[rodeo-mamma]

To do a good job, a single mother needs to realize that she really isn't single. She must live her life as if she is married, in other words, not date at all. In addition, she must realize that she must be both father and mother. This means being both loving when she can, but also getting tough and not applogizing either when the kids show that they are getting bratty.

[honeygrl]

"She must live her life as if she is married, in other words, not date at all. "

Sorry but that's just unrealistic and unfair. How about try dating men who are upstanding, decent people who would potentially make good fathers for your kids if/when you remarry? I do agree though that she should be just as tough as a father would be on the kids when they get into trouble. But saying she should not date at all won't help. Remarrying a decent man can be wonderful for the kids if their real father isn't present. And the only way for that to happen is for her to date decent men who are good role models.

[visualops]

I disagree with you on the dating. I do think one should be discreet and any guy one dates should not be paraded before the children as a potential dad. If I hadn't made some effort to stay 'in the market' so to speak, I wouldn't have met my second husband.