Dating as a single parent

[Momof1girl]

So just wanted advice / opinions. I’m a single mom my daughter Is 1 and a half and I’d like to meet someone and find the right person my daughters dad is hit or miss if he sees her or not so he isn’t reliable childcare and I don’t really have no one else so how do you go about meeting someone with no childcare also how long do people usually wait before introducing them to their kids. No judgement please I’m a first time mom so don’t know how to go about it

pay for a babysitter? I’ve been single for 6 years because I’m with my kids full time (dont see their father) so haven’t been able to meet anyone, your options are family/ friends / or pay for a sitter

I don’t really wanna use baby sitters I know there all checked and qualified but still feel abit uneasy with that x

Then your options are pretty limited if you don’t have friends or family to help? Not being funny but surely using a sitter would be better than bringing your child round strange men?

I don't mean to sound judgy - but your dd is 1 and a half. Chill out, men will be there when she's older and you have more spare time.

You don't date if you don't have any support and don't want to use childminders. It's as simple as that. My youngest was 2 when I split with their dad. Didn't date for a few years until I felt comfortable using a baby sitting company.

I don't. It's been 13yrs and dating hasn't been on the agenda. Work and parenting takes up my time. I've never had the time for anything else.

I was widowed when my child was 2 and I totally get you op. It's a lonely life bringing up a child alone and I miss having someone to share it all with. I'd love to meet someone else too and I don't think that makes us irresponsible or selfish.

I work 4 days a week and date when my daughter is at school on the 5th day. That's the only time I have. It's a bit limiting as I can only meet others who also happen to be free during the day (shift workers often) but there are options. I just couldn't have done it earlier as I literally had no time when I wasn't either working or looking after my LO.

I haven't either, because of lack of support. It's been 6 years.

Although DS is young teen now so able to be left for a couple of hours at the weekend, I guess I could start to think about it.

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If you don't want babysitters and haven't got friends or family to help you then there's not much you can do.

I didn't date for the first 12 years but that was due to lack of time and inclination. However, my daughter's nursery (from two months old) kept her longer if I had late meetings etc. and would have kept her overnight if necessary. I trusted them implicitly so would that be an option for you? I wish I had dated a bit when DD was younger, because she was horrified when she realised it was a possibility - I think she had me down as a nun.

Don't. Your baby is tiny. Just enjoy being a parent not dating. Why rush it?

I don’t date so not much help! I just didn’t have time, I prioritised my DD, my work then my friends!

Could you ask friends or other Mums? Although that doesn’t help if you got into a relationship as you still wouldn’t have regular breaks in order to progress the relationship.

im not rushing as a lot of you are saying but I do want to settle down with the right person I do want more kids and I don’t want a big age gap so I don’t want to wait till she’s older