Single Parent Dating Should You Keep Dating Someone when You're Unsure About the Potential for a Future Together? Continued

You may enjoy the relationship, but have misgivings about spending your future with this person. Write down your concerns and then think about whether any of them are dealbreakers. The perfect person for you does not exist, so you don't want to be too hard on someone that could be a wonderful companion for you. On the other hand, if your issues are that your date doesn't like your kids, has substance abuse issues, or doesn't treat you well, it's time to move on. You are wasting your time with a person who will probably never change. And, as a single parent, you need to be very concerned about bringing someone into your home who could cause physical or emotional harm to you or your kids.

You might be feeling that you are more invested in the relationship than your date. Has he or she displayed behaviors such as flirting excessively with others, acting unreliably, or appearing to still be emotionally involved in a prior relationship? These actions indicate that your dating partner isn't that interested in you, and it's time to find someone who will treat you better. On the other hand, if you have a tendency to be jealous and obsessive about relationships, you may want to run your date's behavior by a close friend or therapist to get a more objective view. The problem may be your in your interpretation rather than that your date is not a good person for you.

Another issue that should be considered by a single parent is whether your date is involved with your kids. If he or she has been interacting with your children, it's better sooner than later to let go of a relationship with no potential. The longer the relationship continues, the more attached your kids will be.

Maybe you just hate the dating scene and the thought of having to put yourself back out there to find another person fills you with dread. The comments from well-meaning people about your solo status make your cringe. But, it's best to let go of the unsuitable person that you are dating currently and start looking for someone that you will truly love. Try to look at dating positively as a way to meet other people, make new friends, and potentially meet a life partner.

Take stock of your dating relationships, and let go of any people that aren't going to be good companions for you. If you just see the person as a friend, then be honest with them. Good single parent dating does not include spending time with people who offer no relationship potential.