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Articles
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For single mom
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Sheila Ellison
http://www.new-dating.com/search.php
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As a single mother, you have undoubtedly changed over time, so be open to learning new things about yourself.
The type of person you were attracted to in the past may not fit the woman you are today. Pay attention to the reactions you have to different men, how they treat you, whether or not you like their personalities, and if you are able to be yourself instead of who they might want you to be.
Rule No. 1: Create Dating Experiments
Use your dating experiments, conversations, challenges, personality traits, and relationship styles to begin defining what kind of relationship you want to create. "Create" is the key word here. Bring an aspect of the woman you want to be within the relationship to each date. If you want more humor, then introduce humor into the dating relationship and see how it works.
Don't pretend to be anyone but yourself, but also remember that there are parts of you that may have grown and changed. Allow yourself the freedom to see what feels right at this stage in your life.
Rule No. 2: Set Dating Goals
Ask yourself — why do I want to date? Once you determine this, you can set dating goals and what you hope to accomplish during the dating process. Not everyone is looking for a life partner; some women just want to get out of the house, have fun, and meet interesting new people. Are you learning to trust again or are you hoping to meet many men but want to take some time before committing to a serious relationship? Do you want to be open to dating men you might not have been attracted to in the past? Or do you feel that you lost part of yourself during your previous relationship, and you're trying to find that person again?
Rule No. 3: Be Painfully Honest
Next, you'll want to determine the kinds of men you want to meet. Get specific and be painfully honest with yourself to determine what your "must-haves" are in a relationship. What are your "deal breakers?" Write all of this down, so you can refer back to your list if you fall for someone who might not be right for you. And don't forget to follow your intuition.
Rule No. 4: Start Your Search
Once you've determined the kind of man you want to meet, you're ready to find him. An easy and painless way to begin the process — in the comfort of your bathrobe and without bothering to put on lipstick — is online. With online dating services, you don't have to hire a babysitter, get dressed up, or leave the house.
You do, however, need to create a profile. And to be successful in online dating, your profile must honestly represent the woman you are, as well as the kind of man you're looking for. (And don't forget a great picture of you — one without your ex cut carefully removed!)
Another advantage to looking for dates online is that you will get to know a prospective date through e-mail, instant messages, and phone calls before you meet. Online dating allows you to look over more prospects in a less-inhibiting atmosphere. Imagine all the profiles you can go through online compared to the few single men you might meet at the local club.
Rule No. 5: Meet in Person
When you feel comfortable with someone you've met online, meet in person. The benefit to offline dating is that you get to see the person as they truly are — you can look into his eyes and get a better sense for him as a person. You can judge how tall, athletic, or happy he is without reading a possibly misleading comment on screen. It's also difficult to determine physical chemistry until you meet a person. It can be disappointing if you totally hit it off with someone online, but then feel no attraction once you are standing face to face.
It's important in both online and offline dating to think about some early conversations you might want to have. Do talk about yourself, your interests, experiences, and insights. Don't talk about your ex or why the relationship ended. Ask questions that help you determine whether or not the person matches your dating goals and desired character traits. Be selective. You may think you have too much baggage (children, financial worries, etc.) and should settle for less than what you want, but if you do, you'll be very sorry.
Rule No. 6: Patience, Darling!
Lastly, be patient. It could take months or a year (or more) to meet someone. Stick to your "must-haves," "deal breakers," and dating goals. Be honest about who you are and what you want. The relationship you create will be well worth it.
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Sheila Ellison
http://www.new-dating.com/search.php
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