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Lone parents

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

Original poster

Finding love again..

95 replies

LoveAgain · 28/10/2025 12:10

Would love to hear from anyone that’s managed to find love again as a lone parent? Any success stories?

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Original poster
LoveAgain · 28/10/2025 20:00

Redburnett · 28/10/2025 18:51

Realistically, how many men want to take on another man's child or children? Especially when it means having to deal with the ex (children's father) who may not be cooperative, especially when the mother finds a new partner. Just read the step-parenting boards on MN to see how it works out ........

Ex is not involved and I’m happy to date another parent as long as the children are teens/ adults

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Original poster
LoveAgain · 28/10/2025 21:17

Spookygoose · 28/10/2025 18:15

I think it makes a difference because if they’re younger (under 7 say) I think it’s a lot easier to bring a new partner into their lives (talking long-term serious relationship obviously, not casual dating) and younger kids are more likely to be accepting of a new adult in their lives and have more of a chance to form a strong bond with them. Whereas if they’re teens it can be a lot more difficult imo. I was a teenager when my mum got a new partner and I never bonded with him, things were constantly a bit tense. Although I know that’s not everyone’s experience. I’m also dating with kids OP. My dc are 3 and 5 and yeah it’s challenging finding time to go on dates etc. so I tend to be quite picky with who I meet up with and chat for quite a long time to make sure a date’s really going to be worth my time. I’ve had a few short-term relationships, a few have been other single parents and I’ve found it’s something we’ve bonded over and they just get it in a way that people without kids don’t. No one’s ever been put off by the fact I have kids and the relationships I’ve had didn’t end because of anything to do with the kids, just weren’t the right people. I do think it’s harder but it’s far from impossible. Just gotta keep putting yourself out there and being positive and you will find the right person

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im not looking for a step dad so that’s fine

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Original poster
LoveAgain · 28/10/2025 21:18

Thanks all it’s nice to hear some positive stories.

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Nestoe · 29/10/2025 06:08

LoveAgain · 28/10/2025 20:00

Ex is not involved and I’m happy to date another parent as long as the children are teens/ adults

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How old are your children?

unicornsarereal72 · 29/10/2025 06:45

I’ve been a single parent for 8 years now. My focus was the children at the start. I also did not want to put myself on hold and get old and lonely. So did on line Dating. Ive chatted to a lot of people. Mostly not suitable for me. And dated here and there. As yet I’ve not met anyone else long term. I would love to have some one in my life but I refuse to settle for someone who isn’t right for me.

Original poster
LoveAgain · 29/10/2025 12:06

Nestoe · 29/10/2025 06:08

How old are your children?

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Teens/preteens, hence wanting to date someone with children who are a similar age or older.

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Zenwalnut · 29/10/2025 14:07

LoveAgain · 29/10/2025 12:06

Teens/preteens, hence wanting to date someone with children who are a similar age or older.

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Why? You’re not already thinning about blending families?!

Just date and have fun and keep children well out of it

Original poster
LoveAgain · 29/10/2025 14:54

Haha of course not! Ive not even met anyone! Just know that I absolutely wouldnt date anyone with young children as I am done with that point of my life now, I was just pointing out I would date a man with his OWN kids as long as they are not little ones!

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Original poster
LoveAgain · 29/10/2025 14:59

Lots of judgement on mumsnet about single parents daring to find love again 🤔 I didn’t choose to be a single parent he left me so I should stay alone forever? Unbelievable. Please only comment answering my question not to pass judgement.

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Zenwalnut · 29/10/2025 15:00

LoveAgain · 29/10/2025 14:59

Lots of judgement on mumsnet about single parents daring to find love again 🤔 I didn’t choose to be a single parent he left me so I should stay alone forever? Unbelievable. Please only comment answering my question not to pass judgement.

Where?

can you requote because I don’t see a single one

and I’m a single parent!!

Original poster
LoveAgain · 29/10/2025 15:07

Your exact comment! Where did I say I was looking to “blend families” ive stayed single till my kids were teens exactly because I did not want to “blend” families and wasn’t looking for a step dad, my kids are teens now all I stated was I would not be looking at dating a man with young children exactly because I DONT want to blend families so his children would need to be teens or older and what you took from that was I was looking to blend families 🤦🏻‍♀️ I will be ignoring you from now on. Single parents can find happiness again too you know.

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Zenwalnut · 29/10/2025 15:10

LoveAgain · 29/10/2025 15:07

Your exact comment! Where did I say I was looking to “blend families” ive stayed single till my kids were teens exactly because I did not want to “blend” families and wasn’t looking for a step dad, my kids are teens now all I stated was I would not be looking at dating a man with young children exactly because I DONT want to blend families so his children would need to be teens or older and what you took from that was I was looking to blend families 🤦🏻‍♀️ I will be ignoring you from now on. Single parents can find happiness again too you know.

I never said you were

I asked

I am a single parent. I have squat all intention or even introducing a partner to my children. Dating purely just laughs, frivolity, and good times. The rest of my energy on my children, job, friends, family and home!

mcmuffin22 · 29/10/2025 15:12

Good luck OP! There's nothing wrong with wanting that and I know plenty who have successfully found someone and all has worked well. Of course there are challenges. There are in every relationship. If you're not keen on bending families, you can aim for someone local so that it is relatively straightforward to spend time together while also keeping separate lives with your own kids.

Hfgvi · 29/10/2025 15:19

nowihaveamachinehgunhohoho · 28/10/2025 18:45

Op, I have a partner of a year. We have four teens ages 13-17 between us.

We live separately and will do at least until the kids have grown up as they’ve had enough disruption in their young lives experiencing divorce and that last thing they need at their ages is living with step parents/ step silblings.

DP and I were absolutely aligned on this point from day 1 and I think that’s why our relationship works.

Similar, except we are a few years down the line now, they’re all adults now but they don’t necessarily move out!

Original poster
LoveAgain · 29/10/2025 16:43

mcmuffin22 · 29/10/2025 15:12

Good luck OP! There's nothing wrong with wanting that and I know plenty who have successfully found someone and all has worked well. Of course there are challenges. There are in every relationship. If you're not keen on bending families, you can aim for someone local so that it is relatively straightforward to spend time together while also keeping separate lives with your own kids.

Thank you! If people want to make their whole life revolve around their kids that’s up to them but mine are older now and don’t need me as much and want to do their own things so it’d be nice to have someone in my life.

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Daphnedot · 29/10/2025 16:46

I would wait until the kids are adults. They come first.

Dartsalive · 29/10/2025 17:09

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Kellogs4 · 29/10/2025 18:04

Daphnedot · 29/10/2025 16:46

I would wait until the kids are adults. They come first.

I think this is really unreasonable. Single mothers are entitled to a life also and adult conversation/company.

Realistically if everyone waited until their kids were 18. You would be stuck in your ways and you wouldn't even know where to start dating as it's been so long.

Daphnedot · 29/10/2025 18:47

Im a lone parent and that's just how I feel. I dont believe in dating until my dcs are adults. Thats only my opinion.

Kellogs4 · 29/10/2025 19:07

Daphnedot · 29/10/2025 18:47

Im a lone parent and that's just how I feel. I dont believe in dating until my dcs are adults. Thats only my opinion.

This was my nana too. She's now 78 and single has been since her children.

Original poster
LoveAgain · 29/10/2025 19:21

Daphnedot · 29/10/2025 16:46

I would wait until the kids are adults. They come first.

Ok that’s your choice. Good luck

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Original poster
LoveAgain · 29/10/2025 19:21

Kellogs4 · 29/10/2025 18:04

I think this is really unreasonable. Single mothers are entitled to a life also and adult conversation/company.

Realistically if everyone waited until their kids were 18. You would be stuck in your ways and you wouldn't even know where to start dating as it's been so long.

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Thanks, he left when I was pregnant so not going to spend 18 years old my own and he certainly wouldn’t be expected to.

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Thegrassroots26 · 29/10/2025 19:42

These threads attract some really strange comments. Live and let live. Telling people they shouldn’t date until their kids are adults. Completely not a stranger’s place to tell someone to do that.
I know a number of people who found love again and have made it work. It’s possible. I also know lots of people who haven’t found anyone. It’s not as easy as it sounds to just meet someone decent. But I think the last thing lone parents need is a ton of judgement and rule about what they can and can’t do post separation. Life is hard enough on your own raising kids without that heaped on top.

Kellogs4 · 29/10/2025 19:56

Agree I have noticed recently people leaving harsh comments and I don't even think they are single parents themselves. There's one thing to say you don't want to date till your kids are 18 but it's quite another to project that onto others who (who clearly would like to date).

Very tone deaf!

Original poster
LoveAgain · 30/10/2025 00:02

Thank you both, I imagine they probably aren’t single parents, loads of people my age will have kids so it shouldn’t be something shocking. I was just hoping to hear some positive stories of finding someone again not a load of miserable people that want to stay single for the rest of their lives, that’s not what I asked.

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