Dating in your 40s?

[AmazingDayz]

I have been single since I was 28. I’m now 35. No dating at all in this time, nothing. I have thought about dating now but I am a lone parent so this will be tricky but could make it work if I try really hard. I was debating between that or staying single till they’ve grown up and don’t need sitters etc but by then I would be into my 40s which means single for 12 years. I think it will be harder to date in my 40s and I’ve often been told dating in your 40s is harder than in your 20s and 30s but I have been told it isn’t harder and it’s no different but I’ve often read the opposite on MN and even remember a thread dedicated to dating in your 40s and how hard it is. So am I’m wrong for thinking it will he harder to meet someone in my 40s?

Ooh don't know. I'm 40s and haven't tried.

How old are the children?

As we get older dating generally will have a smaller pool of potential partners, it's just demographics and statistics.

Dating at any age when you’ve got kids is an absolute shit show.

I havent got to 40 yet but a friend that age found it harder to meet some-one nice. Almost every-one below her standards. More men let themselves go than women do.
Also standard dating apps, there is a big difference after early 30s ( I saw a different friend swipe on Bumble who significantly lied about her age and then got lots of matches- not that I agreed with that. I had almost 100% matchesp at 30 then a few years later -on a break from DP- much fewer even though I looked the same). But I don’t recommend apps anyway especially not with DCs involved (people come out of context , can lie etc).
Let yourself have chance of love now though. At least just open yourself up to possibility in your daily life. Probably a single Dad would be best as they would understand your priorities/trials.
You could even find a step Dad for your DC and get some time for yourself!

It will be the apps as I have zero social life at all so no chance to meet anyone irl. I’ve heard men on apps in their 40s generally go for younger women and it seems shallow but I want to date before I get any older as I feel as wasted the “best” Years of my life. My youngest is 6 and oldest is 12 so still a very long way off which is why I said I would be well into my 40s if I wait for them to grow up.

How sensible is your 12 year old? Would they be able to babysit the younger one in a couple of years time?

That’s what I mean I’m not sure I want to wait anymore years. That still feels like a long way off

Are you going to drag up every age related posts.

I enjoyed OLD in my 40s. @mermaidsrule8 is right... lots of guys in their 30s matched with me. So you shouldn't assume you'll only get divorced guys in their 40s and 50s.

I didn't view it as searching for a life partner, rather as meeting lots of new and interesting people.

thanks :)