How I Date as a Single Parent

I want to start this with a disclaimer, this is very much based on what I do and what works for me. This may not work for you, but if it does, I’m glad I could help! As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, I’m in a relationship now. So I wanted to share how I date as a single parent, with no second parent involved.

The long and short of it for me is that I rely on my parents for dates outside my home. Why? Because that is all I have available in terms of childcare. So a lot of my dates are done at my home, in the evening when my kids are asleep. My kids have met my partner, so I have less to worry about in terms of them wakening and not being sure who is here. Plus I don’t really have that worry as they do tend to sleep through the times that my partner would be here.

I actually touched on some little date night idea cards on my TikTok, but other than these I do have a few ideas of little nights in you can do (as well as nights out).

My favourite night in is Netflix and chill, in the general sense of watching something together on Netflix and relaxing with each other. You can do the other version of it too, we do a fair bit as well, but sometimes it can be nice to just sit together and watch something. My partner introduced me to Schitts Creek and we’re currently watching that, which is really good! I recommend it if you haven’t seen it yet!

Another in home date I want to do is baking together. I feel like one of those baking kits will be best at first, then moving to following a full recipe. My partner has already admitted to me they aren’t the best baker, but are a pretty good cook. Whereas I am a much better baker than I am a cook. So I feel we’ll balance each other out well here.

In terms of nights out, I have a couple of recommendations. The first is a show, gig or movie. So we have booked a comedy gig for October time (Emer Maguire, for anyone who’s curious) and I am already buzzing for it. I feel these are great dates cause you are away from your home, you’re out together and you can always pop over to the likes of McDonalds after to chat about what you both liked about it. Another I know we’ll be doing is the new Hunger Games movie in November. I’ve already pre-warned my partner that we will have to attend this as I loved the book so much. I actually read it all in one night. This also means we’ll have time where we don’t have to worry as much about our kids. Which is a major bonus!

Another “out” date I like is going to dinner. It’s a chance to dress up a bit and feel really good about yourself. I don’t know about others, but sometimes when my partner is coming over, because it may be a bit late, I’m in my pjs for our sofa nights. So getting a chance to dress up a bit and feel good about myself is always a win! Plus if you try somewhere new, it can be a chance to try new foods! (Not for me though, I stick to the same foods and check menus in advance to know exactly what I’ll be having)

This one comes right from my partner; going to a beauty spot and watching the sunset together. I also think this a beautiful idea as you get to just be in the company of your love and enjoy something beautiful together.

Lastly I recommend a fun out date. Mini golf, bowling, something along those lines. Something you can both get a bit competitive with and really get to see who may be a bit of a sore loser. We have access to both mini golf and bowling near us, so I plan to use both of these soon enough so we can have a bit of fun together.

What date ideas do you love? How do you date as a single parent? Let me know!