Single parents typically take around 13 months to find love again after a break-up, according to a new study.
A survey of 600 mums and dads who have experienced heartbreak since having a child revealed that 64% have found a new partner, despite 63% believing they would 'never find love again'.
The research showed that 21% were uncertain about the prospect of finding love again, with 59% confessing they had lost confidence in themselves and 53% fearing another heartbreak.
Furthermore, 40% expressed concern about potentially causing friction between them and their child if the child didn't accept the idea of a new person in their life.
The study was conducted by Even, a dating app for single parents, in collaboration with ITV's 'My Mum, Your Dad' stars, Janey Smith and Roger Hawes, who found each other on the show after both experiencing heartbreak of their own.
Janey shared: "After a couple of break ups and heartbreak, I thought that was it for me. I'd pretty much given up hope that I would never find love or trust again - my confidence was at an all-time low, and I convinced myself that I didn't have the time to date."
"But after my son gave me a much-needed pep-talk, I was able to find the courage to get back into the dating world and created an online dating profile which gave me the confidence to apply for the show. That's when I met Roger, and, as they say, the rest is history."
The study also discovered that 57% believe it's more challenging for single people with children to find love compared to those without kids.
Sadly, 15% of single parents reckon they've got more chance of winning the lottery than finding love again after a split, according to a new survey.
The study found that many single parents put their kids first (51%), while others simply don't have the energy (31%) or time (31%) to date. Other obstacles to finding love again include childcare issues (18%) and custody battles (12%).
But it's not all doom and gloom - the average single parent starts feeling hopeful about dating again just seven months after a break up.
To get back in the saddle, 27% leaned on family and friends for support, while 26% realised their own worth. According to the OnePoll.com data, 16% decided to lead a healthier lifestyle through eating well and exercising.
Interestingly, 14% said their children helped them get back on the dating scene, with over half (51%) saying their kids were supportive of their dating journey. A further 43% said getting back into dating brought joy and excitement back into their lives after heartbreak.
And 45% felt dating again gave them the strength to feel great about themselves and take pride in their appearance again.
Speaking about his own experience, Roger said: "Our journey shows that even when hope seems lost, love can find its way back into our lives, so to all the single parents out there feeling uncertain, remember that your story isn't over."
"Keep your heart open, lean on your support circles, and believe in your worth - love is out there waiting for you, just as it was for Janey and me."
ROGER AND JANEY’S SIX TIPS TO A SUCCESSFUL DATING JOURNEY AFTER HEARTBREAK
1. Face Your Fears - Courage often comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone. Whether it’s reaching out to an old flame, getting back on the dating apps, or taking a chance on a new relationship. Pushing yourself beyond your usual limits can lead to exciting and unexpected outcomes. Remember, if you don’t try, you don’t get!
2. Take the Plunge and Download Dating Apps - Try a dating app designed for single parents where you can meaningfully connect with other mums and dads. Be patient with the process and enjoy matching and engaging in conversation with new people. Every new connection is a step toward finding someone special.
3. Communication is Key - It can be easy to keep your cards close to your chest, but communication is so important in building and holding onto a healthy relationship. In the early days, keep communication constant. Regular chats, dates, and making plans together help build a strong foundation and reduce self-sabotage tendencies, like making excuses or developing irrational icks.
4. Create Meaningful Moments - Choose date activities that allow you to connect and get to know each other. You really don’t need to do anything too crazy. We love simple outings like dinners, drinks, or even walks, which are all perfect for quality time. The goal is to spend time together in ways that strengthen your bond without the pressure of extravagant plans.
5. Communicate with Your Children - As single parents, it’s so important to keep the lines of communication open with your kids. Make sure they’re comfortable and happy with any new developments in your relationship. Honesty and transparency can help them adjust to changes more easily.
6. Plan Family Activities - It’s important to create opportunities where kids can naturally connect, like casual family gatherings or spontaneous outings. The goal is to let these bonds develop organically, without any pressure, so that everyone feels comfortable and at ease. We like to organise easy, low-pressure outings that involve everyone, like family dinners or day trips.