Some Seasonal Dating Advice for Single Mothers
By Susanne on Mar 7, 2010 in Dating Advice
Sunday the 14th of March will merrily chime in another Mother’s Day and across the UK cards, gifts and greetings will be dispatched, celebrating the wonder and unconditional love of motherhood.
But who’s to say that Mother’s Day can’t be a time for romantic love too?
Being a single mother, or indeed a single parent, can make dating seem a complicated and awkward process, especially in the aftermath of a painful divorce.
So here are a few tips to boost your confidence and get you back on the dating scene before Mother’s Day…
1) Find time to pamper yourself…
With a demanding job and young children to juggle, time spent by yourself can become increasingly difficult to salvage. You may be neglecting your appearance, to the point where the only time you seem to see your reflection is in the glass of shop windows. Creating this ‘me’ time by hiring a babysitter or sending the kids to your sister’s for a whole Saturday is the first step towards seeing yourself in a new, ‘datable’ light. Having those free hours to lie idly in the bath, booking an appointment at your local beautician or get that confidence-boosting haircut will wipe away those stress-filled cobwebs and send heads turning in your direction wherever you go.
2) Look everywhere for opportunities…
As well as clearing time for yourself, why not make room for new social activities -, a dance class for example, - which will throw you into the path of possible partners? Be on the look out for opportunities to meet new people with an open and inquisitive attitude. Even when you’re food shopping or picking up your kids from school keep your eyes open – there are single parents out there too! Accept all social invitations, try online dating, go out with your friends; overall, be proactive.
3) Be honest…
Once you’ve met someone new, it is important that they are told immediately that you have children. But also, don’t phrase it so they think you are looking for a replacement father or anything. Just tell them the truth about how you feel about dating and what your situation is. If they see the children as a negative factor, then they’re not worth your time.
4) Be sensitive to your children…
Being honest with your children is also important. However, maybe wait until you’re sure about a new match before they’re introduced into the family circle. Hire a babysitter, go out on a few dates and really get to know them before you announce them as ‘your boyfriend.’ This is a big concept for children to take in, especially young ones, so be very sensitive and take things slowly. After they’ve been introduced, try to bring your new partner slowly into your family’s life. Try to avoid parenting roles being adopted by them until you know everyone’s comfortable with it. Tread slowly and carefully.
5) Be yourself…
Although your children are a very important part of your life and an intrinsic part of you, don’t let your partner see only them. Talk about your interests that are not connected to being a mother. Take days out apart from your children doing what you love. Reconstruct that individuality that many mothers may have lost sight of after they’ve had children.
London dating, Manchester dating, Aberdeen dating: wherever you’re dating, follow this advice and being a single mother shouldn’t get in the way!
Happy Mother’s Day!
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