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Dating as a Single Mother — Who Says it’s Easy?
There must be a quota for happiness
A year after my separation my (teenage) children asked when and whether I would start dating. I told them I wasn’t ready but will consider it when I feel the time was right.
I gave myself time to heal and get in touch with my true self, away from the person I had to morph into to survive in the marriage. I took two-thirds of this year to do some inner work and spend time going after things that brought me happiness. I wanted the divorce to be final, and it was.
I found myself in a happy place again; happy just being me.
Between a rock and a hard place…
The truth is that as women and mothers we tend to do the heavy lifting. Sometimes more than most children even expect. It becomes a habit — to be there for the children.
I am that primary parent who has always been there for my children, 24/7. With one child off to college and some time freed up, I wanted to be “selfish” enough to want to date. The goal was to find companionship and friendship.
In comes Reality. I have my children all the time with the exception of four days a month (which is two weekends a month). After being around them ALL of the time, stepping away even for one…
