Dating Tips And Advice For Single Parents

Being a single parent can be difficult when you are trying to raise children on your own, maintain a career, take care of a household, and run kids back and forth to school and extracurricular activities. Good dating tips for single parents who are unsure if they are ready to be back on the dating scene include taking it slow, be upfront and honest, and take time to establish a rapport and trust.

A single parent has more responsibility in dating than the average single person with no children. Single parents need to adhere to wise dating tips in order to protect their children, as well as to ensure that the single parent is also not settling for less than he or she deserves. Taking on the responsibility of dating is yet another task, but it also can be a fun and rewarding one that can potentially bloom into a long-term commitment and marriage.

Understanding that your child's needs come first is primary when you slowly merge back into the dating scene. Look around at friends who were single parents at one time and successfully dated and married. Ask them for suggested dating tips and listen to their experiences so you can gain some personal insight to the challenges you may face while dating.

In addition to talking to friends who have been in the same situation, it is also important to listen to your inner conscious and intuition. Many people ignore red flags that go up about the person they are dating simply because the person is attractive or has money, or because the single parent is tired of trying to find someone to date. Paying attention to your red flags and intuition cannot be replaced by any dating tips or advice you receive from anyone. Only you can gauge what feels comfortable and what does not.

It is wise to be upfront in the beginning to the person you are dating about the fact that you do have children. While many people are reluctant to bring this up on a first date, you will gain respect from the person you are dating because you are being honest and allowing him to decide on his own if he wishes to continue dating someone who has children. Following these dating tips will put you on solid ground and you will have nothing to hide if the relationship continues.

If you continue to date the same person, there will come a time when you will debate on whether or not to introduce the person to your children and family. If you believe it is potentially a serious relationship which could develop into something long-term, it is wise to introduce the person to your children, and vice-versa.

Consider a family-friendly date at a theme park, playground, or pizza parlor, or another similar public place for the time you introduce the person you are dating to your children. Keep it informal, public, and safe the first few times he or she meets your family to protect the best interest of everyone involved.