Is it hard for single mums to find love again?

[frodojodo]

I am 24 years old and I am a single Mum, have been for around 8 months now. I have a daughter under a year old, her father and I separated suddenly due to no fault of my own, I would of never had a baby with him if I thought I'd end up single!! (Obviously).

I never envisioned my life being a single parent, but I suppose not a lot of people do. I have 0 experience with how dating works after you have a kid. I feel it's easier for Dads to get into new relationships than it is for Mums.

I have a couple of questions for anyone out there (male or female) who have had experience with either dating a single parent or being the single parent.

Do guys look at you differently when you become a single Mum?

Is it harder dating and finding someone when you're a parent? And I am aware it will be harder regarding finding the time etc, I mean finding someone you like and who wants to be with you.

Do you have to actively look for love?

And lastly, does anyone have any nice love stories to tell me (single mum meets the man of her dreams and live happily ever after type thing).. just to make me feel better about my situation

It’s easier for dads that’s for sure as they tend to get more time off. If you have the support network then it’s fine. If you don’t then it’s hard.

It’s very difficult to balance the needs of your child against the needs of a partner. As pp said, it takes family / friend support to allow you to go out. I have minimal support so have just had to put dating behind me for the last 11 years.

I've got a success story. Being a single mum is such a common occurrence these days I think there are plenty of men who wouldn't bat an eyelid. But I think success depends on the particular man and his circumstances. My DP lives locally, has a grown up child, is a bit more mature and was completely open to going all in and loving my daughter as much as me. I've also got a moody teen, and he tolerates him pretty well, and even after all the abuse the teen has given him, he genuinely has his best interests at heart as well. Men with young children, complicated ex partners, immaturity, a lot of baggage or live a distance away will find it a lot more difficult.