Single parents with busy lives. Did you ever date again?

[toolioo]

I am 36. My child is 8. Separated from his dad when he was a month old after he punched me. Life has been incredible since. Lived with my parents for a few years so was able to do normal things. Go for a walk. Go to the gym. See friends. Now live in rented and am buying a house. I've been single since I was 28, so for nearly 8 years. It has been intentional. I don't have time for a man and it just always felt too risky. I would love to meet someone one day, but we are away every other weekend with my son's hobby. Literally Friday to sunday. He does it on a Saturday, Tuesday and Wednesday and practices on the days in between (mountain biking). We do it together and have a blast doing it! I love my life. I love being single and a single parent. I am sad I will never have any more children. I do think I would love to meet someone someday. If you are slightly older and havr ever been I the same position as me, would you mind sharing how your life panned out and if it was OK?

I think about my son going to uni, and having nobody and nothing.

Bumping

Nobody and nothing? Happiness doesn't come from a man. I'm your age with a nearly 19 year old and been single years. It's absolutely fine, stress free and easy. I definitely don't crave male company, snoring, trying to maul me etc.

Yes single parent with a very busy life (and no childcare support from ex) and found time to date from when my child was around 10. It was hard to juggle but possible with childcare in place. Don’t feel disheartened OP, it’s definitely doable, if not now then when you your child is a little older and more independent.

Yes you're right. Maybe I should have included hobbies in this too. Time for hobbies. And new friends. Because I don't have that either. Thank you for this though!

For me it happened gradually as the DC got older and more independent. They are teens now and regularly go for sleepovers at their friends (I reciprocate) or to hobbies that they get themselves to and from. I go to gym classes at 5.30am when they’re still asleep and have made friends there.

I am interested in this too op. Currently have zero time and no desire for anything outside family. It just me, work, kids and extended family . I think about the future when they leave.

a friend gave me some advice when my marriage broke down- don’t worry too far into the future. Life has a way of juat getting on. So I am taking that advice currently and hoping that as kids get older I will naturally start to have more life .

good luck to us !

I have been single for 15 years. My children are uni and late secondary age now. I haven't dated in all that time and haven't missed it. I sometimes wonder how it will feel when they leave home (though no sign of that likely being soon!) I will be more focused on sociable hobbies and being proactive with friends though. After all this time, a partner isn't something I'm really interested in. I love being single (but don't get me wrong, never say never!)

I’m a single parent with 4 children and work full time. I wonder this also. I don’t have family nearby so would seem impossible to date. Thinking perhaps when my youngest is a teen I might have a bit more freedom. Separated for 4 years now.

I think the worry of being lonely or alone is universal. For me I have decided I would rather live with a woman or group of women than date again when I hit retirement. I fully expect this to be the norm by then, as women are aware most of us are killed or harmed by partners rather than strangers, plus we look out for each other in ways men have yet to grasp. Plus all of the women I know are educated, interesting and funny and none of us want to spend weekends watching men kick a ball about for hours.

I’ve only been open to dating since my youngest left for uni. Like you, I found that there isn’t the headspace while trying to balance life with kids and work. I also was lucky enough to feel like my family was complete, and didn’t want any more children. I’ve really enjoyed dating in my 50s- met some great, really interesting men and feel like I’m growing and learning as a person as a result. I don’t have any regrets about my previous choice not to date- I reckon you just have to roll with the life phases as they happen and be open to change.