Anyone who has undergone a divorce understands what an emotionally draining and stressful experience it can be. With over 100,000 divorces taking place in the UK every year, there are plenty of people out there going through it right now. However once the dust has settled and your children have adjusted to their new life in separate homes, the next stage for many single parents is to start looking for love again. Here is a look at three tips for divorcees who are interested in getting back into the dating world.
Maintain a low profile with friends & family
It can at times seem a little unfair but the choice to start dating again doesn’t only affect you, but also your children. Even the most amicable of separations are tough on children, and it’s not at all uncommon for your kids to be resentful of your decision to look for love again. If you would prefer your choice to start dating again not to be made into a big deal, keeping a low profile is a good way of avoiding attention. This can be easier said than done, as organising a babysitter and getting dressed up will usually stir up suspicion.
A lot of parents have found that a great alternative is to look for love online. With relationship sites parents can find like-minded, local people, whether they’re searching for romance in Bristol or hoping to find love with Belfast singles. Best of all there’s no need to organise a babysitter or let anyone know you’re considering a relationship, as it’s done discreetly and around your own schedule.
Dealing with rejection: keep positive
Rejection is a common part of dating and it’s important after years of marriage to prepare yourself for the possibility. Just like when you discovered love the first time round, it’s not always as simple as the movies would suggest. It’s worthwhile taking the dating process slowly and not expecting romance from the second you set out. You also need to be confident and happy in yourself before you enter a relationship, because you don’t want to be seeing someone for the wrong reasons. Having said all that, with the right attitude, dating again can also be exciting. If you’re prepared for things to not always be completely perfect, chances are you can also have a lot of fun along the ride too.
One factor that can help to smooth out the transition to dating again is to find a partner sympathetic of your role as a parent. The last thing you want is to get involved with someone who doesn’t like kids. Online dating is a great way to find people who are like-minded, and it also makes it easy to meet other single parents. So why not visit eHarmony UK or another free dating website and sign up to single parent dating.
Introducing your partner to your children
If you’re lucky enough to have found a new partner and things are getting serious, the next phase is to introduce them to your kids. Knowing when to make this introduction is one of the most common questions single parents ask and there is no definitive answer. You timing will be guided by a lot of things, such as: the age of your kids, how serious the relationship is and how your new partner feels about it. The key is to always remain positive, because while the process will be difficult, with a bit of hard work and a lot of patience you’ll be able to bring together these two different parts of your life.
