So you've been through all the angst of a relationship breakdown and all the negative feelings that go along with it. The dust has finally settled and you feel you might be ready to go out and date again. The trouble is that you have lost self confidence, after all you haven't dated in a long time and you now have children to consider. You also have a lot of emotional baggage that wasn't there when you were dating your ex-partner and you are likely to be quite nervous and wary of dating as a single parent and entering into another relationship.

So many people in today's world are in this position. You need to meet someone who will not just accept you but is prepared to take on the whole package including children if you are looking at a relationship as opposed to a date. It could make sense to date someone who understands where you are at, being in the same position themselves.

As our lives get busier with working as well as juggling family life alone, the issue might be in actually finding the time to meet a new partner. This is where the internet can assist. There are numerous dating sites - some free and others you pay for. Some of these dating sites are aimed specifically at single parents.

There are a few tips which you should be aware of as a single dating parent when using a dating site. Most of it is common sense but here are a couple of pointers.

Find out as much as you can about your potential date. Are they really single or just looking for a casual relationship? Some people prey on those who have been hurt and may be lacking confidence.

Many of the dating sites have forums. Use these to pick up tips from others and look at the posts your potential date might have made.

Speak to your online date via message service or phone prior to meeting them. You may be able to sense something that doesn't seem right.

There are several steps that you should follow if you get to the point of wanting to physically meet with your potential date. These are for your own protection and if the other person doesn't agree to take the same steps, you should probably be suspicious of their motives.

It is advisable to meet in a public place and preferably during daylight hours. Why not meet for a coffee or lunch? Let somebody know where you are going and when you plan to be home. Carry a phone so you can let the person know if you are likely to be late.


Have some other distinctive way that will allow your date to recognize you. This should not be necessary if the profile on the online dating service included a photo.

Your date may of course start off a little awkwardly but if you both relax this initial reticence will disappear. Try to make it enjoyable and allow time for both parties to talk so you can get to know each other.
There are quite a number of things to consider if you have children and start dating somebody who also has children. If the relationship develops, there comes a time when the children will have to meet both your date and your date's children which can be fairly traumatic. If handled sensitively, there is no reason why it can't work but it's important that your children are prepared and that the meeting is as low key as possible particularly if the children are not youngsters.

As a single dating parent there are few more hoops to go through but it is still possible that you will met the new partner of your dreams.

To break out of the single dating parent mould go to probably the best dating site on the web - CoupleMe.com. You never know you could find the partner of your dreams.