Getting back into the dating game can be challenging if you’re a single mom. There are only 24 hours in a day, and work and kids take up 23 of them.
This is why dating apps can be a helpful tool for single moms looking to get back out into the dating world, as they allow you to search for dates while you also tend to day-to-day activities. It’s way easier to set aside 15 minutes of your day for swiping than to spend three hours each week at the gym, where the odds of meeting someone suitable are slim to none. (At least your thighs are killer!)
Plus, the kids benefit from mom using dating sites, too. They can see mom happily dating and witness the affection of two adults who are madly in love with each other. They can even see what healthy conflict looks like.
Unfortunately, peaceful conflict resolution may not be something kids often see from divorced parents. Children should be able to observe wholesome interactions between couples, even if it isn’t their biological parents.
According to the 2022 U.S. Census Bureau, out of approximately 11 million single-parent families with children under the age of 18, almost 80% were led by single moms. Approximately 4 out of every 10 children were born to single mothers. Nearly two-thirds of those were born to mothers younger than 30 years of age.
Today, 1 in 4 children under 18 (approximately 13 million) are currently being raised without a father in the household.
Why Are Some Moms Still Single?
Some moms are single because they want to be. They’re not interested in being in a serious relationship with anyone for many reasons, including lack of time and disinterest.
When it comes to relationships and dating, it’s challenging not to feel like you’re a victim. After all, you want someone to share your life with, but unfortunately, the men out there don’t seem to be a good fit for you, your children, or both. So, why are some moms still single? Why are you single?
Here are a few reasons you have yet to find your soulmate.
- No time. As a single mom, you must deal with work and children; if you have any spare time, it goes to family obligations.
- No energy. If you have no time, you are busy doing everything life throws at you. So, how will you have the energy to even look for a date, much less a long-term partner?
- No interest. This doesn’t mean a lack of interest in finding a guy. It simply means you’ve been on enough dates with duds that you’re slowly losing interest. You’ll still take a good relationship, but at this point, it would need to fall into your lap.
- No introductions. You may be thinking down the line about first meeting a guy. Then going on a few dates. The thought of that can be daunting, so you put off dating for as long as possible. Eventually, if things become serious, you’d need to decide when it’s a good time to introduce your kids, and that thought is yeeeeesh!
- No cohesiveness with co-parenting. Often, when single mothers are ready to date, they put it off because they know they’ll have to deal with their children’s father. Even though they may be searching for some companionship, many single mothers would rather delay dating than deal with their ex due to his contentious nature. If you had a difficult divorce, the tension doesn’t go away because you start living in separate households.
- No privacy. Chances are, when you begin dating, your children will know–even if you meet him at a mutual location rather than at your home. Also, your family will eventually find out and inquire about your newfound dating lifestyle, and at that point, you may not be ready to discuss it. There are many reasons why single mothers put off dating. But if these reasons don’t describe you and you’re ready to put your best foot forward and get back out there, here are a few dating apps to consider.
The Best Dating Apps for Single Moms
eHarmony – Best App for Relationships
eHarmony is considered the crème de la crème in the dating world. It’s been active for several years and has the ultimate reputation as the best way to find true love online. The online dating site is unique in its in-depth questionnaire that helps match you with a potential partner, so it takes all the guesswork out of dating, which is perfect for busy moms.
Prices range from $12 monthly to $60 monthly, according to the location and plan you choose (six months, one year, or two years). It is one of the more expensive apps, but that cost only ensures that users are dedicated to finding love.
Zoosk – Best for Casual Dating
While there is no automatic guarantee that you’ll find your perfect match with online dating apps, Zoosk offers Behavioral Matchmaking technology that can increase your chances of finding that perfect match. It has a large user pool of over 40 million registered people, so you have plenty of options. However, if you’re not about numbers and more about facts, Zoosk also offers a success story page with various testimonials from couples from different types of backgrounds.
The cost is slightly higher than some dating apps and ranges from:
- $29.95 per month (1-month plan)
- $19.98 per month for a 3-month plan
- $13.35 per month for a 6-month plan
- $10.00 per month for a 12-month plan
Christian Mingle – Best for Christian Moms
If you’re a mom who raises her children in the Christian faith, it’s probably essential that your potential mate shares your religion and values. Christian Mingle has over 15 million singles searching for a partner with core Christian values. This dating app is by far among the most popular sites for Christians looking for love and romance. It attracts those serious about finding a partner for a proper long-term relationship.
You must pay for a subscription to message people who pique your interest. The prices range from approximately $42 monthly to $20 monthly if you commit for six months.
SingleParentMeet – Best App for Meeting Other Single Parents
This app is catered specifically to single parents between 35 and 44, so it’s perfect for finding people more mature and prepared to settle down into family life. Some users consider SingleParentMeet as part dating site and part social discovery but designated only for single parents.
To be able to send messages, you’ll have to pay. However, at approximately $5 monthly for a six-month membership, singleparentmeet.com is one of the most affordable choices on the dating app market.
Bumble – Best App for Efficiency
This app sets itself apart from other online dating apps because it requires ladies who have matched with guys to send the first message. If they don’t message within 24 hours, the match disappears. If a woman matches with a woman, they aren’t bound by the same rule, but one must send a message within 24 hours, or else the match is lost.
Bumble is great for single moms who don’t have extra time to wait to see if their match will send a message because it puts all the power in mom’s hands. If you start the conversation quicker, you can get to the in-person meeting much faster. You won’t waste time on matches that go nowhere.
You can unlock more features for an extra cost, but the free version does all you need. Based on approximately one million views, Bumble has a 4.3 /5 rating on the App Store.
Coffee Meets Bagel – Easiest Experience
This is a dating app for people searching for a meaningful relationship. Every day the app will send you “bagels” (matches) that it believes you’ll get along with. If you both are interested, you can chat, assisted by the app’s prompts. After one week, the chat will expire, so you’re encouraged to set up a meeting quickly. One major tip of Coffee Meets Bagel is to not talk back and forth for too long. You’ll want to get off the apps and meet face-to-face to find out if there’s chemistry.
This app is perfect for busy, on-the-go moms looking to make real-life connections with those serious about finding love.
The free version is more than good, but you can upgrade to $35 monthly to unlock additional features like profile boosts and read receipts.
OkCupid – Best App for LGBTQ+ Parents
This app is one of the more queer-friendly dating apps out there. Users can choose from a large variety of gender options, plus you can link your profile to your partner’s if you are polyamorous. To get the most out of OkCupid, you must answer questions about your values and likes, and then you’ll find out how compatible you are with others based on your answers. This is an excellent way to filter out those who aren’t interested in kids or looking for a lifestyle incompatible with family values.
Prices range depending on your chosen option. They have a basic free version that works nicely for messaging and browsing. Extra options are available if you upgrade to $35 month-to-month or $17 monthly (if you sign up for six months).
Hinge – Honorable Mention
Hinge is a favorite of many single parents out there because it’s one of the few dating apps that really want to help people find true love. It’s not all about looking for hookups, which is another option for those looking for that kind of relationship. Hinge wants to help put people together so they can enjoy a healthy, long-term relationship.
When it first started, it matched people who were friends of friends. You’d sign up using your Facebook credentials and view the profiles who shared multiple friends with you. Years later, the app was relaunched with a brand new look and a larger focus on helping single people find their match.
The cost for Hinge varies:
- $29.99 for 1 mo
- $59.55 for 3 mos
- $89.99 for 6 mos
You can pay extra for premium features.
Whatever you’re looking for as a single mom, online dating apps can help you find it. Be sure you’re upfront and open about what you’re looking for, and create a profile that’s true but also paints a flattering picture of you. No app is one-size-fits-all. Different apps work best for different people, so don’t hesitate to try a few before settling on one that suits your vibe.