I wrote a little yesterday on the subject of single parent dating. I shared my own personal opinion about why bars and dances just are not my thing. I thought if we were really going to talk out this single parent dating thing, we couldn’t ignore the subject of personal ads, online “dating” and other technologically advanced ways of meeting people and making connections. As for me, I am not entirely sure how I feel about this modern reality, which is part of the reason I thought it might be valuable for us to chat about it here…
Like most people now days, I DO know people who have met through dating services, personal ads, online sites, etc. and they seem pretty ordinary. If I didn’t know how they met, I would assume they met by accident or through mutual friends or some other typical way. They aren’t particularly odd or freaky and their relationships haven’t been any more or less rocky or any more or less likely to be “doomed.” That said, I also know some people who have met whackos or ended up in strange situations, traveled half-way around the world in search of “true love” or other less-than-advisory activities all because of connecting on a personal dating site.
So, here is what I want to know from a single parent perspective—is it a safe way to meet potential dates and partners? What about the expense, is that justified? Is it likely to keep us from actually meeting real people and keep us sequestered in our homes more instead of out and about living life? How do we know that we are meeting authentic people who are being honest and direct and not people who are play or messing around? I realize that all of those questions can also be asked about more traditional dating—we never know what is going to happen or what we are going to “get” when we put ourselves out there. But are personal ads really a good way to go for single parents?
Also: No Bars or Dances (Thank You Very Much)
Should You Include Your Child on a Date?
If They Don’t Like Kids, or Still ARE One, Why Date?