My boys are still young, so i have no time (or the will) to go out and mingle. But the nights do get lonely and i find myself wanting some one there with me. How do you guys cope with it? Dating is really a new thing to me, i dont know where to even start. Any tips?

There's no easy way to get rid of that feeling, it's just there sometimes. People told me 'you'll find someone, any one would be lucky to have you, it's their loss' and so on. It doesn't really make it easier,especially since most of the things I do, seem to always involve married couples. It does seem to hit harder sometimes,and sometimes I feel like everywhere I go, I see nothing but couples holding hands,kissing,etc..Sometimes,I feel like I'm never going to be lucky enough to experience that,what some people take for granted. I miss the little things, someone walking up behind me and putting their arms around me, laughter,having someone to lay in bed with and talk,someone to cuddle up with on the couch and watch a movie. It's easier during the day, to keep that feeling at bay,then it is at night. The only thing I can do is keep thinking positive,that one day,someone will be here doing those things with me.

Find a few other single parents whose kids are similar in age and
play well with yours. Trade babysitting so that you have all the
kids one night and then trade with them some other night.

Go out and have fun.

As a twist, have dinner together with the other single parent and
make a few new friends. This really works and can be a lot of fun.

It can even work with friends who are married or have no kids
if there is an alternate trade or you do it just for companionship.

It is totally up to you. But it can work and be fun for everyone.

Find a few other single parents whose kids are similar in age and
play well with yours. Trade babysitting so that you have all the
kids one night and then trade with them some other night.


What a great idea^^

Its definitely not easy dating as a single parent. Espcially if they are young. My song is only 19; They way I get around it at least is I have my dates come over, or I take my son with me. Of course I can't"do" anything unless i get a baby sitter. But it at least gives somecompany

Being a single mother to a four year old boy is hard but dating is way harder. Am tired of the social night life. i rather spend my day with my son but at the same time i what to meet my prince charming lol. This is my first time on a dating thing so i will see how this go.

When searching for Prince Charming, you may have to kiss some horny toads.

I find it extremely hard to find people to become friends with. I was married at 18 and had kids right away and now with two children under the age of 8 and alone i have no clue where to meet a "good" gu on the same page as me. Hoping maybe something will come via the online world:)

dating for people who have children is not easy but can be done. plan well, prioritize,dont feel guilty when leaving kiddos for couple of hours with a babysitter. its your life, you will get out what you put in. I have made choice to teach my children to cook, clean, do their own laundry and be responsible for their own mess, choices and school grades. it is a lot of help and I enjoy my life while being newly divorced single mom of two boys 11 and 10 yrs old. ohh yeah one more thing, I am in college and working beside that. good luck everyone. we create our own life.

I wish I could give you some helpful advice. Am in the same situation. My kids keep me so busy that I barely have lonely moments up till last week when I was bored crazy cause they were out of town. Its hard to date when you have kids and work but we have to believe that good things are on the way soon, just don't rush it. It will happen unexpected. My advice is to stay as active, busy and productive as you can. Doing this helps me. I just refuse to give in to anykind of man.

Check my post out--- Lonely

I guess I am lucky my boys are older. When they were younger, I would let my mom keep the boys and she actually pressured me to go out. I honestly never wanted to get married again because my ex was a real jerk. Now that I have been single for about 14 wonderful quiet years, I wonder if its time to start dating again, LOL
Being single and dating can be done, you just have to do it and not sit there and make excuses to stay home. Put on those dancing shoes and get some friends together and go.
Good Luck!!!!

If you fought to get custody, I applaud you.

Now you have them, the right thing to do is put yourself on the back burner and focus on raising healthy and wholesome kids.

If, a time comes where family takesthem for a day or two, do yer thing.

All the best to ya'.

I really don't have any tips for you because i am in the same boat you are in i just wanted you to know your feelings are real and there are other single parents out there like me who feel the same way you do. I have a 14 year old son who lives with me so I have to make sure I always look like a good mom but do want to have a man in my life also so to balance that to can be hard and lonely so I with you luck!

Sorry but I disagree about putting yourself on the back burner. You can have children and focus on them and still date. I am not saying go out every single night of the week but just take one night during the weekend and have a family member watch your kids and go somewhere. Get some guys together and go out, even if its just out to dinner...you will meet a lot of single women every where!!!

I have focused on my son since the day I found out I was pregnant with him. His father and I were engaged, but he decided that he couldn't deal with becoming a parent and took off when I was 2 1/2 months along.

His loss.

It took me years to stop focusing solely on my kiddo, working long hours to pay for everything he needed, not excepting help from friends and family, because I felt that I made the decision to have a child. I was wearing myself thin.

My son has special needs, and that, too, kept me from trying to date.

Then one day, my sister told me that if I didn't go out with my friends, she was going to have me committed, cause I was insane to think that I was the only person who could care for my son.....lol....she was joking, but I got the point.

I haven't found that one person YET...but I haven't stopped looking...just be cautious, considerate, and remember, you can't take care of your kiddos if you don't take care of yourself, too.

this is my boat.exactly I miss the small things