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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Dating as a single parent.

3 replies

Saskiamae · 23/06/2025 14:40

Hi mums, so I'm really struggling with confidence with dating.
I joined a dating app a while ago met someone nice but we live quite far from eachother and although he's lovely he isn't 100% right for me so it would never be a long-term commited relationship, it was fun and I thought I was ok with casual but I'm finding myself now longing for something more serious and long-term in the future with someone who's right for me. I'm no rush though.

So looking forward I'd like to find a long term partner eventually. The issue I have is telling potential dates about my life.
Tbh I'm mainly only interested in single dads as I feel like they will understand about being a parent but
.
I am a single mum, my 2 eldest children I had with my ex husband (plus an older son at uni) and I have a younger child who is under 10.
The boys dad is no longer involved (he remarried and she didn't want the 'hassle' of dealing with his kids).
My youngest childs dad sees her every other weekend.

My older ones have additional needs, I'm a stay at home parent carer, one of my sons struggles with school attendance so right now this set up with me being home is working best for us as a family.
I just feel like men might judge me for that, judge me for not being in work, I guess if they do then they aren't a good fit for me.

Anyway despite all that I feel that I still have plenty of love and enough time to offer a partner but I'm not sure that I'm going to come across as someone worth getting involved with 🤣
I know I'm a kind, genuine, caring person who has alot to offer someone it's just hard to get that across when they may just judge my situation before they actually get to know me.
I am a good mum and of course I do concentrate on my children and I wouldn't introduce anyone to them until I knew it was serious but I am a woman and a person too so surely I deserve to find love again?

Any other single mums out there find a nice partner this way?

OP posts:
Pherian · 23/06/2025 16:48

Saskiamae · 23/06/2025 14:40

Hi mums, so I'm really struggling with confidence with dating.
I joined a dating app a while ago met someone nice but we live quite far from eachother and although he's lovely he isn't 100% right for me so it would never be a long-term commited relationship, it was fun and I thought I was ok with casual but I'm finding myself now longing for something more serious and long-term in the future with someone who's right for me. I'm no rush though.

So looking forward I'd like to find a long term partner eventually. The issue I have is telling potential dates about my life.
Tbh I'm mainly only interested in single dads as I feel like they will understand about being a parent but
.
I am a single mum, my 2 eldest children I had with my ex husband (plus an older son at uni) and I have a younger child who is under 10.
The boys dad is no longer involved (he remarried and she didn't want the 'hassle' of dealing with his kids).
My youngest childs dad sees her every other weekend.

My older ones have additional needs, I'm a stay at home parent carer, one of my sons struggles with school attendance so right now this set up with me being home is working best for us as a family.
I just feel like men might judge me for that, judge me for not being in work, I guess if they do then they aren't a good fit for me.

Anyway despite all that I feel that I still have plenty of love and enough time to offer a partner but I'm not sure that I'm going to come across as someone worth getting involved with 🤣
I know I'm a kind, genuine, caring person who has alot to offer someone it's just hard to get that across when they may just judge my situation before they actually get to know me.
I am a good mum and of course I do concentrate on my children and I wouldn't introduce anyone to them until I knew it was serious but I am a woman and a person too so surely I deserve to find love again?

Any other single mums out there find a nice partner this way?

I’m not a single mum, but I met my husband on Bumble - who was a single father.

I recommend being really honest about yourself and what you’re looking for.

Good luck 🍀

ruprect2003 · 23/06/2025 20:31

Just be honest and keep trying. I would be open and honest about your circumstances. I used to find single dads far more understanding about my situation and the fact that my kids came first before anyone else. You will soon weed out the people who can't/won't understand. It can take time. I found someone lovely after a few years with common interests and 2 kids of his own.

NewMrsF · 24/06/2025 08:32

I was a single mum to a 3yr old when I met my husband (on plenty of fish).
I had a good support network which meant I was able to date him at weekends for the year plus before he met my son.
I don’t know that it would have worked without the freedom to do that though.

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