Dating with limited free time

[ItsAWonder]

I would like to start dating again but I have my children full time, a few people have told me that I could date in the day when they are at school, I can’t help but wonder if there would even be any men that would be interested in dating someone that only had the day time free during school hours? Is this realistic? Im not looking for casual or fwb Has anyone been in this situation and did you manage to find someone?

Most people would try and arrange a babysitter I think. How old are your children? Do you know anyone with a nice teenager who would like to earn a bit of cash and babysit? I used to do babysitting from about 14 hrs old, mostly the kids would be already in bed so it was just sitting in the lounge & keeping an ear out for them. Daytime dates are going to be tricky for most people because they're working!

As mentioned not into casual sex, looking for a partner

Won’t be able to use sitters for personal reasons unfortunately

I mean, the only way to find out the answer to your question is to start looking for men to date. I am dating someone currently and 90% of our dates are during the day as we are both busy with commitments in the evenings and weekends. Works really well although we both have flexible jobs where it's not a problem to nip out for a long lunch or take a couple of hours off in the afternoon and make it up later in a day.

I guess some men may work shifts and be ok with a daytime date. Personally I didn’t date when mine were younger as I wasn’t comfortable with paying for a babysitter to go on dates, and I work during the day. So that was that. When I did start dating, I dated a single dad, who had very little time. It was really difficult dating someone who had little spare time.

It won’t be impossible, but having that time availability will impact your options.

There’s definitely people in certain professions that are more likely to have that such as Chefs and people who work evenings in hospitality.
Theres also people who may have retired early or are unable to work.

People who work at weekends often have a day off in the week instead… so yes go for it and good luck op.

Thanks all, I guess I’m just worrying for no reason, I don’t know any mums in my situation as they share contact time with their kids so get free time to date. My aren’t very young but still not old enough to be left alone. Maybe in a few more years but I don’t want to wait another few years as I feel like I’m missing out on life.

I have kids living with me full time and no local family. We had our first few dates either in the daytime or while the kids were with a friend or babysitter in the evening.

As soon as I trusted him enough he started coming to mine after the kids were in bed.

That’s great, I was thinking shift or night workers or someone working from home might work, just trying to find them! Would be fine with them coming over in the evenings after about 6 months of dating

If you were to start dating, would you sign up to a dating app? You could put your limited availability on your bio. That way people would know a little bit about your situation right from the start.

yes definitely an app as i dont have much of a social life to meet people irl so would be online dating

I’m sure you won’t be on your own forever.

It can be tricky logistically though. I’d just be inclined to be honest and explain and arrange a walk or something (obviously somewhere public) and take it from there.

You sound like me - no free contact time unless has a play date with a friend and again it’s 2/3hrs so not a long time

and even harder as I work nights so not actually free evenings and the ones I don’t work I’m with dd /want to see her /have her gym hobby etc

school hours are perfect for me but most people will be working those hours

guess we will just have to wait and see what is about