Photo credit: Luis Weston @luis_singledaddydaycare
Dating when you have kids isn’t easy, so blogger Luis Weston reveals his top tips
The art of dating is difficult for almost anyone but as a single dad, things get even harder. Blogger Luis Weston from Single Daddy Day Care shares his tips for dating as a dad:
Take your time
Plenty of people (myself included) tend to try and get back in the saddle as quickly as possible after a break-up. It’s completely understandable – it can be really lonely. We often think the best way to find solace is to replace that person but very often, it doesn’t work out that way. Don’t feel pressured by others to find someone new. Take your own time to heal and move on.
Get online
There used to be a stigma around dating on the internet but for single dads who may not have time to meet people in person, it certainly has a place. There are loads of sites and apps (Match, Tinder or eHarmony to name a few) and you can find a platform that suits you. Chatting to new people online helps to break the ice if you eventually decide to meet in person. I’d always recommend chatting to someone on the phone ahead of a date too as you can cover a lot of ground and it helps to put you both at ease.
Kids come too
You’ve organised to meet up with a date, but what if they also have kids? I’m not generally the biggest fan of play places but they definitely have their uses. They’re public, they occupy the little ones and most importantly, they serve coffee. I don’t see anything wrong with organising a date – or just a brief meet-up with another parent. It can help with tricky scheduling issues and gives you an opportunity to see how the other person is around your kids and their own.
KISS
Dating can be expensive – with meals out and fancy cocktails but as a single parent, money can be hard to come by. I would always choose to approach a date with the aptly named acronym KISS (Keep It Short and Simple). People can be nervous or apprehensive in the lead-up to a date so why not just go for a coffee or a walk. There’s plenty of time for extravagance later down the line.
Don’t change
Whenever I’m dating, I always try to remain true to myself and try to be the best daddy possible to my two children. When I do meet someone important, I want them to understand that my kids are my priority and the three of us come as a package and children certainly aren’t baggage. Always make sure your date understands the situation and is comfortable as no single dad would want additional stresses and strains.
For more advice for single dads, you can find Luis on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
