Moving on... how does a single mum meet someone new, without those awful dating sites?... how did you do it?

[PatienceLong]

I've been single for ages now, and I feel ready to move on... how/where did you meet someone new? It kind of feels impossible

An awful dating ap I am afraid.

I fell in love with my neighbour!

a dating app

I met DH on a bus! He was driving it...

I've had one relationship in the past 7 years since I broke up with DS's Dad. I met him in the pub and asked him out. Was a bit drunk, so that helped.

Other than that though, no clue. I'm generally happy single, but go on pof sometimes as I do miss male company. It is utterly dire.

I used dating apps, both guys I met promised me the world. Didn't last.

I did meet someone in Tesco! And one person on a night out.

From a guys point of view it's hard work, you need to be bold on the dating apps and meet as many as possible, one of them will click

I met my husband on Plenty of Fish as a single mum of three. Been together just over 2 years, recently married and have another child together.
I had a lot of interest from different men but I would only meet up with the ones I felt a bit of a connection with, where the conversation flowed and had things in common.
There are good men on the dating sites, just have to weed them out.

Following this as I'm in the exact same position and been single 2 years. Feels I'll never meet anyone

Dating sites aren’t that bad. Just be really brutal and picky. I’ve met lovely men on Guardian Soulmates.

I had a horrible experience, so been on my own for YEARS... feel like if I don't make some effort soon I'll become totally stick in my ways an undateable (although I'm already feeling abit like that!).
I'm not a big fan of going out in pubs/boozy nights out, don't mind occasionally, but feel like I got that 'out my system' in my youth lol...
Ughhh... if I must do the dating app thing then I will be brave and get on with it... any suggestions? Which one's the best?...
I wish I could just bump into 'him' in Tesco etc... but doesn't look like it's going to happen... I'm so crap at flirting too, I think I'd frighten them away if I did meet someone out and about lol ...

Never been single post children but before children the only place I seemed to meet people were through work of some kind (or education/workshops/volubteering) or moochingaround public places. Anywhere a man could sit down next to me. Coffee shops, park benches, public transport. This was in London though which is a bit skanky really.

never had any luck on OLD. A few McRelationships which just died a death really early. They all realised they didn't want me after we'd had sex. Funny that. I feel a fool for every thinking I'd meet anybody OLDing. But I am 100% responsible for my children. I am not really 'free' to have a relationship. Stopped caring now. Thankfully.
I spent the day sitting in bed listening to podcasts about the famine and drinking gallons of coffee.

No advice but i would be interested to hear any responses, i hate online interaction (no facebook account etc) but worry about being alone forever.

I met DH in a bar. I was on a works night out. I definitely wasn't looking to meet anyone.
I'd been a single parent for a long time.

Thanks guys... the general opinion I get 'out here' irl si to get online and "plough through the sh*t til you find a decent fella"... followed by a fair few well meaning 'success story's' etc...
I think if I'm going to try and look at this logically, I should perhaps cover 'all bases' and get online and get 'out there'?... it's a pretty daunting thought actually... am I being cynical to think that any men that are single at my age (39) are single for a 'reason'?... and yes I do realise that observation applies to me to... I'll try not to look at it that way :/
I think I will cautiously try online dating for a few weeks and see what happens. I'm just sick of being a permanent gooseberry/spare part etc...
And thanks Allnames - I will go and find that on YouTube and give it a go... X

I second Guardian Soulmates. Yes you have to pay for it but there is a nice calibre of person on there and I met some cool, interesting people. Met a lovely single dad on there and we've been seeing eachother for just over a year.

Good luck OP xx

My brothers friend

Can't stand the apps, all I ever got was creeps. Was stuck in my ways for 7 years and thought that's it just me and the dc.
Well I went out with work for a Christmas thing, never normal do that. Had a great time so we went a few weeks later and I went up to dp and chatted - again not like me. Now be together two years.
Like you op I hoped I'd meet him at Tesco or on the way to work but never happened.
And it's such a clique but it all happen when I got out my comfort zone and wasn't looking. I was just being cheeky and said ' I saw you watching me dance am I that bad' ( because I am lol)

Watching, as been single a while. Can’t bear OLD so I’ve more or less decided to leave it while dc still living at home. Only by then I’ll be ancient and I miss the adult company.

@Seniorschoolmum I don't think anyone likes OLD but it's a necessary evil, what is a dc ?