Have I missed the boat?

[Swolo]

I'm a 46-year-old single mum and, while I count my blessings in having a great relationship with my 10-year's old's dad, wonderful friends, plenty of opportunities to get out and about, I'm beginning to think I've missed the boat as far as relationships go. Apart from anything else, there are so few decent single blokes out there ? at least I never meet them! I tend to socialise in the same groups, rarely meeting anyone new, which doesn't help. When I go to parties, everyone seems to be in couples, which just depresses me even more. I was in a relationship with someone for three years, which ended in April 2008 and there hasn't been anyone remotely of interest since. Should I just give up and join a convent?

it started at number 1, that us thread 14, just jump in and say hi and start from there

*is

'the huge majority of men are actually ok'

It's really rather nice to occasionally read this sort of thing on MN

Just wanted to add to the all good advice here:
Last time I was single I was in my mid-twenties - and I felt I had missed the boat!
I would say all singles feel like that at one point or other, don't let it put you off being positive.

Good luck!

I didn't mean to come across as a man-hater! Far from it... I'm just cautious about internet dating and also curious to know if there are other options. It all seemed so much easier 20 years ago!

lol it wasn't aimed at your thread, Swolo!

Sorry about your negative online dating experience.
As others have said, online or offline keep your wits about but don't lose faith because of a few dodgy experiences.

i think the best thing to do is to regard is as a bit of fun and socialising, and not overthink about it

going on a date does not mean you or they have promised anything other than a few hours of your company

and any dates where there is no spark can be used as a learning curve to work out what you are actually hoping to find (without making it a mission to find "the one")

Just been reading that lp thread Lou and nearly wet myself laughing at some of it... will definitely drop in at some point. Dinner and X-Factor to sort first...

you should do swolo, sometimes it busier than others, but you will always get a reply eventually

Swolo just wanted to add a positive note to say that three of my good friends met their DH/P's via online dating at the ages of 35, 41 and 43. It is definitely worth a punt.

Good luck and enjoy!