Last Updated on October 31, 2022 by Anne-Sophie Reinhardt
We can guess that there are two types of people in this room. You might be a woman who is interested in dating a single dad, but are concerned about potential issues and how to deal with them. You may also be a single dad that’s curious if there’s still hope. What issues you might face that you can fix?
This guide will be focused on women who are already in a relationship or considering it, and you’ll learn what to expect as well as the pros and cons.
What Are The Problems When Dating A Single Dad
You’re aware that dating a single dad is different from dating someone who doesn’t have children. We commend you for looking into dating single dads and considering a relationship. Many people today rush into relationships and don’t take the time to evaluate if it will work.
We want to help you by listing all possible dating problems. The good news is that none of these problems are serious. These are the main problems that you will encounter in dating and how to deal with them if you want to continue with your relationship.
Less Free Time
No matter their age, kids require lots of time. Yes, it’s given that they become more independent as they age, but single dads, or any other parent would always have to allot time for their children.
So, what does this mean for you, as someone dating a single dad? To be clear, his kid will always have priority over you if they are a good father. Sometimes, there will be occasions when your dates are canceled because his child is ill or has been in trouble at school. There are also times when they are late for dates due to the babysitter being late, or because they have to do something at their child’s school. Sometimes they have to cancel their dates because their babysitter called and their child is sick.
These are all normal things and you should be able to accept them. It is important to be flexible and to understand that the new man will have to care for his child, even if the mother is still present.
This is one of the dating problems of a single dad that requires you to be patient and understanding. The “problem” will not go away as long as the child lives at home or isn’t an adult. You don’t have to be upset about it if you are able to accept it and not get discouraged by it.
Responsibilities Come First, And This May Affect Your Relationship
It will be clear that your man has responsibilities that will impact your relationship. These responsibilities when dating a single dad include time, finances, and morale.
Time Responsibilities
These are the same things we discussed in the previous section. They will have to attend sports games, recitals, parent-teacher conferences, and doctor’s appointments. Which means they will lose the time they had with you.
Financial Responsibilities
Kids can be expensive, and on average, it costs over $200,000 to raise a child. This could impact your relationship in certain ways depending on how financially secure your man is. If finances are tight, which are often for single parents, you can bet your man’s daughter or son will not get the field trip money before he decides whether he can afford to buy you something nice.
Moral Responsibilities
Children learn from their parents and watch them do the same. A good dad will want to set an example for his child. If you are a party animal and love to go out and party, this is unlikely to work with a single dad while he has the kid. It might work if he has joint custody, but not when the kids are home. If it seems to be a common occurrence with him when they are present, you may want to question the quality and character of the man you are considering.
We don’t mean to offend people who love to party, but we are being honest. When you become a parent, you take on new responsibilities. This is another dating a single dad problem you will need to resolve if you are not comfortable with it.
An Ex-Wife or Ex-Girlfriend Still In The Picture
Two people are needed to have a child, so there’s a good chance that an ex-girlfriend/ex-wife is still in the picture when dating a single dad. Meeting her will depend on how serious the relationship is.
She might be seen passing by when she picks up the children or drops them off, but that’s it. You might want to ask her if she is around more than that. There is always the possibility that things didn’t go according to plan, and she will hate you for it before she meets you. This is a very real possibility.
While you don’t have any right to decide how things turned out or where they stand, you can ask questions and decide if you want the mother to continue to help. It’s possible that they ended on good terms. You might also find her a bit irritable, but it’s best to stay kind. Make sure to have the conversation and that you are comfortable with what you are signing up for when dating a single dad.
What To Expect When Dating A Single Dad
After we have gotten through the bad stuff, it’s time to focus on the positive. Let’s talk about how to date a single dad. It all depends on the age of the child, the living arrangements the mom and dad have, and the way the dad handles things.
It will be different for a toddler or baby. They will have more need to survive, but it won’t mean that you have to deal with an adult who has the maturity to accept them. How things turn out and what you can expect when dating a single dad will also play a major role in how they work. You can expect more issues to be discussed if the dad has sole custody. Are you going to meet the child? Is it possible to stay over? What is the best way to date? These are just a few examples.
Depending on custody
If the custody is joint, the father may choose to go on dates only when his child is with his mother. This may affect your schedule a little, but you should be able and willing to work around it. When dating a single dad, they may decide to introduce you to their child as things become more serious. However, that is entirely up to them.
If the mother has full custody, it will likely be very similar to dating a single man with no children. You might also want to ask why the dad doesn’t have custody. We don’t want to judge you, but we do want to ensure that you are comfortable with what you’re doing and that you don’t feel uncomfortable about the fact that the father does not have custody. There are many good reasons he would not, but there are also plenty of alarming reasons why he might not have custody.
What you can expect from dating a single dad is going down to the way he plays things. He is the father of his child and knows best what is best for him. You won’t win the battle if you try to force what you want onto them, especially in the early stages of a relationship. You can let him decide what happens to his child, but you still have the right to withdraw at any time if things aren’t going your way.
Dating A Single Dad Pros and Cons
Cons When Dating A Single Dad
- You will have less time to spend with them.
- It’s not possible to be the most important person they know.
- You may see an ex-partner in the photo who could be a great person or an evil witch. They may need to be contacted at one point.
- Financially, their child will always be first.
- They will have additional responsibilities than men who don’t have children.
- If he is serious about you, you will have a happy relationship with yourself and your children.
Pros When Dating A Single Dad
- They are usually more responsible, mature, and grown-up than they should be.
- You will see their true colors.
- If you’re looking to have your own children, they are familiar with the process.
- They will be morally sound if they are a good father.
- You can have a lot more fun with the kids if they invite you to visit their children.
