Ideas for Creating a Dating Relationship with a Single Parent
I originally wrote this article on June 28, 2014.
This post expands on my post called How to Date a Single Parent.
It is possible to establish and foster a relationship with a single parent even while the parent is busy with their child(ren).
But time and energy are precious: it might be hard for the parent to relax at dinner-and-a-movie when they know they could be using their kid-free time getting things done or resting. It can be quite a dilemma when they also want to be with you!
Think in terms of creative and functional dates: incorporate the must-do, day-to-day stuff into your relationship. Trouble-shoot together. Keep in mind that it’s your presence (not the idea of you) that they want to fit into their life. Here are some examples; ask the parent if they like these ideas and if they have more to add:
Be in contact; that’s the whole point of having a relationship, right? Have daily communication with each other. More on this below.
Exercise together–especially exercises you can do while talking. Many parents will find a way to get some sort of exercise, especially when their children can be alone for an hour or two or the fitness center has free childcare.
Ride together. Rather than meeting somewhere in separate cars, traveling together to your destination is another way to spend time together.
Run errands together. Errands are way more fun with a friend to talk to and be with, and are full of many opportunities to learn about each other: your mannerisms, social skills, taste, styles, preferences, and idiosyncrasies.
Hang out together for chores and home projects. Help as desired, otherwise just keep each other company and talk while the parent is working.
Work on projects next to/near each other. Examples: computer-type stuff, homework, or other table-top/floor handwork activities.
Work together: Work at the same company, or help them with their at-home business.
Go to the same church, clubs, or organizations they belong to.
Attend the same group functions, happy hours and parties.
Bring ingredients to their home, or grocery shop together, so you can cook or BBQ together. Clean up together too.
Do nothing. Rest, relax, snuggle.
Watch movies or read aloud to each other.
Take classes together.
Go to ‘pampering’ appointments together. Examples: pedicures, massages, hair cuts.
If the setting allows and the parent has okay-ed it, stop by their place-of-employment to say ‘hello’. Bring lunch for you to eat together on their break, or a beverage or snack if you can’t stay.
Talk on the phone while doing chores, driving, taking a break, and just before drifting asleep.
Text and email while at work or doing some other structured/restrictive activities, just before drifting asleep, and wishing a quick ‘good morning’ with your coffee.
Meet them at family-friendly group activities. Because there will be other people participating in the activities, you can still interact with each other without it being really obvious to the kids that you’re a ‘couple’ and without having to introduce you to the kids yet. Check out meetup.com for established family-friendly groups. Examples: volunteer work, community gardening, picnics, roller or ice skating, sledding, amusement parks, field trips, outdoor concerts and festivals, indoor expos, fishing, hiking, geocaching and camping.
Check out my other Single Parent articles:
Warmly,