Tag Archives: socializing

Group Dates as a Single Parent

We often talk about the challenges and realities of dating as a single parent here in the Single Parents blog. I figure I know a little bit about this subject since I have been single for several years and have definitely been on my share of dates (and then some.) One great way that single parents can get out there and meet new people, but without the stress and pressure of a one-on-one date, is to consider group dating—going out with a group of other single people or doing a group activity. Group dates can be much less pressure and … Continue reading →

You’re Dating Again, Now What? Part One

Not all single parents date. As a matter of fact, I would hazard to guess that many of us take a break at least once in a while and it might even take several months or a year or more after a major break-up (or death, divorce, etc.) before many of us are ready to entertain the thought of going out on a date. Once you make up your mind to get back in the game, it is only just the beginning… It can look so easy on ads for internet dating sites—one simply throws her hat in the ring … Continue reading →

Dealing with Parent Cliques at School and Activities

We focus on our child’s socialization and trying to help them maneuver the often stressful world of school, sports, the neighborhood and other activities but as parents, we may have our own minefield to maneuver. Many of us have come up against the “clique” at the PTA, the soccer team or other exclusive groups. It can be just as painful and frustrating for us as it is for our child. I cannot count how many times I have been on the exclusion end of a pack of clique-y parents. There have been soccer teams where my child was “welcome” to … Continue reading →

Are Your Kids’ Friends Welcome at Your House During the Holidays?

There are those families for whom holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter are strictly for family, and then there are those where the population of the gatherings are a bit looser. I believe that the age of the family members has something to do with it too–young, school-age children are pretty satisfied with family-only gatherings but as children get older–teenagers, college-age, and older–inevitably they may want to bring friends along to family holiday gatherings. Have you thought about how you feel about that and whether or not your kids’ friends are welcome at your house during the holidays (and for … Continue reading →

What is Wrong With Not Looking?

As many of you know, I have been a single parent for a long time. I’m into it, as a friend of mine would say. I am not a social recluse and I do get out and about and have a life. However, there probably isn’t a week that goes by that someone doesn’t ask me something like: “Are you seeing anyone?” or “Anything new in the romance department?” or “Aren’t you getting out there and looking?” I get it from friends, family, co-workers, even my mother cannot resist asking me once a month or so. I am not hiding … Continue reading →

No Bars and Dances (Thank You Very Much)

Dating at forty is an interesting endeavor, as is trying to date or be social as a single parent. The other morning, I was listening to a morning talk show on the radio and the topic was whether or not people still went out to bars and tried to meet people. THEN, a mid-forty-year-old friend of mine was saying that my not wanting to go out to bars and dances was keeping me from being open to meeting someone new. I’m sorry, I don’t really want to end up all rigid and judgmental, but that is definitely NOT the scene … Continue reading →

Networking Tip: Don’t Hang “Outside” The Group

Going to a networking activity, meeting or party isn’t enough—you have to actually learn how to behave and “work” the room in order to make the most of the opportunity. I am not talking about the schmoozy, speedy roaming from cluster to cluster that many people think of when they hear the term “working” the room—but you do have to actually move inside the circle in order to make the most of the gathering. Often, people who are uncomfortable or new to networking hang around by the food or beverages, or wander the edges of the room (looking at the … Continue reading →

Loneliness is Normal (But Not Necessary)

It would be negligent not to bring up the subject of loneliness when working through all the issues that affect single parents. After all, I think that simple loneliness can be blamed for all sorts of poor decisions on the part of many a single parent! We might date people we shouldn’t, or make unhealthy choices in what we eat or do—all because we feel so darn lonely. Now, I am of the opinion that loneliness is completely normal for a single parent—but it doesn’t HAVE to be necessary… There are several ways to cope with loneliness, but I think … Continue reading →

Exposing Our Kids to Other Single Parent Families

We may be adding to our children feeling “different” and our isolation as a single parent family without even realizing it. Look around your world and see how many other healthy, happy, single parent families your own family interacts with? It is important for our kids to see other single parent families, and for us to help normalize our family’s existence. Of course, all families tend to do things differently—the point is not to try to find a mirror for our own family, but to let our children experience different life-styles and see how different family configurations can be healthy … Continue reading →

Getting to Know Customers and Clients Outside of Business

Building customer loyalty is really about building relationships. Talk to any successful business person and they will likely tell you that success in business as a whole is all about personal relationships. We can’t really get to know our customers and clients, or build strong bonds, if we do not get to know them outside of the business transaction. There is a reason that lunches, recreational events, parties, and dinners are all mainstays of the business world. People want and need to get to know each other in other contexts—away from the negotiation table. This can be a challenge for … Continue reading →