Over the time that I've dated as a single mom, I came to realize things that men mostly without children of their own and some with, had a difficult time understanding or needed insight on. Here I've listed some of the most important things I think every man dating a single mom should take in to account:

1. As much as spontaneity is fun and exciting, it's a bit more complicated for a single mom to just up and leave on a cruise or road trip with the man she's dating. Even though you'd like to sweep her off her feet as quickly as you can, planning is important for her. Being a parent requires planning. If you show her you are privy to that and take the time to plan something special and exciting for her around both of your schedules, she is likely to be very impressed and will appreciate your effort.

2. Patience is key in dating a single mom. Not only does she have a busy schedule that revolves around her little loves, she also needs time to herself to recharge and recoup. If she's really into you, she will do her very best to make time for you as often as possible. However, as often as is possible for her, may not be as often as you'd like, so patience is required here. When I was dating, men that I dated wanted to be able to talk with me in the evenings once I had gotten my kids to bed. A lot of nights I would put the kids to bed and then rush to try and make myself available for the guy to chat. I quickly realized this was leaving unfinished housework that needed to be done undone and time for myself that I desperately needed after a long day at work and evening with the kids, deprived. I had to reprioritize my planning in order to make that time for the person I was dating, so if a man could not be patient with that, it was a definite turn off for me. Give her words of encouragement and understanding to let her know you are willing to wait for her attention.

3. Ask and offer to help her with things. Ask her if there's anything you can do to help lighten her load, like taking her car to get washed and detailed or getting the oil changed, helping with house chores, changing a lightbulb, taking the kids to school or picking them up for her when you can. Things involving the kids will most likely come later on in the more serious stages of your relationship but these are just examples of ways you can let her know you are ready and willing to be a team player and partner.

4. I encourage men to be very cautious and sure that they are genuinely serious about a woman before meeting her children. Her children will be directly affected by your presence in their lives in a big way. No matter how casual you make it, children are so easily impacted by a new man in their life, even if it's just a male friend. The relationship you will be entering into is as delicate as it is special. I've dated men that wanted to meet my children very early on to see if they liked my children enough to continue moving forward in our relationship. That was always a red flag for me. When you're considering marriage, the relationship with the woman you're pursuing should be completely seperate from your relationship to her children. You both are learning about each other as individuals and how to grow together intimately and spiritually which will become the foundation for your family. Her children should not be involved with you until that foundation has been built between the two of you. The length of time that takes depends on where you're both at first and foremost spiritually, and then mentally in what your goals are for the relationship.

5. Planning a day or night for her that doesn't involve you will score you big points. As much as she may love spending time with you, a single mom needs to recharge and unwind from the everyday business of life and taking care of children. There is no better way for her to do that than planning a day at a spa just for her or scheduling an evening massage, facial or pedicure for her after work and hiring a babysitter to watch the kids, or watching them yourself (if you're at that stage in your relationship). A woman needs to feel pampered just like you do, and she will have so much more of herself to give when she feels taken care of.