How to Manage Single Mom Dating When You Have a Demanding Career

How to Manage Single Mom Dating When You Have a Demanding Career Single mom dating isnt easy. Being a single mother, juggling kids and a career while trying to have a love life takes work. But its doable.Being a single mother comes with plenty of challenges, many of which have caused me to Google how exactly to be a superhero (because so many single parents just are). Add to that pile of endless Google searches how to have a social life while raising kids and simultaneously having a demanding career. Honestly, by the end of the day Im so tired I can barely manage to take any time for myself before calling it a day and crawling into bed. And if were being completely honest, the idea of making small talk with strangers is at the bottom of the list of things I want to do. Yep, dating and networking are essentially the same thing.As Charlotte from SATC so famously saidWhere is he?Heavy sighs all around. Of curse, like most, I want the end result that comes from dating a happy relationshi p with a partner that I can lean on leid only romantically, but as a true companion and best friend. But the work that goes into it is a bit more complicated than just making empty wishes with zero effort. Ultimately the one thing that is needed to successfully juggle a career, single parenting, and dating is the desire tomake it work. Thats why I have stopped making excuses and started pushing myself to put these simple steps into practice with online dating. Heres my advice to you broken down into steps.1. Use an app that meets your dating needs.I tried using multiple apps at once, and welches instantly overwhelmed. From Tinder, to Bumble, to OkCupid,to Match, its safe to say there are many apps out there to quench your online dating desires. I chose the one that I felt represented what I was seeking in dating and a partner overall.2. Dont judge online dating based on the creeps.Yes, there are most certainly creeps, and its likely that you will encounter at least a few as you try to navigate the online dating world. Keep in mind that, despite the few creeps, there are good guys (and women) out there,so just keep on keeping on.3. Be upfront about your single parent status.My son is the most important person in my life, and he is my first priority. Anyone who cant understand that is immediately eliminated, which saves me time that is already limited and precious. Being honest from the get-go eliminates any confusion or issues further down the line.4. However... do not share everything.At least not right away. Do not unload any details about your ex, your divorce, your custody battle, etc. (you get the picture). Basically, any heavy stuff should wait until youve established an actual relationship and gotten close enough to share more intimate details of yourself/your life. If you need to vent about these things, call your friends or seek a trusted therapist to help you sort it out.5. Be clear on what youre seeking out of this, with yourself and the other party. Hookups, dating, and an actual relationship are very different things, and there are many people seeking a variation of the above. Make sure the person youre spending your time with is on the same exact page from the beginning.6. Meet for coffee or a quick drink before scheduling a real date.Chemistry and attraction is hard to mistake if the small talk is painful or Im just not interested, I know. Why schedule a date and waste both of our time after that?7. Make use of your free time as a single parent.As a single mom, I try to date exclusively when my son is with my ex. However, there are times when our schedule is not as stable as expected, so when a situation arises, I lean heavily on my circle. I also know that just because there are two parents doesnt mean that both are actively parenting (trust me, I know), so this leads to my next tip...8. Ask your friends and family to help/babysit.See above re leaning on your people. Remember to return the favor and you will continue to st ay in their good graces9. When all else fails, find a good babysitter onwhom to rely.Ask for recommendations from your circle, or use a trusted service like Care.com to place a nanny or sitter.10. Schedule dates on days and at times that are more convenient.Yes, this obviously can also mean when you dont have your child, but overall think when you can manage to squeeze some adult time in. If soccer games are dominating your Mondays and Fridays, and you have a presentation you know youll be working late on Wednesday night, but Thursday night is free and clear, plan accordingly.11. Listen to your intuition and inner voice.Take it slow. Allow time to reisepass before you make any snap decisions or introduce your children to the person youre dating. If it feels right, great. If it doesnt... Pay attention and examine why.The advice above also applies to any potential loves you meet irl organically, of course. Prince Charming just may come strolling down grocery aisle 5 and pick up the sa me brand of guac you were in mid-reach of. One never knows how the stars will align.Ultimately only you can decide if a situation or relationship is right for you and your family. Take your time and dont rush into anything. Mr. or Ms. Right will be patient and willing to take the time needed in getting to know you, and your child(ren) once the time is right. A partner worth having will always respect your career and single parent status.--Karen Schneider works for bareMinerals in weltweit Packaging + CreativeOperationsand has worked in a variety of industries over the span of her career, including digital media, fashion apparel, and wine spirits. She is currently a contributor to The Muse and Career Contessa and has been featured on Business Insider, Inc., Fast Company andHarvardBusiness Review for hercareer advice. Shes obsessed with learning, life, and career/self-improvement.