Single Parenting and Dating: Wisdom Before You Bring Someone Home
Many single parents wonder whether and when to date again. There’s no single right answer, and no shame in hoping for companionship. But when you have children, your decisions affect more than your own heart. Here’s wisdom for the road.
Start with your own heart
- Have you grieved what ended, whether through death or divorce?
- Are you looking for a partner or a rescuer?
- Is your identity settled in Christ, not in a relationship?
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23).
Protect your children
- Go slowly before introducing anyone. Kids attach fast and grieve hard when relationships end.
- Never leave children alone with someone you don’t know very well. Sadly, people who want to harm children sometimes target single parents.
- Watch how they treat your kids, and listen when your kids are uneasy.
- Keep your home steady. Your children’s sense of safety comes first.
Look for faith that’s real
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14). Look for someone whose faith shows up in how they treat people, especially your kids, not just in what they say.
It’s okay not to date
Some single parents decide to focus on their kids for a season, or simply don’t feel ready. That’s a valid choice, not a failure.
Our free tool Before the Vow covers Christian dating wisely, and Blended & Co-Parenting helps if you’re blending families.
