As a single mother perhaps you are wondering about meeting the man of your life with whom you can connect, share and enjoy your future with. But are you afraid that your children could come between a relationship you hope to one day form with a new partner?

Contrary to popular belief, most men actually adore the maternal instinct of a woman and their willingness to be a homemaker. It shows men that a single mother is family oriented and nurturing of others by their own nature. Most men delight in the years of bringing up infants because it is generally only a temporary time in life that difficulties are rewarded with the love of a child in the world. But what about someone else's infants I hear you ask? Well that really depends upon the kind of man you meet with whom you decide to continue dating.

Below are some points to help you maintain confidence which you should stay mindful of when considering a new relationship with a man and how they can affect your overall future:

1) Remember that you have the same choices as other single women. The right man for you is the one who can cultivate a mutual attraction with you, accepts your children as they are and can laugh and play with them and get along with you. You should not confuse this with having to expect a fatherhood figure from a new man. In fact preparing your children to meet a new man is best later in a new relationship, when you are sure that things are looking serious. Men will always be interested in you and your well being as a primary concern so caring for your children will encompass that naturally. If you meet the right man of course.

2) Feel confident as a single mother that you will meet the right man for you because positivity projects an outward vibe which will attract what you want. As a single mother, one way of building confidence to meet the right man in your life is to practice telling yourself in the mirror the best man will walk in the door very soon. Expect it, feel it and know it. This is part of the secret. Confidence in a woman really shows to men that a woman is ready for him which is a very attractive quality in a woman.

3) Single mothers dating often tell upfront that they have children which is a good thing to do. This is being honest with other men and lets them know straight away what level you are on in life. If your children are normally well behaved, and most of the time they want what's best for you as a mother, they will want to see that you are happy and even if they don't say it, they would rather see you happy with a new partner than perhaps alone and feeling unfulfilled in life. Make it a centre piece of your profile if you want to be open about them. Tell men exactly what your circumstances are and who you want to meet in one or two sentences. How about: "Sweet kids long for a man about the place to fulfil mum's void in life." A line like this gets straight to the point and breaks the ice immediately with men searching on a dating site. However some single mothers dating prefer not to prominate the point straight away. But if so, you can expect to find a maternal, family oriented man if that's who you want to meet.

4) Know that your children will always want what you want. If you want to meet someone kind to fill that space, your children will always understand. Even if they don't show it they instinctively know that having a man around is the natural thing. Let them know you are remembering them and their needs and wants when you are looking for a man.

The focal point of this article attempts to describe that the secret to building confidence in yourself as a woman when dating other men is in believing in yourself and your children. It's not easy dating with children but turn it into a fun game if you can. Where possible, involve your children, when the time's right of course. Make it something enjoyable by looking at yourself as someone who is needed by a good man. Once you can develop a positive feeling about yourself and your future you are putting yourself in the right mindset to meet the man right for you and your children.

Author: J Robinson 25/9/09