Help With Single Parent’s Dating And Friendship

Finding yourself on your own with a child to bring up can be lonely, whether that results from a tragic loss or a relationship breakdown. Unlike a job that you can leave in the office, parenting is a full time job and can at times feel like a prison sentence stuck in the house after the kids are in bed.

A common concern for single parents is finding the time to get out and meet people, regardless of whether you are looking for friendships or more.

Meeting New Single Parent Friends

Of course it is easy to say, but the best way to meet like minded people is simply to get out there. There are a massive number of informal groups and professional services connecting people in a similar position to yourself.

Putting yourself in a position to meet other single parents will help you to find ways to make your life easier, just by finding out how other people tackle the same tasks you find difficult. Similarly, you’ll be in a position to share your experience, something which will help you to connect with single parents like yourself.

Dad’s Can Be A Welcome Change

Generally speaking, you will find single mums make up the majority of these groups, but that doesn’t mean by any means that lone dads aren’t welcome. In fact you might find you’re the centre of attention and a very welcome addition. Many single mums feel that male company is a thing of the past, so don’t be surprised if you fit in a lot better that you expect.

Check out our section on single parent friendship groups to get more information on where single parents meet regularly, and how you can get involved.

Single Parent Dating

All sorts of barriers seem to get in the way of finding new love as a single parent. Dating can seem like an impossible task and it’s all too easy to write off any chance of getting involved with other singles (whether a single parent or not) until the kids are older.

All too often lone parents decide that it is best for the kids if they close themselves off to love from anyone outside of the home, and feel that they would be letting the children down if they were to share their life with anyone new.

Children First Doesn’t Mean Nothing For You

Of course, children always need to be put first, but that doesn’t mean they should be your only consideration. No-one is suggesting it is a good idea for a new partner to appear from mum or dad’s room one morning, but a gradual introduction over time will do no harm whatsoever.

Deciding you are ready to move on and be open to meeting someone new is a great state of mind to start from. Single mums and single dads date each other all the time, but don’t be fooled into thinking that is the only possibility. When we talk about single parents dating, it doesn’t have to be dating each other, although you might find people with similar circumstances are more sympathetic to the trials of family life!

The Internet Is A Lone Parent’s Best Friend

We have created a wealth of information and tips around the subject of single parents dating, which will hopefully help to quell your fears and give you the confidence to take the first steps, like joining a site like Just Single Parents where you can join free and get involved.

Meeting other single parents for love or friendship can be a huge milestone in your journey as a lone mum or dad, so it’s important to take a deep breath and take a leap into the unknown. It’s always difficult being the new member of a group, and often makes us regress to the feelings we got when starting school. No doubt at school you made some great friends, so get out there today and make some more!