Dating Mama

So this seems to be the subject that interests people the most.  Yes, my financial post was interesting and inspiring ;) but what everyone really wants to hear about is how to date as a single mom.

When I first starting writing this post, I wanted to share my story, but reading over it, realized that it was long and boring, and really what I want to share about dating as a single mom has little to do with my history.  The only thing that's really relevant is that growing up I always wanted that fairy-tale ending.

I've always had preconceived ideas about relationships, and even knowing that the fairytale ending wasn't reality, I still wanted to get married, and have another baby.  Recently I've realized that having those expectations are difficult on a new relationship. Dating as a single mom is hard enough already without adding preconceived expectations.  

Since becoming a single mama I have dated a few people, all with very different experiences.  Until recently dating for me was always about reaching a goal at the end: Getting married and having (more) kids.  Lately I've been seeing that looking too far into the future can sometimes be damaging on an otherwise happy, healthy and fulfilling relationship.  When I became a single mom I slowly started to challenge everything I ever thought about life and love.  I never pictured myself as a single mom (although I always wanted a baby with or without someone else).  I always pictured myself marrying young and staying home with the kids.  Life has a funny way of challenging us hey? 

So what exactly am I talking about?  I'm wondering how many of you let your expectations get in the way of your own happiness in the moment.  I know 100% that this is what I was doing for a very long time.  Always thinking about the future and finding it hard to be content in the here and now.  Of course we are all human, and thinking about the future does cross my mind from time to time, but thinking about right now gives me so much more freedom to enjoy it!  I've been seeing single dad R for a few months now, and couldn't imagine being happier in the moment.  We never take for granted the time that we get to spend together and rarely talk about anything too far in the future.  The farthest we get is the next time we will see each other.  Dating R I realized that I am happy right now and don't NEED anything like marriage or more kids.  I just want HIM…NOW!  How's that for honesty?