Can dating work for single parents with only school-hour free time?

[HoTToTouch]

I’m a single parent and my kids don’t see their dad. I have been a single parent for many years. However for the past four years I’ve basically had no break at all, but I’m just starting to get a bit of time back the catch is it’s only during school hours.

I’m wondering if anyone else has been in a similar position and actually managed to meet someone? As in, you have children and don’t have evenings, weekends, or full days free to spend building a relationship in the usual way.

People have suggested dating while the kids are at school, but I can’t quite picture how that works in reality or whether it’s enough to form something meaningful.

I think it’s starting to hit me that I might be on my own forever which I’m trying not to be sad about but I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s made this kind of situation work.
(For personal reasons I am unable to use babysitters)

I think it's near on impossible. Most people work Monday to Friday. Do you work OP? If you work school hours then it's going to be difficult. Nothings impossible, but it will be hard to date and keep that separate from your children if you do. Ultimately that means no date nights, no sharing nights together if you don't ever get a break from kids. Can your parents possibly help with the odd sleepover if they'd be up for it?

You will only meet men who want FBs -any man who wants an actual relationship would not be interested.

My parents do not look after my children no.

I honestly think finding someone to only date during school hours will be very hard due to work hours.

Lunch breaks I guess? Im hoping to hear from people who have been in this situation? As I doubt im the only one.

When do you work if you have no childcare outside school hours?

Where on earth have I mentioned sex lol but nothing wrong with that either? Are mums not allowed sex?

I have been in this situation and dated doctors, firefighters and police officers etc. Basically people working shifts who have busy lives but time during the day. It is possible!

Thats lovely to hear, thank you.

You can't win here sometimes. People rightly criticise if you introduce random men to your kids, but if you want to date responsibility like us, then that's wrong too.

Im going to ignore those posters im not sure why they are so angry. Single mums are allowed a life.

No I don't think that would work. Where are all those firefighters and doctors floating about during the day.

What do you mean where are they? Loads of people work shifts.

It’s possible if you happen to find someone you click with who works shifts, but it will be difficult as lots will work during the day. Dating on lunch breaks won’t work usually as there won’t be much time, they’d have to work close to where you live and their mind will be in work.

Thats how others have told me to date, so I’m only going on what others have suggested. I’ve been out of the dating game for a very long time thats why I was hoping to hear from anyone who had found someone this way rather than negativity. Im not asking for opinions only other people’s experiences.

As your children are primary age or older, would you be comfortable having an occasional babysitter? We did that in order to have nights out.

There probably are shift workers but just to give you the heads up on the more likely reality. The men available during the day will be in the majority, retired men looking for someone 20 years younger than themselves and the unemployed. There are a lot of those OLD.

I've been in your situation- now nearly 12 years into being a lone parent. I did have an occasional babysitter though. Over the years I dated people who worked shifts, someone who was partially retired, people who had flexibility. There are lots. However, I think there is a temptation to let them into the house earlier than is wise. I mainly dated women (I'm bi) so my kids were pretty unaware that this person having dinner with me wasn't just one of my friends or colleagues. Annoyingly, my older ones can now finally babysit the youngest but I've hit perimenopause and can't be bothered to go out at night, let alone date!

It is possible, but its hard, I did it, I was very lucky that I worked part time and near my dates work place and home, so we would meet up for lunch and on my days off I would sometimes go to his on his study days or work from home days. But eventually you’ll need to find a way to have nightouts etc.

This is how people end up dating colleagues

Im in my 30s so not interested in dating any retired men (no offence)