Dating Advice for Single Parents

Step 4: Separate prospects from suspects

If you followed step three, you'll be getting a number of potential dates. The task now is to separate the good (prospects) from the bad (suspects).

As a dating single parent, your first job is to protect yourself and your child from anyone that would do anyone of you harm. Safety will be your first screen.

If you know the person’s full name, check to see if this person is a sex offender. Better safe than sorry. Your state may have a registry where you can check for free; or you can check the official government site for registered sex offenders in your area at http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/cac/registry.htm.

If you’ve found a candidate from a dating website, spend time to get to know the person via email first. The rule is give just general information (no phone numbers, last names, addresses, etc.) until you get to know the person over a period of time. Minimum two to three months. If he can't wait that long, then move him to the suspect file and delete him.

If this is a blind date from your family and friends, get ALL the information you can on the person. Since this is a personal referral, try to get the inside skinny from the person who knows this candidate. This would be a good time to write down some questions that you'd like to ask your potential date. There’s nothing like being prepared. Talk on the phone first.

Ask questions to determine if there is some broad-based compatibility. Do you like the same things? Dislike the same things? The closer you can match qualities and characteristics, the happier you'll be.

Once you've done your homework, it's time to go on a date. Woo hoo!

Step 5: Date!

The first rule is: be yourself. The second rule is: have fun. If you can follow these two rules, you'll have a great time. To ensure that you have a safe and fun time, follow these rules:

1. Always let someone know who you're going out with, where you'll be going, and what time to expect you home.
   
   
2. Bring your cell phone. If you don't have a cell phone, get one. They're cheap. No reason not to have one.
   
   
3. Always meet in a public place for your first few meetings.
   
   
4. Arrange a “date dump” call. Arrange for someone to call you midway through your date. Prearrange a code word to let them know if your date is going well or not going well. This is your opportunity to dump your date if you're bored to tears or if you suspect you might be taken advantage of.
   
   
5. Consider having your meeting somewhere you can talk. Like over dinner or lunch. Avoid movies on the first date because the setting doesn't allow you the opportunity to get to know someone. At a movie, you sit silently for two hours listening to the person behind you crunch popcorn and slurp their five gallon bucket of soda. How fun is that!
   

Being a single parent doesn't mean shutting your heart down. Despite having your kid(s) fill every minute of your waking day, you still have a longing in your heart for that special, romantic someone.

If not for love...maybe just for good adult conversation over a warm cup of coffee. Good luck in your dating!