Lonely single mum

[Netopia]

I am a 48year old mother to a 6 year old. My (very) estranged husband - the dad - has seen his child less than 5 times in nearly 7 years despite living less than 20 miles away. Needless to say he has never contributed anything towards costs.

My kid has gone away for a few days with my sister and I was so looking forward to the peace but I've just realised how lonely I am. I have loads of adult company in my job and am so busy with dinner and homework in the evenings that I collapse into slumberland most nights not long after 10. This alone time has got me thinking about how I'd love to have someone (maybe not so much to co parent) but to talk to and yes a few orgasms thrown in would be nice.
It's very hard to dip my toe in the water. I don't want to put myself out there on the Internet for all to see that I'm a lonely heart. Maybe I should make it my New Year's Resolution to take the plunge but I'm so afraid of drowning.

Go for it! Nobody needs to know that you are a lonely heart (or would indeed automatically assume that)- you could just be looking for a a few drinks, bit of a night out. You are certainly not the only one!

Yes I agree, go for it, they will only see you if they are looking too! So they can’t judge. I suggest bumble where you are in control and they will only message you if they are equally interested. Internet dating is very much the norm these days so I doubt anyone will be judging.

Yes make sure you go with a decent dating sight, some are better than others. I also feel it is a hard thing to get back into as have now been single for nearly 8 years! As you say, when you are exhausted and working and looking after a child you often don't think about it, but as mine is getting a little more independent and spends time with her father I realise that this is not forever, she will be off in a few years and then I will be all alone (and much older and wrinklier!) so really I should not leave it another 8 years. Very daunting dating when you are older though. I look completely different to when I last dated! And not in a good way!

A meet up group might be better than a normal dating site? There are loads of groups based locally and you get some no pressure face to face contact which could lead to romance or new friends but either would be a bonus I imagine?