There is no doubt that dating as a parent is a little trickier than the norm - so, is a single parent dating site the answer? We review FreeAndSingleParents.co.uk to see what is on offer.
On first impressions, FreeAndSingleParents looks excellent; the layout is fresh and clean, the images are inviting and friendly, and even the font is designed to bring a smile to a face of single Mums and Dads! That said, I'd prefer to see more images of single people, rather than happy families with lots of kids. It's got to be a bit of a sting to see those images, considering you've incredibly likely to have been through a breakup or loss if you're interested in becoming a member of a single parents dating platform! Perhaps less of a focus on creating new family units, and more of an emphasis on how the site is here to help contribute to your happiness by finding you a compatible partner would make the home pages even more inviting.
My image preferences aside, the site couldn't be easier to use. Registering is free and took my literally three minutes (given, I did skip some of the profile info so would need to come back and fill it in a bit more comprehensively later!). The site is packed with features, with my very favourite being the Dating Diaries; this alone is worth signing up for, it's funny and interesting to engage with other single parents and learn about how they manage the daily stresses and strains of life!
“Fresh, modern dating site with single parents solely their focus. FreeAndSingleParents is friendly, easy to use, and engaging.”
Everything on FreeAndSingleParents is meant to make your dating journey more relaxed, and the first step is signing up. You just need to enter:
That's it! All of the other fields are optional, so you can go through them and give lots of detail right from the get-go, or you can leave it until you've had a chance to browse the site and then make your profile more attractive and eye-catching.
All of the main features are included within a free account, and you can find each category along the top toolbar, so there's no searching or trying to work out where your inbox is - it's laid out perfectly. The mailbox itself is just as simple, with categories so you can work through your messages at your leisure; these are split into messages, winks, gifts, favourites and support.
Talking of support, if you have any issues or problems, there is also a Help button at the top of the page on the right-hand side. If you get stuck, have any issues, need help with billing or are having any concerns about another member, you can contact customer support with just the click of a button.
I'd say FreeAndSingleParents is designed well, and everything is easy to understand from the first use. If you want to run a search to see how many members are in your local area, you simply click on the Search button. This then allows you to filter by:
FreeAndSingleParents offers excellent value for money, and a surprisingly large user base given that it isn't one of the biggest single parent dating sites. Perhaps it is this niche that makes it so popular within the dating community - and the fact that you're in a safe space where everyone you're likely to chat with already has kids too!
The membership is a mixed bag, but given how specific the search filters are, I didn't have any trouble finding eligible singles who tick all my boxes. What's nice is to see so many users choosing a picture of them with their child as a profile photo. While the site is about helping Mums and Dads find fulfilling relationships for themselves, it feels warm and friendly to know that having children is a part of everybody's lives. On this kind of platform, it isn't something to be swept under the carpet for risk of sabotaging a date with your perfect person.
Recently the site introduced a free messaging function, which adds another layer of value to joining up. As a new member, you get one free message - for every user of the site, so if you desired, you could message each person in your area, and wait and see what happens! If you want to keep those chats going, you'd need to upgrade, but it's nice to have an incentive to let you try before you buy.
I like the 'new members today' section on the homepage. As a brand new user to the site, it's nice to be able to connect with people who are in the same boat, which gives you an instant conversation starter!
Overall, I conclude that FreeAndSingleParents is a great site for parents looking for romance and dates. The profiles are authentic, the security is good, and the features surpass any expectations I would have for a free membership.
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