Although dating might not be your main priority right now, Match is here to make navigating the world of single parent dating as simple as possible. Having children doesn’t mean that dating can’t still be a fun experience! If anything, the single parent experience could be what ignites a mutual understanding and makes dating other single parents a smoother process.
Why Choose Match to Start your Single Parent Dating Journey?
At Match, we know how important it is to make sure you’re meeting the right people when you’re dating with kids in tow. Naturally, kids come first and there isn’t the type of ‘freedom’ there used to be when dating as a non-single parent.Instead, anxiety-ridden questions come into the picture; when is the right time to introduce who I’m dating to my kids, how long do I have to ‘act single’ around them, how do I meet the right people who will not only understand but also like my lifestyle and want to fit into it? The questions continue.
Despite these worries, it must be remembered that single parent dating is totally and utterly normal and probably more popular than you’d think (if the Kardashians can do it, why can’t you!). We’ve helped 1.6 million people meet their partner in the UK, so we know it’s crucial to match you with like-minded people on your dating journey. We know that using single parent dating sites and apps come with their own unique set of dating goals and essentials – and we’re here to help.
Using our comprehensive profile set up, which only takes five minutes, we can identify key factors to match you with like-minded singles who are searching for the same important things you – and your children – are looking for.
*Data based on an extrapolation from Research Now survey conducted in April 2018, among a representative sample of 10671 persons aged 18+ in the UK, which has been combined with the total population of this age group (Source Eurostat 2018).
3% of interviewees have ever been in a relationship with someone they claim having met on Match.
Dating With Children In The UK
Being a parent can feel like a full-time job – and that’s not even counting work itself! But Match is here to make sure that you are only seeing profiles who fit your preferences and could fit into your lifestyle and family routine.Naturally, you want to meet other people who would also enjoy spending time around your kids. Gone are the images of cold and distant step-parents. Sure, being a single parent is hard but it’s worth the work because we love our little angels and who’d want to date someone who didn’t also admire the person you’re raising? Match’s site and app uses filters and algorithms which help you find the best possible match for both yourself, your kid and your lifestyle.
Spending hours swiping left and right through pictures and profiles can be exhausting, so we have special services to help you find a true connection. For example:
- Profiles suggested on your likes, interests and style. No more time-wasting and endless swiping!
- All of our profiles – down to every picture – are verified by our team, so you know you’re talking to a real person on the other side.
- Messaging and voice call options so you can get to know someone before you go on an in-person date.
- An award-winning customer care and a dedicated team that aim to deal with any queries within 24 hours.
Many might tell you that online dating as a single parent will only result in fatigue and disappointment. In reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Dating as a single mum or dad is an exciting and worthwhile experience – if you’re both looking for the same thing. That’s why we know how important it is to find out if your potential date shares your values and preferences before you even start chatting.
Are You A Parent Looking to Date? We Have Some Advice Just for You
Don’t know where to start? You’re not alone!
In a pre-COVID survey, we asked single parents how often they went on dates and over a third said they hadn’t been on a date in over a year. Even more surprisingly, 45% said they never dated at all after having their children! This made us sad because everyone deserves to find love and companionship no matter their relationship status or how busy their lifestyle is.
Well, we are looking to change that. It can be intimidating to begin using a single parent dating site, so as well as our Match app features, we have an abundance of advice for people using dating sites as single parents. From the top first date advice for everyone to examples of profiles that have worked for other single parents, we are here to ease you into the online dating world.
Single Parent Dating Shouldn’t Be A Burden
It’s official, we’ve banned the ‘B’ word… Baggage! What were you thinking of?!
Being a parent is a beautiful and selfless experience. Who wouldn’t want to date someone who was serious and looking for a sincere connection with someone special?
Also, forget what anyone tells you about baggage being negative. We prefer to see ‘baggage’ as an attractive quality when single parent dating. Baggage means experience, it means you know what you want and you’re open to dating people that maybe wouldn’t have been your ‘type’ when single dating in your late teens, twenties and pre-parent days.
Plus, single mums are hot! As are single dads! We don’t hold the same eager, lost or naive energy we maybe did in our pre-parent dating lives (even if we feel it on the inside). Single parents don’t have time to waste – we know what we want and that’s to date like-minded people with shared interests who would be open to the idea of dating someone with kids or perhaps are a fellow single parent with kids themselves. As a single parent we are desired – confidence is everything and as people who make daily sacrifices and generous gestures for the sake of our children we have the free right to be confident that we’re a catch!
Life experience is a pivotal part of becoming a full and interesting person, not a burden to be embarrassed about or hide from your dating profile. Your family isn’t baggage that takes away from someone getting to know you and enjoy your company, children add an extra element – not to mention fun – to your dating journey.
At the same time, it is so natural so experience worries about entering a new relationship as a single mum or dad with kids. Unlike when we were single and childless, we had the time to maybe task risks and that involved taking home people we didn’t always love – or even like – only to realise that maybe they weren’t the best… With a kid in the mix, we don’t have the time for that and just want to be able to date someone slowly but surely who wants to make a good impression for you and your children. Someone who wants the same things, who hopefully will want to become a real partner, in the lifestyle sense, someone who will support your needs but still maintain a sense of fun and adventure.
No matter how many tips you ask for from fellow single parent friends who are dating, nothing is going to push the dating boat out apart from you doing it yourself. Sure, there are pros and cons when it comes to dating but chatting to other single parents can rule out those who don’t want the same things as you. Match allows you to talk to people and gauge whether they’re looking for a long term relationship, whether indeed they are a single parent themselves and therefore can bond over single mum and single dad problems and joys alike.
Speaking to friends, you may also hear societal pressures such as ‘single mums prefer’ or ‘single dads prefer’, truly all this is nonsense. Simply be yourself and allow yourself to bon authentically on Match’s dating site or app over organic interests. The right person is sure to be out there.
Being open, honest and earnest are the most attractive attributes in a new special someone. Let’s face it, you’re not going to be everyone’s cup of tea – and you should be happy about that! Filtering out people who don’t have the same goals and hopes for the future as you is a necessary part of dating, and at Match we make it easier by asking about you and how you see your life. It’s important to fit people in around your priorities and not the other way around!