Our 10 Best Single Parent Dating Blogs are walking the same path as you and can relate to the fear and anxiety you may be feeling. So take a deep breath and read on to find out how to navigate this uncharted territory.

Single Parent Meetsingleparentmeet.com

Bragging Rights: For all types of single parents

Not only is SingleParentMeet a great dating site dedicated to single moms and dads looking for like-minded romantic partners, but it’s also a great dating blog that helps those parents get back into the dating game. Articles start with basics like “The 6 Biggest Mistakes Newly Single Moms and Dads Make” and continues with in-depth pieces such as “What if My Kid Doesn’t Like My New Boyfriend?”

Social Clout: 11,471+ likes

URL: http://www.singleparentmeet.com/

Parentingparenting.com

Bragging Rights: The king of parenting

You may think Parenting.com is all about picking the best diapers for your newborn or making killer after-school snacks, but this site is so much more. One of Parenting.com’s best features is the separate sections located at the top that cover all types of content. The advice is helpful and catered to specific audiences – you’ll find more than “just follow your heart” advice here.

Social Clout: 427,071+ followers, 285,000+ likes

URL: http://www.parenting.com/

The Single Mom's Dating Diarythesinglemomdatingdiary.blogspot.com

Bragging Rights: A positive attitude makes a big difference

The Single Mom is a 40-something woman with two teenage boys who shares her dating stories from more than five years of dating after divorce. She always keeps a positive attitude, even when going through the most uncomfortable dating experiences. She gives her dates nicknames like “Dungeon Boy” and “Magnum” – ’nuff said. Hey, be grateful “none of this crazy shit happens to you.”

Social Clout: 2,062+ followers, 132+ likes

URL: http://thesinglemomsdatingdiary.blogspot.com/

Single Mom Seekingsinglemomseeking.com

Bragging Rights: Seeking doesn’t have to be shitty

Rachel Sarah is the Single Mom Seeking and is the author of the popular 2007 book “Single Mom Seeking: Play Dates, Blind Dates and Other Dispatches from the Dating World.” While she once was seeking the man of her dreams, Rachel is now happily married and seeking to “bring a little light to others’ lives.” Rachel is kind and always strives to find balance – whether in her blog or everyday life.

Social Clout: 6,691+ followers

URL: http://singlemomseeking.com/

Memoirs of a Single Dadmemoirsofasingledad.com

Bragging Rights: Responsibility is sexy

Don’t think we’ve forgotten about you single dads out there. Memoirs of a Single Dad has your back. Daniel Ruyter is more than just a daddy blogger. He is a 37-year-old single dad who is candidly sharing the lessons he has learned from his dating mistakes. Ruyter’s goal is to help all single parents with challenges like dealing with exes, labeling relationships, blending families and everything in between.

Social Clout: 7,335+ followers, 4,113+ likes

URL: http://www.memoirsofasingledad.com/

Chopper Papachopperpapa.com

Bragging Rights: Bikes, kids and dating – oh my!

Chopper Papa (aka Kyle) is jump-starting a variety of discussions about single parenting and dating. Chopper Papa, which launched in 2011, comes with a unique perspective, so this isn’t your typical “daddy blog.” Sometimes shrewd and always forthright, Kyle weighs in on dilemmas he calls “intellectual road kill.” Having been a single father for more than seven years, Chopper Papa knows his stuff.

Social Clout: 1,244+ followers, 1,001+ likes

URL: http://chopperpapa.com/

Single Dadsingledad.com

Bragging Rights: Make life happen…again!

Touted as the “first comprehensive online resource developed for single dads,” SingleDad.com is a community that offers a variety of high-quality services to assist single dads through their daily uphill battles. Created in 2007 by entrepreneur and single father of three Richard “RJ” Jaramillo, the site is an interactive social network that connects single fathers and helps them trade tips and find support.

Social Clout: 4,042+ followers, 96+ likes

URL: http://www.singledad.com/

Christina Majaskichristinamajaski.com

Bragging Rights: Makes you face the facts

If you’re looking for brutal honesty and a no-holds-barred attitude, look no further than Christina Majaski. For all you single parents who’ve been making excuses about your love lives, Majaski is here to whip you into shape. Trust us, you’ll get the results you want if you follow her advice. You want proof? Check out articles like “5 Lies We Tell Ourselves About New Relationships.”

Social Clout: 3,211+ followers

URL: http://christinamajaski.com/

Daily Plate of Crazydailyplateofcrazy.com

Bragging Rights: Crazy is as crazy does

We all live crazy lives, right? Well try living in D.A. Wolf’s shoes for a day. Founded in 2009, Daily Plate of Crazy is a blog dedicated to unusual and entertaining life experiences, and Wolf uses those experiences to “question, play, poke, provoke, enthuse, engage and entertain.” Her columns touch on love, sex, life’s “big questions” and more. No stone goes left unturned. You might want to get started.

Social Clout: 1,865+ followers, 541+ likes

URL: http://dailyplateofcrazy.com/

Single Moms Datingsinglemoms-dating.com

Bragging Rights: Giving you the courage to never give up

Advice on love, relationships, parenting, dating after divorce and so on – you’ll find it all at Single Moms Dating. This blog focuses on the struggles single moms go through in every aspect of their lives. The best part is the site actually offers tangible solutions to these struggles. The content is racy, uplifting, edgy and generous all rolled into one, and readers are always pushed to move forward.

URL: http://www.singlemoms-dating.com/

Featured photo source: silvervelvetsky.wordpress.com.

Whether he has children from a prior heterosexual relationship, has gone through foster care or private adoption or has fathered a child with a female friend or surrogate, a growing segment of the gay dating market is gay dads.

As admirable and inspiring as this is, I was surprised to hear from a client recently that he finds his status as a gay dad to be a liability in the gay singles circuit.

His experience has been that many gay men express interest until they discover he has children. Then they fade away into the woodwork.

I’ve heard this sentiment echoed by other single dads.

Why is this?

Perhaps some single gay guys don’t want the responsibility of caring for another man’s kids or having to contend with blended family issues.

Perhaps they never wanted or contemplated the idea of having a family since this is a relatively new concept for gay men.

Unless kids are a genuine deal-breaker, guys should definitely consider the affections of a man with a clan.

Gay dads oftentimes provide stability and security, have experience with relationships and know how to treat someone special in their lives.

There’s a maturity involved that can be very sexy and appealing.

Being a single gay dad can make dating a bit more challenging because of the extra roles you have to juggle, but it can be done.

It’s all about time management because the guy you end up dating is going to want to feel like a priority in your life and that you have time for him.

“It takes a secure man to share

a new boyfriend with kids.”

If you’ve tried all of the other traditional methods for finding dating prospects with little success, here are a few more specialized ideas for you:

1. Search Meetup.com.

Are there any groups in your area for gay parents? If not, create your own group and lead the development of your own community.

You can create the gay version of the straight single parents group, “Parents Without Partners.”

2. Be clear in your online personals ad.

Let them know right away you’re a gay dad so you can quickly screen qualified prospects. Those men who don’t want to have children will not respond to your ad.

3. Join communities for support and friendship.

There are a variety of discussion boards and forums specializing in gay parenting online.

4. “Rainbow Family Finder.”

The April 2008 issue of “The Library Journal/Gay Parent Magazine” has a plethora of resources, books, DVDs and associations for gay parents that might help your dating life.

And for you gay dad admirers, the key to winning his heart is through validating his kids and understanding they will be his number one priority.

It takes a secure man to share a new boyfriend with kids during the honeymoon period of a relationship, but it’s absolutely essential you don’t create a power struggle involving his having to make a choice between you and his children – because he’ll always pick them first.

By accepting this and opening yourself up to the possibilities, you could be affording yourself a kind of love and sense of family you’ve never experienced.

Give those gay dads a shot — they are truly diamonds in the rough!

Are you a gay dad? How do you balance dating with kids? If you’re not a gay dad, would you be willing to date a gay man with kids?

Photo source: mylifetime.com.

For the most part, single senior women have already had children if they wanted them.

Many single women in their 20s and 30s have a massive drive to get married so they can have children and raise a family.

A significant factor for what they want in a mate is a man who will make “a good husband and father” and who will be a “daddy” to the children they have together.

This isn’t so for mature single women.

In all likelihood, not only is the senior single woman not looking to have children at this point in her life, quite often her kids are young adults or older and no longer live in her residence.

While she does care that one of your core life values is you want to be a good father to your children, it is no longer one of her top three character attributes.

On the other hand, you have to display this kind of behavior to her younger counterpart who is looking to raise children.

“If you have cultural interests,

share it with her.”

What matters most to mature single women?

Yes, she wants to see you are a kind and considerate man in order to win her heart.

However, if you’re just a dithering, kind milquetoast, she will be running away from you within a matter of a few dates.

Modern mature women desire life companions who are interesting men in their own right. You might no longer be working full-time. However, she expects that you have some kind of an active life for men in their 50s and 60s.

To her, even if you are retired in some manner from your first career, she doesn’t want to hear that all you do is sit at home watching TV. In her mind, that would be stultifying dull.

Rest assured, she isn’t craving for you to have the super active life of men in their 20s and 30s. However, she does want to get out and do things on the weekend and perhaps even on some week nights.

Date ideas for seniors.

You are not required to plan mini getaways and road trips every single weekend. Perhaps once a month or so would best suit the pace of your busy lives?

If you are into salsa, West Coast swing, square dancing or any dance style for that matter, look around for workshops and mini conventions in your area or perhaps only a few hours away.

Couples who dance together regularly knit the fabric of their relationship more strongly for the long term.

If you have cultural interests, such as classical music and the opera, share it with her. You can still go on cheap dates quite often if you look for park concerts in your local community.

Readers, what are some of the interests you most want your mate to share with you?

Photo source: meals-on-wheels.org.

You probably didn’t imagine dating again. After being thrust back into the dating arena, it’s important to remember it’s not like riding a bike.

Things have changed in the years that have passed.

Some people would say it’s become more impersonal, with texting and technology-driven dating. More and more people than ever are online to meet singles.

Not only do you have this new dating world to brave, you also have to do it with your children. As a single mom, one of the most controversial topics is figuring out the right time to introduce your children to your new partner.

Let’s explore this a little more.

It’s fair to say being a single parent sometimes gets you a bad rap when it comes to dating – more so single moms than dads.

There is a stereotypical image that single moms constantly have new guys entering their lives. This “image” is probably born more from the media. Let’s face it – all the neglect and abuse stories get more press.

I’d like to think it really is just a stereotype and move onto the fact most parents who are dating put their children’s needs first. When dating, it can be hard to find a balance between what you need and your kids.

For example, you might have a date and soccer practice scheduled at the same time. Work at the balance and don’t feel guilty. It will all become right in the end.

“It’s important to see how the

kids and your partner interact.”

When to introduce them.

We have parents who have very open and honest relationships with their children. (Maybe this is an age thing?) They don’t want to hide the fact they are dating or have met someone they like from their kids.

Normally parents with the more “open” model will introduce their kids sooner rather than later. More and more people don’t want to waste time dating the wrong person, so it’s important to see how the kids and your partner interact.

On the other hand, we have parents who don’t want any introductions until things get serious.

This is where it’s all about what is “serious” to you. Is it marriage, the words “I love you” or when you are spending more time together and are comfortable?

Everyone has their idea of what serious is and most know when they get there.

We don’t think either option is the wrong one. You know your children better than anyone. Just remember they probably can’t rationalize an adult relationship in the same way you can.

So tell us: When do you introduce your kids to a new date? What process do you use when bringing them together?

Photo source: globalpost.com.

The good news is there appears to be only good news.

Datingadvice.com recently reported on a study done on children of lesbians who were conceived through sperm donation.

Not only do these boy and girls do well in school, they also do well socially, are less likely to be rule-breakers, are less aggressive and are not as prone to blame their problems on others.

This is pretty exciting news and it speaks to a quality of care and attention that comes from having two women present and available.

Overall, children of lesbian couples actually do as well in school and in life as children of heterosexual couples. Yes, the study really says this.

Now if you are coming out and already have children, the results of this study are not fully applicable.

Your children have a father who they know and who they hopefully interact with even in the face of your divorce (due to the fact you have accepted you are lesbian).

Younger children haven’t developed prejudices.

Older children, particularly middle school and high school children, may find your coming out to be difficult and embarrassing.

Peer pressure gets in the way of even the most loving parent/child relationship, and a lesbian mother can be a very difficult thing to process for some children.

In my own experience, my son of 18 was extremely upset about my coming out as lesbian. My daughter, who was seven, never gave my being lesbian a second thought.

The difference in where they were developmentally was significant. It took my son about six years to adjust to his mother being lesbian, but I’m grateful that we again have a great relationship.

My daughter needed help adjusting to other changes that took place in our world.

She was heartbroken that she could no longer see her dad every day, was no longer living in the house she loved when we were a family and many other big and little changes that took place.

We found a delightful children’s therapist who specialized in play therapy. This is something I’d recommend to any woman with children who is coming out.

That therapist helped us move through the grieving process to being able to find joy and fun in life again.

“Living more honest lives is one of

the gifts you’ll give your children.”

So what about you?

Are you coming out with no children but planning on having them? Then this study provides deep emotional support if you’re worried about how your child will fare in life. He or she will do great.

Already have children? Then prepare to give them extra time and attention.

Be ready to talk to them about homosexuality in terms they can understand. Your 6-year-old doesn’t need the same information your teenager will need.

Be on the lookout for a therapist who specializes in working with children. Your kids and you may need extra help at certain points in your transition process.

Though there is a lot of joy in taking the steps to live authentically, there is always a grieving process that must be taken into account.

For all you gain, you must let go of other things.

Coming out in a thoughtful and planned way will help your whole family handle the transitions more easily.

Ultimately, you are opening up the world in a new way for yourself and your children.

With your loving attention, deep listening to their needs and concerns and a strong support system, you will all do as well as the children in this study.

Living fuller, happier and more honest lives is one of the gifts you’ll be able to give your children.

What are your biggest concerns for your children in your coming out process? Share with us in the comment section below.

Photo source: curvemag.com.

In a study presented at an annual conference of the British Sociological Association, 63 percent of women and 59 percent of men said they wanted children.

Researcher Robin Hadley, of Keele University, found men were significantly more likely to suffer depression, feelings of isolation, anger, jealousy and sadness because they didn’t have children. Women were more likely to experience yearning or guilt from being childless.

“Sixty-three percent of women and 59

percent of men said they wanted children.”

The study also found men were more likely to feel social and cultural pressures to have kids, while women felt biological urges and personal desire.

“There is very little research on the desire for fatherhood among men. My work shows that there was a similar level of desire for parenthood among childless men and women,” Hadley said. “This challenges the common idea that women are much more likely to want to have children than men and that they consistently experience a range of negative emotions more deeply if they don’t have children.”

Source: Psychcentral.com. Photo source: telegraph.co.uk.

My name is Marie and I am 40. I have been with a guy for nearly two years. I want to live with him and have kids, but he said I keep pressuring him. According to him, things will happen naturally.

What do you think?

Marie (London)

Dr. Wendy Walsh’s Answer:

Dear Marie,

I’m not going to tell you what you want to hear. But I am going to tell you what you need to hear.

This man has no fertility window so he can wait for things to happen “naturally.” For you, your chances of babies happening naturally are growing smaller each month. You have every right to want to be a mother and every right to ask for a commitment from this man. But words won’t do it. Only an action-based ultimatum will work.

Tell him clearly he has 90 days to figure out if he is ready to commit to a family with you. Do not mention it during that time. If he doesn’t step up to the plate, you have to break up with him. Find a guy who wants to commit. (Strategies are in my book The 30-Day Love Detox) You have to be very clear about what you want and move quickly. This man may not be the guy for you.

No counseling or psychotherapy advice: The Site does not provide psychotherapy advice. The Site is intended only for use by consumers in search of general information of interest pertaining to problems people may face as individuals and in relationships and related topics. Content is not intended to replace or serve as substitute for professional consultation or service. Contained observations and opinions should not be misconstrued as specific counseling advice.

We have been together four years and I thought her children (25, 23, 20, 17) would “grow up.” They all have issues with ADD, supervision, bad manners, bad grades and now drugs.

She says I don’t need to worry and they are not my problem. I know there has been domestic violence with three out of the four children (they attacked her). I want to save her, but she continues to tell me she doesn’t need to be saved.

If you love the person you are with but can’t stand her children, can this relationship survive?

-Dave (New York)

Dr. Wendy Walsh’s Answer:

Dear Dave,

I don’t know how to break this to you, but these children are products of her. While we all come into the world with a biological disposition, good parenting can train some of the negative traits away.

It sounds like she doesn’t know how to put up healthy boundaries and she hasn’t followed mommy rule number one: Do your job well so you can work yourself out of a job.

So now you’d like to exchange care with her? Remember, a relationship is an exchange of care. And if there’s violence, it sounds like this family system is not one you should tangle with.

I’d take her advice. Don’t try to save her.

Your choices are: Have a compartmentalized relationship where you have dinner and sex from time to time. Or merge your lives and tell her you’ll be willing to do that when she shows she can have boundaries with her adult children.

No counseling or psychotherapy advice: The Site does not provide psychotherapy advice. The Site is intended only for use by consumers in search of general information of interest pertaining to problems people may face as individuals and in relationships and related topics. Content is not intended to replace or serve as substitute for professional consultation or service. Contained observations and opinions should not be misconstrued as specific counseling advice.

The study found four out of 10 new mothers and fathers find their partner less attractive after having children, while more than 60 percent of couples stated they had more fights and less sex after childbirth.

After having children, 28 percent of couples reported having sex once a month, 5 percent reported having sex once a year and 7 percent reported not having sex at all.

“Four out of 10 new mothers and fathers find their

partner less attractive after having children.”

Researchers pointed toward disagreements about money and chores as the root of the problems, noting more than 50 percent of couples argue more about money after having children and 41 percent argue over chore completion.

However, psychologist Jo Hemmings said the origins of these problems can be found externally as well as within the relationship.

“When you make that transition from lover to mother or father, everything changes; the way society views you to your priorities to the amount of freedom you have,” she said.

Source: Yano.co.uk via Telegraph.co.uk. Photo source: msn.com.

I’m a 45-year-old divorced female with two teenagers. Recently I began a relationship with an old high school friend. It seems that once I let my guard down, he became distant and started spending less time with me. Now he is working out of state and said he doesn’t think I could handle him being away all the time working. I told him I could but only if he wanted it to work. He said he does. But now he isn’t contacting me at all. I’m not contacting him either.

What do I do?

-Tammi (Illinois)

Dr. Wendy Walsh’s Answer:

Tammi,

What should you do? Sadly, exactly what you are doing. Don’t contact him. I wish more people could be honest, but here is another case where, instead of breaking up, they tell their lover why they wouldn’t be right for them.

When he said, “You can’t handle me being away all the time,” he was really saying, “Here’s a great excuse to exit the relationship.”

And don’t blame yourself for this breakup. Too many guys move fast with single mothers and then stop to reconsider (usually after they have obtained an orgasm) all the ramifications of a long-term relationship with three people.

I know your kids are older but you are still a family, and that scares off an irresponsible man.

Next time around, still let your emotional guard down so you can grow some intimacy, but don’t let your physical guard down until you are sure this guy has enough backbone to be a real partner.

No counseling or psychotherapy advice: The Site does not provide psychotherapy advice. The Site is intended only for use by consumers in search of general information of interest pertaining to problems people may face as individuals and in relationships and related topics. Content is not intended to replace or serve as substitute for professional consultation or service. Contained observations and opinions should not be misconstrued as specific counseling advice.