Single mom looking to get back into the dating scene...need advice?

I'm a single mom of a beautiful 1 yr old. I have sole physical and legal custody, and unfortunately my ex-husband does not exercise any kind of visitation with our child. I have been separated over a year, and my divorce will be finalized this summer, if he finally decides to sign the papers he recieved. I'm in my mid-twenties, by the way. Now, having been separated so long, I have taken the time to heal my personal wounds left by my marriage... I feel at peace with everything, and ready to move forward... so have you got any dating advice for me? Getting back on the dating scene is hard, especially since I have sole custody of my child, meaning I don't get a weekend "off" or anything, so what's the bet way to meet people, what is the "dating etiquette" for single parents, etc? Any advice welcome and appreciated:) I am a professional, self-sufficient girl. I put myself through school, have a bachelor degree, and I have, alone, cared for all my baby's needs. I have no intention of finding a father for my baby, nor do I expect a guy to pay my bills or anything. I have been doing it myself for years, and I have the intention of doing it all my life. I am looking for companionship. Not a bank, hehehe. As far as re-marrying, I do not wish to do so. I'm not looking for "the" guy, that takes time. But I am willing to just look. Maybe I'll find someone who interests me. I do go out, sometimes, with friends. I have the luxury of having parents who love their grandchild, so they do babysit for me some times. :)

Public Comments

1. well i say you find some one u think will be good for your baby and you i am in my mid twenties 2 but had not had to go though this
2. Get a baby sitter and hang out with friends. Maybe you'll meet a guy in an establishment while you are just hanging out with friends. Also friends can also have single guy friends that they can hook you up with. If you are too busy and can not leave the house. Web dating is an option, but exercise extreme caution when doing this.
3. I can't really help you much here, but hey, all dating is based on self-confidence. Be happy :) and hey, your not lonely anymore. Your child should be keeping you heaps of company :)
4. No it's not hard when u have someone to help with a child, do u have mom? Just go out with ur friends and u will meet someone, if a man loves a woman he wouldn't care whether she has a child or not. Good luck.
5. i would get someone to babysit and then go to a place with your friends where you can find a date if you cant go out for dates because of being busy with your child...try online dating services!
6. there are single parents groups and webistes, just do a google search. one website that might be of some help is meetup.com. it has thousands of groups in all areas of the country.
7. Its definately not easy for single parents to get back into the dating world. But you do have two things going for you. For one, your ex is not a part of you life and doesn't seem to want to be. That eliminates a lot of drama and "baby's daddy" crap. Second, you have gotten past him and seem like you are now in a good place and have left him and that chapter of life in the past. Don't necessarily go out looking for a date or a guy. Just go out with friends again. Let them know you are looking to move on and see if they know any single guys they could introduce you to. Take things slow. Most guys (especially younger guys) are going to be put off right away that you have a baby, but definately not all guys. Can you leave the baby with your mother or with a sister/relative every couple of weekends so you can go out once in a while? I love taking my Godson and his parents get a break to go out for a while when they can give him to me for a night. God bless and Good luck.
8. Just be patient, most people aren't sincere about what they're looking for.......and you might wind up getting hurt. I am new to it as well, and finding it very discouraging. I am a genuine, sincere, honest, and real type guy. I am not ugly by no means, and I have alot to offer....but it seems as if most women aren't emotionally available.......so just be patient and make good decisions for the sake of yourself and your child. And by all means, don't settle for anything less than what your heart truely desires....that's bad....
9. Unfortunately, for a divorced mother with a child the dating scene is not good. You might find quickly out, that men are worried about a relationship with a divorced mother. You see, if you marry again and divorce again, the second ex-husband is kept responsible not only for you by paying alimony over decades, but also for your child and might be forced by law to pay child-support for at least 17 years (your child is only 1 year old) despite he is not the biological father. Risk of divorce is high, and why should a man with a stable job, own house and good financial situation taking the risk to lose all his property?
10. I'm with out on that one. I have court next thurday to determine who get legal and physical of my 1 yr old. I have started dating though. My daughter is always with me though and I don't get an off weekend either. It's hard because some men aren't mature enough. I am only 21 though so finding a guy my age and on the same wave length is tough. They have some single parents dating sites and regular dating sited that could have really nice guys. Good Luck and congrats for deciding to get out there.
11. Hello, I say always be honest with the guy. You have a kid, most men do not want a instant family. Do not expect a guy to stick around to be the father, he is not the father and be honest with yourself. Do not expect a man to pay your bills and raise your kid. Things only get more complicated dating while having kids. Keep in mind every minute you spend on yourself looking for another "right" guy, you will not be with your baby. It took me a good 10 years to find the "right" guy again, so do not expect this to be easy, it is not easy! If you just go on with life you will find the right guy, but when "looking" you will make mistakes along the way...... Being a single mother is not easy, I have a "mr" per say that helps, but he is not the boys father nor do I expect him to pay my bills. He is free to leave when ever things get to complicated for him. My boys's father is not in the picture for his choosing as well. I made the choice to have these kids ...... not all by myself but..... I sure wish you well and hope you have people in your life when you trip and fall to pick you back up. BTW A year is only a blink of a eye, it goes by very fast, so a year is not long when you get older. You are still young.....