As we all know, dating isn’t easy. As we all know, single parenting is not easy either. Put it all together, and dating as a single parent is nearly impossible.
The good news is, you’re certainly not alone. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly one in four children in the United States lives in a single-parent household. That means there are a lot of people like you – single parents who are committed to their family and I don’t mind a little romance in my life. Best of all, the best dating apps for single parents can also connect you with men and women who aren’t parents themselves, but aren’t afraid of dating someone with a family either.
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To make online dating less impossible, we’ve reviewed the best dating apps and websites for you. We know that dating apps don’t always have the best reputation, but there are actually some apps made specifically for parents now, and there are features on more well-known apps like Hinge that can help with the dating process.
Why dating is so hard as a single parent
Sometimes the most obvious answer is also the most accurate answer, and for single parents, free time can become a huge limitation on their dating lives. We know you don’t have time to browse Bumble and send dozens of messages possible Leads to a date.
“When someone is responsible for raising children full-time, time is the most difficult/delicate issue,” says co-parent, stepfamily coach, Stepfamily Handbook, In an email to Mashable. “Even when children move back and forth between the two families, dating times are often modified to reflect schedules and can feel compressed and/or a bit like a cross between ‘Independent Adult Dating’ and ‘Responsible Parenting.'” contradiction.
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Although dating apps take some effort and time, using the right one can help simplify the process of meeting new people. That’s why we think they’re a solid choice for single parents looking for love, fun, and friendship. The algorithm can actually show you people who are compatible with you, rather than just anyone with a pulse within a 10-mile radius, which is a big plus.
Bunnell also tells us it’s important to be upfront about your time constraints and responsibilities.
“Taking time to communicate (‘after the kids are down’), or engaging the kids in an activity while letting them know ‘Mom/Dad is going to do some computer work now’, or ‘answer the phone’, is fine, but It’s not easy,” Bonnell wrote. “The ability to talk openly about these barriers and reach reasonable agreements will predict long-term durability of relationships with parents.”
What are the best dating sites for single parents?
Popular dating sites are the best place to find a wide range of people, but when you’re dating as a single parent, planning can be key.
The dating app market also includes apps specifically designed for parents. In 2020, single parents and family-minded people alike can start looking for love on Heybaby (sadly, this single parent dating site is no longer active). In 2022, Match Group launched Stir, a platform specifically built for single parents (although anyone can join).
Read on to find the best parent-focused dating apps, as well as our favorite mainstream dating apps for parents.
How we test
We make sure to actually spend time on the dating sites we recommend. That means setting up profiles on every app and website, scrolling through users, and testing chat and matchmaking features that will hopefully help you find someone special.
Every app on this list has been tested by Mashable staff writers or freelancers with experience writing about relationships and dating. Whenever possible, we provide links to full, in-depth reviews of dating sites and apps.
Here are the main criteria we considered when selecting apps for this guide:
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Save time: Whether you’re co-parenting or not, single parents can have a hard time finding the time to date. With this in mind, we’ve selected apps with specific time-saving features and efficient algorithms that won’t just show you every profile under the sun.
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Value sharing: If you are a single parent, you may get into trouble if you start dating someone who is not a good match for your child. That’s why we looked for apps that let you filter by people who want kids or already have kids, so when you match, you start on the same page. We also look for apps that tend to create serious connections (and hopefully communication), which is important for bringing new people into your life and eventually your family.
As we do with all our dating tests for parents or non-parents, we also evaluated how active the user base is, the overall vibe of the user base, what features you get for your money (if applicable), and how each app How fancy or useful the highlighted feature is.
Finally, to understand what single parents want on dating apps, we also reached out to licensed marriage and family therapists and divorce and co-parenting coaches who offer expertise on the difficulties single parents face when dating.
