Dating as a single mother comes with its own array of pitfalls and difficulties, and something very daunting, especially with the amount of online dating platforms available to choose from. For a multitude of reasons, many single moms want to check dating apps that appeal exclusively to single mothers and fathers; the most important factor is that they want to find a mate who understands what it is like to have a child in the house. Meeting other parents for companionship or friendship may be the first step towards seeking the perfect match for single parents who are reluctant or new to pursuing love online.
In today’s world, single parents are a common sight. Churchgoers, coworkers, daughters, mothers, fathers, and grandparents area among them. In 2017, 21% of children under the age of 18 years lived with a single mother, while 4% lived with a single father. Furthermore, about 7% of children under 18 years of age remain with single parents, according to global estimates.
According to a UN Women survey in 2019, single mothers account for 4.5% of all households in India, that is approximately 130 lakh women. Another estimate showed 320 lakh single mothers are thought to be living in extended families, there is a whopping 450 lakh single mothers.
Online dating sites as a way of finding love for single mothers
There are numerous online dating sites out there for single mums, seeking a future mate or if you’re looking for a date.
- Plenty of Fish
Plenty of Fish is a free online dating service with over 88 millions users worldwide. Although it does not exclusively serve single parents, it does have some important statistics in this area. Plenty of Fish discovered that 44% of its female users are single mothers. Furthermore, single mothers were able to find a partner 10% sooner than the average users.
- eHarmony
This website aims to bring people together in order to form positive, long-term relationships. What’s more is its basic membership is completely free. Users have to take a 20-minute questionnaire regarding work, income, religious views, and a variety of other traits and characteristics. eHarmony uses a sophisticated algorithm to pair users with potential partners based on their answers to the questions, including what users are looking for in a partner. Although this platform is not just for single parents, users can emphasise the importance of those characteristics of a prospective partner, such as whether or not they have children and/or want more.
- EliteSingles
Education is often at the top of people’s dating standards, and EliteSingles caters to those link-minded individuals. The website is brimming with well-educated professionals looking for someone to share their lives with. About 80% of the users hold a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate’s degree, and over 2,500 men and women find love on the dating website. EliteSingles allows you to register, fill out your details, browse profiles, and get expert advice, all for at no cost.
- Our Time
This is the best option for mature single parents, since it is only for people 50 and over. Our Time is a premium dating service where singles over 50 have the opportunity to browse, pair with with local dates their own age without having to pay anything. Another great feature of OurTime is its simple layout, which makes it very simple for everyone, even those who are not particularly tech-savvy to access the web and find out how it works. Thanks to OurTime finding an age-appropriate date has never been simpler.
- Hinge
The most innovative feature of this app is that it connects you with people who are in your extended social circle. So, even if you do not know the person, someone among your Facebook friends knows someone who knows this guy. Since you already keep company that knows the guy, you’re more likely to enjoy his company as well. You won’t have to waste time looking up this person’s first name, job, or any other minor information, because it’s likely that someone you know will be able to provide you with all of the necessary details.
- Single Parents Match
It is one of the best apps for single parents because it does just as it claims; it matches single parents. The website claims it is the world’s first and best dating site for single mothers and fathers. It has been around for two decades. You can also use Single Parents Match to find single parent date suggestions, catch up on forums, talk online, and read articles about single parents. You may also upload many pictures of yourself and your family, if you want to, to share with the platform’s hundreds of thousands of single parents.
Precautions for single moms for dating
- In your dating profiles, do not use your actual name
Don’t use your real or abbreviated name as your screen name. Instead, create anything that does not include your birth year, work title, or any other information that might make it possible for anyone to locate you.
- Ensure that your Facebook profile is set to private
There is no need for strangers to have access to your personal data, and honestly some of us share way too much on Facebook. Keeping your profile private would keep the details private between you and your friends and the people you know.
- Be cautious about the personal information you post on other social media sites
Keep Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, or other social media accounts secret to your network if you use them for personal purposes, and not to promote a business.
- Don’t go on a date, if the conversation leaves you nervous or uncomfortable
When something doesn’t feel good, its not impolite to cancel. Trust your instincts, and keep in mind that this individual is unfamiliar to you.
- You have the option to leave the date at any moment
If you feel you date is being too sexual or inappropriate or disrespectful, don’t be afraid to leave.
- Never get into someone’s car on a first date
Even though the date went well, don’t expect a ride home. It takes time to know someone, and its not worth the chance if he has been drinking or wants to keep the date going in a physical way. Not only is there a chance of date rape or other immoral conduct, but he could even be driving while intoxicated.
- Plan dates in a busy place
Plan dates in a populated place where you can be easily spotted. Don’t go to remote locations with someone you just met.
- Don’t send nudes to people you’ve just started chatting
The guy you’re chatting isn’t the only one who could see them. By accident, a child or a new girlfriend may find them, with catastrophic consequences for everyone involved.
Dating as a single mom with kids
Kids, as you already know, are a curious group. Acting secretive, depending on their age, can only raise more concerns. There’s no need to hide the fact that you wanted to start dating. When you reach a point where you’re seeing someone special, use the time with your kids to talk about the qualities and characteristics of this person, and why he’s important to you. Always prioritise your kids over everything else, and a good potential partner will understand, even if they don’t have kids of their own.
Accepting parental dating relationships can take time for your children to adjust to. Telling your children that you love them unconditionally and that you want to with them always should be your first priority. They will eventually realise that including another person in your life does not mean breaking your affection. Its a chance to expand the circle of people you and your family want to care for and welcome into your family.
Sources:
https://fairygodboss.com/career-topics/single-parent-datinghttps://esme.com/single-moms/dating/how-do-i-stay-safe-when-dating-online
https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/relationships-love/a28843699/dating-a-single-mom/
https://medium.com/love-the-single-parent/dating-with-kids-8-deal-breakers-single-parents-should-look-for-b5fd727bd02f
https://www.verywellfamily.com/introducing-children-when-youre-dating-2997321