Seeking Advice on Dating a Single Dad? Start With Patience and then Read My Top Four Tips
I get asked this question a lot – both by single moms and by those that don’t have children of their own. At first, I really couldn’t come up with an answer because why would dating a single dad be any different than dating anyone else?
Of course, the longer I’ve been a single dad the more I realize there definitely are differences to dating single parents – some very big ones that may not be obvious to everyone. I decided, after some thought on the subject, to write this article on tips for dating single dads (and single moms).
Single Dad Dating Tip #1 - Have Patience
If You're Single With No Children, Dating a Single Dad or Mom...
Don’t move too fast in the relationship when dating a single dad or mom. Single parents have more than just themselves to consider when in a relationship. As a single without children, you can sometimes throw caution to the wind. Sell all your stuff, join the peace corps and move to India. Why not? Put your stuff in storage, have granny watch your cat and backpack Europe for two months.
Let's go!
However, when dating a single dad or single mom, it’s best to take things a bit more slowly and deliberately. After all, when children are involved, it’s not just your date that gets hurt if the relationship doesn’t work out.
You should probably get my book.
Memoirs of a Dating Dad is a book I wrote about my experiences in dating as a single dad.
Sometimes crazy, sometimes meaningful, always insightful - all of my experiences in dating as a single dad taught me some very valuable life lessons.
Memoirs of a Dating Dad is ten chapters of hilarity, sadness, anticipation and disappointment - all of the feelings and emotions that are inevitable when dating in today's jungle.
Download my book from Amazon today and be sure not to make the same mistakes in dating that I did!
If You're Dating as a Single Dad or Mom...
Patience when dating as a single dad or single mom is key. Rushing into a relationship is rarely a good choice, but especially when you're a single parent.
Yes, children are resilient by nature, but that doesn't make it okay to rush into dating. If you're a single parent - take your time; think of your own needs and those of your child.
A few key questions to consider if you're a single parent:
- How long has it been since your last relationship?
- How long did that relationship last?
- Is your dating life a "revolving door" do your child?
- How long has it been since you last introduced someone to your child?
- Be honest - are you spending more time dating or with your child?
Consider your own answers to the above questions and how your dating life is impacting the lives of your children. It's perfectly okay to want to be happy, but it's not okay to be selfish about it.
Single Dad Dating Tip #2 - Have Flexibility
This tip applies to both sides of the single dad dating equation.
As someone dating a single dad, you shouldn’t push too hard to meet your guy's child(ren). Meeting the children is a big step for any single parent, so be sure not to take it lightly.
When you are ready, approach the subject with an open frame of mind and express to your single dad that you’re ready when ever he’s ready. Let him know that you’ve been thinking about meeting the most important people in his life but that you’re also willing to do it on their terms.
As a dating dad, you should exercise patience when introducing your children to the person you’re dating.
Dating isn’t a race and children don’t understand people coming and going from their lives. Introducing them to people that are only around for a brief period of time in their (and your) lives will only create instability and instability is universally unhealthy for children of all ages.
[bctt tweet="Dating isn’t a race and children don’t understand people coming and going from their lives. #SingleParent #Dating" username="dadtography"]
Single Dad Dating Tip #3 - Love Children
Do you love kids? Ok, do you at least really like them? Do their smiles make you smile and their giggles make you laugh?
Let's be honest, if you don’t like children then you probably shouldn’t be dating a single dad. I can see some definite up-sides to dating a single parent.
Most single parents rate high in areas like maturity, stability and experience (take that as what you will) and those qualities carry over into their love lives as well.
Dating single parents just isn’t for everyone, so if you’re really not interested in playing a large role in a child’s life, just be honest with yourself and your single dad and bow out (gracefully) to someone that will appreciate all they have to offer.
[bctt tweet="Most single parents rate high in areas like maturity, stability and experience... #SingleParent #Dating" username="dadtography"]
Single Dad Dating Tip #4 - Have a Sense of Humor
Kids say the darndest things - and so can parents! Having a sense of humor when dating a single parent is a very handy quality to have.
Single parents may be accustomed to interacting with their children and can require an adjustment period when transitioning to speaking with (real, actual) adults from time to time.
In other words, cut us a little slack if a single mom or single dad excuses him or herself to "go potty" or asks you if your dinner is "yummy" or has to excuse themselves to the "potty". 🙂
[bctt tweet="Single parents may be accustomed to interacting with their children and can require an adjustment period... #SingleParent #Dating" username="dadtography"]
Good advice. Been there, done that #4! It took me awhile to acclimate to adult conversation.
All sound advice, I would note that on meeting the kids there should be a time frame understood between the two daters. My rule was a minimum of 90 days. That way there are no unacceptable expectations.
I didn’t know the fact until I went to his place, and he showed me his daughter photo. I was frozen that time and really surprised, but try to keep calm cuz I think that between me and him may not go that far. Since I focus more on his hot body.
But now I kinda like him alot, and beyond sex too.
The fact that single daddy be…
1. Mature than the guys same as his aged (he’s 27 and im 24) lots of his thinking and actions is mature, and i’m looking for this type of guy.
2. He treats and respect me
3. He’s really easy going and flexible
4. The way he treats his kid is damn cute!! and I can’t stop smiling.
etc.
things keep going on between us, until I forget the fact that he’s single daddy 😉 and I have a really great time!!
Aw, great story – thanks for sharing! Dating single parents isn’t so bad, is it? 🙂
I’m dating a single dad and it’s challenging. I’m also a single parent. Finding time to spend together is not easy. I think if 2 single parents date, their schedules should be somewhat similar, otherwise it’s hard to synch up.
Schedules are definitely more of an issue when you’re a dating single parent. When you don’t have children to “worry” about, then you’re free to do what you want. The responsible single parent has to find the equilibrium between the needs of the children and themselves.