The great Tennyson famously wrote, “’Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” Still, those of us coming off of a divorce or a spouse’s untimely passing are perhaps a bit more apt to feel just a bit burned by love’s warming glow. This can be especially problematic when children are involved. Not only are they likely to have more than a few heart-rending questions, which can be all the more difficult when you yourself are struggling for answers, but children are an enormous drain on your dating free-time. We love them anyway, of course, but all of this and more can make single parent dating seem a daunting task indeed.
However, it doesn’t have to be. Here are just a couple quick reasons you should look towards single parent dating with fresh optimism.
The Definition of “Me-Time”
As adults, we all need some “me-time” now and again. But, try telling that to kids! Even so, for your own emotional well-being and your ability to retain both a distinct identity yourself and act as the kind of loving parent you’d like to be, you’re going to want, and need, a little “me-time” first. Single parent dating is a good way to make sure you spend time not just with other adults, but potentially someone who could share your love for you and your children. Again, kids are wonderful, but sometimes a discussion about non-preschool books or movies might be nice.
In short, what begins as “me-time” for you can in time grow into “we-time” between you, your children, and the right person.
Matchmaking Services
Part of the difficulty with dating as a single parent is simply finding someone who can afford such a match, economically or emotionally. Thankfully, the world of online dating has produced a myriad of helpful matchmaking services which can help you limit the field to those who are perfectly fine fitting into a single parent’s existing family structure. In a somewhat paradoxical way, limiting your choices this way can actually help you find more prospective long-term dating partners by encouraging you to be selective and weeding out those uninterested or ill-fitted for a “serious” relationship with a single parent from the start.
Whether you’ve loved, lost, or are looking for it once more, all this and more can help you find that special someone who’ll make sure your days as a “single” parent are numbered.
