Online dating help 😅

[Lafoosa]

So I'm very new to the world of online dating. I'm 23f and I was in a long term relationship for 8 years and have 3 kids.

I'm so out of touch with the dating world, tinder just creeps me out as it seems most of the men on there just want a booty call and that's not really something I'm interested in.
However I've been talking to a couple of people on hinge. Once you've met one person and you continue talking what's the deal with talking to other people? I kind of feel wrong doing it, but also I'm not actually in a relationship with the other person I've met and haven't been physical with them. Is it still okay to explore my options or should I stop talking to the other guy first?

Sorry of this seems really silly or obvious. I've only ever dated in person after knowing someone a while. I don't really know what the standard is here.

Yes keep talking to people, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. U less of course you feel you have clicked with someone. Try bumble, that’s not too bad. Women have to approach men first on that.

If you haven't talked about being exclusive yet then chances are the man you've met is talking to other people online or possibly dating other people. I've dated online for years on and off and didn't expect anyone to be exclusive unless we decided and talked about being in a relationship together. This is regardless of whether anything physical happened or not.

I had someone basically tell me they were falling for me on the first date and we had mind blowing sex, then they turned around and told me they met someone else a few weeks later. Not great, but we never actually committed to being in a relationship with each other and in retrospect I probably slept with him too early to know what he wanted.

@hopefulsandwich yeah you're probably right on that one, it just feels odd to me. I think exclusivity was implied when I first started dating, but that was before all these dating apps were a thing. It almost seems harder now to actually connect with someone.
I went on a date with one guy from hinge and he got weird after the second date and kept saying he wanted to meet my kids which was a huge no and I never spoke to him again because he got full on way too fast. (wanted to come to my house, meet my kids, kept saying he missed me).
I've also found that single dad's are pretty hard to find unless they're deadbeat, and men who have no children seem to think I can have all the free time in the world despite being a single mum of 3 kids.

There are no rules or standards. Make your own, according to what you feel is right for you. Only encourage attention from those who seem to match your rules and standards. There will be many who don't.

Woah, you dodged a bullet there. Asking to meet your kids after a second date is way too much too soon.

Yeah I think it is harder to find a connection now, though not impossible. Having standards is the way to go to be honest, don't settle for anyone, find someone who makes the effort to understand you. The right person will accept your situation and make the effort to see you on your terms.

Couldn't agree more.

Absolutely this.

Keep talking to others if you feel the guy you you met is interesting but you are not sure yet until a few more dates. First dates off dating sites are usually just intro meetings , not really dates, right? Unless you really clicked, as someone said, then you would not want to talk to/meet others perhaps. Men do exactly that. Wait until date 2-3 to decide and discuss if you both want to stop talking to others.