over. You don’t have the time, or energy for those games.
Check out 10 Dating Tips For Single Parents Pt.2 for the rest of important tips you need to know about.
Source:John Aiken, RSVP dating and relationship expert, and seen weekly on Ch 7’s the Morning Show