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Lone parents

Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

Am thinking of starting internet dating in the new year.(gulp) I need tips, advice, sites to look at etc etc.

199 replies

ATortIsForLifeNotJustChristmas · 27/12/2007 22:08

Of couse i may still chicken out! But it really would be nice to at least start chatting to a man(or two!!)!

OP posts:
frostythesnowmum · 28/12/2007 22:01

Just take things slowly and don't believe everything they say. A couple of friends have met some lovely online partners and now have lasting relationships but I also know a few male friends that use online dating as a way of adding the notches to their bed posts. Another friend dated 21 men in a year and 20 were real weirdos and the other not much better

newnamefornewyearbookwormmum · 28/12/2007 22:08

Don't give out your ISP email address - get a random hotmail or yahoo one for potentials or they might be able to see you when you log on for a chat on MN or wherever else you hang out and they might start IM-ing you. Have a little mystery - even if you are in all night every night on the net, they don't have to know it .

Parsleypants · 29/12/2007 12:16

what about parentsalready.com??

magicmummy · 29/12/2007 12:42

Parents already is a nice site. I have chatted to loads of people on there. Met a few of them. Some were real weirdo's, some were just after sex and others were nice but just too far away.
Met the father of DS2 on friendsreuniteddating
I used a fairly humorous profile and didn't put my pic on there.

Parsleypants · 29/12/2007 12:51

I don't rate FRD - although I'm sure dad of your ds2 is the exception, magicmummy! Went on there last April (2006) after separating from ex-h. Had a bit of a catastrophe with someone on there (nothing to do with him being weird, he was nice enough, long story) so came off. Tried it again earlier this month and as far as I can see, they are a bunch of weirdos.

magicmummy · 29/12/2007 14:59

Agree with there being some weirdo's on FRD - had a stalker from there
But yes, DS2 dad was quite different

Parsleypants · 29/12/2007 15:14

A stalker - omg, something similar happened to me with someone from FRD - someone turned up at work, I'd already left but I think I know who it was. Although he didn't know where I worked, the area I work in is fairly specialised so it wouldn't take the brain of Britain to track me down iyswim? Was meant to meet someone through FRD last Sat eve, but I cancelled as he was being very VERY insistent that I stayed at his, on a first date!! He justified it by bandying lots of phrases like "carpe diem" around - "we can just stay up and chat, nothing will happen" Had a very bad feeling about him after that, although he seemed sane to start with, and obviously didn't want to end up chopped into many tiny pieces so cancelled. I have had to change my mobile number before as well, so agree wholeheartedly with the advice about getting another SIM if poss.

Parsleypants · 29/12/2007 15:19

And I meant to say, some you can send a cheque for. Not sure about match, but you can with Parents Already. I think they get the fact that single parents are frequently strapped for cash and some may not have access to debit/credit cards etc. I do think I'm a bit of a veteran now, so would be delighted to advise tort! Mind you I'm still single...

I'm not new to the site, have been around for about five years, but have not posted for a long long time - in case you think I'm a bloke in disguise who will stalk you!!

ATortIsForLifeNotJustChristmas · 29/12/2007 15:52

Oooh stalkers sound scary!Don't want one of those!

Had a good look at match.com last night. Looks like payment can be sent. Doesn't say how much it is though! Have to sign up fist. Browsed thorugh search for local men! Some looked nice.

1st thing i need is a user name....

OP posts:
chickenmama · 29/12/2007 16:01

How about www.girlsdateforfree.com - it's free for girls to join

blanki · 29/12/2007 16:03

Mmmm this all sounds very interesting! I have been on my own for nearly three years. I do the sittng at home every night on the internet, can be interesting I even lol at some of the posts. But, itsnot a very sociable way to live is it?! Just off to check these sites out!

ATortIsForLifeNotJustChristmas · 29/12/2007 16:09

No, no, no Chickenmama. I know my xp1 uses that site.Ds's told me daddy looks at girlsdate for free and loopy love! Actually had issues with them seeing obscene pics on one of them while at his house!

OP posts:
Parsleypants · 29/12/2007 16:10

Think you can do the profile without paying - you can send and receive winks for free IIRC but can't send or read messages. It is around £22.50 per month, if you sign up for 3 months or 6 months it works out cheaper, approx £70 ish for 6 months I think and if you haven't found lurve then you get 6 months free apparently. Would sign up for free, you can look as much as you like, see how much interest you get before parting with your hard earned cash iyswim, although I'm sure you'll get a load of responses!

ATortIsForLifeNotJustChristmas · 29/12/2007 16:10

at him obviously, not you for suggesting the site. post came across wrong i think!

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Parsleypants · 29/12/2007 16:11

I am talking about match by the way.

ATortIsForLifeNotJustChristmas · 29/12/2007 16:13

I see why so many use free sites now lol!
I think i will do the free profile bit for now.I'm not sure i will get much interest though! How many men want to take on 4 kids? that is my biggest worry. Kids come 1st obviously. DS1 already had a very bad time with abusive xp(DD's dad).

OP posts:
Parsleypants · 29/12/2007 16:15

I know, not easy, is it. You've got to be in to win though! Give it a go, what have you got to lose? It can be an interesting diversion, if nothing else... Right, off to take ds to see Bee Movie now.

ATortIsForLifeNotJustChristmas · 29/12/2007 16:18

Oooh enjoy bee movie. I wanted to take DD's to see it today but not enough money!
may take them all next week instead!
Thanks for advice.

OP posts:
Parsleypants · 29/12/2007 21:02

Bee movies was okay. A bit slow to start, good ending, ds enjoyed it though... I kept checking my phone, which was on silent obviously, to see if the bloke I really fancy on match had contacted me... Slippery slope mate, slippery slope!

ATortIsForLifeNotJustChristmas · 29/12/2007 21:12

lol! I had my mobile on silent last time we went to a movie. It went off in the middle of the film! I have no idea why silent didn't work on text!

So what do i need to consider when thinking of a user name? Am quite keen to give it a try now.

OP posts:
DavidTennantsMistress · 29/12/2007 21:15

agree tort gotta be in it to win it - there must be some good ones out there - least that's what I keep thinking.

DavidTennantsMistress · 29/12/2007 21:16

if it's a sexy type of a name you tend to get intrest from people who are only intrested in one thing. I can tell you that much from experience on POF.

Parsleypants · 29/12/2007 21:16

the user name needs to be fun but not slutty. Mine is Mrs (insert initial and surname of the latest James Bond). My ex-h, who came up on one of my searches on match, has told me I should drop the name as men might think I'm married... I smugly replied "It's never caused me any problems sunshine" heheheheheh. Difficult isn't it. What are you interests??

Parsleypants · 29/12/2007 21:17

Actually I am still married, just! But you know what I mean!

magicmummy · 29/12/2007 21:25

Why not use 'Tortoise' as your user name ?

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