“If a child refuses to sleep during nap time, are they guilty of resisting a rest?” I’ve never been a fan of corny dad jokes, but once I started dating a single dad, I realized that these jokes aren’t that bad after all!
I know. When someone mentions those two words “SINGLE PARENT”, the first thing that comes to your mind is KID(S).
I still remember some of the comments: But, how are you going to deal with his children? Are you sure that dating a divorced dad is a good idea? What about their mom?
Surely, dating someone with kids can be a dealbreaker. And, yes, stepmothers are often depicted as wicked women, well, in fairy tales.
Here’s the thing. Fortunately, we don’t live in a fairy tale world and, unfortunately, we’re not getting any younger. Every single one of us has our own past full of ups and downs.
Some of us are emotionally unavailable, commitment-phobes, or experiencing philophobia (the fear of falling in love).
And, yes, some of us are single parents. Now, let me ask you something: Is it better to date a commitment-phobe or a single dad who knows how to reciprocate?
Dating a single mom or dad is not something we should be afraid of. A man who is willing to be a great dad shows devotion, patience, and commitment. These are the qualities we shouldn’t take for granted!
Yes, dating a single father is a challenging adventure, but from my experience, it’s totally worth it!
If you’re dating one at the moment (or if you’re thinking of dating one), here’s everything you need to know about single dad dating!
15 Legit Reasons Why You Should Date A Single Dad
A single dad is aware of other people’s needs
If you’ve ever dated a guy who doesn’t know how to reciprocate, then you know how frustrating it can be.
There’s nothing more annoying in the whole wide world than deciding to give all of yourself to another human being only to realize that they’re not ready (or not willing) to do the same.
That is where single dads come to the rescue! They are perfectly aware of other people’s needs. They are not self-oriented and they know that giving is as equally important as receiving.
After dating one too many selfish guys, dating a single dad is a dream come true. Trust me on that one!
He’s responsible and committed
Oh, yes! Single dads are more committed than average childless guys (or should I say childish).
They are responsible and accountable for all the changes in every aspect of their life because they simply don’t have an option to be otherwise.
Once a single dad decides to commit, he will stick to his decision and be a man of the word!
Even though his children will be his priority, he will also find time to make you his top priority as well.
You will be able to trust him with all of your heart because, again, he’s responsible and committed. That sounds really promising!
He uses his time wisely
You won’t find him spending the majority of his time on dating apps/dating sites or doing something totally useless. This is because single fathers use their time wisely!
They know that life is too precious to spend it hanging out with uninspiring people who don’t add value to their life or playing video games.
They are very organized when it comes to their chores, paying bills, and doing all the other things.
In their free time, they prefer engaging in activities that they usually can’t do like going for a walk, jogging, spending time in nature, hanging out with their good friends, and so on.
He’s the perfect combination of playful and serious
Why should you date a single dad? Because he’s the PERFECT combination of being playful and serious! Every girl LOVES that and if you say that you don’t, then I know for sure you’re lying.
Joking aside, single fathers have so many attractive qualities, and this one is my favorite. They don’t take themselves too seriously and they are masters at being playful.
But, they also know when the time is to be serious. They don’t behave like immature boys avoiding serious conversations because they’re not fun. Instead, they perfectly navigate through any life challenge and situation!
He can cook!
I personally find men who can cook ten times more attractive! Yes, that’s the first question I ask them on a first date. Just kidding (or maybe not).
There’s nothing hotter than a man who knows how to prepare a healthy meal with veggies and all. There’s nothing more impressive than a man who can cook and still manage to do all the other things that come with parenting.
Trust me, dating life will become much easier and ‘spicier‘ once you meet a guy like this! Just think of a romantic dinner with candles, a glass of wine, his caring presence…
I’ll stop myself right here before I write something inappropriate.
He’s patient
A single man without kids will definitely have difficulties mastering patience. He doesn’t know how it feels to run errands, do household chores, take care of children, cook, deal with tantrums, you name it.
Luckily, a single dad knows all that (and more), and that is why he is patient and devoted to the core! He knows that every day brings some new challenges and new risks.
He knows that making risky decisions or acting on impulse will not bring about anything good.
Being a parent requires patience and he’s a true master at it. If that’s not a good reason to date him, then keep reading!
(Obviously) he’s good with children
If you’re thinking of having children one day, then you have probably asked yourself multiple times so far this one question: Will he be a good father?
Indeed, knowing that someone will be a great father is a huge relief and a recipe for a happy relationship/marriage.
So, lucky you, when it comes to single fathers, you don’t need to ask them about whether they like children, if they ever plan on having children or if they are good with them.
You have everything served in front of you. All you need to do is observe him in his dad role and take notes!
RELATED: 12 Reasons Why You Should Date A Single Dad
He has a great sense of humor
I don’t know about you, but I’m a firm believer that a sense of humor is the hottest quality you can have. That’s the quality I always look for in a potential partner. Why?
Because life is full of ups and downs. Having someone who knows how to make every situation entertaining regardless of context is a huge advantage. I mean, who doesn’t like to laugh?
I would literally pay someone only to entertain me with their great sense of humor, so you should never underestimate that quality in a man (or in a woman).
Single fathers also know a lot of corny dad jokes that you will probably hate in the beginning, but will learn to appreciate more as time passes!
He’s emotionally mature
They say that it takes a strong man to win the heart of a single mom. Well, this can also be applied to single dads!
Indeed, it takes a really confident and strong woman to win the heart of a single father because they have so much to offer.
You can be sure it’s serious, and he will not play games with you because he’s EMOTIONALLY MATURE! Yes, ladies.
You will not overthink things: What if this or that? You won’t have a million unanswered questions about his whereabouts, you will not worry about all those red flags, and so on.
Life is so much easier when you are with a man who is in touch with his emotions, and Lord knows, those such men have become real unicorns. That is where single fathers, once again, come to the rescue!
He doesn’t curse (that much)
I once remember dating a guy who wouldn’t stop swearing even if you slapped him in the face (of course, I didn’t do that, but I definitely could have).
There’s nothing more ungentlemanlike than constantly cursing be it at dinner, during a movie, or especially when you’re in public.
Single fathers have mastered the art of ‘not cursing’ or they just don’t do it that much because they usually can’t do it in front of their kids. Having manners is the new HOT! Remember that.
He’s adaptable
A child, a full-time job, a couple of tantrums at a store, chores… A single father has to manage all of this (and more)!
And, that is why he’s perfectly adaptable to any life situation from vomiting to dealing with bullies at school.
Wait, there is more. He’s also great at multitasking. He can mix vegetables with one hand, hold the baby in the other, and read a parenting book at the same time. Sounds like a dream?
Well, this dream can become a reality once you start dating one of them!
They appreciate serious/meaningful conversations
They say that healthy communication is one of the most important characteristics of a healthy relationship and they are totally right about it!
I remember feeling SO tired of meaningless hookups and small talk when I got home after one date. I craved something more meaningful, and for us to have intellectual compatibility.
Once I started dating a single dad, for the first time in my life (it’s not an exaggeration), I felt like I could tell him anything and he would understand me. I felt so fulfilled and inspired by our conversations.
Sometimes, we would spend the whole night talking on the phone, drinking, and just laughing. We would talk about anything from parenting topics to an alien invasion.
I simply enjoyed every single second of our convos and I wanted more and more.
LESS drama
In times of a hectic lifestyle, who needs extra drama in their life? I certainly don’t. If you ask me, less drama in a long-term relationship should be every person’s life goal.
You can be sure that he will not be jealous or make scenes in public over some guy. Whatever happens, he will stay collected.
Your life will be filled with a sense of humor, meaningful conversations, patience, healthy meals, and dad jokes. There will be no time for drama (or there will be less drama than you anticipate).
He’s wildly creative
Being a father (or a mother) is not an easy job. From diapering to preparing them for school and finding fun activities, there are so many things a parent needs to think of.
So, one thing is for sure: Fatherhood demands high levels of creativity!
The best thing of all is that he will show that quality on your first date and on every other.
He will pick creative places, cook delicious food, suggest visiting new and interesting places, and engage in fun activities.
Being in a serious relationship with someone who is creative is a true blessing. It took me a long time to realize that creative and passionate men make the best partners!
Not only that, but they also make the best parents. Creative people provide scope for the imagination, they are inspiring and they are great at thinking outside the box. They are also great problem-solvers, which is really handy.
Spicing things up in the bedroom is their specialty. They will always be on the lookout for new ways to make you feel special and to impress you with their lovemaking skills.
Such men are true gems, so once you find your own, make sure to keep him close to your heart.
You may fall in love with his child(ren), too
Dating a single father also means occasionally spending time with their kids (assuming you’re still not living together).
When (and if) you become ready for the next step (living together), you may find yourself loving your partner’s children as if they were your own.
Don’t worry. Being a step-parent in the real world is different from fairy tales (think of Cinderella and her cold-hearted step-mother).
If you love children, then there’s nothing you should be afraid of. Even if you don’t love children, you should still give it a chance to see how things will develop.
And, who knows, you might create a new family dynamic together. Just think of Christmas, a warm home, and plenty of children’s innocent laughs. Just beautiful.
See also: Everything You Need To Know About Dating A Military Man
7 Essential Tips For Dating A Single Dad
Be flexible and understanding
Dating a single dad requires lots of understanding and flexibility (especially if you’re dating long distance). You need to be able to adjust and adapt to different situations.
Sometimes, you will need to reschedule your date night just because you can’t find anyone to babysit the children. Or, you will need to pause the movie to check on a child who is sick.
Your partner might promise you things, but fail to deliver them because he already has so many obligations and promises that he made to his child(ren).
That is why dating a single parent requires adaptability and understanding.
Don’t rush into trying to be the new mom
Yes, kids are going to be an important part of his life and there’s nothing you can do about it. You can either adapt or leave.
Here’s one of the most valuable pieces of advice you’ll ever receive on dating a single father: When starting a new relationship with a single dad, remember not to rush things.
I understand your desire to get his kids to like you, but you shouldn’t force your relationship with them. Don’t try to replace their real mom because that’s not how things work.
First of all, you need to be a friend to them. You need to show them that they can trust you and rely on you.
Play with them, listen to them, but don’t force anything. After some time, everything will fall into place.
Don’t pressure him to commit
Every single parent has so much to deal with from possible problems with their ex and child support payments to custody issues.
Now, imagine that on top of all that, you’re pressuring him to commit to you.
You probably already know the drill:
You’re feeling bored, maybe looking for a movie to watch, and suddenly start thinking about him. You text him to ask what he is doing and whether you two can meet.
To your surprise, he doesn’t even reply back. You’re waiting and waiting, but nothing happens.
The first thing that comes to your mind is that he’s probably busy typing with some other girl, when in reality, he’s busy dealing with other parenting things.
In this and similar situations, you have a choice to either show understanding or get mad at him for “ignoring” you.
If you pressure him to treat you as his top priority, he will become even more distant than before. Your best bet is to give him some time to sort things out and commitment will come naturally.
RELATED: 16 Eye-Opening Things To Know Before Dating A Widower
Keep in mind that his ex is probably still involved
Co-parenting means that his ex-partner will still be involved. Her ex will still be visiting her children, they will be calling each other a lot, and similar.
If you’re struggling with trust issues, you might find this annoying and disappointing. But, keep in mind that you can’t forbid him to talk to his ex just because you’re not okay with it.
Children deserve to have a healthy relationship with both their parents regardless of whether their parents are divorced or are going through a breakup. If you completely trust him, then there’s nothing you should worry about.
Trust is the foundation of every relationship. Without it, there’s not a chance that you can continue dating each other without getting hurt one way or another.
Give him some space
Dating as a single dad is not easy. If he’s going through a divorce or a recent breakup, he will need some space to sort his priorities.
Don’t force him to introduce you to his kids.
Chances are a single father will want to keep his online dating ventures and (real-life dating ventures) to himself, at least, for the time being.
If he’s a widower, he will need even more space and time to grieve his loss. Dating such a man will be really hard in the beginning stages. They might confuse you with their mixed signals and they will most certainly have problems opening up to you.
So, the best thing to do is give him space. Give him time to open up to you and to acknowledge his feelings. He will be utterly grateful to you for that.
He will not see you as being needy or demanding. He will see you as a woman who perfectly fits into his life.
Realize he’s more than just a ‘single dad’
Remember that he’s not just a ‘single dad’. There is so much more about him that you are yet to discover. He’s a friend, lover, partner in crime.
He has his own weird habits, imperfections, and unique perspectives on things. Single parents are people like you and me. They have desires, wishes, goals, hobbies…
The more time you spend with him, the more he’ll open up to you. Through time, you will no longer perceive him as just a ‘single dad’, but as a man who is a true gentleman, a great person, and someone who loves you selflessly.
Patience is required
If I told you that everything will go smoothly from day one, I would be lying to you.
Dating a single parent is a real challenge because you’re not dating only them, but also their children and perhaps their ex.
You’re not actually dating them, but they will still be an important part of his life.
This is why you will need a lot of patience when dating a single dad.
There will be lots of things to deal with on your journey, but if you truly care about each other and love each other, you will succeed. “Where there is a will, there is a way.”
If both you and he are willing to reciprocate, compromise, and fight for what you have, then there’s nothing you should worry about.
Your love will flourish and your bond will be stronger than any hardship. With all that being said, here’s one of the most inspiring dating-a-single-dad quotes that will melt your heart:
“Dads are most ordinary men turned by love into heroes, adventurers, story-tellers and singers of songs.” – Pam Brown