Single Parents - Finding Time to Date
If you are a single parent trying to juggle work, single parenting, and running a household, you may have difficulty finding time to date. You can have a social life with a little planning and creativity.
First, decide whether dating is truly a priority for you at this point in your life. You probably have more things that you want to accomplish in a day than two people could get done. Make a list of your goals and rank them in order of importance.. Where does dating fall on the list? If it is one of your main goals, then you should make time to date. But, if it is further down on the list, maybe this is not a goal that you need to work on right now. Remember, you will have more time as the kids get older and more responsible for themselves. You may make the decision to wait for awhile before venturing into the dating scene.
If you want to date, take a look at your schedule. Is the other parent in the picture and taking the kids for an evening? This would be the perfect time for you to date. Maybe you have relatives that the kids spend time with frequently, leaving you some time to yourself. If your kids are school age, you may be able to arrange overnight visits for your kids with their friends. Also, investigate the possibility of trading babysitting with another family so that you can get nights out without having to pay for a sitter as can the other family. You can also hire a babysitter, although this can be costly.
If your kids are in school or daycare, you may be able to arrange for dates during that time. You really only need fifteen minutes to meet someone for the first time at a coffee shop, so you might be able to do this on your way to or from work. Lunch dates can also be a good alternative, and you can always use the excuse of having to get back to work if things do not go well.
Online dating can be a great alternative for single parents since you can chat and email while at home with your kids. This will give you an opportunity to screen potential dates before meeting them, so you do not have to spend as much time away from the kids.
Churches can also be a good place to meet people and to spend time with someone that you would like to get to know better. Childcare, classes or activities are often provided for the kids while you attend services, classes or singles activities sponsored by the church.
Health clubs may offer childcare and even children's activity centers and kid's sports. You could have a date plus get a workout at the same time.
An option to get some time alone with your significant other if he or she has been introduced to the kids is to go to a park, restaurant with a play area or arcade. The kids will have plenty of entertainment, and if they are school-age, you should have some time to visit with your date. After your kids go to bed, you may be able to schedule a stay-at-home date. Since your children are very likely to get up and see you with your date, this tactic is best when limited to someone you have been dating regularly that has already met the kids.
Be sure to use any time that you are out in public with the kids wisely if you are still searching for that special someone. Talk with other parents at ball games and school events. You never know when you might meet a fellow single parent that you could date or a married parent who knows someone that might be perfect for you.
If dating is a priority for you, you can find the time to fit it into your schedule. You need to live a balanced life that is in line with your goals in order to be happy and the best parent that you can be to your kids. By being flexible and creative when coming up with ideas to accommodate the kids and your social life, you can find time to date and be a single parent.
