When Is a Good Time to Start Dating?

I used to date. It's pretty much up to you when you date and how often. If you feel like you're ready to do it then do it. I did things like this...I never went on a date until the kids were in bed sleeping...then I would leave them with a friend or sitter while I was on my date. The guy always knew up front how many kids I had and how old they were, that way they didn't have to waiste their time if kids weren't their thing. I never let them meet him until things started getting serious to the point that we were seeing each other exclusively...then they were told that he was my friend, and they would sometimes get to see him like if he came over for dinner. They didn't know anything about him being my boyfriend until things were serious enough that he was sleeping over...often. Then when he proposed and put an engagement ring on my finger that's when they started thinking of him as a father figure (their father isn't in the picture at all). They were eased into it and it was easy for them to accept. As far as the other guys that I just dated and nothing came of it, they don't even know about them. The reason is that I didn't want to get their hopes up and have things go wrong and then they feel let down. My dating life was on a need to know basis and they didn't know. You don't have to feel guilty about dating...you are entitled to grown up interaction. If you're ready to date then it's time. How much your child knows about you dating it up to you. You could always put him to bed and have someone sit at the house to watch out for him while you're out and he need not know about it unless you want him to.

I really don't think older is better. I have a 2year old and 3 1/2 year old and started dating a few months ago. I found someone i was really compatable with and we are now moving into gether. My kids have really became attached to him and it seems its easier on them and on me when they have to leave on visits to their dads. Their dad and I were married for 10years and it's been a big adjustment for everyone. But I'm not sure I've ever seen my kids happier and that may be because they since my happieness.

You must live your life. There is no reason you should wait until he is older. I think if you find someone that you can enjoy and someone who can except your children, then go for it. You never know what life has in store for you, so call that man up and go.

There is no right or wrong time to date. Just try to date responsbly. You don't have to let your sone meet who your dating and it may be easier that way at first until you are comfortable with it. If you want them to meet then refer to your date as a friend until it is something more permanent. Remember to enoy yourself. Wanting to date doesn't make you a bad mom just a lonely mom.

OBVIOUSLY YOU ARE A GREAT MOTHER AND WILL PUT YOUR SON BEFORE ANYONE. SO WHEN YOU ARE READY TO DATE JUST BE CAREFUL....IF YOUR HEART TELLS YOU SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT...LISTEN. BUT WHEN YOUR HEART LETS YOU FEEL RIGHT, GO WITH THAT. GUYS CAN BE PRETTY IDOITIC WHEN IT COMES TO SINGLE WOMEN AND CHILDREN. I ONCE HEARD A MAN SAY TO A SINGLE MOM WITH 2 KIDS....YOUR JUST A FAMILY WAITING FOR A MAN TO HAPPEN.......HE WAS A BUM LOOKING FOR A HOME BASICALLY. SO BE PREPARED FOR ALL THE STUPID THINGS THAT A LOT OF GUYS MAY SAY....IM NOT SURE IF YOU HAVE BEEN OUT OF THE DATING SCENE FOR A WHILE OR HOW LONG...I BUT YOU ARE GONNA HAVE TO GET USED TO PICKING OUT GUYS THAT ARE WORTH BRINGING HOME TO YOUR SON. AND LIKE ANOTHER PERSON POSTED, INTRODUCE THEM AS YOUR FRIEND. I HAVE 100% FAITH THAT WHEN THINGS ARE RIGHT BETWEEN 2 PEOPLE THEN THINGS WILL ALL FALL INTO PLACE. I WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK.

T.,

Hi! I'm a single 34 year old mom, as well as a student at Marian College. We have so much in commom. My baby boy is 17 months and my oldest son is 13 years old. I know exactly how you feel. I have been seeing my ex husband recently, however, he's leaving for Iraq in a couple of weeks and things just don't seem to be working out with us. I think that you start dating when you're ready. I know that it will be a while before I start dating again, but I don't know how long that you've been separated from your significant other. You don't want to introduce your child to someone too soon because it could get them too attached to that person and then if it doesn't work out, your child will be devastated. You can email me at ____@____.com if you want someone to talk to sometimes. I always could use a good friend my age with kids.

K.

Just date, there is never a great time to start, just be smart, don't bring tons of men around him, only the "special" one, but for goodness sake date, you never know, having a male in your sons life could be a good thing, your young, his young, have fun just be smart and safe and don't allow your son to see you in bad relationships!!!

DATE,date, date, it is healthy as well as fun!!!!

T.

there is never a right or wrong time to date, we are woman, we want that mans touch. like some of the others said go out have fun but be responsible...when you are comfortalbe enoug with the man, then introduce him to your son, and i like the one who said he was just a friend until they were to be married..just take your time, and dont fall for the firstone...what city do you live in T.? just curious, if yo are not far,i may at times be available to baby sit...i know what it is like when you are single and need toget away...L.

I find it hard to date sometimes with a 4 year old myself. I want to date and that but not sure how to really go about it either. This is all new to me. If you want to chat about it let me know.

T.,
I am single mother. I do have a boyfriend. My kids are 8, 4, and 3. At first it is hard to start dating because you don't want to leave you children. I started by asking a friend or a family member if they could watch my children so me and a friend could go out. Then i met some guys and i would go on dates maybe once a week. It is hard to date when you have your child every day. But you just have to try and figure out what would work with your schedule and if you can find someone that would watch him. Don't wait until he is older because it may be too late for you to find that right one.