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By M. Langton
Advice for Dating a Single Mom
You might need to sacrifice spontenaity when dating a single mom, but there are many ways to show her some creativity and romance.
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By M. Langton
If you understand what the average single mom appreciates in a relationship, dating a single mother can be just as enjoyable as dating a childless woman. Greater responsibilities mean single mothers value honesty, respect and stability very highly, but they still love fun and romance.Be Up-FrontSingle mothers value predictability. Let her know what you’re looking for in a relationship, whether it’s a fling or eventual marriage. Single moms have the same range of relationship goals as all single women, so she won’t necessarily reject you just because you tell her you’re not looking for anything serious. If things start to get serious, though, you’ll probably have to have a discussion about where the relationship is going sooner than you would with a childless woman.Respect Her ObligationsDon’t make her feel guilty if she cancels a date to care for a sick child. Be patient if you end up on the back burner for a while because her child is having academic problems or needs extra emotional support. This is especially true if the kids’ father is no longer in the picture. If you feel ignored, send her some flowers or an old-fashioned love letter to let her know you’d like to see her when possible.Opt for Fewer, Higher-Quality DatesFew single moms have the time to date several nights a week or even every weekend. Make sure every date is memorable and brings you closer together. Instead of mini-golf and movie theaters, pick adults-only dates that let you talk one on one. Options include a meal at a classy restaurant, a horse and carriage ride, a hot air balloon trip or an evening picnic under the stars.Keep Costs LowPay in advance or choose low-cost dates. Raising kids doesn’t leave much in the budget for entertainment, so single moms appreciate inexpensive dates. Even if a single mother has the cash for $200 concert tickets, she may not be able to justify spending that on herself rather than on her children. You can offer to pay her way, but she may still refuse so you don’t think she’s looking for financial support. If you pay all the costs in advance, she’s more likely to accept. Otherwise, cafes, botanical gardens and art museums all work for low-cost dates. Alternatively, enjoy a pizza and a movie at home, with or without the kids.Offer Unexpected RomanceLet her know you’re thinking about her, even when you can’t be together. Send a flirtatious text message while she’s at work. Call her one evening just to ask how she is. Send flowers or, better yet, a small gift with a symbolic meaning. Even seemingly ordinary gestures can be romantic. When you’re at her place, if she has to take care of the kids, occupy your time by taking out the trash or doing the dishes.Enjoy Time With the KidsMany single moms wait months before introducing their children to a boyfriend, but if things go well, the kids will be around eventually. Instead of viewing the kids as an impediment to more frequent dates, look for ways you can all have fun together. Plan a few family dates for the zoo, a kid-friendly museum or a theme park. You’ll not only get to see your lady more often, you’ll also learn more about her than you ever could over dinner.ResourcesreferenceNewsweek: Unmarried, With ChildrenreferenceAskMen: Dating a Single MotherresourceAdvice for Dating a Single MomresourceWhat Single Moms SeekresourceTips on Dating Single Mothers
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REFERENCE/RESOURCE: Newsweek: Unmarried, With Children
REFERENCE/RESOURCE: AskMen: Dating a Single Mother
REFERENCE/RESOURCE: Advice for Dating a Single Mom
