Dating single parents: The good, bad, and ugly
Whenever kids are involved, dating takes even more careful consideration about who you let in your life and why. It’s one thing to date wholly inappropriate people and have a casual fling when it’s just two consenting adults. When one or both of you have children, you should probably know with some degree of certainty – that the person you are seeing is a viable romantic partner. It also helps when they aren’t clinically insane.
I know of two friends that are dating single parents right now. They are going through vastly different experiences trying to navigate new romances with people who have children. It makes it pretty clear that the way you handle challenges makes a world of difference.
While one relationship seems to be solid, the other is rocky and full of drama. I can only speculate, but it seems that it’s a maturity thing – or lack thereof.
Dating a single parent can be a really rewarding experience, especially when everyone agrees the kids come first. A lot of people actually struggle with this and I think it ends up being a deal breaker a lot of times.
Have you found ways to successfully date while single parenting? What advice would you give someone who is trying to juggle work, parenting, and a love life?
What pitfalls should you avoid to give the romance a chance of working out?
Are you childless and dating someone with kids? What was the good, bad, and ugly? How do you make it work?
By Wise Diva, Misadventures in Atlanta Dating Blog
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323 comments Add your comment
Exiled!
February 16th, 2012
4:58 pm
Congrats Disco!
good job really!
SlimNu
February 16th, 2012
4:59 pm
disco – Naw we weren’t rich by any means. That’s why I threw in the homemade Pineapple waves do for the ‘off-weeks’ which could’ve been anywhere from 2 weeks to the next 3 or 4 months lol For the most part, my mom did mine and my sisters hair. It wasn’t until I got it cut that I went a little more often. That was eerie bringing them up at the same time. I wonder if i came to work with them now, if anyone would try to joke on me hehehe
Willie Dynamite
February 16th, 2012
5:01 pm
No finger waves and no curl for me. I went from fade to box then bald.
disco
February 16th, 2012
5:02 pm
thanks ex. I’m quite proud of him (even though I’ve been talking trash about his graduations cramping my travel plans). the first one is cool but the second one falls on the weekend of the capital jazz fest in dc and I usually try to make it up there every year. it is what it is though.
Celisea
February 16th, 2012
5:03 pm
Alright folks I’m about to wrap things up…gotta find something for this weekend.
Jake a.k.a. SPJ, TWB
February 16th, 2012
5:04 pm
No finger waves, no Jheri Curl, but I had mean azz Scurl though….lol
Leggs
February 16th, 2012
5:05 pm
Congratulations, disco!!!!
SlimNu
February 16th, 2012
5:06 pm
Ex – Um, I’m not sure if i’m going over there today or not. He just textd me to see if I was going to go home or come there. I told him I’m going to the gym first either way
Leggs
February 16th, 2012
5:06 pm
Never wore finger waves, never wore a curl…would get my hair straightened every 2 weeks, which I hated because of the ear and neck burns. Then, the razor to trim up the back always sent chills up me.
Willie Dynamite
February 16th, 2012
5:07 pm
Jake – you had that Duke kit
Exiled!
February 16th, 2012
5:07 pm
Disco..as soon as I posted I was bout to ask u how come u ain’t at the graduation
u gotta be there absolutely!
disco
February 16th, 2012
5:07 pm
thanks leggs. i’ve gone natural with the hair and don’t miss all that hair drama not one bit.
SlimNu
February 16th, 2012
5:07 pm
To this day, I have no idea how that Scurl stuff got folks hair looking wet & curly from nappy lol
Yall be easy…i’m out to get this elliptical & arms workout on. Peace, love and herrr grease
disco
February 16th, 2012
5:09 pm
ex – his graduations are first Saturday in may and first Saturday in june. the degree he picked up yesterday he finished in December but they don’t have a winter graduation.
Jake a.k.a. SPJ, TWB
February 16th, 2012
5:09 pm
Willie…Dayum Skippy, boi you couldn’t tell me nothin…had a long part in that thang too.!!!
SlimNu
February 16th, 2012
5:09 pm
“Then, the razor to trim up the back always sent chills up me
Um Leggs, you better be glad it’s the end of the day because I’m sure that would pull swiss out of hiding with a witty but sexual comeback. Oops, I said come back…damn
DUKE KIT is FUNNY
SlimNu
February 16th, 2012
5:10 pm
Jake – Please tell me you didn’t have the Shaved-In part???
Willie Dynamite
February 16th, 2012
5:13 pm
Pretty mfer hahaha. I had a roommate the exact same way. Put that Duke kit in and couldn’t tell him nothing.
Leggs
February 16th, 2012
5:19 pm
@SlimNu ~ reading it back, yeah, swiss would have a field day.
I’m off to the ellipitical and weights.
Leggs
February 16th, 2012
5:22 pm
“…out of hiding with a witty but sexual comeback. Oops, I said come back…damn
DUKE KIT is FUNNY” The word “duke” behind all of that is even funnier!!!!
Jake a.k.a. SPJ, TWB
February 16th, 2012
5:28 pm
Slim, not sure what shaved in means, but it was bout 3 inches long and that fire.
Jake a.k.a. SPJ, TWB
February 16th, 2012
5:29 pm
Gone yall, be easy
Bruce Buccio
February 16th, 2012
7:07 pm
I have kids. All grown now. And after many years of dating single women without kids ( averaging 2-3 years) I learned to find harmony with single mothers. And im not a fan of blended families either, brings a whole other set of dynamics not needed mentioned here. You made a commitment to your kids first, sorry hands down. If You haven’t already, learn to love your self first for your kids. Happiness is not always about being coupled. Child less women have needs too and that needs to be respected. It’s a tough balance. Sme will will find a mans engaging commitment to his children very attractive. in the end it’s the chemistry and the needs and wants between all parties involved. Theres no secret. http://Www.parentingforsingles.blogspot.com.