Meeting Single Parents

Break Out of Your Rut!

Take a look at how you spend your days. Are you in situations that might bring new singles into focus? If you basically go straight from work to home, then of course it may be nearly impossible for you to meet new friends. You've got to get out of that rut! This doesn't necessarily mean that you need to take precious time away from your child. In fact, if your goal is to meet other single parents, then your child can actually be a part of that...to a degree.

If you are searching for friends of the same gender, then bringing your child into the mix means making new friends for him or her, too. However, if your search for single parents has a romantic focus to it, it would probably be best if your child didn't meet all of your new acquaintances until you've had time to get to know them better. Introducing too many people of the opposite sex to your child can be confusing to say the least!

Develop New Hobbies and Interests

A great way for meeting single parents is to develop new hobbies and interests. There are lots of options! Try joining a health club or a reading club. Take a new class. Local colleges and universities offer continuing education classes, and recreation centers often hold classes such as basketweaving, pastel painting, pottery, aerobics, etc. Sometimes sporting goods stores sponsor hiking trips, fishing excursions, etc. Check with some of the larger stores, such as Dicks Sporting Goods or Bass Pro Shops.

Organizations for Meeting Single Parents

With the arrival of the Internet in a large number of houses, meeting single parents has just gotten easier. There are many single parent organizations that you can first check out on the Web, and then search for local chapters in your area.

1. Parents Without Partners
2. Jewish Family and Children's Services Parents Place
3. Berkeley Parents
4. Baby Center
5. Solo Parents Network
6. Single Adoptive Parents
7. Single Parents Organization

Precautions

While it is great to make new friends and meet new people, searching the Web or meeting others face-to-face requires common sense and caution. Keep in mind that the person you are chatting with on the Internet may not be who he says he is. Keep these tips in mind when using the Internet to meet others.

1. Never give out personal information until you are completely satisfied that the person you are chatting with is the real deal.
2. You could always do a Google search to check them out! It couldn't hurt, and you might feel better!
3. When meeting someone for the first time, arrange to meet in a public place. Don't give your personal address out, and bring along a friend for safety and moral support!
4. Tell someone where you are going and when.
5. Keep your cell phone with you at all times.
6. Don't bring your child with you!

If you are going on a date for the first time with someone you've met in your area, you still need to use caution unless this person is well-known by friends and/or family.

1. Meet separately at a public place.
2. Bring a friend along for the initial meeting if it makes you feel more secure.
3. Be sure you tell someone where you are going and when.
4. Keep your cell phone with you at all times.
5. Be sure you drive your own car, so you can leave whenever you like.
6. Don't give out your personal information until you are well-acquainted with this person.
7. Don't bring your child with you!

Finally, meeting other single parents can be a challenge, but if you break out of your rut and use common sense, you can make lots of great new friends!