How do I meet someone?

[Sofiatheworst]

I have a 13 year old relative who I'm the legal guardian of, I'm only just into my 30s and I am so single.

I don't go out anymore, I don't have anyone to babysit very often and besides I'm stuck in a rut of going to bed and sleeping from about 9pm (late night for me tonight!!)

My friends are all either married or engaged and I just don't know how to meet anyone anymore.

I don't want to end up alone

Online dating works for a lot of people, although you may need to stay up later than 9pm!

If it's any consolation, I'm in my early thirties with a 13 year old DS. I'm not into online dating and I figure the only way to meet people is through sports clubs etc, but my DS is very sporty.
All my friends my age are married with young children, it's not easy.
My DS is with me full time and he's too old for babysitters etc! Sorry, this post is no help whatsoever, more of a 'I feel your pain'

Isn't your relative old enough to be left for a few hours in the evening? I'm not talking about going out all night and getting hammered or that - but a meal or a film occasionally, a coffee/walk in the park afternoon date, socialising with friends once in a while.

Later on you get the problem of sex, if you find someone, but travelodge could be your friend until it's serious.

You only have a short time before your relative will be ok to be left for a few hours if not already. Online dating could work ll for you because you can spend time chatting with people whilst you work out what you want.

I have been using tinder, I know it has a bad rap as a hook up app but it's been so much more than that for me, I've had several dates, made a couple of good (non sexual) friends and have just made the decision to go exclusive with one guy that I've been seeing for the last four months. I've had protracted online conversations with people that have kept me amused but will never come to anything too.

It's crazily easy to use and although it's very shallow (swipe left right left left left left right) it's more about how you connect with someone once you've got the initial attraction.

What do you have to lose?

I'd have thought that, at 13, your relative could be left for a few hours. I was leaving my son at that age, but only if I was going out for a few hours and fairly locally. Which is about right for dating.

Of course, depending on the reasons why they are living with you, this might not be appropriate.

Thanks for all the replies. Yes I guess I can leave her, and do occasionally but always feel like I shouldn't so it's good to get confirmation that others do!!

I have just got myself stuck in bad habits after an awful relationship and a few years of depression. But it's definitely time to start living again I have signed up to match today and I'm determined to put the effort in it takes to meet someone. It's amazing how even just writing it on here has given me the kick up the arse I needed.