It’s never easy to be a single parent. Along with all of the difficult issues that come with parenting alone (or sharing responsibilities with an ex), add in the challenges of getting back into the dating scene and you start to get an idea of the uphill battle so many single parents face.

Online dating sites (especially those targeted squarely for single parents) have taken a lot of the stress and difficulty out of dating for this unique group of singles. Finding someone to go out with who understands what it’s like to deal with single parenthood every day can be a huge thing; it gives you common ground to talk about and a common set of responsibilities to keep in mind when planning your dating activities.

What’s more, when you choose an online dating site for single parents you’re going to connect with others who don’t mind the fact that you have children – something that you cannot say for sure with other more general dating sites! And because many single parents also face financial challenges, dating sites for single parents typically make it relatively easy and affordable to get back into dating without breaking the bank.

Some of the top rated dating sites for single parents include:

• SingleParentsMingle.com
• SingleParentMatch.com
• SingleParentMeet.com
• SingleParentLove.com

If you’d prefer to stick with a dating site that is broader (eHarmony.com, Match.com, etc.) be sure to choose one that offers you the option of noting that you’re a single parent and allows you to focus on other single parents as your potential matches. With a bit of research and effort, every single parent can find the right online dating site to meet their unique needs!

Family Exes, Kids, Parents

Why didn’t he/she call? You seemed to really hit it off, there was playful banter, even some touching and canoodling. So, why didn’t you get that call for a second date?

First of all, it’s probably not your fault. You just didn’t know the ‘rules.’ (No, not those other rules.)

Rule #1 – Don’t get too personal

While you might want to profess your entire life story to this new person, it’s not generally the best idea. So, leave the stories about your exes at home and try to talk about them instead.

Rule #2 – Don’t be rude

Always bring enough money to pay, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, don’t talk with your mouth open, etc. All of those manners that your mother tried to teach you? Use them. And don’t even think about arguing that ‘Well, this is just the way I am.’ It’s still rude and it’s certainly not going to win you any points.

Rule #3 – Don’t try to be crazy

Somewhere along the line, the idea that quirky = good got passed along to singles around the world. So, people began to try to be overly funny or weird as they thought it might appeal to a prospective partner.

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

Being odd, if that’s a part of your personality, is fine, but being weird for the sake of being weird – not so great. Leave your singing of the names on the menu and rhyming everything that you say at home, locked far away from sunlight.

Be yourself!

Breaking Up, Rejection, Tips and Ideas Be Yourself, Crazy, Dump, Exes, Rules, Weird

Whether it’s the winter or the upcoming reminder of your single-ness (otherwise known as Valentine’s Day), you might find yourself thinking of your ex more when they’re not around. And though you had a good list of reasons for breaking up with them, you can’t help but wonder:

What if we tried again? Could it work this time?

You start to remember all of the good times, and despite any dating advice to the contrary, you begin to plan out a way to ‘accidentally’ bump into your ex and try to start up a new conversation.

Does this ever really work? It might. Here are some tips to improve your chances.

Ask your friends first whether it’s a good idea – When you’re the only one with the good memories, you might have a biased view of the situation. Ask a trusted friend to tell you the truth about what your ex is really like.

Check to make sure they’re available – There’s no sense in going after someone who is married or dating someone else.

Don’t have any expectations – Though your relationship used to be one way, chances are good that it will be different this time, so if you’re looking for that old relationship, you might be disappointed.

Dating an ex might be a way to finally get some closure on a relationship that didn’t quite make it, or it might be a fresh start to love. Either way, you’re not the only one who’s considered it. But you might be one the few that succeeds.

Breaking Up, Tips and Ideas Breaking Up, Exes, Married, Relationships