It should be more focused on dealing with what is left of the family and taking care of the rest. To those who have the custody of the children with them, being prepared and getting started with single parenting is a must the soonest possible time. This is because the adult's readiness will determine if he or she is fit to be the guardian of the child. If it is some random guy or gal that you do not really know and have no initial feelings for, better save your effort for another one. Single parents can date but only when it is already serious and if the potential partner is also looking for something serious. If not, don t. You should also watch out for your schedule. Experts say that there is no such thing as an idiot child when it comes to school. It s just that his or her intelligence may lie some field else that he or she and even the parents themselves have yet to discover. For single parents to have better performing kids in school, it is best to be sensitive to what she or he can attain. Ideally, raising a child should involve the mother and the father since they could attend to the different needs of the child. But when there is no way to mend the failing relationship, it would be best to opt for single parenting than to sacrifice not only one's emotional health but of the child as well. You will need to balance your time or check your schedule and find out how you can work around your baby s needs. Some mothers stop work altogether to take care of their babies during their first few months but others who cannot afford to lose their job leave them with babysitters. Time can be a problem especially with moms who are working two to three jobs just to make both ends meet. If you just want to have a great time and are just using the excuse of finding a mother or father figure for your kid, give yourself the reality check. Your kid needs you more than they need a mother or a father figure. 3. Be honest One of the mistakes that some single parents do when they date is they don t tell right off that they have a child to take care of.