How to Date as a Single Mom

well your little tid bit there about your boys jsut made this soo much easier. they are at an age where they won't instantly get attached to someone just becuase you bring them homea nd are also at an age where they understand that all your relationships won't last forever and they support you dating. so go out there and do it. who cares if you have second hand furniture or you aren't miss neat freak. if you are trying to find Mr. right he needs to know that anyways. and do the men you date really all have brand new homes and spotlessly clean rooms with all new things? if so marry up quick girl and move on up. lol. if not then welcome to the real world where we are so much harder on ourselves than other ever could be. it sounds like other than a case of the nerves you have the ideal situation to bring a man into. you have good kids that aren't looking for a new daddy and just want you to be happy. beware if you do stumble upon the jerk of a guy though and bring him home i bet your boys will tell you and worry. so just give it a shot anyone that you like enough to want to bring home to meet teh kids should be able tohandle a messy house and less than new furnishings. so good luck, you're a very lucky lady to have such great boys, take advantage of it and find yourself a great man to go with them. god bless.

I can't offer any answers but I can sure offer some support. Good luck to you Mamma! I hope you find the man of your dreams! (PS, if he's willing to go to your kids sports events with you, he's a keeper!) LOL. GOOOOOOOOD LUCK

If you find the right guy to share, your messy house, and the boys sporting events, and whatever else you might want to bring him in to, you will know it. He's not going to care if you can't afford nice stuff, and odds are he's going to like it that your kids are such a priority to you, and your are ready to share some of you time with them, with him. If he doesn't get it that you are a single mom, and he doesn't have respect for the fact that you are doing this BY YOUR SELF, then he's not good enough, and go find better. they are out there, I promise. My husband and I started dating when I lived with my parents, and god knows at 23 thats embarassing! but he told me several times, hey you have two kids and you work and go to school, where would you find the time energy and money to have your own place. Like I said he got it, and he is good enough. Obviously, they're out there. and you'll know it when you find one. I may be way younger than you but I do know about what guys think is hot, and whats not. and if a guy is really in to you, he'll find things about you that turn him on, even if its something weird like how you keep you car a mess, but you always have what you need.:)

First of all, there is no rule book for this. But you sound "ready", and the fact that you're concerned about doing it the right way tells me that you'll use good judgement. Will you make some mistakes? Probably. But you're lucky that your boys are supportive of your happiness and are old enough to understand what's going on.

Still, I caution you against bringing a parade of men around your boys. Rather than being picked-up for dates, meet the guy there instead. Don't introduce your boys to someone that isn't going to be around for a reasonable amount of time. I'm not saying you have to be engaged, but at least wait until you're dating steadily and exclusively.

Good men are out there. GREAT men are out there. You will know them when you see them. Don't settle for anything less.

I'm a divorced mother of 2 young girls. I have them full time. I work full time. I do my best to keep up with the house, the yard, etc.

I'm dating a man who is also divorced, has a demanding job, and is a devoted father of 4 young kids. Between the two of us, we're constantly running to swimming lessons, gymnastics, softball, soccer, school functions, etc.

I'm telling you this to give you hope that it's possible to date amidst busy schedules, activities, and chaotic households!

My beau and I started by talking on the phone after our kids went to bed. We would talk for hours, so we knew right away that we were compatible. After a few weeks, he started coming over after my kids were in bed (when his kids were with their mom) and we'd listen to music or watch a movie. Again, this took no time away from my parenting, and my girls didn't even know he existed. Occasionally, I would get a babysitter, and go meet him for dinner. When our feelings for each other got stronger and we started talking about the future, I decided it was OK to introduce him to my girls. After all, how can I start planning a future with him if I haven't seen him interact with my kids? We've been together over a year now, and we're planning to get married. He adores my girls and they adore him. Our kids get along great.

It can happen. I hope it happens for you, too.

I read recently that women fall in love and want to marry while men decide they want to marry and go looking to find someone to love.

If you meet the right man, you'll know because he'll be impressed by what a great mom you are, that he's not one of a string of men you've been bringing home and parading shamelessly in front of your children.

Maybe - you'd like to meet someone financially stable and feel that if he sees what you've got - or haven't got - he'll think you're after him for his money and maybe financial stability is part of it but for the right reasons and not the wrong ones? The right reasons being that you are not in a position to support a man and financial stability is part and parcel of simply being mature?

If you meet someone and explain that the first couple of dates you'd just like to get to know him, which means maybe every other weekend, a couple late-night phone calls, then see how things are going? If the guy isn't willing to entertain the thought of a ready-made family, it would be real clear, real fast.

Aww sweetie you sound just like me! So my heart goes out to you.I understand what your going through..However I do know .. dont invite anyone to meet the kids until you feel as if youve made the right choice in that particular man. So even if youve got to see him every other weekend for a while and talk to him regularly on the phone it could be well worth it.Take your time.Ive rushed and hit iceburgs.Its alot harder to see yourself and the kids get attached to someone and then to lose them..So yeah.. get to know him and get a good gut feeling about him before you bring him into your family life.And totally suggest sporting events or movie dates as a grou-p when you feel the time is right!
And you know.. your a single mom.. and children of all ages can be messy at times..If hes a great guy this is something he will understand.We devote our lives to our children and as much as we hate to admit.. we neglect the dishes and other household chores now and then.Its understandable, so nothing to be ashamed of.Good luck to you!!!