Between balancing raising a child, your career, and a social life, it can be difficult trying to find love amongst all these things. You have to keep in mind that you deserve to be happy and you needn’t wait for your children to be in college and away from home in order to do that. So it isn’t so surprising that many single mothers are unsure about how to go about dating again. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps that you can follow when you are ready to start dating again.
Step 1. Have Courage
Put those fears and worries on the shelf! We understand that whatever led you to become a single mother has left some uncertainties in your heart; however, you cannot dwell on them while you are actively looking to find love. Instead, tuck them away and approach dating with a positive attitude.
Step 2. Know What You Want
Before you even think about dating again, you should have a clear idea of what you are looking for. Do you want a husband and father figure for your child, or are you looking for a companion that you can have fun with, without the commitment? When you are aware of what you want, you can let the other person know your intention too which will make the whole process a little simpler.
Step 3. Socialize with New People
Whether it is joining the PTA, joining a singles event group, or mingling with people your friends introduce you to, you are opening yourself up to meeting a variety of different people. You can start off in a group setting and as you get to know people better, you can dwindle that group down to just a few people. Then, eventually, you can just hang out with someone you are interested in in a one-on-one situation. Just be aware that socializing takes some time getting used to, especially if the only people you talk to are your children. Be prepared to talk about grown up things!
Step 4. Take the Time to Listen
You may feel like you have to always be talking about something in order to be engaged in a conversation. In fact, the best way to communicate is to talk less and listen more. Whenever you are talking to a group of friends or someone you are interested in, you can always impress them by listening to what they have to say. This will grant you the confidence you need to hold your own in any conversation.
Step 5. Find Balance
Dating again after a while can be a challenge because you feel like there is too much on your plate. Instead of getting overwhelmed and ultimately giving up on dating, try to find a nice balance. If you just want someone for a fling, you needn’t feel pressured to get into a relationship if you aren’t ready. If you want to take things slow and hang out with someone once in a while, go for it. Your dating experience should not be a micro-managed schedule, but you should also have enough time to dedicate to the person you are seeing.