Apart from internet dating

[bucketbetty]

what can I do to meet someone new. Internet dating isn't for me, I've been trying it for the best part of this year but no luck. I can't bear the thought of being on my own forever (it's already been 8 years). I'm a single parent with a young child and so can't do evening classes because I have no one to look after him. Any thoughts anyone?

I can follow the logic of Taghain's DP, I met DH through a relatively expensive adventure/sporting hobby - had no plans to look for anyone, it was just something I'd wanted to take up for ages. Lots of pleasant professional single men, opportunities for social drinks and a guaranteed topic of conversation. All that adrenaline helps to break the ice.

I'd been single for about 7 years too and was also a single mum. I had to pay for childcare, it was 'my' time every week and I needed it else I'd go stir crazy! We all pay for childcare to enable us to work so why is it not considered essential for leisure time, it is just as important for your mental health. Good investment from a financial pov too as DH was a good 'catch' and am now able to be a sahm.

My friend went on a dating site specifically for v. well off people. She went on dates with lords and earls and viscounts with 200 acre country estates and holiday homes in the south of France.

Apparently they were mostly alcoholic manic depressives obsessed with money and status.

Re sport - another friend of mine runs a sports tourism company (which falls into the category of relatively expensive adventure sport).

He's just back from a guided trip where two of the people taking part were in their 50s, both lost their spouses to cancer.

They were canoodling by the campfire by day 3. Apparently it was love at first sight and very sweet to watch.

Has anybody ever gone to one of those more upmarket dating agencies?

I have seriously considered this, BigBand, however the cost was really high, I think it was over £700 for the agencies I looked at in Manchester, payable in one amount up front.

It sounds great though, like you say, someone taking the time to get to know you, arranging dates with people who are genuinely looking for the same thing, similar interests/outlook, aren't married etc.

If there could be a guarantee that I would meet someone at the end of it, I think I wouldn't mind paying that much. Over the ten years since I've divorced, I must have spent over that amount on dating site memberships, speed dating, dates etc. I've had 3 relationships during that time and I'm happy with my life but I'd like to get out of the whole dating game once and for all, to be truthful.

... mind you, the more Relationship threads I read on here, I think I should just thank my lucky stars I'm happily single...