Tips on starting to date again??

[wendynut]

My husband (very unexpectedly) left my daughters and I last September after 20 years together and since then, it has been a very tough time. Things are more settled now and I've been thinking about starting dating again, maybe in the not too distant future.
It's quite a scary thought, but I've been working hard on myself for a while now, appearance-wise and emotionally. I'd love some advice on dating and also on which online sites are the best? I (semi) joined Match.com recently, without posting a photo with my details as haven't felt fully ready to completely go for it so far.
Any tips would be much appreciated!

Thankyou SMP! x

Hi there i am in the same boat....h left me amd 3 kids after 20 years. Thought of dating terrifies me but mine happened more recently than yours.

just wanted to say good luck to you... when my husband and I seperated after 20 years I really thought I would be single and cellibate for the rest of my life... well I thought I may have the odd 'friend' but my future I saw just me and the kids (early teens) was looking at pof (plenty of fish) for a friend with no computer ... honest... and looked in my age group and saw a really dishy man... contacted him with a friendly email, he replied, after a week we exchanged phone numbers and text each other then we started chatting...

to cut a long story short...

6 months on and we've just got engaged! found my soul mate...

make your next relationship all about you... let him court you and woo you before you introduce him to the girls

good luck....

Hi everyone
What a great story Magicmayhem, good for you!
That's exactly how I've been viewing my life until recently, staying single and it being just me and the girls. I think that I'd been shell-shocked for so long that I've just been numb really, but I feel much more confident now and less in turmoil.
Pineapplecube, I agree, the thought of dating has also terrified me (and still does really). It also makes me feel a bit excited though, which shows how much I've moved on I think. How long has it been since your H left?
Has anyone got any tips on posting photo's and info about yourself on dating sites and any advice on actually going on dates? It's been so blummin' long since I last did this!

Hi again!
Just wanted to move this thread up a bit and see if anyone has any advice!?
Thanks

No advice on specific sites but some general advice:
When you get as far as arranging to meet, always meet in a public place and make your own way there, tell a mate where you are going and when you expect to be home.
Get a cheap PAYG mobile or even just a spare simcard and use it only for dating (so if you do fall foul of a nutter you can ditch the phone/simcard), don't give out your address or too many personal details too soon.
Treat every date as an opportunity to have a bit of fun and maybe make a friend, don't rush in there gagging for commitment and exclusivity - this attitude scares off nice people and attracts both losers and predators.