Dating a Single Mother

For bachelors, beginners and maybe even the veteran Casanova, ending up in a date with a single mother can be daunting no matter who you are. A woman who is very close to her family can be an entirely different story; the baggage that a single mother has compared to other women is incomparable. If you are planning on dating this kind of woman, you should at least be prepared to face the consequences.

That's not to say dating a single mom is all bad; far from it, in fact. It can be a particularly easy way into a quick fling, and a long-term relationship will be quite rewarding if you are planning for such. That said, it will be quite a challenge to win over the heart of a single mother, so leave the “player” approach at the door when you are set for a date with a single mom. Both of you will be glad you did!

Not The Same Thing

While dating can be a thing men do mostly for fun, recreation, and the hopes of bagging somebody to bed for a night, some might end up in the company of a single mom who will have none of it. Taking care of kids alone is a daunting task, and even more so when a mother is left with the emotional baggage of her former spouse.

The kind of approach you take to dating can often be one you assume that will woo the ladies easily. Confidence and a certain swagger can certainly be a good thing, but putting up the aura of a “player” can be inadvisable; something to be avoided, in fact, unless you are somehow sure that the single mom in question is only interested in a quick fling.

However, many of them are, in fact, seeking somebody to take care of their kids. Suddenly becoming a father is something that will scare away many kinds of daters, but if you are the kind who is looking for a life partner, then preparing yourself will net you the best results. It's best not to dive head-on into a mess you are not prepared to take care of, so serious intentions will go a long way.

Romancing the Previously Romanced

Single moms aren't as jaded to old-fashioned love and romance as you might think. Women, struggling single parents especially, always appreciate the attention you give to them, even if you only let on the small things. Of course, your sincerity is always appreciated, so be sure you mean every gesture when you decide to make her part of your life.

The priorities of a single mom are also much more complex than the simple “Hey, how're you doing?” every now and then. They have kids, jobs, and other pressing matters to tend to on a daily basis than to be peppered with your sweet nothings, so be sure you know when to time your greetings. Be sensitive to her needs, as well as flexible to accommodate her during her mixed-up schedule.

Getting heavily involved with another man might not even be on the top of her priorities list. The other aspects of her life, like taking care of the kids, or working a second job just to pay the mortgage, might come second to her desire to go out with you at night, so don't always take it the wrong way when she can't see you for a date every now and then.

In fact, while it may seem relatively easy to romance yourself into a relationship with a single man, you should be prepared to be turned down nonetheless. Between family, struggling through the remnants of a marriage and social life, among other things, don't be offended if she turns you down for a first date, or even a serious commitment. It is often not a reflection on you or your personality, unless you were acting like a total jerk to begin with.

Her Kids and You

If you have already struck somewhat of a relationship with this single mom, then it's inevitable that you will meet the kids in some point in time. A smart single parent would not have involved you much, if at all, with her kids if she weren't sure about your relationship, so it's up to you to be smarter about it.

Meeting the kids for the first time can be an anxious and tense experience. Don't be particularly alarmed if your date's children don't accept you, or even outright reject you, the first time around. Children will often feel that they are directly responsible for a failed relationship in the first place, especially since they are the direct product of both parents.

Consider how the children feel, and accept it. If you have won over your date's heart with genuine intentions, and if you generally just like kids, then the children will eventually accept you. You might not win their total and outright willingness to cooperate with you, but their respect should be a good enough start.

With a single previous comes the baggage of a previous relationship, and that's a hard fact everybody involved will have to live with. This only means that the previous relationship is dead, and you and your new single mom are not; moving on to a date and possibly something even more will help both of you take the next step into the rest of your lives.