And THIS right here may be your ticket ===>
When my divorce was finally FINAL after a couple of years of separation and negotiations with my ex, I had already been dipping my toe into the dating world pool. Shhhh… don’t tell anyone.
In fact, I couldn’t wait for my divorce to be final at the time, because suddenly I was confronted with the wonderful world of other guys who were actually, really and truly interested and attracted to ME (go FIGURE).
As much as I had no idea what was in store for my world sans my significant other, I also knew moving forward without a ROCKIN’ social life was never going to be an option. My choices were obvious: dig in and let some new people in, or die. And you guys, I am NOT now, nor have I ever been into dying.
And here is one of those annoying little unavoidables we divorced mommies and daddies must face:
meeting a LOVE MATCH may actually require some work – no matter what a “love match” means to you.
Never being afraid of work, I was one of the first in my circle of single girlfriends to dive into online dating. I’ll never forget the weekend I set up my first-ever profile on MATCH. I spent a good part of the afternoon crafting a witty and informative profile, adding some fun photos. I knew I wanted to meet men, but I wasn’t interested in a relationship (I’d just gotten out of one I hadn’t liked so much). I stated that little fact loud and clear at the top of my profile. About an hour later my inbox bulged with hundreds of messages from men also not wanting a relationship. Again, go FIGURE. But really, I wanted to meet new people, I made known what I was looking for and it WORKED.
I later rethought my goals and tweaked my profile (after filling my social calendar with a few too many guys I couldn’t keep track of, and after growing tired of coffee).
I admit, it took some work to set up, but the part of the work I hadn’t thought of was getting into the dating part of it. You know… you gotta actually GO on a date if you want to meet your Mr. or Ms. Right some day? Go FIGURE.
And that is how Whitney Casey, Relationship Expert with Match.com puts it too… Yep. I brought in the big guns. In conjunction with a fall promotion Match.com is doing for Single Parents, they agreed to allow me to interview Whitney for you lovely people.
Something that I learned in talking to these great folks is that Single Parents who use online dating sites have 2x’s the dating success than those who don’t date online. So although you may feel like it’s all smarm and that no good can come of diving into online dating, the odds you are right and that is true DO NOT ADD UP. This means, if you’re a single parent wanting to meet someone special, the time is ripe (and so is the fruit in my experience… just sayin). I also found out that you won’t be alone if you choose to dive in. Over a third of the members on Match.com are single parents! And you’ll find out some cool things about what people looking for love think about dating single parents in my interview below.
The point is, it is about damn time to get back in the saddle ladies and gentlemen. The dates aren’t going to happen on their own.
But WATCH this quick video interview I did with Whitney, because I asked her all of. the questions you’ll BOTH want to know the answers to (guys and gals)… all about what to say (and not) on your first date, how to create a rockin’ profile, and a couple of other great tips!
WATCH IT NOW:
If for some reason your browser does not display the video box above, click here to view the fun and informative interview.
This post has been graciously sponsored by match.com because match.com is helping single parents find their love match this fall. Get over there to sign up and get back in the saddle again you hot-hot-hottie mchottlesteins.
Onisha Ellis says
Did you meet your wondeful man on Match.com?
MsCheevious says
Not this one Onisha – but MANY GREAT guys – and one I lived with for some years… so it IS possible!
Eaeme says
I reverted to single but fortunately not a parent in 1958 (prehistoric, no?), a time when a Match was something to light a cigarette and a computer was somebody who computed. From the back room of an engineering lab meeting anyone to date was more than futile. By pure L-U-C-K I ran into a girl in a coffee house who was attractive, intelligent, bilingual (in a language I had studied well), and subsequently interested in me. Three kids, five grandchildren and 50 years of marriage later I realized that I did love this person, a rewarding awakening. In the meantime by coincidence I discovered that taking humanities and education classes in UCLA extension school would have been a wonderful meeting ground for datable acquaintances. The coffee break conversations and class discussions reveal lots about another person in a believable way and mutual attractions sprout. This was a post retirement experience getting a credential for teaching English as a foreign language. If computer dating is too scary, and the opportunity is manageable, I can strongly recommend trying the extension school path to companionship.
MsCheevious says
Why yes – Eaeme… you’re RIGHT. Extended education may be a good spot to meet others, but for Single Parents the goal is to get them over their fear of online because THAT is a forum where the odds are GREAT… less time wasted.
Glad to see you back! XOXO