To date or not to date a single parent (21)

Greetings...
I'd like honest opinions because I am a single parent and I plan on dating again sometime in the near future...
I'm fairly new at this (but happy to be given my alternative :p) so I would love to hear what both men and women have to say on the subject of single parent dating.
I know that there are rules about how you should only introduce your child to a serious prospect, and after some time, but what other important factors do you think we should consider?
Would you date a single parent? Why or why not?
I know there are alot of people who go both ways on this so if you'd like to put in the 2 cents, please feel free!
Have a good one, everybody.

I would date a single parent but a lot factors would have to be considered first. First i guess i would need to know if this women is going to want another child because i do want children. How does the mother get along with the childs father? I wouldn't want to get in the middle of anything.

I love children so i would be accepting of the child as its a package deal and the way it should be.

One big thing is in the way of discipline that has been a problem i have seen with past friends. It isn't their child so they don't feel they have the right to discipline. When i say discipline i DO NOT mean hitting. If the child is running wild it will put a strain on the relationship. If i am going to take this child as my own i would treat the child like my own.

Another thing would be the time factor as in the mother isn't going to have the freedom with a child. This really isn't that big of a problem for me i am pretty patient and understanding about that. The only thing is if i want to do someting and she can't will she be pissed at me for going.

I think i may have a lot of concerns first but it would have to be openly discussed. Like i said for me i would need to know that the women would want another child.

Too be totally honest i may perfer a women with no children. In saying that sometimes you meet that special lady that has a child and you change your mind.

For the guys that wouldn't date a women with a child that is fine and their choice nothing wrong with that. Its hard just to say yes or no because it really depends on the situation.

That's a really tough question. I guess love in stronger than small technicalities. A really good point in my opinion was made regarding discipline. I've seen in my lifetime experience that the behaviour of the child can have a big strain on the relationship. They key to that is winning over the child from start. Show the child that he/she is part of this relationship as well if its serious. Remember, you don't want your child to be left out and you don't want your lover to be left out. You have to find a common ground. There is alot of single parents that eventually find their soulmate. A child is never excess baggage and no parent should treat their children like that. My cousin had two kids before she got married. Hurray!

I like cake.....all kinds of cake...

I am a single parent so yes I would have no problems dating another single parent!

Yes, i would date a single parent.

I think dating a single parent can be very rewarding. At my age, if I want to date someone my own age I have to accept the fact there there is a good chance they will have kids. I'm glad that I love kids and I would accept them into my life. But dating a single parent can have it's drawbacks. Of course the kids come first in their life and as someone dating that person I have to be flexible to work around what happens when you have kids. Sometimes they get sick on a night you are going to have a date with that person, sometimes the babysitter falls through. It's these things that some people have trouble with. It's not easy to date a single parent sometimes, but if you and them and the kids really get along, it can be so rewarding. I myself want a family some day and if things go right it can be an instant family. I also don't think that I would be there to replace their father if he is still in the picture. I am there to be there for the kids, be a friend and a role model. Of course it all depends on what age the kids are, but you can have a profound effect on their lives and you must be careful as to how you enter their lives. I make it a rule not to meet the kids for a while until the relationship is serious.

Just my two cents.

I met a woman with two kids,2 and5 and fell in love with her we were together for twelve years and it was fine untill we had a baby. After that all she could say was I love the baby more than her two, who by then were "my two" as well. Never did accept that and I wish she had.
I wouldn't go into a relationship and try to be your kids (hypothetically of course) dad or even buddy. I don't think I should even meet them untill we at least thought we were becoming a couple. I would like to hear you talk about them though.
Of course I'm only speaking for myself but I love kids. They teach me way more than adults do. I have three of my own now, all back in Ontario and I love them and miss them a lot.
Good luck, Miss

I have no qualms about dating a single parent. If there's enough of a connection to spark interest in the first place, to me it's worth pursuing. There are ways to work around a lack of babysitter, and I firmly believe that getting along with the kids from the get go is a definite must. I've dated a single father before, and most of our first handful of dates revolved around the kid's activities and outings with them.

*grins wryly* I think I'm somewhat like the family dog; if I'm interested in someone, I don't care what I'm doing, so long as it involves some time with them, I'm quite content.