When you’re a single mother, you already have a full schedule taking care of your children or children and it’s almost impossible to make time to date.

But you have to make time if you want to move on with your personal life or just want some personal fulfillment in the romantic area.

After all, you work hard as a parent, you deserve some companionship.

And usually dating sites aren’t going to cut it, though some are better than most.

What are some strategies you can use as a single mom to increase your chances of dating success?

In this article we’re going to give you five simple strategies you can use to find success on the dating scene as a single mother.

1. Make Dating a Priority

The first and most obvious strategy is that, as a single mother, you have to make time in your busy schedule to find dates. So do what you have to do to make time for dating. Whether that is hiring a sitter or getting off of work early, you need to learn how to make time in your schedule for your kids and someone else. After all, if you can’t do it now how will you manage a serious relationship?

2. Talk on the Phone Before the Date

Once you’ve met someone you’d like to date, whether online or in person, you may want to take some time to get to know them on the phone. Sure, you could text or message over social media, but people can curate their responses over these media. You want honest answers and that means hearing all the “uh’s” and “ah’s” that accompany you discussing your family and what you’re looking for in a date. You want to know now if you fit together.

3. Trust Your Instincts

Along with the last piece of advice you need to trust your instincts when it comes to dating. If you’re not feeling don’t go any further. No explanations needed and you don’t need to give one to anyone else.

4. Keep Your Balance

Maintain a love life/family life balance and don’t go too deep too quickly. Not only is this unhealthy in a relationship but also it rarely leads to good outcomes. Taking things slowly to build real rapport with someone else takes a lot of time and you can’t rush the process. You have some moving on to do or some coming to grips to do whether this is your first relationship or fifteenth. And the person that is right for you will understand this sentiment.

5. Wait to Introduce Your Kids

Again, whether you’ve met online on one of the many dating sites out there or through a friend, you need to take your time when introducing your date to your children. This means you probably want to go on several dates before taking your date home to meet your children. This is because you can’t predict how that will go and you need to be secure in your relationship first before introducing new elements into the partnership.