The Best Single Parent Dating App to Help You Find Lasting Love

Navigating the dating world can be like walking a tightrope, a circus act that drains your energy and leaves you feeling defeated. As a single parent, that only adds to the complexity.

Yet, for all the years of late-night feedings, school runs, and boo-boo kissing sessions, single parents deserve companionship and love just as much as anyone else.

If you’re a single parent and are curious about the best single parent dating app, this post is for you. It’s easy to find yourself overwhelmed by the countless options and subtle nuances of today’s digital dating landscape, but we’re here to help. We’ll walk you through the best practices, dos and don’ts, and, most importantly, the ideal dating apps to harness as a single parent looking for love.

Contents:

• Why It’s So Hard to Date as a Single Parent
• Are There Dating Sites for Single Parents Only?
• Review of Top Apps For Single Parent Dating
• How We Chose Our Top Picks
• Tips for Using the Best Dating Apps for Single Parents
• FAQs

Why It’s So Hard to Date as a Single Parent

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The reasons many single parents find it hard to date are as numerous as they are valid.

For many single parents, the time to try and maintain a personal love life can be nearly nonexistent. Children—their needs and schedules—often take precedence over a parent’s urge to find companionship. Balancing work, kids, and basic personal care routines already feels like a well-crafted juggling act, leaving little time for anything—or anyone—else.

Plus, after the heartbreak of a past relationship, concerns about being hurt again, the impact on children, and self-doubt about finding love can be significant barriers. Single parents may feel they lack the emotional energy or the worthiness to engage in a new romantic endeavor.

Last but not least, unexpected expenses related to dating, such as babysitters and nights out, aren’t always the most financially savvy choice for every parent. The high cost of traditional dating can be a major deterrent.

But fear not! The tech world has heard the call of millions of single parents, and various dating apps now exist to bridge the gap between the undeniable desire for love… and the pragmatic complications of single parenthood.

Don’t worry about your child when leaving them unattended or when they’re on the move without you. Install the Findmykids app—with it, you will always know where your child is and what is happening around them. And, if needed, you can quickly get in touch with them. The app is indispensable for single parents! Try it yourself.

Are There Dating Sites for Single Parents Only?

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You might be wondering if there are dating sites for single parents only.

The short answer—there definitely are. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by single parents, several dating apps have been developed uniquely with them in mind. These apps understand the need for community, support, and the ability to connect with like-minded individuals.

From those looking for serious relationships to others simply seeking a network of friends, there’s a site out there for every stage and need of the single-parent dating experience.

Of course, you don’t have to use an app that’s designed just for single parents as you start your search for love. You can also turn to the many other options on the market, from Bumble to Match and eHarmony, to find the perfect person for you.

Review of Top Apps For Single Parent Dating

Ready to start learning more about the best apps for single parent dating?

Below, we’ll provide you with a few different options to give you a good range to choose from. Keep in mind that there’s no single best app for dating as a parent—after all, everyone has unique needs and preferences. However, we’ve compiled this list to give you a decent selection from which to choose as you begin your journey back into the dating world.

Hinge: The Relationship App

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This app has been mounting in popularity, particularly among those who are looking for something more serious and long-lasting.

Unlike other apps, Hinge propels users to fill out their profiles with thought and detail, thus providing a clearer understanding of who they are engaging with. It limits the number of profiles a user can like, which encourages more thoughtful browsing and potentially more genuine connections.

EliteSingles: The Premium Dating Platform For Single Parents

Designed for single professionals with little time on their hands, EliteSingles uses an intelligent matchmaking algorithm to match busy moms and dads based on detailed questionnaires and the ‘Five Factor Model’ of personality traits. The platform boasts a high success rate for serious relationships, making it ideal for those seeking to build a life with someone new.

Here’s a video reviewing EliteSingles if you want to learn more:

SingleParentMeet

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A part of the People Media family, SingleParentMeet brings the strength of a well-trusted network. The app allows you to create a profile, add up to 30 photos, and look for potential love interests in your area. It’s a straightforward app designed for those who want to cut to the chase and connect with other single parents.

Just Single Parents

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Another option for single parents, Just Single Parents, is focused solely on single parents looking for dates. It’s simple to use, free to join, and provides quick connectivity with other single parents. The app allows members to search for matches based on location and interests, and its interface is intuitive and easy to use.

eHarmony

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eHarmony is known for its in-depth compatibility assessments, and its dedicated platform for single parents follows suit. The site matches users based on personality traits and relationship preferences, with a strong emphasis on creating lasting connections.

The platform is lauded for its focus on preventing casual hook-ups, and attracting users serious about finding love.

Zoosk

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Zoosk is a user-friendly option that appeals to single parents with its approachable and fun design. The platform offers a range of communication features, including a messaging app and video dating, to help forge connections.

Zoosk’s Behavioral Matchmaking technology uses machine learning to constantly adjust to your actions, making the user experience more personalized over time.

Match

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Match is one of the most established dating platforms, known for its comprehensive profiles and advanced search options. The website has a large user base, increasing the chances of finding a compatible match.

Match’s platform for single parents provides a supportive community with resources such as date coaching, articles, and in-person events.

Stir

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Like many of the other dating apps we’ve talked about in this post, Stir is just like any other with its own built-in matching algorithm. However, the difference here is that you’ll only find single parents who are seeking a romantic relationship (not just a casual hook-up) with other individuals who are also parents or people interested in dating parents.

Stir is not a free app—it costs $39.99 per month or $17.99 per month if you’re willing to pay for a year’s membership. However, because it’s not free, it will help you weed out a lot of potential matches who might not be interested in a more serious relationship.

Bumble

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Bumble’s unique concept, where women make the first move, can be particularly appealing for single parents. It offers an additional layer of control in keeping the conversation respectful and focused. Bumble also has a BFF mode where you can meet other single parents for friendship.

OKCupid

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OkCupid cuts right to the chase with its inclusive environment that supports all kinds of relationships. With a knack for deep-dive questions, OkCupid’s matching system allows you to find someone with whom you share core values and lifestyles, important for any single parent.

Christian Mingle

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For single parents who prioritize their religious faith, Christian Mingle offers a safe space to connect with those who share their beliefs. Their platform is straightforward, and their users are typically looking for a long-term, faith-based relationship.

JDate

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Similarly, JDate specializes in helping Jewish singles find love within their faith. With features like ‘Kosher search’ that allow users to search for matches based on whether or not they are keeping kosher, it’s clear JDate is committed to creating a dating experience reflective of Jewish values and traditions.

Coffee Meets Bagel

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Coffee Meets Bagel takes a slow and steady approach to dating, giving you only a handful of matches (or ‘bagels’) each day. This encourages more thoughtful connections and reduces the pressure of scrolling through infinite profiles.

OurTime

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OurTime is an offshoot of the Match.com brand, catering specifically to the 50+ crowd. This focus on a more mature demographic guarantees that you’ll be connecting with others who understand the nuances and responsibilities of single parenthood later in life.

SilverSingles

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Much like OurTime, SilverSingles targets a more senior audience, which might appeal to single parents in that age bracket. Their comprehensive personality test helps to align you with potential matches who are not only compatible romantically but also share your family’s core values and lifestyle.

How We Chose Our Top Picks

Our assessment of the top dating apps for single parents wasn’t an easy one—we looked at several features and factors to make sure we recommended platforms that were secure, user-friendly, and relevant to your needs as a single parent.

Here are a few things we considered.

Safety and Verification

Each dating app for single parents we listed out prioritizes the safety of its users through various verification processes for member profiles and background checks to create a secure environment.

User Experience

The interface, ease of use, and comprehensive experience of the app played a significant role in our selections. We favored apps with a clean design, easy navigation, and a clear understanding of user expectations.

Niche Features

As we were looking for the top dating site for single parents, specialized features were a big win. We’re talking about features like co-parenting support, background-checked members, and in-app counseling services. All of these were considered valuable additions that were tailored to the niche interests of single parents.

Success Stories and User Testimonials

We took into account the success stories shared by users, reflecting the app’s efficacy in making meaningful connections that led to lasting relationships. While an app didn’t have to be JUST for single parents, it was nice to read user testimonials to get an idea of how accommodating it was for people with kids at home (including how user-friendly the app was and how successful it was in finding them lasting matches).

Community and Tech Support

The strength of the community, the presence of support services, and member involvement in the app’s growth and development were also significant criteria in our evaluation.

Related: 10 Tips To Help Single Parents Make Their Homes More Child Friendly.

Tips for Using the Best Dating Apps for Single Parents

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To help you make the most of your dating app experience, we’ve compiled a list of indispensable tips for single parents to consider before they start swiping or matching.

1. Be Upfront About Your Parental Status

Your role as a parent is a significant part of your life, so it should also be a significant part of your online dating profile. Potential partners should be aware of your full story from the outset.

Obviously, your kids are the most important part of your life and they’re non-negotiable—so it’s important to weed out people who aren’t interested in being around children from the start.

2. Focus On Quality, Not Quantity

When it comes to matches, it’s better to have a few meaningful connections than a multitude of superficial ones. Apps like Hinge, with their like limits, encourage this perspective.

Before you even download a single app, you must think carefully about what you’re looking for in a relationship.

And before you swipe, know what your goals are and what kind of person you’re interested in. Are you interested in marriage? Or do you simply want a supportive companion with whom to share your time?

3. Don’t Rush the Process

Building a new relationship takes time and effort, both of which may be in short supply for single parents. Take it one step at a time and only commit to dates that you genuinely believe have potential. It’s easy to overdo it with likes and swipes in our instant gratification era, but you’ll thank yourself later if you dedicate the time to a more thoughtful search now.

4. Use Online Platforms to an Advantage

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Discussing your children may not be appropriate on a first date, but on a single parent dating app, it’s fair game. Use the online platform to share your experiences and what you’re looking for in understanding partners.

5. Prioritize Safety for You and Your Children

Always use caution when meeting strangers from online platforms. Meet in public places for first (and ideally, second and third) dates, and share your location with a friend. Most importantly, trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is.

6. Set Boundaries

Your time is precious, and as a single parent, you likely have precious little of it. Define clear boundaries regarding your kids’ involvement and the degree to which you share your parenting life. Don’t let the demands of dating take over.

7. Stay Positive

The dating world can be tough, and you might reach a point where it seems as though you’ve been on dozens of dates and had zero meaningful connections. Just be patient. Maintaining a positive mindset can attract like-minded individuals.

The best advice on dating for single parents? Whatever you do, don’t settle. You deserve love and respect, so don’t feel pressured to settle for anything less than what you want and need.

Start Your Dating Journey Today

Single parent dating can be daunting, but with the right mindset and tools, it’s a frontier that can be navigated with success and filled with love. The apps we’ve discussed go beyond mere functionality—they aspire to create a supportive environment for those with unique circumstances, like you and other single parents out there.

Remember that dating should enhance your life rather than become a burden. You have enough to tackle on your to-do list as it is!

But with the right app and approach, enjoyable dating can certainly be the case for single parents.

FAQs

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Which dating site has the highest success rate?

It varies since it’s hard to measure success over the long term, but some of the top-ranked sites for long-term relationships include Match, eHarmony, Bumble, and EliteSingles.

Which dating site is the best for serious relationships?

EliteSingles is a great option for single and divorced parents looking for more serious relationships since it has a dedication to compatibility and long-term commitment versus one-time hookups.

Is Bumble good for single moms?

Bumble’s platform is frequently lauded for its empowering feature that lets women make the first move. This can give moms a sense of control and reduce some of the pressure when it comes to dating.

Is there a Tinder for single parents?

There is no Tinder specifically for single parents, but single parents are welcome to use the regular Tinder like everyone else. There are apps like Just Single Parents and SingleParentMeet that can be used as alternatives.

Do moms use Tinder?

Moms and parents of all kinds use Tinder. The app isn’t traditionally marketed as a single parent’s app, but sees a broad user base from all demographics (including single parents).

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