by Tracy Beckles

Created on: April 16, 2008

Stating the obvious with regard to challenges that accompany normal dating is not necessary. Dating as a single parent is not for those with weak constitutions. There is no simplicity in dating for single parents. The single parent has the normal challenges and the extra challenges. To date successfully the single parent must think, plan and be flexible. It is possible to achieve date success as a single parent but it takes skill. As is the case with most parents, the child/children are top priorities. All of the responsibilities of parenthood shared amongst two now rest with one. Therefore, the first hurdle to jump would be time constraints. Time for the single parent is a precious and rare commodity. As the head of household, you are responsible for income, all housework, cooking and spending quality time. This leaves zero personal time. However, with a bit of creativity free time for dating can happen. For example, there is the breakfast date or the lunch date. If these time slots are not possible, you can work around your child/children's schedule. Hint: Your time at work is child-free use it wisely.

When contemplating your return to the dating scene I recommend you establish what you expect to achieve by dating. Is it to casually date or are you seeking a relationship? If you are planning your first date, it is safe to assume that you have met the special someone and engaged in a few conversations. Here is where the dating process can become more complex. You have to lay down the groundwork before the first date takes place. Since your time is precious, there is no need to waste it on someone who doesn't meet your standards. Your opportunity to screen the potential date is through multiple conversations. The child-free single dater can afford to meet, date then get to know restriction free and in any order they choose. The single parent needs to be more thorough within the get-to-know phase and yes, that phase should be before the actual date takes place.

The single parent looks for different qualities in a potential date. We have to put all of our cards on the table in the beginning and hope to get positive feed back. A statement such as, "I'm a single parent to a little boy and girl," can possibly make a date run for the hills. Alternatively, letting the potential date know you come equipped with date assassins can weed out the undesirables. The bar is slightly higher in the single parent's world so what is undesirable to them is not necessarily so for

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>