{"id":312,"date":"2016-03-22T10:31:16","date_gmt":"2016-03-22T10:31:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.findhappy.com\/blog\/?p=312"},"modified":"2016-03-22T10:31:16","modified_gmt":"2016-03-22T10:31:16","slug":"dating-for-parents-dating-around-a-childs-schedule","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.findhappy.com\/blog\/dating-for-parents-dating-around-a-childs-schedule\/","title":{"rendered":"Dating for parents – Dating Around A Child\u2019s Schedule"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re a parent, you\u2019ll know the particular humour of realising that your toddler has a busier social schedule than you could ever dream of. There\u2019s the nursery, the play-dates, appointments with doctors, and that\u2019s not even starting on making sure that all the relatives get to spend time with them. By the time you\u2019ve tucked them up in bed, you\u2019re far too shattered to even think of painting the town red, so your own bed looks incredibly tempting as well.
\nInstead you start on the chores you\u2019ve had to put to one side all day while attending to your toddler\u2019s ever need, and god forbid you should find yourself with any time to date, let alone even meet someone who isn\u2019t already exhausted with their own toddler. Even holding text conversations is a mammoth exercise in time management when trying to satisfy a tiny tyrant\u2019s every whim at the same time. Parents<\/a> who stay together may be able to sacrifice their time, but when starting a new relationship you need to be able to give it your all. So, how can you organise yourself to give yourself the best chance to keep both sides of your life happy?
\n Aim for Evening Dates<\/strong>
\nIt seems blindingly obvious that evenings are absolutely the best time for a single parent to date, but you\u2019ll need to be upfront with your date that your staying over at theirs isn\u2019t always going to be an option. Even if you\u2019re lucky enough to get one of your own parents to babysit for you on a regular basis, they\u2019ll certainly be reluctant to be up all night, especially if they work too. This means you\u2019ll have to think long and hard about whether you can cope with your child finding a stranger in bed with you in the morning.
\nMake the Most of Time In The Day<\/strong>
\nIf your child is at nursery or school you at least have the luxury of knowing that you have set times available during the day. If the person you\u2019re dating, or hoping to date, works a traditional 9-5 job then this may not always be helpful. That said, if you can find time alone together during this time (even if only for lunch dates) then this can be a great way of seeing each other when not exhausted from looking after your child.
\nBe Flexible<\/strong>
\nThis needs to apply to both of you. Almost the first conversation you need to have with any potential partner needs to be around your child. This is so that they are aware they\u2019re not just dating you, but taking on a child as well. You already know that you need to be able to react to your child\u2019s being ill or having an unplanned playdate, but your partner needs to appreciate this too so that if you have to cancel at the last minute it\u2019s not down to you being flaky. Instead it\u2019s you putting your child\u2019s needs first. If you can\u2019t get a babysitter, then you might suggest a movie night in instead of going out, and your potential partner needs to know this might happen on a regular basis.
\nEncourage Family Activities<\/strong>
\nOnce you\u2019re comfortable with your date and are sure they\u2019re planning on sticking around, then you can get round the schedule problems more easily by suggesting they come do things as a family \u2013 going to the cinema, or visiting zoos or farms, anywhere away from the home setting and getting your child used to seeing your new partner in non-threatening surroundings.
\nDating around the demands of a small child isn\u2019t easy, but with clear boundaries and time management it is more than possible. Even better it can give you a boost in self-confidence that can help you cope with the ups and downs of parenting more easily. As your child gets older you\u2019ll find yourself with more time, but you don\u2019t need to wait until that happens. Keep a positive attitude<\/a> and embrace the possibilities!<\/p>\n

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