Best Single Mom Dating App
Finding the right partner is rarely easy. With our busy lives, many people find it difficult to make time for dating. Single parents, especially single mothers, can find this extra challenging. A single parent might have to sacrifice a lot of their free time, which means that taking the time to go out and meet someone just isn’t practical.
So, does this mean that all single moms should give up the search for that special someone? No, of course not.
The most obvious solution is looking into joining a dating site. Dating apps are becoming more and more popular, not just among single parents. They offer convenience and a variety of choices. You might find people on a dating app that you would never have met otherwise.
Even so, some people are hesitant to try out a dating app. A single mom has her children to think about, and not all dating apps are really suitable for single parents. Besides, getting back into the dating pool might be a little intimidating. So, which app should you choose? Are there any tips and tricks to help you when you’re searching for someone?
We’re going to check out eight of the top dating sites and apps and look at some pros and cons.
#1 Match.com
You’ve probably already heard of Match.com, and for a good reason. It’s considered one of the most popular dating apps in the world, and it’s been around since 1995! While you can choose to pay for a membership, which will give you even more perks, you can also use the app free of charge.
Match.com has around 15 million regular users and gets over twice that number in monthly views. It caters to single people of all backgrounds and preferences, and its gender ratio is more evenly balanced than some other dating sites.
There’s also a detailed questionnaire every member needs to fill out. It means that when you do so potential matches, you’ll be able to see as much information about them as possible.
If you’re just sticking your toe into the dating pool again, it might be worth trying Match.com out first. Its high level of members and good balance of genders means that its success rate is impressively high.
#2 EliteSingles
This could be a good choice for a single mom with high standards. Just because you’re searching for a partner doesn’t mean that you’ll settle for just anybody. You and your children deserve the best match possible. EliteSingles is less popular than sites such as Match.com, with around 2 million monthly views. However, it focuses more on quality rather than quantity.
It boasts plenty of exciting features, including the ability to choose categories for your matches, so you see more people who suit your interests, and a “Have You Met” feature, where the site recommends matches you might not have seen during your own searches.
EliteSingles is safe and private and has a high level of well-educated members – over 80% of members have some form of university or college degree.
#3 SingleParentMatch.com
Since single moms can sometimes find it hard to find a suitable partner on a traditional dating site, it might be an idea to try a more niche dating site. Sites like SingleParentMatch.com are designed with single parents in mind. This takes some of the pressure off of a single mom looking for a partner.
It’s been around since 2001, and it’s free to join the site. You do need to be approved by the SingleParentMatch.com team before your profile becomes visible to others. This might initially be a little frustrating, but it’s reassuring to know that the site is safe and secure.
#4 Just Single Parents.com
While popular dating sites might offer a huge variety, that doesn’t necessarily mean that all of your matches will be suitable for a single parent. You still need to filter through all the possibilities, which takes more time and can be frustrating.
Sites like Just Single Parents.com might be the answer. This site is exactly what it sounds like – it’s a dating app just for single parents. It’s free to join. However, if you want to add more filters to your search or send messages, you will need to upgrade to a paid membership.
While joining a site like this means that everyone already knows what they’re looking for, that might not be ideal for everyone. Also, since this isn’t such a large app as some other sites, it can mean that you’re fishing in a much smaller pool.
#5 eharmony
It would be difficult to make a list of suitable dating apps without including eharmony. It’s a hugely popular dating site, which means you’re seeing the biggest variety of possible matches available. While it isn’t specifically designed for single moms, it can be easily streamlined and tailored for you and your preferences.
It is another dating site with a mostly even ratio of male to female genders and boasts around 4 million views every month. It has 10 million active members and includes the famous 32 Dimensions Personality Assessment.
This assessment is a full questionnaire that every member must be filled out. It includes all the important facts about yourself, your preferences, your goals, your family life, and so on. It means that your matches on eharmony are as relevant and compatible as possible.
#6 Plenty Of Fish
It is another dating site you’ve probably already heard of. Plenty of Fish is a good choice if you’re looking for a free dating site with plenty of options. Again, this doesn’t cater specifically for single moms, but it’s simple to set your interests to show you’re a single parent. Interestingly, 44% of Plenty of Fish’s female users are single moms.
Plenty of Fish has over 88 million users, meaning you really are offered “plenty of fish.” A lot of dating sites offer “free” membership, but if you want to adjust your search parameters and message other people, you need to pay. Of course, this means that single moms looking to meet someone on a dating site will need to pay a membership. Not every single parent can afford an expensive monthly subscription.
Plenty of Fish does offer a premium package with no ads and some other benefits, but you can use the rest of the features to meet and message matches at no cost.
#7 Single Parent Passions
Another dating site designed for single parents, Single Parent Passions, is a little more laid back than some other dating apps. It focuses more on building friendships and relationships, as opposed to rushing like-minded singles into a date. With this kind of site, your singleness isn’t your defining quality. It’s your passions, your interests, your hobbies that are the key focus.
Singles can join various groups and forums, send each other free online gifts, and more. It’s designed specifically for single parents, and it’s free to join.
#8 OurTime.com
If dating can be difficult for young single moms, imagine how difficult it can be for older single parents. Some (but not all, of course) mature single moms are looking for serious relationships with other mature adults, and sometimes that can be difficult to find in the fast-paced hookup culture on dating apps.
OurTime.com is aimed at singles over the age of 50. It’s not specifically designed for single moms, but can be easily be tweaked and adjusted. With a site aimed at more mature singles, this means it’s easier to find a more serious relationship if that’s what you’re looking for.
The site boasts traffic of almost 9 million views a month, with a reasonably balanced gender ratio. OurTime.com is a popular site that just keeps on growing. If you’re a single mom over the age of 50 looking for a serious commitment, this site might be the best choice for you.
Pros and Cons of Online Dating Apps
Perhaps you’re still not convinced. You might have heard worrying stories about friends who’ve been bombarded with weird messages and unsolicited photos. You might not be particularly tech-savvy, and the idea of creating a dating profile and shopping for singles doesn’t sound fun.
But on the other hand, you’re too busy to go out and meet people. Perhaps there’s no one in your area that you like.
Online dating is becoming more and more popular. It’s easy, it offers more choice, and often, it’s free. Let’s take a look at some pros and cons of online dating.
Pros:
Variety and quantity.
Going out to shop for singles takes time and effort. With a profile on a good dating site, you can see hundreds of potential matches at once and sort through your choices to find someone you like. You might meet people you would never have met otherwise.
No games.
Everyone is single. It is a dating site, so everyone is here for the same reason. Of course, some people may be looking for a serious commitment, whereas others might be looking for something more casual. That’s often something you can see in their profile, and filter out matches that are too serious or not serious enough. The point is, you know that everyone there is looking for more or less the same thing.
Basic information is provided.
Most, if not all, dating sites require that you fill out a profile before becoming a member. The profile includes a lot of basic information, and often includes “dealbreakers” – for example, perhaps you want to have more children later on, but someone you’re matched with does not want more children. Instead of going on several dates and finding out later that you’re incompatible, you can find out immediately and then move on. Other information like preferences, family, religion, political views, and so on are often included in the profile, so you can tell whether you and your match would be compatible or not.
Convenience
Dressing up and going out to meet someone takes time, effort, and usually money. Alternatively, you could sign up to a dating app and happily browse through possible matches while lounging on your couch. Dating apps are usually the cheaper options too. Even the premium monthly subscriptions rarely add up to more than $40 a month.
Cons:
You may meet some strange people.
If it’s free or inexpensive for you to join a dating app, that means it’s the same for other people. You may meet singles that you don’t click with, or simply don’t like. People often feel less inhibited when talking online, so they may say things they would be unlikely to say in real life. If you find that you are getting messages or pictures that make you uncomfortable, you can usually alter your settings so that you aren’t matched with those kinds of people. If someone is abusive or makes threats, you can report them to the site and have their profile removed.
Rejection
On a dating site, you’ll usually be presented with dozens of possible matches, maybe even more. Some sites have a set number of matches they’ll give you each week or month, with premium members possibly getting even more. Of course, you won’t click with everyone, and more matches mean you have more chance of getting turned down. Even getting turned down via an online message can be disheartening. However, you shouldn’t give up!
It can be time-consuming.
It’s one thing to set aside time to go out on a date one evening, and quite another to spend all evening scrolling through possible matches on your phone. The choice can be overwhelming, and like a lot of social apps, dating apps can take up a lot of your time. As a single mom, you’ve probably got precious little free time as it is! It’s often wise to limit your use on dating apps; don’t get addicted.
People may present themselves differently.
It’s easy to say the right thing when you’re crafting an online profile. Someone skilled at taking selfies can make themselves look very different than they do in real life. It might be disappointing to meet up with a person you’re excited to meet, only to find that they look and act completely differently than they did online. Try not to make too many assumptions.
Remember to be perfectly honest yourself when filling out your dating profile. Don’t worry too much about your imperfections; they’re part of who you are!
Advice for Online Dating
Approaching online dating can be overwhelming. In fact, it wasn’t too long ago that people were embarrassed about having met their partners online.
This is no longer the case – online dating is hugely popular and is helping people all over the world meet that special someone. Here are some handy tips to bear in mind:
Be safe
It is probably the most important point here. Just like with real-life dating, not everyone has your best interests at heart. Many women don’t let their dates pick them up at their house for the first time, nor do they go to their date’s house. Ideally, meet somewhere neutral for a meal or a coffee. You might also want to tell a friend or family member that you’re on a date and where you’ll be.
Similarly, don’t feel that you have to “prove” anything to anyone. People tend to be more confident and demanding online, so don’t take any kind of attitude you wouldn’t take face to face. If you spot a “red flag,” trust your own judgment.
Be honest
One of the “cons” we mentioned earlier was that sometimes people look and act differently to how they presented themselves online. It might be very tempting to make yourself look and sound better to a potential match, but it’s far better to simply be honest. Even if you’re worried about missing out or focused on impressing someone, is it worth running the risk of disappointing that person because you lied about something? Do you really want to start a relationship based on lies?
Be confident
Attitude is everything. A negative or desperate attitude is only likely to push possible matches away. Another “con” we mentioned was that you’re likely to experience more rejection on a dating app, simply because of the volume of prospective matches. Try not to take it personally. Searching for that special someone might feel like you’re auditioning for something, but remember that the other person probably feels exactly the same way.
Be fair
Don’t expect something from others that you aren’t willing to give yourself. Of course, you know what you’re looking for, and you know your own standards, but make sure you’re being fair. If you aren’t sure, ask a close friend to check your profile and give you their honest opinion.
Be good-humored
It’s so important to keep a sense of humor about this. You probably will go on a weird date and see some strange profiles. Laugh about it!
Conclusion
Online dating can be nerve-wrecking, but it can also be exciting. It offers all kinds of opportunities and is convenient and cheap enough for a single mom like yourself to find that special someone. Why not give it a try?
