To ask how you know if you're ready to date again

[PoppyField92]

Single mum of a 5 and 2 year old. Have been on my own since early pregnancy of my 2 year old. Have started thinking I want to date again but how do you know if you're ready? Are my kids too young?

If you want to, you’re ready. Your children are a totally different issue, but it’s not to do with their age - they aren’t dating - it’s whether you have childcare while you go on dates. Dating doesn’t need to involve the children at all. In fact it shouldn’t, for quite some time.

Eh I think you just know. Not very helpful sorry. But if you are willing yourself to be ready you're not ready.

If on the other hand the thought of everything that comes along with dating feels a little bit exciting and like something you want to pursue then you're ready. I think you'll know.

Thank you. I do have childcare and I THINK I am ready, hmm .. I always say " I will start dating when .." but maybe I should just go for it.

I think the only way to find out for sure is to try it and see. If you're doing OD it can be a bit daunting at first: I tried it about a year after my separation and quickly realised I wasn't ready -- the whole thing made me really anxious and stressed and I just dropped it. I tried about 8/9 months later and was in a much better frame of mind for it.

You do have to be feeling quite robust for OD though and develop a bit of a thick skin.