Hey Everybody... This is a thread dedicated to all the single parents out there who are trying to find their calling as dedicated Christians but who are also trying to survive the world of dating. I had a relationship several years ago with a single father and it did not work out (LLLOONNNGGG story, will answer any questions gladly if you have them but I didn't want to take up all the space here posting about it--I always explain it this way--he was working when I met him... but when he saw that his children were comfortable with me, he quit his job in order to drink full-time--after I left, he wound up losing custody of his kids to their mother's parents.) I am interested in hearing the struggles, opinions, hopes, and special needs of single parents in the dating world. For instance, do you introduce your children to a date right away or wait until something more develops? Do you tell a potential date right away what your boundaries and expectations are? And, is it ok and acceptable for the single person without kids to state their initial boundaries and expectations as well? What I mean is... the single father I dated... within the first few weeks of going out... began dropping his children off at my house on my days off, expecting me to watch them without even discussing it with me first. (I was too young and naive to know I had a right to set any boundaries--I figured with kids involved, I had to go along with everything.) Do you single parents prefer to date other single parents or hope for someone with no other children? I am certainly NOT saying all single parents are like this, which is why I'm posting this thread. However, long after that relationship ended and I was in a dating service, one of the guys they matched me up with began our phone conversation saying he was a single dad who would only date a woman WITHOUT children because he fully expected her to be a mother to his child and completely devote herself to his son and no other previous children. (I thought this was WAY too intimidating, at least, for myself.) I think it's great for a person to be up front, honest, and open, but... can you offer any advice to us singles who ARE open-minded to dating singles with children BUT are still a little scared and intimidated by the responsibility? So please... fire away with your thoughts and frustrations--I would also like to welcome any thoughts and experiences from others who have dated single parents and/or those who would like to. God bless you for persevering through the hard times!