by Hazel Webb

Created on: September 21, 2008   Last Updated: July 14, 2010

Being involved with a woman who has no children is completing different than dating a woman who has children. It is important to understand there is a huge difference. Even more important, is to be completely honest with your self and acknowledge your feelings toward children.

Dating in it self can be stressful. You want to do and say all the right things. Timing can be important. Each day can and often will bring a new challenge as you get to know each other. Dating a single mom can bring even more challenges.

There are some men who simply have no desire to spend time in the company of children. They drive them absolutely bananas. In all fairness there are plenty of women who feel the same way.

If you do feel this way it is perfectly okay. It's important to recognize and acknowledge your true feelings and then avoid dating single moms at all cost.

On the other hand, if you love kids and enjoy their company, a single mom just might be the one for you. Yet, there are still a few things that need to be given some consideration, such as the following:

A single mom will not always be available to paint the town with you or catch the latest flick.
More than likely, you won't be invited to stay for breakfast. Quietly, without waking the kids, you will be rushed out the back door.

Understand there may be a decent relationship between mom and the father of the children. In other words, he may still be close at hand, because of the children.
Often, the single mom is still friends with her ex-in-laws and still attends some of their family functions.

Be ready to pay the babysitter if you want to take mom out. Women raising children alone are part of the poorest of the poor in this country. More than likely, she will not have extra money to pay for babysitters.

Understand that even the best plans can be changed or cancelled at a moments notice. Learn to expect the unexpected when children are in the picture. Kids break limbs, come down with fevers and barf up dinner without little if any warning given.

You may not be introduced to the children right away. Do not take this personally. Mom just wants to make sure that you are a keeper and besides since you will one day be involved in their lives, she needs to make sure that you will be a positive influence.

When and if you meet the children, don't be surprised if they give you the cold shoulder or show apathetic behavior where you are concerned. Remember they may still be holding on to the hope of a reconciliation between

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