10 Dating App Tips for Single Moms

Dating as a single mom is challenging enough, but throw in the complicated mess that is dating apps and it can really make you want to just give up. If you’re still wanting to find the love of your life, despite the craziness of the dating scene, here are 10 tips that you should follow to help you put your best foot forward and potentially find the love of your life.

1. No duck lips in your profile picture.

You may think duck lips are sexy, but ask any guy that has been on a dating app and they will tell you that it’s an immediate turn off. Instead, use a picture where you have a nice, welcoming smile. Since the profile picture is what will initially make a potential match either swipe left or right, you want it to look inviting and authentic.

2. Be as honest as possible about what you’re looking for.

Whether you’re looking for friends, something casual, or a potential spouse, it’s crucial that you be up front about this from the very beginning. This can save you and anyone you match with a lot of heartache. There’s nothing wrong with looking for the love of your life on a dating app, just be honest about it so you don’t end up going on a date with someone who’s just looking for a hookup.

3. Be prepared to weed through a lot of likes and messages.

Some guys can be vultures on these dating apps, so be prepared to get a lot of likes and messages. Like hundreds. It can be difficult to carry on a conversation with that many men, but after awhile, you’ll learn which conversations are worth continuing and which guys just need to be blocked.

4. Don’t be afraid to use the block feature.

There’s a reason there are safety nets put into place on these dating apps. There are several ways to keep yourself safe, one of which is the block feature. If someone is harassing you, or you’re just not feeling someone, don’t be afraid to block them. They won’t be able to see your profile any longer and you can continue focusing on the guys who aren’t total creeps.

5. Use caution when giving out your phone number.

Dating apps can be annoying to navigate at times, so many guys will ask for your number pretty quickly. Be cautious when giving out your phone number. It’s much easier to block a guy on a dating app than it is on your phone. With the way the internet is now, they may also be able to do a reverse search on your phone number and find your location. Opt for adding them on Facebook Messenger or Instagram instead, since you can easily block them on there if things get uncomfortable.

6. Choose a public location to meet any matches.

You can never be too careful when it comes to dating apps, and this is even more true when it comes time to finally meet up with a match. Choose a public location, preferably during the day when other people will be around. Always tell a friend or family member where you will be, who you’re meeting, and as much information about the match as you can (i.e. what car they drive, where they live, mutual friends you may have). There are way too many Dateline episodes about women being abducted on the first date, so be smart about it. Even if the guy seems trustworthy, you just never know.

7. Keep the first date low-key.

This guy may seem totally amazing over the internet, but an in-person meeting can be an entirely different story. Plan a short first date, such as a cup of coffee or a walk in the park. If things aren’t going well, you won’t feel pressured into spending hours with this man. If things are going well, you can always bring up the possibility of extending the date, or plan a longer second date.

8. Drive your own car to the date.

Going back to the issue of safety, one of the most important things is to have an escape route.
If things get a bit hairy, you don’t want to be stuck there without a vehicle. Remember when your parents told you never to get into a car with a stranger? The same holds true here. Even if you’ve been talking for awhile, he’s still a stranger and you need to be extra cautious.

9. Have fun!

Dating is hard, especially when you’re a single mom. You deserve to enjoy yourself, so let your date spoil you and relax a little. Even if the date ends up being a total dud, at least you had a little kid-free time and got a free cup of coffee out of the deal.

10. Set realistic expectations.

You’re probably not going to fall in love on the first date, so go into the date with low expectations. At the very least, you’ll gain some valuable experience when it comes to dating as a single mom. The best thing that could happen is you find the love of your life on the first try and you live happily ever after. Try not to put too much pressure on it and you might find yourself pleasantly surprised instead of massively disappointed.

Dating apps are the norm now when it comes to finding a partner. Knowing how to market yourself will get you more likes and messages, which raises the possibility of finding a match. Keeping yourself safe and setting realistic expectations will make for a more enjoyable dating experience. Now get to swiping and finding the love of your life!