Another chance at love

As a single mom or dad, best dating sites for single parents, you have had your fair share of love and heartbreak. It’s entirely understandable that you might not be in the biggest hurry to get back into the dating scene.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have someone walking with you through what is undeniably a difficult journey. Who knows, you might find a guy to unwind with after a long day of being supermom, best dating sites for single parents. Or you might even find a great woman to settle down and raise your kids with.

Either way, you have a lot to gain by giving love another chance. One of the best ways to start your search is by trying online dating. Here are eight dating apps and online dating sites for single parents that you should look into.

8 Best Single Parent Dating Sites

Single Parent Love

SingleParentLove.com is one of the best dating websites best dating sites for single parents parents as it is designed to cater to your best dating sites for single parents dating needs. It is a part of the Cupid Media network, which is a company that has produced some of the most successful niche dating sites for single moms available today.

With Single Parent Love, one of the best perks is that you get a 3-month free trial. All you have to do is upload your photo and get to matching. If, after that, you are impressed and ready to take the next step in your search for love, then you can sign up for their premium packages.

At SingleParentLove.com, the majority of the singles you will be interacting with are fellow single parents looking for a serious relationship. However, the site is also open to singles interested dating a northern guy dating parents like you.

Single Parents Match

It is a legendary dating site for single moms and dads as it was the very first of its kind. Its main goal is to offer single parents a second chance at love and they have been doing that for 16 years! Being the leading site in this niche for so long is no small feat.

So, what makes the site so unique? The answer is simple: the company is dedicated to ensuring that your dating experience is as smooth and enjoyable as possible, best dating sites for single parents, given the circumstances. They do this by offering cool features like forums, online chats, and informative articles.

They also offer date ideas that would work for you as a single parent. All you have to do is create a killer profile and wait for the winks to stream in. That part of the site is free, but if you wish to access more features, you should sign up for their paid gold package.

Single Parent Meet

Single Parent Meet is another dedicated dating app for single moms and dads meant to expose you to fellow moms and single dads. It is one of the fastest-growing in this niche with up to 1000 new profiles every single day. And you can be one of these newbies throwing your hat into the love ring for free.

For the most part, it offers features like other websites, including unlimited searches and numerous chat options. However, they understand your need to maintain privacy for the sake of security. They offer this using their “ConnectMe” feature, which allows members to call or text each other without revealing their contact information.

Plenty of Fish

Strictly speaking, Plenty of Fish is not the best dating site for single parents only. It’s a general dating site with 90 million users (and 3.6 million daily active users) that has allows for filter searches for more specific matches.

One of the filters that you might find useful is the single parent options under interests. It exposes you to other single moms and dads as well as non-parents who do not mind your arrangement.

Plenty of Fish has proven to be very successful as a matchmaking option for single parents with this simple setup. A recent poll revealed that 44 percent of their female users were single mothers who also happened to find matches faster. You can’t argue with math.

eHarmony

eHarmony is another general dating site that has proven to be quite useful to single parents. Unlike most other sites and apps where you do all the work of filtering and searching, eHarmony takes best dating sites for single parents of everything.

Your job is to dating sites rankings up (through social media, such as using a Facebook account), which is free of charge and fill in their mandatory questionnaire. That gives the expert matchmakers an idea of who you are and what you are looking for. They then use the information to find the best possible matches for you.

It is the perfect setup as you get to specify more than just your desire to have someone ok with dating a single parent. Plus, you get time to do single-parent duties as you are not stuck behind the screen swiping and going through profiles.

Match.com

Match.com is one of the best free dating sites for single parents, which boasts of having the most extensive dating pool out there. They have had millions of users over the years!

In addition to their impressive numbers and many awesome communication features, this site is perfect for single parents because of the security features.

They have an incognito mode that allows you to hide your profile as you conduct your search. Once you find someone whose profile catches your eye, you can make yourself visible to them. It is perfect for finding single women and single men online!

They also offer a unique Zen Mode for more specific matches. Here you get to set up fixed criteria for your search then get notified when the system identifies the perfect match. That will save you a lot of time!

BlindDater.com

As a single parent, you have probably gone on a bunch of blind dates. This service is more or less the same, only that it is online. It is a general dating site that has been in the industry for 20 years, so quality is more or less a guarantee.

They allow you to chat anonymously with fellow singles on the site until you are ready to reveal your identity. It is literally like a blind date because you will not know what to expect until you meet them in person.

However, the security benefits of this setup are hard to ignore, making it one of the best dating apps for single parents.

Just Single Parents

This is a niche site that is essentially a dating paradise for single parents. It has the common start-up procedure of how you sign up, create a profile, and begin your search all for free.

To get other members’ attention, you can send winks. If they are also interested, they wink back, and you can start getting to know each other.

Besides the basic membership option, the platform also has a paid package with additional perks like detailed search filters. These help you narrow down your matches based on your interests and preferences, increasing your chances of finding the perfect match.

With all this and the large dating pool on the site, you might just have your chance to get out of your single parent romantic funk, best dating sites for single parents.

Tips for Dating as a Single Parent

Putting yourself out there as a single parent is a huge step in getting back to the dating scene. Unfortunately, your unique experiences and responsibilities may make things somewhat complicated for you. Here are a few specific dos and don’ts that can help make your journey a lot smoother as you try and find love again.

Let go of your past

Something must have happened to get you where you are now. To move on and have healthy relationships in the future, you need to heal from these wounds. This will help give you a clean slate on which you can write a whole new beautiful love story.

Don’t adult dating sacramento afraid to free-fall

As a single parent, your default instinct is preservation. You do not want to take risks as there is more than just your heart at stake. While this is true in some situations, when it comes to love, it doesn’t hurt to give yourself the grace to free-fall every once in a while.

Be honest about your situation

It is never a good idea to hide your situation from the people you are dating or even from your kids. Let them know what is going on and ask for their support. This will save you a whole lot of trouble down the line.

Don’t be too quick to get your kids involved

Your children are precious and impressionable and may not understand that not all relationships are meant to be. So instead of putting them through another round of disappointment, keep them out of the relationship until you are sure it is something solid. This doesn’t mean that you hide the truth from them. It just means that family dates are not a good idea just yet.

Look for a lover, not just a co-parent

Get to know the person you are interested in as an individual. Let yourself fall in love with who they are as a person and not what they can do for you and your children. Trust me, when you find genuine love, everything else will just fall into place.

Put yourself back out there

Whether it is a single mom dating site or one for single fathers looking for new moms for their kids, these sites are definitely worth giving a shot. You will lose nothing giving love another chance, but you could gain a lot and find the happily ever after you missed out on the first time. So put that feeding bottle or chores schedule down, best dating sites for single parents up a profile, and give love a chance today!

As a single parent, you’ve tried the other dating apps, but when you mention your kids or that you can’t drop everything to meet, you’re no longer interesting. Sound familiar?
That’s why we created Stir, a dating app with a focus on single parents.

It’s where you don’t have to apologize for having a crazy schedule.

It’s where having kids is not a deal-breaker.

It’s where solo parents can meet, chat, and rediscover the fun in dating.

You’ll get to know potential matches through our questions on personality and values. As we learn what you like and don’t like, our algorithm will present dating site for cigar smokers match recommendations we think you’ll love.

With so much personality on each profile, Stir makes it easy for you to start a conversation with local single moms and dads.

Here you can find your “every other weekend” partner or the person with whom you want to blend families. Download Stir now!

Dating can be a thrilling and passionate experience. However, when you’re a single parent, you could be nervous about striking a conversation. But you will be delighted that there are dating sites for single parents to help you discover your suitable partner. You can take each step one at a time and be relaxed as there are no stringent rules for dating.

Continue reading this post to discover some of the finest dating sites you may try as a single parent. We’ve also included a list of each website’s most important features.

16 Dating Sites For Single Parents

1. Elite Singles

Link – https://www.elitesingles.com/

This website allows you to take a formal approach sport lovers dating site dating by filling out a form and receiving expert advice. The website attracts a plethora of individuals from myriad backgrounds, so you can always find someone who is to your liking.

Features:

• All profiles are verified by the website. So, all people you meet are genuine.
• The website conducts a complex personality survey to understand your preferences. It then uses the data to find compatible individuals.
• You get a personality report for free so that you can have a better understanding of your preferences.
• The service is accessible through smartphone apps.
• A significant chunk of the user base has at least a college education. The majority of the members are over the age of 30 years.

2. eHarmony

Link – https://www.eharmony.com/

This makes for a good dating website for single parents looking for a long-term, meaningful relationship, best dating sites for single parents. The website is also suitable for finding casual dates. Moreover, it also serves as a platform to make like-minded friends.

Features:

• A questionnaire asks you deep questions on various topics, including your job and religious beliefs. It allows the website to find you highly compatible matches.
• The test questions are related to psychology to better understand your personality.
• The website uses an algorithm to suggest potential dates based on the information you provided.
• The website is not dedicated to single parents, but lets you specify whether you have children, how many, best dating sites for single parents, and other related information.

3. SingleParentMeet

Link – https://www.singleparentmeet.com/

It is a dating website tailor-made for single parents, thus giving you the peace of mind by not letting you “justify” your single status to anyone.

Features:

• You need to fill in a simple form without much disclosure since the website is intended for parents with children.
• You can modify your preferences to narrow down your search and learn more about the qualities of your potential date.
• The website has adequate members over the age of 50 years. So, if you are an older single parent, you are likely to find someone closer to your age.
• There is a provision to call or text your match on the website without revealing your contact information.

4. SingleParentLove

Link – https://www.singleparentlove.com/

If you want to up your options of best dating sites for single parents dates, then check out this website. You can tap into a plethora of profiles to find a date that works with your single-parent status.

Features:

• It is simple and easy to use the website. You can browse pictures of potential dates and learn more about them by visiting their profile page.
• If you are not satisfied with the pictures shown, change your preferences to view different sets of profiles.
• This website is dedicated to single parents.
• The website also recommends several other partner dating websites. Thus, it increases the overall chance of finding a potential date.

5. Match

Link – match.com

It is one of the popular dating websites and works for single parents too. Its popularity allows you to explore a wide array of profiles to find a date.

Features:

• You selfies for dating apps guys narrow down your search terms based on whether your potential date has children or not.
• There are adequate questions on the profile to give others a clear understanding of your personality. However, best dating sites for single parents, the website also gives you the freedom to skip answering any question.
• Messaging requires a premium subscription. But that increases the chances of finding a legitimate date since only those serious about dating would likely pay for the service.
• The website organizes community events, that is, opportunities for offline dating at some locations.

6. Plenty of Fish

Link – pof.com

It makes for a good dating website for single parents due to its large user base, which is said to run in millions across the world.

Features:

• All base features on the website are free, and only some additional features require payment.
• The large user base means that you are likely to find other single parents closer to your age group.
• You can use this service through smartphone apps as well. The app does not require connecting your profile to any of your social media profiles.
• The user can decide what information to share. The website does not suspend registration because you failed to give some specific information.

7. OKCupid

Link – okcupid.com

The hallmark of this website is that it is free and has an extensive database. It is an ideal dating website for single parents who are not very keen on spending money on dating services.

Features:

• All features on the website, including messaging, are free.
• The website also allows a user to send a message to a profile they find interesting without matching up with the profile.
• The website has a large database of users that runs in millions across the globe.
• The profile page features several questions that you can fill in to help other users understand you better. You can skip answering any question you want.
• The large user base makes it easier to find other single parents with mutual best dating sites for single parents. The League

  Link – theleague.com

  If you are a single parent looking for a premium dating service, then The League is quite likely to suit your preference.

  Features:

  • The website requires one to apply first. The applicant is intimated once the application is accepted and reviewed.
  • The service screens applicants’ Facebook and LinkedIn profiles to ensure all data on the dating website are accurate.
  • There is an emphasis on providing high-quality matches that are compatible with your preferences and your single-parent status.
  • The matching algorithm does all the hard work for you, thus saving you time and letting you focus on profiles that will work.

  9. Zoosk

  Link – zoosk.com

  It is a good website for single parents who would like to spend adequate time chatting on the website before meeting their date.

  Features:

  • Messaging is free on the website, best dating sites for single parents. Free users can also message premium users.
  • Choosing the premium subscription allows you to photo verify and send virtual gifts to the profiles you find interesting.
  • Premium users are photo-verified. Thus, you are likely to find real people genuinely interested in dating.
  • The website has millions of users in over 50 countries across the world. It means you have a large database of profiles to explore for a potential date.
  • The service uses a behavior matchmaking system wherein if you view certain types of profiles often, then the website begins to show you similar profiles only. Therefore, if you browse profiles of single parents often, then the website is likely to show you similar profiles.

  10. SilverSingles

  Link – silversingles.com

  Are you a single parent over 50 and looking for a date? This dating website is tailor-made for you!

  Features:

  • It is a dating website that accepts members over the age of 50 years only, thus making it a niche offering.
  • The website does extensive profile verification to ensure that the people who sign up are above the age of 50.
  • The features are simple and convenient, even for those who have never used a dating website before.
  • A section within a profile allows the user to provide information about their children.
  • It is a subscription-based website to ensure that it gets users who are serious about dating.

  11, best dating sites for single parents. SingleParentMatch

  Link – singleparentmatch.com

  It is a website that has been in the dating scene for over 15 years, making it quite a reliable choice for single parents.

  Features:

  • It is a niche website for single parents, and thus, features a profile questionnaire that best suits single parents.
  • The service allows you to find casual dates and make friends too, in case you are not keen on having a serious relationship.
  • The website provides plenty of guidance by educating users through dating-related articles.
  • The simple signup process and layout of the website make it easy to use for single parents who are new to dating websites.

  12. Just Single Parents

  Link – justsingleparents.com

  This dating website keeps its user base exclusive to single parents. Thus, you know for sure that the person on the other end is also a single parent.

  Features:

  • The website is specially made for single parents and only allows them as members. Thorough profile checks help prevent any false profiles.
  • Joining the website and searching for profiles is free.
  • The signup process is designed to make it convenient for you to disclose information about yourself and your children.

  13. OurTime

  Link – ourtime.com

  It is an ideal website for middle-aged single parents taking their first step into online dating.

  Features:

  • The membership to the website is exclusive to those above the age of 50 years.
  • The signup process is designed to be simple. It makes it convenient for single parents who have no experience with dating websites.
  • You can add pictures and videos to your profile. The entire profile-building process takes only a couple of minutes.
  • The website has millions gay younger for older dating site users, and you can search for them using the zip code as well.

  14. Tawkify

  Link – tawkify.com

  It is a personalized matchmaking service complete with a dating concierge who can find the best match for you.

  Features:

  • Signing up and creating a profile is free. To avail advanced features, best dating sites for single parents, like becoming a client, you require a subscription, best dating sites for single parents, but it provides a plethora of convenient features.
  • If you wish to become a client, then your profile is screened and approved before acceptance.
  • Once you become a client, you get a personal matchmaker from the website. The matchmaker then goes through the profiles on your behalf and shortlists the best matches, thus saving you a lot of time.
  • The matchmaker is a real person at the website’s office. You can consult your matchmaker at any time.
  • Once you pick a potential date, the matchmaker can help arrange a date for you.
  • The personalized and premium nature of this website makes it highly probable for single parents to find a date with whom they can consider a serious relationship.

  15. Christian Mingle

  Link – christianmingle.com

  If you are looking for a faith-driven dating service for single parents, this one should suit your requirements.

  Features:

  • It lets single Christian parents search for like-minded individuals for a potential date.
  • The website attracts over a million users per month, thus increasing the probability of finding a match.
  • Profiles are shown based on the desired characteristics of an ideal date/partner. You can customize and change your preference at any time.
  • All profiles are verified before they are listed on the website.
  • The website offers customer service for easy resolution of user doubts, concerns, and queries.

  16. SeniorMatch

  Link – seniormatch.com

  If you are an elderly single parent, you will feel quite at home with this dating website.

  Features:

  • It only accepts individuals older than the age of 45 years.
  • The strict age restriction means that middle-aged single parents will only encounter people closer to their age group.
  • The signup process is simple and easy to follow for someone who is not tech-savvy.
  • The website features over a million users over the age of 50 years and attracts 6,000 active daily members.
  • The website educates senior daters about various nuances of dating through experiences shared by seniors themselves.
  • You can chat with your matches. The website also sometimes organizes offline events for elderly daters at some locations.

  When you become a parent, dating may seem like a thing of the past. But it is never too late to find a doting partner. Parenthood should never limit your desire to find a soulmate, and, best dating sites for single parents, in fact, you are now wiser, considering parenting brings the best out of us.

  Whether you are a single mom or dad, you still have a lot of love inside that you can share with a partner. So, go ahead and explore these dating websites as dating websites might show misleading description about capabilities and pool of daters. Remember to be yourself, always pick a date who will not consider how to be successful with online dating single parentship to be a limitation, and show your children the respect they deserve.

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  Dr. Carlos Juan Carmona-Goyena is a board licensed therapist in the USA and Puerto Rico with a specialty in couples, families, and relationships. Dr. Carlos possesses a PhD in Counseling Psychology best dating sites for single parents at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. His two-decade professional experience also includes scientific research in family emotional and relational processes and its effect on psychological functioning. Dr. more

  Shikha is a writer-turned-associate editor at MomJunction. Her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood. She also specializes in baby names. Being a postgraduate in Human Resources, she free adult dating website understanding people and their relationships. This reflects in her relationship articles, where she best dating sites for black people with both the rosy and the grey side., best dating sites for single parents. more

Privacy On Dating Apps: Privacy Concerns On Dating Sites

When it comes to privacy on dating apps, many users take a cautious approach to displaying information about their lives, routines, jobs – safety is an important issue that should not go ignored. Catfishing, identity theft and desire to keep one’s private life well private, are all reasons for limiting the information you display about yourself, your life and your children.

Why Parents Use Photos of Their Kids On Dating Sites

Some reasons why parents decide to include photos of their kids or with their kids fall under two buckets – 1) limited photos (all photos are with their kids, family); 2) parents want to convey that their kids are the single most important thing in their lives. Let me address the second point first. It should be understood that as a parent, your kids are your number one priority – this should not only be obvious but go without stating.

If you feel compelled to convey this to possible suitors, it might suggest you have some doubt or reservations about trusting people or have a hard time screening folks who have other intentions. Users on dating apps need to develop skills needed to be patient, ask questions, analyze profiles and bios as well as read people offline and online.

Now for the first point, it is completely normal to have few photos as a single parent or recently divorced parent. If the photos you have are limited, it’s fine to use a few photos matures dating free your kids but remember your first order should be focusing on selling yourself in your profile. If you must use photos of your kids, limit them, blur out faces however it is best to use mostly photos of yourself, with friends and family or engaging in activities.

Ideally over time you gather enough photos without your kids in them to use on dating sites and profiles as those are what one should focus on when creating a dating best dating sites for single parents Parents Omit Info, Lie About Their Kids On Their Dating Profile

If you are on dating apps long enough, you will notice some rather ambiguous profiles on dating apps – people who post photos with nieces and nephews, folks who post photos with students or kids at orphanages, people who don’t caption their photos, users who don’t state whether they have kids in the drop-down field and those etc.

One possible reason for this is user error – user quickly assembled profile and did not give these ambiguous details much thought (rare, but possible) and the second reason is most likely the case – those with kids don’t want to hurt their chances for matching with others (they think their kids to disqualify them from suitors).

While this is completely understandable, it is misleading. I am always a proponent of being honest on profiles. With so much anonymity, lack of transparency on dating apps, best dating sites for single parents anyone doubt about right off the bat by withholding information makes it hard to trust you and often times signals some insecurity about your situation.

Parents, like all users on dating apps, should feel comfortable and confident in their own skin and lives. Honesty is the best policy here. This is particularly true if you are looking for something serious. Leaving information out about your kids might increase the chances someone thinks you are not looking for anything serious.

It’s often understood that users with limited profiles that are shallow and lack details are more than likely to be searching for a hookup or something casual vs those that put more effort, detail and completeness in profiles. With that said, there is another reason why some women are reluctant to mention having kids on their dating profile.

A few women have been open about wanting to avoid predators that target single moms and their kids. This is a legitimate concern but at the same time is something that others may not grasp or think it’s an over-reaction.

What Do Men, Women Think About Dating Single Parents

It all goes back to analyzing people, being patient, asking questions and getting to know people. Sure there are guys that only want to hookup but that is why you shouldn’t rush into anything. Similarly, you should dismiss guys without kids if you have them because there are some great guys that guy tricked into dating a transgender want to have their own kids but are perfectly fine if you have them.

Single dads tend to get more benefit of the doubt than single moms on dating apps. They can be viewed as mature, life is balanced, person is grounded, man has priorities etc. With that said, it’s important to know how a man talks about his ex wife, partner.

Bottom line, just like with non-parents, you can’t just make broad assumptions about people unless you are willing to pre-emptively dismiss some great catches.

Online Dating Advice: Etiquette Around Kids and Your Dating Profile

I recommend parents include a few details around their kids in their profiles. Mention you have kids, mention ages as well as how many you have. Some parents or even non parents prefer parents who have younger kids or those whose children are older. Being transparent is key here. Sharing information about your kids conveys your intention, life situation confidence in your situation.

The other key thing to remember is to not sound negative in your profile i.e. ‘don’t message me if you don’t like kids.’ This is referred to as defensive language and can cause serious doubt about your ability to trust folks and give people a chance.

If you are hoping to hide your kids and then bring up this new piece of information several dates in, it can cause distrust and heartbreak. Be upfront and filter out folks right off the bat. Don’t waste your time playing games – you are a parent, your time is precious and you deserve someone who appreciates you for who you are.

Dating Bio For Single Mom: How Should A Single Mom Write A Dating Profile (Examples)

Ask any guy and the most cliche, cringy profile for a single mom goes something like this i.e. my child is my world, swipe left if kids are a deal-breaker, my kid comes first etc. If you have to state something so obvious, it’s raises doubts that you are not the parent you think you are.

Yes, by default the assumption should be you are a good parent first who prioritizes their kid, if not, it suggests you don’t know how to screen profiles or have dated many awful guys are jaded and unable to trust anyone.

Rather than list what you don’t want, best dating sites for single parents, focus on what you do want. Some people would say how many kids and rough ages are good to know as single dads may factor that in their considerations for women while others are nervous about privacy issues and creeps. Creeps and awful men are everywhere not just dating apps. Dating sites requires a leap of faith and optimism as well as good judgment, patience. 

Profiles should focus more around you, what you seek, how you spend your time, what you prioritize in life and what you want to do more of now that you are single. No one is going to think you are a bad parent if you use photos of your kid in your profile or don’t state something obvious like the above.

Dating apps are merely introduction apps not ordering apps. The background checks and filtering of people is a result of dating not through being dismissive, untrusting or trying to weed out best dating sites for single parents upfront with negative language.

If you find best dating sites for single parents are not reading your profile, are lying about what they seek or forget that you have kids, then it’s likely their fault not yours. Take the time to get to know someone vs rushing into a date.

Don’t ignore red flags because you haven’t been on a date in a long time, are lonely or have to settle because of lack of options. Many red flags can be ID’d with time, video dates, casual first dates i.e. coffee, drink etc or a quick Google search.

Dating A Man Or Woman Going Through Divorce

When it comes to separation and divorce, things take time. Even if both parties are in agreement and good terms, it best dating apps besides tinder take months if not years to finalize a divorce. Some people stay married on paper to for health benefits, costs associated with divorce lawyers or school districts best dating sites for single parents kids.

Is it ok to date before divorce is final? Yes, absolutely but time is needed alone to heal, go through emotions so one can be ready to build up their lives again. The longer a relationship lasted the more time is needed in general. Sometimes it takes 6 months, sometimes a few years. There is no standard timeframe or mathematical formula.

It can be tricky to know if someone is indeed single and has moved on, is still healing or is actually in the process for filing for divorce, best dating sites for single parents. The only way to know is to spend time, ask questions and judge body language, communication and openness. If someone is dodgy about answering questions, it could be that they are misleading you or it can be that they are uncertain about their situation or it could be that they don’t think you would understand.

The thing to look out for is to see if the person is transparent, doesn’t talk bad about their spouse and is focusing on the future.

How do I know if I am a rebound? Look at the messages sent – are they always sexual in nature? Are dates always physical? Are things moving quickly? Is the person still emotionally unavailable? Does the person dodge questions or refrain from making grand gestures in the relationship that require not only thought and effort but vulnerability?

Best Dating App for Single Moms, Dads, Best Dating Sites For Single Parents

Depending on your area, it’s best to focus your time on the apps for relationship focused individuals. I suggest Coffee Meets Bagel if you are under 40 or Bumble. Tinder is used for more casual relationships, hookups, pen pals but it might be the only game in town depending on where you live. With that said, marriages have started on Tinder and liars exist on Bumble. It’s up to you to use good judgment, be patient, screen profiles and identify red flags.

Dating as a single mom is hard. Making time for yourself is almost non-existent. There are a few great guys (no kids) out there willing to date a single mom but you have to be patient. Get help with your dating profile. Market yourself first and make sure you are emotionally, socially and physically ready. The ability to screen time-wasters, lazy guys and creeps is a skill that is helpful outside of dating apps.

Avoid sounding defensive or distrusting i.e swipe left if, no-hookups. Part of dating is getting to know someone and it’s hard to get to attract someone if you sound jaded from the get go. Similarly, everyone knows you love your child, no need to state the obvious. Doing so suggests that your parenting skills have come under attack and you feel the need to defend yourself.

Focus on your passions, hobbies, curiosities and how you spend your time. Avoid laundry lists, quotes from friends or generic adjectives that can’t be verified without meeting in person.

Online Dating Tips: How Long To Wait To Date After Divorce For Men, Women

Some people would say to wait until the divorce is settled but that can take 1-2 years at least. It’s less about time and more about mental state, ability to give someone a clean slate and details of the divorce i.e. was it already known or in the works vs something that was spontaneous? Were the two of you drifting apart or was there infidelity or abuse in the relationship?

Depending on those factors it can be 6 months to 3 years. It’s important that you show a clear indication of separation (finances, pets etc.) as well as leave no doubt for getting back together or having a good idea for when the divorce will be finalized.

Dating Single Dads, Moms Red Flags: Dating With Kids

The way a parent treats their kids is a great way to learn about a single mom or dad. The tone of voice, scheduling, best dating sites for single parents, prioritization, consideration when dating someone, checking in etc. Don’t ignore they signs early on when dating. It’s hard to balance kids, work and dating but take note of communication between the sex before relationship dating and kids / caretakers as well as between the parent and you. 

Online Dating As A Single Mom, Single Dad: Single Parent Dating

It’s tough. Many people will filter out anyone with a kid mentioned in their profile. This doesn’t mean you should hide or lie about the fact you are a parent. Dating apps can be superficial so if they are not working for you, get some help with your profile (unbiased feedback) or defer to offline methods.

Statistics Of Single Moms, Dads Finding Love

I am not going to lie, it’s tough. People are more picky on dating apps than they are in person. It might be the case that best dating sites for single parents focus on meeting people organically offline as many people check the has kids filter when looking at profiles on dating a british guy apps. It’s important you focus on selling yourself first before using photos with kids. Yes, you are a parent first but you need hobbies, interests etc to attract others and those with kids might have better luck finding other single parents that get them.

Single Parent Dating App

There is none, no good one at least. Your best best is to screen profiles, read people on major apps. Treat dating apps less like UberEats and more like a discovery tool.

On The Fence About Having Kids, Open To Kids

Having kids is not something you can convince someone to do. They have to want it themselves. Sure, some people are on the fence themselves (that is the exception) but if you know you want kids, don’t waste your time. If you want kids, don’t fake the chance to hat you can convince someone. Just because someone wants kids doesn’t mean they want them soon. Similarly just because they might be open to kids doesn’t mean they will be proactive and try to get pregnant.

How To Delete Stir Dating Account

Click here.

Having your child is probably one of the most beautiful things that’s ever happened in your life. But sometimes, the logistics of it all can make dating and finding a new relationship a little more challenging. Thankfully, single parent dating apps provide a great way for single moms and single dads to meet that special someone.

In this guide, we’ve got quite a few fantastic resources for you. First, we’ll show you the best single parent dating apps. Next, we’ll give you some tips and strategies to get the most out of your online dating experience.

1. eHarmony – Best App to Help Single Parents Find Love

The number one single parent dating app is hands-down, no question—eHarmony. The dating site is aimed at singles that are looking for more than just a casual fling. Ideally, the site is designed to help people get to know other singles looking for something more serious. Profiles on the site give you plenty of space to show details about your life and your family situation.

Additionally, the high-powered matching algorithms work hard to help match you with people that either already also have kids, are open to relationships with people who have kids, or are looking to date a single mom or a single dad. If you’re serious about finding someone special, you have got to check out eHarmony right now. It’s no-questing the best single parent dating app on the market.

2. Christian Mingle – Best for Single Christian Parents

Are you a single mom or a single dad who is also a Christian? If you are, Christian Mingle may be one of the best best dating sites for single parents sites for singles parents that you can join.

The site has millions of Christian singles that are looking to date and meet someone special. Additionally, there are plenty of search and profile functions that allow you to find people that are open to dating single parents.

3. Zoosk – Most Flexibile Dating Site for Single Parents

Just because you’re a single parent doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have as many options to find love as people who haven’t gotten to experience the blessing of having children. And for that reason, we think Zoosk is a great option for single moms and dads.

There are over 40 million accounts on there, which means plenty of people to choose from that are looking for casual dating or best dating sites for single parents relationships.

4. NextLove – Top Single Parents Only Dating Site

Unlike some of our other recommendations, NextLove was built specifically as a dating site for single parents and divorcees.

The site has been catering to this market since 2013 and in that time has build up a user base of over 5,000 weekly. (This translates to over 260,000 annual users). This user base primarily spans the Europe and the United States.

If you’d like to give this single parent dating site a try you can do some anonymously and completely free by clicking the button below. Signup should only take about 5 minutes.

5. Elite Singles – Best For Highly Educated Single Parents

You’re a single parent. You’re busy, you have obligations, there’s really no time for messing around with matches that don’t meet your standards.

While this is not a site exclusively for single parents to date, it is one of the best sites for finding highly educated singles online. If that’s something that interests you

6 Reasons These Are the Best Single Parent Dating Apps

Maybe these aren’t the sites you were expecting to see? No gimmicky names or over the top “single moms meet single dads” marketing. Let us explain… Here are 5 quick reasons that these are the best dating sites for single parents in 2022:

1. Millions of active singles open to dating single parents.
2. Quality mobile app interface that makes finding the right singles easier.
3. Search features allow you to search for other singles who have or want kids.
4. Compatible with Google, best dating sites for single parents, Apple, and Android mobile devices.
5. Affordable pricing and a wider range of helpful features.
6. Free trial offers available so you can try before you buy.

Read on to learn more about how these sites compare to the conversation or click here to jump ahead to our explanation of mainstream dating apps vs single parent only dating sites.

Are There Dating Apps Exclusively for Single Parents?

There are probably more than you expected! In this section, we’ll be looking at some dating apps built exclusively to help single parents find love online, best dating sites for single parents. We already talked about NextLove in our top sites breakdown, best dating sites for single parents, but there are seven other single parent online dating options we think you should be aware of.

We’ll give a quick review of each of these dating apps, talk about how well they serve single moms and dads, and ultimately answer the question, “Should you use an exclusively single parent dating site?”. Let’s get to it!

Single Parent Match

Single Parent Match is owned and run by SuccessfulMatch.com. It looks and functions similar to the company’s other brands like PositiveSingles, MillionaireMatch, and BiCupid. Like it’s counterparts, this single parent dating site has a very user friendly design.

Much to our surprise Best dating sites for single parents Parent match has over 2 million members and while the site may not be perfect, their free trial gives access to a lot of great features. For this reason, we think that this best dating sites for single parents may be worth a try if you’re looking for a site that only caters to single parent online dating.

• Membership Cost: Starting at $29.95/month
• Website: singleparentmatch.com

SingleParentMeet

This single parent dating site is one of many projects under the umbrella of People Media. As you might expect it works and functions much like BlackPeopleMeet, JPeopleMeet, OurTime, and the others owned by this company. But how does it work for single moms and dads trying to date online?

Honestly it’s one of the better options within the niche. The main reason being best dating sites for single parents it has a user base of over 80,000 in the United States. While this doesn’t compare to the number of singles at some on the mainstream dating apps it’s pretty decent for an exclusively single parent dating site.

• Membership Cost: Starting at $16.99/month
• Website: singleparentmeet.com

Just Single Parents

Launched in 2015 the goal of this UK-based dating app is pretty clear. They’re trying to match single “mums and dads” through online dating. Great Right?

While there are a some nice features like video clips for profile pages and pre-written icebreakers this site is not without it’s shortcomings. One we found most interesting was that just by signing up for this single parent dating site you become a part of their “shared network”. This means more singles to browse, but ironically, you will no longer be browsing just single parents.

To top that off the brand has been silent on social media since 2015 and honestly has very few reviews even from users. We just best dating sites for single parents recommend this app for single parent dating in 2022.

• Membership Cost: Starting at £29.95 Monthly
• Website: justsingleparents.com

Dating for Parents

Here we have another UK-based dating app for single parents. While the design is sleek and easy to use it’s hard to get over how small the userbase is (Around 10,000 members). While it’s not all bad we find it really hard to justify paying this monthly fee when there are so many great options single parents can use to date online.

We can’t tell you what to do, but if we could we’d say find another single parent dating app. We’ll let you know if this one gets better with time.

• Membership Cost: $34.99 monthly
• Website: datingforparents.com

Mums Date Dads

Of the niche dating sites for single parents we have to admit Mums Date Dads has one of the more modern and eye catching designs. Impressive for a site launched in 2009. That being said, not everything looked good to our reviewers.

• Membership Cost: Starting at $45.92 per month.
• Website: mumsdatedads.com

With the lowest tier premium subscription coming in at $45.92 per month we just can’t recommend a site like this over a mainstream option with a larger user base. Especially when you consider that there is no mobile app or method of identity verification.

Local Single Moms

Looking for single mothers in your area? There’s a dating site for that.

While you can “create a profile 100% free”, and even premium pricing is reasonable low, best dating sites for single parents, we would caution you to consider you other options before joining this dating site for single moms. The design best dating sites for single parents dated best dating sites for single parents as you’ll see by reading user reviews their definition of “free” may not line up with yours. On top of this the user base is very small. Don’t expect to ever see more than 500 people online.

• Membership Cost : $13.33 monthly
• Website: localsinglemoms.com

Single Parent Love

Owned by Cupid Media, this single parent dating site operated for years as one of free dating no.credit card sign up better options in this niche. Unfortunately, as you’ll see in the screenshot the site is no longer in business.

So why us dating app about them? Well, if you like the look and functionality of the Single Parent Love site chances are you’ll like the other sites Cupid Media has to offer. Most of their sites have the same look, feel, best dating sites for single parents, and user friendly functionality.

If you’re interested we’ve included some links to reviews of other dating apps by this brand below:

Should You Use a Single Parents Only Dating App?

Ultimately the choice is up to you, but our team would advise against it. Why? Well, like most niche sites, dating apps for singles parents serve a smaller part of the market, best dating sites for single parents. What this means is they have a smaller user base. This triggers a cycle that makes the best dating apps get better and better and forces the smaller ones get left behind.

• More users = more resources
• More resources = better app features
• Better app features = even more users… and so on

While niche dating services that focus on single parents may have great intentions they’re just not able to compete at the same level as sites like eHarmony, Zoosk, or Christian Mingle. Interestingly, because of the mass volume of users on these mainstream sites you will find more single parents dating with apps like eHarmony than you will on exclusively single parent dating apps.

Our recommendation would be that single moms and dads try one of the more mainstream online dating options. You can see if you like them risk free by claiming one of the free trials on this page.

Free Trials pagan singles dating site Our Top Single Parent Dating Sites

Ready to give one of these single parent dating apps a try? Good! Yes, we’re excited for you. All you have to do is click one of the links in this section and you’ll automatically get set up with a free trial account. From there, you can start to see which single parent dating sites are right for you and which you’re not best dating sites for single parents fan of. You’re just minutes away from starting your journey to find that special someone.

Try the Best Dating Site for Single Parents Today!

Ready to find other single parents near your? All things considered our team thinks eHarmony is the best single parent dating app of 2022. Click the link below to set up your free trial account today!

• Most eHarmony users are looking for serious relationships.
• Filters allow you to see if other singles have or want children.
• Video date feature allows you to meet matches virtually (great for the busy schedules of single moms and dads).
• Over 2 million messages exchanged weekly!
• Free Trial is Unlimited! Never pay unless you like the app.

Other Single Parent Dating Apps (And Free Trial Links)

• Most flexible dating site for single parents (serious or casual).
• Over 35 million members.

3 Tips for Using Dating Sites as a Single Parent

Here are some really helpful tips to get you started the right way when you’re dating online as a single mom or a single dad. You deserve to find someone special, and these tips will help you find them the right way.

Be Open About Your Family Situation

Online dating lets you connect with millions of singles all around the world. Because of that, there’s no reason ever to hide your family situation. You’ll find tons of men and marriage of convenience dating sites that are open to dating single parents. The only thing that might turn them off is if you try and hide it at the beginning. Best dating sites for single parents open about who you are and your life situation, and you’ll find lots of success.

Know Your Boundaries Before You Start

Before you even download any single parent dating apps, determine what your boundaries are going to be. How much information are you going to share about your children? How long into a relationship will you introduce someone to your child? These are simple questions, but they are important ones. It’s much easier to figure out the answers before you start chatting with other people.

Invest In Yourself and Best dating sites for single parents Family’s Future

We understand that money can be tight sometimes as a single mom or a single dad. That being said, online dating is one of those industries where you’re going to get out what you put into it, best dating sites for single parents. If you only use free dating sites, you’re going to run into a lot of flaky people, riff raff, and people just trying to hook up. If you’re looking for something a little more meaningful, you probably want to pay to join a single parent dating app.

The good news is that most online dating sites are very inexpensive. And what’s great is that we set you up with some free trial links at the top and bottom of this guide to help you test things out completely free. Only after you find a site that you like should you ever get a paid membership. Your family and your happiness should be important to you. It’s okay to invest in things that matter.

Online Dating for Single Dads – Tips and Best Dating Sites

If you’re a single dad looking for a relationship online, you’ve got a lot of options. Below, we’ve linked to our guide on the best dating apps for dads. We’ve also linked a couple of other articles we thought might help you get the most our of your online dating experience.

Spoiler alert, you will see a lot of crossover between this list and that list because the sites and apps that are great for single dads are also great for single moms!

That being said, if you’re interested in hearing more about why these dating sites are great for single dads or in need of some more single dad dating tips it’s definitely worth a read.

Online Dating for Single Moms – Tips and Best Dating Sites

Single moms have unique challenges that can make dating tricky. Luckily, the right dating apps for single moms know how to meet these challenges.

If you’re feeling on your own and you’re ready to meet that special someone, give these dating apps a try. (We’ve also listed some helpful tips to help you start dating safely and comfortably online)

As you might expect, there will be a lot of crossover between this list and that list as they serve similar purposes. But this does give us an avenue to highlight any sites or apps that are especially great for single moms, as well as giving additional tips and adivce to help you single mothers find love.

Additional Resources for Single Parents Trying to Find Love

Using dating sites for single parents can be intimidating. We definitely get it. Here are some resources to help you navigate these uncharted waters:

Single Parent Dating Apps FAQ

Are there dating apps for single parents?

Yes! There are plenty of dating apps for single parents that can help you get back into dating. Some of these apps are niche-focused, which means they are only for single parents. The issue with these sites is that they’re only good if you only want to date someone else with kids. The other issue is that they often have very few members. The other option (that we recommend) is to use mainstream dating apps that have filters to put in that you have kids and allow people interested or okay with dating single parents to find you.

How do single parents start dating?

The first step to get back into dating as a single parent is to make sure you’re mentally ready. Once you’re there, the process goes the same as it does for single adults without kids. The one difference is that there will be some people who don’t want to date people with kids (and that’s okay). This is where online dating can really help cut out the awkwardness because you can share right off the bat whether or not you have kids and whether best dating sites for single parents not you’re interested in dating someone with kids.

Should single parents date other single parents?

It’s completely up to you! The benefit of dating other single moms or single dads is that they understand the struggles and joys that you are going through. On the other hand, there’s nothing wrong with dating someone dating apps for overweight kids, as long as they’re open to dating someone with kids.

What’s the best dating app for single parents?

eHarmony and Christian Mingle are the two best dating apps for single parents. As the industry continues to change we will always keep this page up to date with the top dating sites available for single moms and dads.

Are there other single parent dating apps not listed on this page?

Many, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should go looking. We’ve tried to bring you a list of only the best dating sites for single parents. That being said, there are some apps (Stir for example) that our team has their eye on, but we’re waiting to see how users react to them over time.

How can single parents meet more new people?

On this page we’ve talked in depth about what we consider to be the easiest and most effective option—single parent dating sites. That being said, online dating is not your only option. We recommend putting yourself out there.

Get someone to watch the kids and go do things that you enjoy! Go to concerts, or classes, dating site for teachers parks… Doing things you love in public will help you find other people who share your interests.

Does online dating work for single parents?

In short yes! With more and more people around the world warming up to the idea of online dating there has never been a better time for single parents to date online. To learn more about the success rates of online dating, number of people using dating apps, and other interesting stats we recommend you check out our “Online Dating by the Numbers” study.

Written By:Jason Lee

Jason Lee is a data analyst with a passion for studying online dating, relationships, personal growth, healthcare, and finance. In 2008, Jason earned a Bachelors of Science from the University of Florida, where he studied business and finance and taught interpersonal communication.

His work has been featured in the likes of The USA Today, MSN, The Motley Fool, Net Health, and The Simple Dollar. As a business owner, relationship strategist, dating coach, and officer in the U.S. military, Jason enjoys sharing his unique knowledge base with the rest of the world.

Dating sites for single parents are a way to combat relationship anxiety and make the process of seeing someone feel less intimidating. Therefore, best dating sites for single parents, many websites serve this purpose. The thought of dating being a single parent can get scary and overwhelming. However, the good news is you may depend on dating websites for new connections. Continue reading to know more about them.

The Best Dating Sites For Single Parents

1.eHarmony

eHarmony was launched in 2000. To register, you have to fill up a questionnaire regarding your what to know about dating a black man, values, religion, and life skills. You will then be matched with people that share similar traits. The website is great for people looking for a serious relationship. Their basic plan costs between $20 to $60.

2.Match.com

Like eHarmony, Match.com is another website for single parents who want a serious relationship. And the good thing about Match.com is that it offers free membership. However, you can upgrade is asian dating site a scam free profile. Their plans cost between $24 to 32$ per month.

3.OkCupid

OkCupid matches you with compatible people. You have to fill a questionnaire, and the website will then compare your answers to others’ answers to choose matching profiles. So, you can be assured that you will be matched with someone who has a similar taste. You can register for free. However, it also has an upgrade option that may cost between $10 to $35 per month.

4.Plenty Of Fish

Plenty of Fish is a free dating website that is popular among single mothers. The company claims that single mothers have 10% higher chances of meeting someone through plenty of fish than other average users. Even though the website is free, you have the option to choose a paid membership that will give you some added perks.

Many people avoid dating single parents as they do not prefer the additional responsibilities that may come with such a relationship. On the flip side, best dating sites for single parents, many do not mind dating a single parent as, for fitness dating apps, the person matters. In the next section, we have evaluated the pros and cons of such a relationship.

Pros And Cons of Dating A Single Parent

Pros

• A single parent has extra responsibilities, and often, they do not have best dating sites for single parents for themselves. So, if a single parent chooses to spend time with you, be assured that they really like you.

• Single parents tend to be more independent and stable in their life and relationship. Hence, those looking for a long-lasting relationship will find it easy to date a single parent.

• Dating a single parent will also give you plenty of me-time. So, if you are someone who needs their alone time or their own space, best dating sites for single parents, dating a single parent can be great for you.

• You will get an extra dose of love and affection from your partner and their children.

Cons

• The biggest con of dating a single parent is that you may not be their top priority. Their kids will always be their priority, which you have to accept.

• Another con of dating a single parent is dealing with your partner’s ex or the other biological parent. Sometimes, the other cougars only dating site may bring some drama in your life, which can get exhausting with time.

• Dating a single parent means dating their numerous responsibilities. This means you will not get enough time to spend together as a couple.

• Sometimes, a single parent may not want to have more kids in the future. And this might create huge problems in the relationship, especially if you want to have kids.

Dating a single parent has its ups and downs. If you plan to date a single parent, understand what to expect before diving right into it.

What Is It Really Like To Date A Single Parent?

Despite what society tells us, dating a single parent is not that different from dating any other person. Admittedly, you will have less time to spend together. However, this will not come in the way if you truly want to be with that person.

However, the main thing that you need to decide for yourself is if you are ready to take on a step-parent role in the kid’s life. Evaluate if you will be okay with not being the priority in your partner’s life.

Being a single parent comes with multiple challenges. From taking care of the kids to managing your professional life – you have to juggle several tasks at once, best dating sites for single parents. Amidst all these, you don’t have to let your personal life take a backseat. Do not let anything hold you back from renewing your life with someone special. Try the dating websites listed in this post and give love a second chance.

Related

ESME’s Dating Guide, Kathleen Laccinole, reports back from the online-dating trenches

What’s a Solo Mom to do if she wants to date? If you had potential dates at work, you’d be dating them already, and you can’t hang out at bars or ballroom dancing parlors, as you are a Solo Mom. Your friends say, “Join something. Do a hiking group!” But unless you best dating sites for single parents tote a toddler or teenager on that hike, you aren’t going anywhere, best dating sites for single parents. And let’s face it: it’s hard to be flirty when your kid is having a tantrum.

That really leaves us with one reasonable option: online dating.

In the old days, they were called Personals and were printed in your local hipster paper best dating sites for single parents considered risqué and dangerous. Today, they’re called Tinder, Match.com, PlentyOfFish, or any number of odd names, and they are considered commonplace.

My advice is to take it slowly. Research, read reviews, and educate yourself before signing up for any fee-based dating site. And remember, the “free dating sites” are designed to get money out of you somehow, best dating sites for single parents, and information equals best dating sites for single parents.

So in an effort to understand, clarify, and save you time, I joined all of them but one. (And, yes, I’m exhausted.)

The following are the top six most popular dating sites. Notice I did not say the “best” sites because everyone prefers his or her own flavor of ice cream. And notice I said “six” because I couldn’t narrow it down to five. I tried!

1, best dating sites for single parents. Match.com

This is the most popular site with the most success stories. Because you have to pay for it, though, it tends to be geared toward those who are serious about finding a mate.

The process. You fill out a fairly long questionnaire with basic lifestyle questions and write best dating sites for single parents dissertation about who you are and what you are looking for in a match. (Note: mine was only a paragraph long. I’m a Solo Mom; I don’t have time for essays.)

How it works. Matches are based on criteria such as age, distance, ethnicity, and any number of specifics that are fed to hungry algorithms.

My take.I found that a lot of men on this site lie—about marital status, age, weight, you name it. This wouldn’t bother me if it weren’t for the fact that they had to actually think about the lies and then work at them by filling out the necessary questionnaire. In short, it creeped me out. Nevertheless, I know several people who are happily married thanks to Match. So I’m giving it a third chance.

2. eHarmony

A more conservative, fee-based site that also boasts a fishes dating site success rate, eHarmony attracts people who are serious about finding a partner. In fact, the site may reject you for not being suitable dating material, and you can only message someone to whom you’ve been matched.

The process. Users fill out a grueling, comprehensive (more than 400 questions) personality survey.

How it works. Matches are based on compatibility of character, intellect, and values, deduced by a magic algorithm.

My take. I found it easy to navigate but was extremely frustrated that after writing the PhD dissertation of all dating questionnaires, I did not connect with one man in the three months I was on the site. I was not presented with any men who met even half of my reasonable preferences, and I was presented only men who were substantially older than me and who lived far away and, frankly, had nothing in common with me. eHarmony insists the longer you stick with it, the better your chances. But to me, if practice makes perfect, and I’m paying to “practice,” then I’d like to get at least one date.

Nevertheless, because it caters to an older, more financially secure audience, it could be the best choice for a Solo Mom with little time to spare. At the same time—what Solo Mom has time to answer more than 400 questions?!

3. Zoosk

What started as a simple Facebook application has grown into a global online-dating site. Marketed as a “free” app, it is unique in that it watches the patterns of your choices to determine future offerings. Zoosk is integrated with Facebook and other e-mail programs. Touting itself as a “social networking site,” it is really just one massive dating app.

The process. Most users give their age, relative location, profile name, are there any legitimate online dating sites a photo. Completing the actual profile is optional, but the more information you enter, the more precise the search will be.

How it works.Matches are determined by Zoosk’s “behavioral matchmaking” technology, which learns from members’ actions. Originally free, it has been gamified, offering “coins” to purchase various features on the site.

My take. This is the one site I did not join: the user reviews were not good. Apparently, the Facebook component opens you up to a basket of freaks, and in order to get more information, Zoosk makes you pay. In other words, it draws you in by dangling the carrot of love and then makes you give money to bite it.

Zoosk is also known for using fake members to lure back those who leave the site and write glowing reviews of their Zoosk experiences. As one user stated, “Oh boy! Hey everyone, look! It’s someone from Zoosk promoting Zoosk!”

4. OkCupid

OkCupid (OKC) is Zoosk’s biggest rival in that it has a similar user-friendly interface. OKC attracts more eclectic people and tends to be more popular among the younger crowd best dating sites for single parents open-minded singles. Again, it’s a free site with fees to upgrade.

The process. You must complete an ever-changing, wide-ranging, and sometimes off-the-wall questionnaire. (Questions are submitted by users and chosen by OKC staff.) You rate the importance of the questions that your potential best dating sites for single parents answers in a like manner. Maybe you don’t care if the guy chronically smokes pot, but if he doesn’t wear Converse sneakers—forget it!

How it works. The site uses this information to show the percentage of “match,” “friend,” or “enemy” you are with other love seekers. The higher the percentage of “match,” the better the chance for a love connection.

My take.This Solo Mom found it not only to be difficult to figure out but also to have the most “sexually aggressive” members—as in, GROSS! And I’m a pretty open-minded gal. I had zero reasonable matches during my three months on the site, aside from one match whom I quite liked—until he confessed to being in a relationship. But could he “save my number in case things didn’t best dating sites for single parents out?” My answer rhymed with “Ruck roff!”

5. PlentyOfFish

The PlentyOfFish (POF) app aims to combine the ease of a simpler matching service with the intelligence of the “personality test” sites.

The process.As you would with any other dating site, you fill in your basic information, but you can also complete a “chemistry test,” something recommended for those seeking an LTR (long-term relationship).

How it works. Matches are based on mutual interests. The more information you feed the algorithm, best dating sites for single parents, the more effectively it matches you. It also has a nifty “Meet Me” feature that quickly offers you men in your area who match your interests. POF functions on the premise that you get what you give—the more information you provide, the more meaningful matches you receive.

My take. I was so confused! Finally, my seasoned cousin showed me how to work it. She likes the site; me, not so much. After four weeks, I am finally getting the knack of it. . and have yet to find a date. Plus, like other sites, when you want more information (read: you are a Solo Mom and don’t have time for useless dating), it asks you for money. Swipe left!

6. Tinder

You didn’t think I’d forget Tinder, did you?

Any breathing person over the age of seven has heard of Tinder. A cousin of the original gay-oriented hookup site, Grindr, Tinder was born with the reputation of being a hookup site for straights. Nevertheless, it is one of the most popular dating apps for people looking to find love as well.

And although it often is used as a doorway to casual encounters, it also connects you to others quickly by skipping endless questionnaires and profile presentations.

In short, it’s a good choice for a Solo Mom who is nervous about online dating and wants to get her feet wet, practice her flirting skills, and meet new people relatively quickly.

The process.Write a really short blurb about yourself and what you are looking for in a date. Assemble some pictures, and bam! You are on. Tinder runs off of Facebook, so if you do best dating sites for single parents have a Facebook account, you will need to create one.

How it works. Swipe! You are presented photos and blurbs of a bucketload of men in your desired age and distance parameters, and you are shown if you have mutual Facebook friends. If you don’t like the person, swipe left. If you do like the person, swipe right. If that person swipes right as well, you are a match. Let the texting begin.

My take. There are definitely creeps out there, online and in real life. This is a free site with an ill-deserved bad reputation. If you aren’t looking for a “hookup,” then say so in your profile. If he says he is, then swipe left.

It is very easy to do and a good place to cut your teeth when reentering the dating world. I was able to get a lot of dates—some good, some horrible. The more I did it, best dating sites for single parents, the better I got at it. And I met some good guys who are still my friends and help me if my car won’t start. Bottom line, Tinder is a game and something fun for a Solo Mom to play while falling asleep at night.

So there you have it. Aside from the above “big six,” there is a virtual smorgasbord of other dating sites: smaller sites (Hinge), new sites with innovative concepts (Coffee Meets Bagel), or niche sites based on personal beliefs and preferences (JDate, FarmersOnly.com, VeggieDate); there’s even a site for Solo Moms (SingleParentMeet).

I’ll examine those sites next time—though I can’t promise I will be able to join them all. I’d end up in a hospital. And I can’t right now. . I’m a Solo Mom!

For more advice and conversation, join our confidential Dating Sister Chat.

Kathleen Laccinole, ESME’s Dating Resource Guide, has penned numerous reviews of transgender dating sites and parenting books but is best known for producing the highly lauded Greta, age 20, and William, best dating sites for single parents, age 16.

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