16+ Best Dating Sites for Single Parents

Dating can be a thrilling and passionate experience. However, when you’re a single parent, you could be nervous about striking up a conversation. But you will be delighted that there are dating sites for single parents to help you discover your suitable partner. You can take each step one at a time and be relaxed as there are no stringent rules for dating.

Continue reading this post to discover some of the finest dating sites you may try as a single parent. We’ve also included a list of each website’s most important features.

In This Article

16+ Dating Sites For Single Parents

1. Elite Singles

Link – https://www.elitesingles.com/

Elite Singles allows you to take a formal approach to dating by filling out a form and receiving expert advice. The website attracts a plethora of individuals from myriad backgrounds, so you can always find someone who is to your liking.

Features:

  • All profiles are verified by the website. So, all people you meet are genuine.
  • The website conducts a complex personality survey to understand your preferences. It then uses the data to find compatible individuals.
  • You get a personality report for free so that you can have a better understanding of your preferences.
  • The service is accessible through smartphone apps.
  • A significant chunk of the user base has at least a college education. The majority of the members are over the age of 30 years.

2. eHarmony

eHarmony is suitable for finding casual dates and serious relationships

Image: Shutterstock

Link – https://www.eharmony.com/

This makes for a good dating website for single parents looking for a long-term, meaningful relationship. The website is also suitable for finding casual dates. Moreover, it also serves as a platform to make like-minded friends.

Features:

  • A questionnaire asks you deep questions on various topics, including your job and religious beliefs. It allows the website to find you highly compatible matches.
  • The test questions are related to psychology to better understand your personality.
  • The website uses an algorithm to suggest potential dates based on the information you provided.
  • The website is not dedicated to single parents, but lets you specify whether you have children, how many, and other related information.

3. SingleParentMeet

Link – https://www.singleparentmeet.com/

It is a dating website tailor-made for single parents, thus giving you the peace of mind by not letting you “justify” your single status to anyone.

Features:

  • You need to fill in a simple form without much disclosure since the website is intended for parents with children.
  • You can modify your preferences to narrow down your search and learn more about the qualities of your potential date.
  • The website has adequate members over the age of 50 years. So, if you are an older single parent, you are likely to find someone closer to your age.
  • There is a provision to call or text your match on the website without revealing your contact information.

4. SingleParentLove

Link – https://www.singleparentlove.com/

If you want to up your options of potential dates, then check out this website. You can tap into a plethora of profiles to find a date that works with your single-parent status.

Features:

  • It is simple and easy to use the website. You can browse pictures of potential dates and learn more about them by visiting their profile page.
  • If you are not satisfied with the pictures shown, change your preferences to view different sets of profiles.
  • This website is dedicated to single parents.
  • The website also recommends several other partner dating websites. Thus, it increases the overall chance of finding a potential date.

5. Match

Match is a popular dating website for single parents

Image: Shutterstock

Link – match.com

It is one of the popular dating websites and works for single parents too. Its popularity allows you to explore a wide array of profiles to find a date.

Features:

  • You can narrow down your search terms based on whether your potential date has children or not.
  • There are adequate questions on the profile to give others a clear understanding of your personality. However, the website also gives you the freedom to skip answering any question.
  • Messaging requires a premium subscription. But that increases the chances of finding a legitimate date since only those serious about dating would likely pay for the service.
  • The website organizes community events, that is, opportunities for offline dating at some locations.
protip_icon Quick tip
For single parents, their children are their priority. So, do not feel dejected if you don’t get the attention and care you want from your matches.

6. Plenty of Fish

Link – pof.com

It makes for a good dating website for single parents due to its large user base, which is said to run in millions across the world.

Features:

  • All base features on the website are free, and only some additional features require payment.
  • The large user base means that you are likely to find other single parents closer to your age group.
  • You can use this service through smartphone apps as well. The app does not require connecting your profile to any of your social media profiles.
  • The user can decide what information to share. The website does not suspend registration because you failed to give some specific information.

An online dating site surveyed over 1000 single mothers between the ages of 19-50 and with children under 18 years of age. The study’s results revealed several aspects or qualities these single mothers search for in potential dates or partners. The graphical representation of the data revealed that the majority of single mothers who date online prioritize a partnership, followed by romance and fun.

1xmomjunction placeholder

What do most people look for in a partner on online dating sites

Source: Online Dating Survey: Single Moms Are Finding Love 10% Faster; PlentyOfFish

7. OKCupid

OKCupid is free and has an extensive database

Image: Shutterstock

Link – okcupid.com

The hallmark of this website is that it is free and has an extensive database. It is an ideal dating website for single parents who are not very keen on spending money on dating services such as tinder or bumble.

Features:

  • All features on the website, including messaging, are free.
  • The website also allows a user to send a message to a profile they find interesting without matching up with the profile.
  • The website has a large database of users that runs in millions across the globe.
  • The profile page features several questions that you can fill in to help other users understand you better. You can skip answering any question you want.
  • The large user base makes it easier to find other single parents with mutual interests.

8. The League

Link – theleague.com

If you are a single parent looking for a premium dating service, then The League is quite likely to suit your preference.

Features:

  • The website requires one to apply first. The applicant is intimated once the application is accepted and reviewed.
  • The service screens applicants’ Facebook and LinkedIn profiles to ensure all data on the dating website are accurate.
  • There is an emphasis on providing high-quality matches that are compatible with your preferences and your single-parent status.
  • The matching algorithm does all the hard work for you, thus saving you time and letting you focus on profiles that will work.
protip_icon Do remember
When you come to the point of seeing someone special, sit with your children to discuss why you are meeting them and why it is important to you.

9. Zoosk

Link – zoosk.com

It is a good website for single parents who would like to spend adequate time chatting on the website before meeting their date.

Features:

  • Messaging is free on the website. Free users can also message premium users.
  • Choosing the premium subscription allows you to photo verify and send virtual gifts to the profiles you find interesting.
  • Premium users are photo-verified. Thus, you are likely to find real people genuinely interested in dating.
  • The website has millions of users in over 50 countries across the world. It means you have a large database of profiles to explore for a potential date.
  • The service uses a behavior matchmaking system wherein if you view certain types of profiles often, then the website begins to show you similar profiles only. Therefore, if you browse profiles of single parents often, then the website is likely to show you similar profiles.

10. SilverSingles

Link – silversingles.com

Are you a single parent over 50 and looking for a date? This dating website is tailor-made for you!

Features:

  • It is a dating website that accepts members over the age of 50 years only, thus making it a niche offering.
  • The website does extensive profile verification to ensure that the people who sign up are above the age of 50.
  • The features are simple and convenient, even for those who have never used a dating website before.
  • A section within a profile allows the user to provide information about their children.
  • It is a subscription-based website to ensure that it gets users who are serious about dating.

11. SingleParentMatch

Link – singleparentmatch.com

It is a website that has been in the dating scene for over 15 years, making it quite a reliable choice for single parents.

Features:

  • It is a niche website for single parents, and thus, features a profile questionnaire that best suits single parents.
  • The service allows you to find casual dates and make friends too, in case you are not keen on having a serious relationship.
  • The website provides plenty of guidance by educating users through dating-related articles.
  • The simple signup process and layout of the website make it easy to use for single parents who are new to dating websites.

12. Just Single Parents

Just Single Parents website exclusively caters to single parents

Image: IStock

Link – justsingleparents.com

This dating website keeps its user base exclusive to single parents. Thus, you know for sure that the person on the other end is also a single parent.

Features:

  • The website is specially made for single parents and only allows them as members. Thorough profile checks help prevent any false profiles.
  • Joining the website and searching for profiles is free.
  • The signup process is designed to make it convenient for you to disclose information about yourself and your children.

13. OurTime

Link – ourtime.com

It is an ideal website for middle-aged single parents taking their first step into online dating.

Features:

  • The membership to the website is exclusive to those above the age of 50 years.
  • The signup process is designed to be simple. It makes it convenient for single parents who have no experience with dating websites.
  • You can add pictures and videos to your profile. The entire profile-building process takes only a couple of minutes.
  • The website has millions of users, and you can search for them using the zip code as well.

14. Tawkify

Link – tawkify.com

It is a personalized matchmaking service complete with a dating concierge who can find the best match for you.

Features:

  • Signing up and creating a profile is free. To avail advanced features, like becoming a client, you require a subscription, but it provides a plethora of convenient features.
  • If you wish to become a client, then your profile is screened and approved before acceptance.
  • Once you become a client, you get a personal matchmaker from the website. The matchmaker then goes through the profiles on your behalf and shortlists the best matches, thus saving you a lot of time.
  • The matchmaker is a real person at the website’s office. You can consult your matchmaker at any time.
  • Once you pick a potential date, the matchmaker can help arrange a date for you.
  • The personalized and premium nature of this website makes it highly probable for single parents to find a date with whom they can consider a serious relationship.

15. Christian Mingle

Link –

christianmingle.com

If you are looking for a faith-driven dating service for single parents, this one should suit your requirements.

Features:

  • It lets single Christian parents search for like-minded individuals for a potential date.
  • The website attracts over a million users per month, thus increasing the probability of finding a match.
  • Profiles are shown based on the desired characteristics of an ideal date/partner. You can customize and change your preference at any time.
  • All profiles are verified before they are listed on the website.
  • The website offers customer service for easy resolution of user doubts, concerns, and queries.

16. SeniorMatch

SeniorMatch is exclusively for single parents about 45 years

Image: IStock

Link – seniormatch.com

If you are an elderly single parent, you will feel quite at home with this dating website.

Features:

  • It only accepts individuals older than the age of 45 years.
  • The strict age restriction means that middle-aged single parents will only encounter people closer to their age group.
  • The signup process is simple and easy to follow for someone who is not tech-savvy.
  • The website features over a million users over the age of 50 years and attracts 6,000 active daily members.
  • The website educates senior daters about various nuances of dating through experiences shared by seniors themselves.
  • You can chat with your matches. The website also sometimes organizes offline events for elderly daters at some locations.

17. Ashley Madison

Link –ashleymadison.com

Ashley Madison is a discreet and like-minded dating community catering to married, attached individuals looking to explore or simply curious about what’s out there. The platform was designed to be open and honest about connecting like-minded people seeking married dating experiences.

Features:

  • 100% free to download and easy to set up
  • Create your profile with a single click to embark on your discreet journey
  • Connect and chat with other like-minded members at any time
  • Send winks, get noticed, and explore potential connections with Ashley Madison members in your vicinity
  • Exercise total control over your private photos: choose to reveal as much or as little as you desire
  • Enhance anonymity by disguising and blurring your photos
  • Regular app security updates ensure the protection of your data
  • Discreet and secure billing processes to safeguard your activity
  • Emphasizes the security of your personal information

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do single parents start dating?

Single parents should consider certain aspects before starting to date someone. They should do patient self-assessments to determine if they are ready to start over. They should make the process of introducing the step-families slowly and carefully. And they should address their children’s fear with empathy.

2. How do single parents find love?

Single parents need to come out of their comfort zones and communicate with people for new opportunities. They can pursue hobbies or sports or volunteer in various activities and meet new people. They can make time to take care of themselves, be honest and find someone who accepts everything from the past, and explore online dating apps for single parents.

3. How do single parents find time to date?

Dating as a single parent might come with a few hiccups, but you can make it work with the right people supporting you and your decision. You can start exploring the dating world again by registering on some online dating apps, and when you are ready to go on a date, make some plans and hire a babysitter to care for your children. If the person you are interested in also has children, you can go on children-friendly dates when both of you are ready.

4. Is it hard to date a single parent?

Dating a single parent can be a little tricky. Their first priority is their children, and may sometimes cancel plans because of last-minute changes. But this does not mean you give up on them; try to make plans when they are free and there are no possible interruptions from the children. If they have introduced you to their children, try to build a healthy relationship with them. Moreover, they may also have past baggage from their past relationships that may rear its head from time to time.

5. How do dating sites for single parents work?

Dating sites for single parents work the same way as normal dating sites. However, the slight difference is that dating sites for single parents focus on the needs and wants of their single-parent users.

6. Can single parents find long-term relationships on dating sites?

Yes, single parents can find long-term relationships on dating sites. When you encounter someone with whom you have a strong connection and share common interests, values, and goals, it indicates compatibility and the potential for a lasting bond.

7. What are some tips for single parents using dating sites for the first time?

If you are using dating sites or apps for the first time, it is important to be clear about your intentions. Be transparent and communicate honestly with the other person about what you seek. Do not go on sketchy websites as it may be unsafe for you and your family; let them know that you are a single parent, and do not feel like you have to rush but take your time to assess the person before you decide to meet them. Be patient and always prioritize safety.

8. What common mistakes do single parents make when using dating sites?

A few common mistakes single parents might make while using dating sites can be oversharing personal information, rushing into a relationship and ignoring red flags, hiding the fact that you are a single parent, putting children at risk, having unrealistic expectations, neglecting self-care, dismissing children’s opinions, comparing new partner to your ex, and neglecting personal boundaries.

It is never too late to find a confidant or even love, and thus, these dating sites for single parents can be put to some good use. Being a single parent can be highly stressful, and it challenges you in several ways. However, it should not pull you back from indulging in something you truly desire. When you are wiser, you know that you can make the right decisions by thinking practically and emotionally. So, go ahead and find your true soulmate with the help of these sites but do not forget to be your true self and ensure that your date knows how to respect you and your children.

Infographic: How To Stay Safe When Using Online Dating Sites?

Most dating apps do not have criteria to check for unfavorable or criminal backgrounds of their users. Therefore, protecting yourself and your private information from being misused while using dating apps becomes paramount. This infographic has documented some essential safety tips to consider when using online dating apps or sites.

safety measures to follow when dating (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Key Pointers

  • Dating sites for single parents are a convenient way to connect and socialize with other single parents and like-minded people.
  • Some of the finest dating apps include Plenty Of Fish, Match, EHarmony, and Christian Mingle.
  • These apps have enhanced security features like profile verification, encryption, and spot-on compatibility matching with a niche focus.
  • Approaching dating sites with an open mind and patience while prioritizing safety can help you have the best experience.
dating sites for single parents_illustration

Image: Dalle E/MomJunction Design Team

Single parents can use many dating sites to find a supportive partner. This video explains the top 4 websites you can utilise and their pros and cons.

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Dr. Carlos Juan Carmona-Goyena
Dr. Carlos Juan Carmona-GoyenaPhD (Counseling Psychology)
Dr. Carlos Juan Carmona-Goyena is a board licensed therapist in the USA and Puerto Rico with a specialty in couples, families, and relationships. Dr. Carlos possesses a PhD in Counseling Psychology granted at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico.

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Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood.

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Siddharth Kesiraju
Siddharth KesirajuMA, Certification in Relationship Coaching
Siddharth holds a certification in Relationship Coaching and a masters degree in communication and journalism from the University of Hyderabad. He has around seven years of experience in various fields of writing and editing.

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Praven is an English literature expert. He did his bachelors in English from Delhi University and masters in English from Manipur University. Besides, he holds a certificate in multimedia design and content creation from NIELIT Imphal and presented papers at various national and international conferences.

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