Well hey there,I'm a single dad an have been for almost nine yrs. Its so easy to get cought up in ur kids lives with school an work an so on. I too. Wish it was easy to date but thaty sweet old thing called time
As time goes by it gets a bit more settled. Need a date hit me up ,I need one ....

Dating? Seems I've heard the word somewhere. About the only time I would have for dating now would be during the day when the child is in school. But most guys are working then.

Seriously, though, my first date would have to be at my house; my daughter is not good at handling crowds and loud noises. And he might as well get an idea of what my life is like from the start.

cherrs to that! Im all thumbs up on that one.

We, as women have; so many titles. Being a single mom can have many challenges especially when you have more than two kids. I love men its their intimidation of the kids that is hindering some chances of real compatibility when it comes to finding the one. There are some men who except ur situation truthfully, then there are some who won't. The bottom line is how long is a person willing to wait for love to find them? Settling for less is now hit out of the park for those who love harder than most.

If a kid scares them away, they're not the right one for you anyway. There's much worse than being lonely.

People have different priorities. After divorce or separation children need more love, attention and emotional stability. For me, time, schedule, availability and anxiety - “is he the one - kind of feeling”, were the challenges. The sad part was I can’t focus, there was always this thought in my head, "are my kids fine?". A little date here and there will not harm, as long as you know which comes first in terms of great importance in your life. It’s crystal clear what I had in mine. Time flies so fast, my babies are now ladies and actually the ones who encourage me to go out and socialize. Now I have the time, I guess I’m good. Dating is fun, but being true is fair.

If a guy wants to date you he'll provide a babysitter I would think. Or do a family activity.

Babysitters arent always easy to find. At least not for me since i'm picky and want someone I know. also, I dont want my son meeting someone I date till i know it is a more serious relationship as i dont want him seeing different guys in and out my life. I figure I just have to wait till hes a bit older cuz there really doesnt seem to be enough time. Ive sometimes just waited for my son to sleep and invited a date to just chat with me at home or watch a movie...

yes we have the same problem,,i dont time for date

Don't you end up like me! 24 years of no dates due to one thing (raising kids) or the other.

I wouldn't trust a guy finding a babysitter for me. That's my responsibility. I would appreciate the gesture, but no.

I have a handful of friends. A few are also single mothers. We help each other out by babysitting one another's kids when we want to be out sans kiddos. Works out well for me, and my daughter loves the change of scenery once in a while. And our payment is not cash. We pay each other back by returning the favor. Networking is key!

Maybe I should of said he would pay for your babysitter if you have one that wants money.

My question is how can you NOT find time to date?

Where in the parenting manuel of reality does it say that because you are a parent you are NOT a person?

I am not advocateing ditching your kid at the local pound or turning their home into the local HOJO but find someone responsible and carve out some personal time for your self. Yes each week is smart if not more often.

Believe it or not it will make you a better parent and make your relationship with your child healthier.

It will make your kid healthier. The best way for a child to learn healthy social habits is to see them modeled by a parent.

A kid that monopolizes their parent's entire life will be a neurotic mess. Sooner or later they are going to have to seperate and they will crash an burn if it is not something they are used to.

So Parents set up time for dates and go. Maybe they will start out being just dates with yourself or friends but it will be a lot more natural for your child to accept your rights as a Healthy Adult if you do.

Special note; you want to figure out if a date is reasonable think would I want my child to have this kind of relationship? If it is good for the gosslings it is not going to cook the goose.

A couple hours away will put a flush in your cheeks and skip in your step that is good for your kids. Nobody deserves to have to live with the guilt of a Martered parent.

When I was married because I always volunteered with children and my ex was a swim coach of all types, etc. we were always very trusted and we actually would watch single friends kids for free while they kind of felt out the water with stranger so the kids were not exposed to strange people until the parents knew it was safe. We got to play and go mini golf and Toys R Us and stuff and have a great time and then THE BEST PART give them back spoiled rotten. I know not everybody has friends like we were.

Never is time "found". TIME IS MADE.

I don't know anyone's clock who does not have 24 hours.

Iit is how you set your prorities.

If you teach a child that as a parent you NEVER deserve to be a priority then they will one never respect you and two be very failed in relationships where significant others are never a priority either.

Where would be the time ? maybe three hours a week lol

Ya know, I don't have kids because my ex husband did not want them and then I became physically unable.

BUT when you put yourself out there even though you are a mom first, you need to realize that person is in the relationship FOR YOU and they accept the kids as part of the package deal. Like with me, I come with a severe attitude problem and a cat and dog. LOL. I may be wonderful in a billion other ways but that's the Terri Package.

I do date men with kids. I am 41. Honestly, I am afraid of men who make it to my age without ever having been married and to me that they have kids says "Hey some woman carried enough about this dude and thought highly enough of him to have a child with him, he's worth something". I mean that's not always true there are some one night stand children but a dude who had three children and a 15 year marriage or something that ended in divorce, usually has some reason that woman was with him that long and she got pregnant repeatedly by him because she thought he was worth something.

I never try to be momma to guy's kids. I am just if I am serious with a guy that kid's Terri. I get referred to as "My Terri" or "My Dad's Terri" and ya I help out with them BUT I am NOT their Momma even if their Momma has passed. That is not my role. Sure I kiss skinned knees and such but I never try to be Momma.

I wish guys would look at women who have kids and see what I see that some guy thought she was worthy of being their baby's momma.

Maybe I am in left field again. I dunno.

Good question. The nurse I am interested in is interested in someone else. She is a single mom with a daughter and a son. She has come up with this predicament you speak of. We cut up a lot at work. Makes the time go fast. She asked me jokingly if she take the kids back. I am wondering, of course, back to where. I know Walmart used to have this policy if you didn't like something that you could always take it back.