Are you a single parent but ready to get on the single parent dating scene? The following tips will help you prepare for your first date.
1. Who will take care of your children?
Hopefully, you have a way to access free childcare, either through family members or by trading childcare duties with other families. If you don’t have this situation, you will need to find reliable babysitters. Try to find at least two to have a backup if one is not available and make sure you use both regularly so you are seen as a stable client.
2. Who will you use for emergency backup?
Always provide your babysitter with another number for someone who can be there quickly in an emergency if you cannot be reached. If you have older children who may be home alone, make sure they know who to call if you’re not available.
3. When can you date?
Perhaps the other parent brings their children one night a week, which would be ideal for a night out. Often he will have to be creative to find the time. If he works, consider using his lunch hour or sneaking in a quick meeting before or after work while your kids are still at daycare. If you have a child who attends sports practices or music lessons, you may be able to take advantage of adult time during the hour or more that your child is busy. Visits to friends’ houses and sleepovers can also offer opportunities.
4. Where will you meet?
Unless you’ve been dating someone for a while and you’re ready to involve them with your kids, you’ll probably want to meet outside your house if the kids are there. In the early days of being with someone new, meeting at your destination can be a good idea so you don’t ride in a vehicle with a virtual stranger. Or, you may want him or her to wait on your driveway instead of going into your house.
5. How much time will you spend dating?
If you’ve met someone wonderful, you may be tempted to spend all your free time with him or her. Her children still need her time, and those undone chores can quickly get out of hand. Decide how much time is realistic to spend away from home and stick to it as much as possible, even if your partner pressures you to spend more time away from your children. You will quickly grow to resent a new love interest if you end up neglecting your other responsibilities.
By following the tips above, you should be all set to start your single parent dating adventure.
