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With the ease of information that’s available online, there is no reason not to do a background check when you first meet someone. At a bare minimum, you should Google search his or her name and at least see what comes up; make sure his photo matches his name!

Before you dive in and commit, do your homework. Arrest records, marriage licenses and divorce judgements are all public record, so there’s nothing illegal about doing a background check on a potential new boyfriend or girlfriend.

Thinking about checking your date’s background? Here’s what you should know:

Are relationship background checks legal and ethical?

How do you do a free background check on someone you are dating?

Do any dating apps do background checks?

1. Best background check site for dating: TruthFinder

Here are more background check services we reviewed

FAQs about background check for dating

Bottom line: TruthFinder is the best background check site for dating

Is it OK to run a background check for personal use—like a first date (or FWB situation, for that matter!?)? In general, yes.

While you can use the tips in this post to learn more about a person, it’s best to pay for a background check using a service like USPeopleSearch or TruthFinder because:

  • Alerts you to potential red flags, like criminal and traffic records
  • Checks sex offender sources
  • Includes reverse phone lookup
  • Displays addresses, real ages, and known aliases
  • Quickly turns around important information that may be difficult to find yourself
  • Information is compiled and displayed in a single, easy-to-read report

How do you do a free background check on someone you are dating?

You can do a free background check on someone you are dating, but it will take a bit of legwork. Start by Googling the person’s name to find their social media accounts and any news stories or websites they’ve been connected with.

Here is all the information you can find about someone for free online:

  • Criminal and traffic records: Google “YOUR STATE criminal and traffic records” to pull up your state’s judicial website or state police records (you can do this for any state)
  • Sex offender status: You can search someone’s name for free on the Department of Justice’s National Sex Offender Registry
  • Address: If they owned land, you can Google “YOUR STATE property records” to pull up your state’s land records website, or use a free site like zabasearch.com (you can do this for any state)
  • Reverse phone lookup: If you have his or her phone number, try doing a reverse lookup by using a free reverse phone directory like The Real Yellow pages (free directories will not require you to create an account or provide personal information)
  • Reverse image search: If you haven’t met the person you’re dating, you can download their image and do a reverse image search by dragging the photo into the Google image search box

Here’s how to do a reverse image search on Google:

  1. Go to Google.
You can use a Google reverse image search as a tool for safe dating.

2. Click on the camera icon at the far right in the search field (the image search box will open).

The search field for the Google reverse image lookup.

3. Drag an image into the search box from your computer (or you can upload a file or paste a link to an image). 

4. Click the search button.

Google reverse image lookup results using an image to learn more about who you want to date.

Google will show you all results for that image. You can click on any result to learn more.

In some states, the process to obtain this information may take several days or weeks. An online background check service like TruthFinder will provide a more thorough search and deliver the information to you quickly in a comprehensive report.

Do any dating apps do background checks?

The vast majority of dating apps do not currently include background checks of any kind, which means that in most cases you’re going into a date blind.

Match.com is a prominent dating app that offers background checks. But whether you use a background check tool in a dating app or pay for a separate background check service, what matters is how you plan to use the information.

Background check for dating? Yes, here’s why

Maybe you are trying online dating and want the deets on someone who shares your interests or aligns with you spiritually — or is throwing off red flags. Perhaps you want to run a background check on yourself to verify what potential bosses may see, as you pursue a new career. 

Here are some of the reasons you might want to run a background check on someone you’re dating: 

  • Haven’t met them in person
  • Aren’t sure the person is who they say they are
  • Verify information they’ve shared
  • Make sure they’re not married or dating someone else
  • Protect yourself from criminals and sex offenders

Remember, protected rights fall on both sides when it comes to accessing personal data. Be your own watchdog. Don’t use the data to harass someone or as a basis for hiring or renting without the person’s consent.

Background checks for nannies: How do you run a background on a nanny?

1. Best background check site for dating: TruthFinder

TruthFinder is a public records search service that allows you to instantly find out information about the person you’re dating (and anyone else you want to search). Nearly 1.5 billion criminal and traffic records have been searched to date on TruthFinder.

TruthFinder searches are secured with a 128-bit encrypted connection and Norton protection, and the people you search will never be alerted that you’ve performed a search on them.

TruthFinder is one of the most thorough background check sites, revealing information on its premium reports about items like bankruptcies, tax liens, and assets.

Is TruthFinder legit?

Yes, TruthFinder is a legit site to run a background check on someone you’re dating or for anyone you want to learn more information about. Founded in 2015, TruthFinder is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating and 3.8 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. 

How precise is TruthFinder?

The information TruthFinder compiles comes from millions of public records, including information provided by state and local governments. 

That said, results may be affected by:

  • Accuracy of the public records themselves
  • How common a person’s name is 
  • Existence of records about a person

What does a TruthFinder background check show?

A standard TruthFinder background check shows a person’s: 

  • Date of birth
  • Phone numbers
  • Address history
  • Related persons
  • Criminal and traffic records
  • Government license information
  • Social media profiles, including email addresses
  • Nearby sex offenders

A premium TruthFinder background check may include:

  • Civil judgements
  • Corporate affiliations
  • Watercraft owned
  • UCC filings
  • Properties owned
  • Voter registration
  • Old Phone numbers
  • Email addresses
  • Tax liens
  • Professional licenses
  • Hunting/fishing permits
  • Weapons permits
  • Foreclosures
  • Aircraft owned
  • Neighbors
  • Business associates

Is TruthFinder free?

TruthFinder reports are not free. The following TruthFinder subscription plans are available: 

1-month subscription$28.33 per month
2-month subscription$23.52 per month

How to use TruthFinder to background check your date

The process to run a background check on TruthFinder is easy:

  • Go to the TruthFinder.com
  • Type in the person’s first and last name into the background report search
  • Answer the question prompts, which verify the information you’re trying to access
  • Once your report is compiled, you’ll be asked to select a subscription plan
  • Download and view your report and perform unlimited searches while your subscription is active

Dating as a single dad? Advice for single dads you should know

Truthfinder background check review: Is Truthfinder legit?

Truthfinder is a legit background check site accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating and 2.1 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.

Truthfnder is secured through 256-bit encryption and a verified SSL certificate, and has been rated safe by Norton.

Like other background check sites, most complaints stem from people who signed up for a trial period without charge but forgot to cancel after the trial ended, resulting in charges.

How precise is Truthfinder?

Several Truthfinder reviews cite inexact information in their reports, but like other background check sites, the information on Truthfinder is pulled from publicly available information. Therefore, any inaccuracies are likely because of incorrect public records or information pulled from another person with the same name.

What does a Truthfinder background check show?

A Truthfinder report shows: 

  • Birth and death records
  • Possible relatives
  • Possible associates, friends, co-tenants, and even exes
  • A detailed location history report
  • Contact information
  • Criminal and traffic records
  • Schooling and career history
  • Social media profiles
  • Dating profiles
  • Assets (including owned properties and driven vehicles)

Is Truthfinder free?

Truthfinder is not free. These are the subscription prices: 

1-month membership$28.05/month for unlimited reports
2-month membership$23.28/month for unlimited reports

How to use TruthFinder to background check your date

Start by searching for the person’s name, then follow through the prompts until you get to the subscription page, where you’ll have to pay before accessing the person’s record. 

Here are more background check services we reviewed

Below are more reviews of background check services. We used the following criteria in vetting background check services, and selecting the best ones:

Customer serviceWas contact information easy to find? Is pricing and terms transparent? Do customers overall have a positive experience?
PricingIs there value for the fee?
Customer reviewsHow do users review the service on online platforms?
Third-party valuationIs the company recognized by reputable governing agencies and accrediting agencies like Better Business Bureau?

Instant Checkmate reviews: Is it worth paying for?

2. BeenVerified background report review: Is BeenVerified.com legit?

Since 2007, BeenVerified has been helping people learn to use public information. The company has more than 100,000 subscribers seeking information from multiple public records sources. More than 50 million searches have taken place in BeenVerified’s 14+ years of operation, according to the company.

BeenVerified allows you to look up vehicles by VIN or license plate number.

BeenVerified has been featured on the MTV show “Catfish,” which seeks to track down information about people who may be lying about their real identities online.

In 2019, BeenVerified.com was the subject of a “Pattern of Complaint” published by the Better Business Bureau of New York. The BBB noted multiple customer service complaints, including the difficulty of opting out of information published about individuals. As of December, 2023 the company had a C rating.

In April 2019, BeenVerified.com responded to the BBB, saying it would address customer dissatisfaction issues and also improve its opt-out mechanisms.

How precise is BeenVerified.com?

The company has a 3.9 score (out of 5) on TrustPilot. Many of the lower-rated comments cited problems with inexact or outdated reports, as well as with billing issues.

We noted that many of the complaints related to the accuracy of the information BeenVerified generated. While this is a legit complaint, BeenVerified and background check services like it mostly are aggregators of existing online data pulled from various court, social and public records — and is not a reflection of BeenVerified.

What does a BeenVerified background review show?

In addition to name, address and phone number, the BeenVerified.com background review may show:

  • Criminal and traffic records (felonies, DUIs, et al.)
  • Property ownership
  • Reverse phone (which could include address and e-mail as well as the person’s name)
  • Reverse address (which might feature deed history, home values and more)
  • Bankruptcy and liens
  • Marriage and divorce data
  • Relatives
  • Email search

Is BeenVerified free?

You can run a background check for free, but in order to see it you have to pay.

1-month membership$26.89 for unlimited reports
3-month membership$17.48 /month for unlimited reports

How to use BeenVerified to background search your date

On the BeenVerified website, enter the person’s name you’d like to search and follow through the prompts until you get to the subscription page.

3. Better Future background check review: Is Better Future legit?

Better Future offers a free background check for personal use. Site is user-friendly and intuitive. You can preview a sample report or run a personal background check for yourself by clicking the ‘Get Started’ button on the site.

Featured in publications such as Entrepreneur, Better Future is a product of Checkr which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to run background checks on the corporate side for companies like Uber, Zillow and Lyft. Site uses 256-bit encryption to protect transmission of personal data.

Checkr is a BBB accredited business with a rating of A- and has been in business since 2014. Better Future was launched in 2018 as part of Checkr’s corporate mission to aid applicants with criminal backgrounds to secure better career opportunities. Be sure to review the Checkr BBB profile to gauge user satisfaction.

How precise is BetterFuture.com?

Better Future advertises that it has run 13 million background checks since its launch and sources its data from federal sources and public records from more than 3,200 counties nationwide.

While there is a potential for accessing data that is out of date or inexact, the company encourages users to report inaccuracies to support@betterfuture.com.

What does a Better Future background check show?

To get results of your background check, you must create an account using your full legal name, date of birth, current zip code and social security number (SSN).

Once you receive your full report, you can expect to view the following data:

  • Address history
  • SSN trace
  • Sex offender search
  • Global watchlist search
  • County criminal searches

It takes about three days to get the results of your personal background check. You must certify that you are submitting your own information during the signup process.

Is BetterFuture.com free?

Better Future is completely free. No credit card necessary. However, it may take several days to receive your report.

How to use Better Future to background check your date

Better Future is a site that allows you to run a free background check on yourself for the purposes of career hunting and personal use. You cannot run a background check on another person without knowing identifiable information, such as their phone number and social security number.

4. Intelius background check review: Is Intelius legit?

Intelius was founded in 2003 by former executives from InfoSpace, a search engine and online directory. All searches on Intelius are private and confidential, with more than 20 billion available public records.

Intelius is accredited with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and 3.7 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.

Most Intelius complaints stem from people who didn’t cancel their subscription before the end of the trial period, which they got for free. 

How precise is Intelius?

Like other background check sites that pull public information, Intelius is as precise as the public information available about a person.

What does an Intelius background check show?

Intelius reports may include: 

  • Personal info (name, address, phone number)
  • Location data
  • Traffic offenses
  • Related persons
  • Sex offenders
  • Licenses
  • Contact info
  • Online activity
  • Felonies
  • Misdemeanors

Is Intelius free?

No, Intelius is not free. You can access unlimited reports with the following subscription options: 

1-month membership$24.86/month for unlimited reports
2-month membership$21.13/month for unlimited reports

How to use Intelius to background check your date

You can look up information about your date by searching for their name, phone number, or address. Then, follow through the prompts until you get to the subscription page, where you’ll have to pay before accessing the report.

5. PeopleFinders background check review: Is PeopleFinders.com legit?

PeopleFinders is a fee-based online search engine and public records database. They recently created the iPhone apps Stud or Dud? and Are They Really Single? that reveal a person’s marriage status, criminal and traffic record, any bankruptcy claims and a number of other red flags.

The more you know about the person, the more targeted your results will be on PeopleFinders. At a minimum, you need a last name and a current or previous state of residence. No frills site design, but straightforward and intuitive. The report is not difficult to decipher and is broken into sections.

PeopleFinders boasts a user base of 8 million and an extensive database spanning 40 years. PeopleFinders has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau but is not BBB accredited. It also uses HTTPS for secure communication online, which is extremely important when exchanging personal data.

Founded in 1988, the award-winning Sacramento-based company manages billions of records in their database and has mentions on MSNBC, Fox News, CBS, CNN, NBC and in PC World. Honors include the Stevie Award, Deloitte Fast 50 and a number of career, ecommerce and industry excellence awards.

On the PeopleFinders site, you can easily access testimonials, as well as reviews from verified users of their site via TrustPilot. You can also peruse BBB for customer reviews, complaints and complaint resolution.

How precise is PeopleFinders.com?

PeopleFinders touts itself as a provider of comprehensive and precise data. Personal reviews are mixed about the relevance of data. Check the Contact Us link to access Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). The FAQs address incorrect and outdated information.

What does a PeopleFinders background check show?

Besides the person’s name, address and phone number, a PeopleFinders background check shows:

  • Residences
  • Relatives
  • Aliases
  • Date of birth
  • Neighbors
  • Property records
  • Bankruptcies
  • Judgments and liens
  • Marriage/divorce
  • Birth/death records
  • Criminal history
  • Sex offender registry results

PeopleFinders will also let you do a reverse phone lookup, to find out where that unknown number in your “missed calls” queue originated.

Is PeopleFinders.com free?

While PeopleFinders allows you to run a limited, preliminary background check for free, more detailed reports require a paid membership. PeopleFinders offers two monthly membership tiers:

Basic: Includes contact information, aliases, relatives, and known associates$24.95/month
Premium: Includes everything in the basic membership, plus additional information such as property records, assets, business records, criminal and traffic records, bankruptcies, liens, judgments, and more.$29.95/month

3-day trial memberships are available for $1.95. You will pay a cancellation fee of $2.95 if you end the trial. If you don’t cancel, regular monthly billing starts at the end of the trial period. There is no contract and you can cancel at any time in your account or by calling customer care.

How to use PeopleFinders to background check your date

On the PeopleFinders website, type in your date’s name. Once the person’s report is generated, you’ll have to pay for a trial membership before you can access it.

6. US Search background check review: Is USsearch.com legit?

Another fee-driven background check search engine is US Search. This online background check resource provides multiple streams of data with searches powered by names, states and phone numbers.

US Search is under the umbrella of PeopleConnect Inc. and is an alias of Intelius, a Washington state business accredited since 2014 with the Better Business Bureau with an A rating. Intelius was founded in 2003. US Search has mentions in The Wall Street Journal and on CBS News and 60 Minutes.

US Search uses 128-bit encryption and a valid security certificate to safeguard the transmission of personal information. Check BBB to get a feel for what past and current customers think of the service.

How precise is USsearch.com?

US Search maintains a database of billions of records from public and commercial sources and consolidates the data into a detailed report. Search engines tend to grab data from historical and current data sources, so you are likely to have some out-of-date references included in the report.

What does a US Search background check show?

There are two options for a background check with US Search. You can run a basic background check or a nationwide criminal search. You can also view a sample report so you can see how the data is arranged. You can expect to see the following data:

  • Identifying information such as name and date of birth
  • Addresses and phone numbers
  • Relatives and known associates
  • Criminal history including details of offenses, arrest and case disposition

The basic background check includes data for the state entered. The national check includes results from 43 states. You also have the option to add on a social network search for a fee.

US Search also offers reverse phone number lookups.

Is USsearch.com free?

US Search charges $19.86 per month for unlimited monthly reports.

How to use US Search to background check your date

Click “Get started” from the home screen, then choose which type of search you’d like to do (by name, phone, or address). Then, continue through the prompts to complete your search and subscribe.

FAQs about background check for dating

Background checks can be intimidating and mysterious. Here is what you need to know …

Is there a totally free background check?

If you want the dirt on someone without putting in a lot of legwork, you’ll have to pay for it. That said, you can search government websites or go to your local courthouse or police station to obtain police reports, court or real estate records. Copies of public records often come with a fee.

What does a background check show?

How far background checks go varies by state, but you can typically access 7 to 10 years of data such as:

  • Court records
  • Criminal and traffic records
  • Real estate holdings
  • Past addresses
  • Bankruptcies and liens
  • Career history
  • Schooling

When choosing an online service for a background check, be sure to review the types of data offered before proceeding.

Do arrests show up on background checks? What about warrants, misdemeanors or pending charges?

These appear on background checks:

  • Felony convictions
  • Misdemeanor convictions
  • Pending criminal cases
  • History of incarceration as an adult.
  • Arrests pending prosecution may also be reported.

Arrests that did not lead to convictions may appear in some background checks.

How long does a background check take?

Using reputable online services to run background checks for personal use usually yields instant results, but the turnaround time for offline services can take between one and five business days.

Bottom line: TruthFinder is the best background check site for dating

Regardless of the reason, if you think you are dating and should be running a background check on your date, then you should. Start with a reverse phone lookup on TruthFinder. TruthFinder stands out in the background check market:

  • Nearly 1.5 billion criminal and traffic records searched
  • Searches include checks of sex offender sources
  • A+ BBB rating

Learn more about online dating safety, as well as how to safely use friendship apps.

Should you run a background check on your date?

In general, yes. The vast majority of dating apps do not currently include background checks of any kind.

How do you do a free background check on someone you are dating?

You can do a free background check on someone you are dating, but it will take a bit of legwork. Start by Googling the person’s name to find their social media accounts and any news stories or websites they’ve been connected with.

Do any dating apps do background checks?

The vast majority of dating apps do not currently include background checks of any kind.

I don’t run many guest posts, but happened upon Elliot Scott, a dating coach who had a lot of really smart things to say about men and women and how we can relate better. And he has a lot of experience coaching — not to mention dating! — single moms. I love his advice, and it resonates 100% with my own experience dating a zillion men since becoming a single mom.

The majority of my clients are single moms. They often ask:

“Why the hell would a successful guy want to date a single mom?”

They’re often stunned at my answer:

Single moms who take responsibility for their families, who are awesome moms, and successful in their lives are extremely desirable to successful, attractive men.

That said, I can understand why mothers feel subpar on the dating market.

Single moms are indeed stigmatized in some dating circles.

Whether it be their “mom bods,” drama from the exes, worry the child will be a hassle, or that these women are financially destitute, single moms can get stuck in negative thinking that holds them back from meeting men who are their educational, intellectual and social peers.

However, guys DO want to date single moms. You can find guys looking for serious, long-term relationships on eharmony.

Here is what single moms need to know:

Do guys want to date single mothers? 

What do guys think about dating a single mom?

Are single moms worth dating? Adopt these attitudes, mama

  1. Be proud of your single motherhood
  2. Don’t be afraid to show your success
  3. Focus on the right guy
  4. Let him take care of you

Single mothers looking for love: Not sure where to start?

Are you worried the guy you are dating is cheating, or want to check him out before you meet up IRL? TruthFinder background check is rated A+ by the BBB and offers reverse phone lookup, criminal records and more.

Do guys want to date single mothers? What do guys think about dating a single mom?

Here is the secret that most single moms miss:

97% of men’s interactions with women are driven by fear.

Men closely relate their success and egos to whether they can win over a quality woman. It’s in our evolutionary makeup.

When a man doesn’t win over women of high quality, he questions his self-worth.

Yes! Here are reasons why successful men are interested in dating single moms:

Why do men like single mothers? They have their shit together.

In today’s culture, success is defined by looks, yes, but also the very qualities that are unique to single mothers:  A single mom knows first-hand what responsibility is.

She knows true love and has demonstrated an emotional connection that childless women have not.

A single mom is patient, open-minded, trustworthy, loyal, and selfless.

She wants to better herself and others around her.

She’s careful, sensitive, caring, loving, strong, and is on a goal of constant self-improvement.

A single mom has meaning to her life.

These are all qualities great guys are looking for.

Successful men don’t want women who run around, stay out every night, drink too much, have no control over themselves, and are unpredictable.

We like women who are strong, stable, and are feminine — all the qualities of a successful single mom.

After all, what is more truly feminine than a mother?

Despite this, so many single moms struggle with self-confidence in romance.

I understand that it can be easy to buy into those single mom stigmas.

I also understand that you’ve had your heart broken by not-so-great guys.

It’s time to get over it. Look at yourself and your life through the eyes of the type of man you desire.

Appreciate how strong, loving and capable you are.

You’ve already proven that you can handle so much, and move through hard times with grace.

Embrace the fact you have all the traits to attract quality men and build a lasting, loving relationship.

8 rules for dating a single mom

Are single moms worth dating? Adopt these attitudes, mama:

1. Be proud of your single motherhood

Once you own those traits mentioned above, you automatically step into the role of a quality woman.

But you have to OWN it first! By owning your traits, taking responsibility for your situation and actions, and having a positive outlook, you automatically raise your social proof and value.

Confidence attracts confidence.

2. Don’t be afraid to show your success

Successful men don’t want a needy woman.

Most single moms I know have their acts together.

They have dynamic careers, are raising amazing children, and have full social lives.

To a man who also has a great life, this is catnip.

A successful single mom shows a man that his life, freedom and social status are not threatened and that makes single moms hot.

These insights were really eye-opening to me. I’ve had a really great time over the past six years dating like a maniac in New York City, a place teeming with interesting, successful men — many of whom were married to stay-at-home wives whom they are now paying a lot of alimony and child support. I’ve found that these dudes really, really appreciate a woman who makes her own money, and love when women will commiserate with them when they complain that:

  • He did not agree for her to quit her career, but by the time they split up it was too late, or …
  • She couldn’t keep a job, or pursued a career that was not lucrative, but felt entitled to maintain the lifestyle his career had afforded her, or …
  • She refused to get a job, or chose low-paying, part-time work to qualify for more money from him — none of the above of which are the same as both partners mutually agreeing one would forgo their earning potential for the sake of the family, which is what alimony is designed for.

That said, there were a few men in my recent history who clearly didn’t really get what it means to be a single mom who has a career and big goals. They didn’t get me, and these men didn’t understand women, either.

Take, for example, the movie set designer, who made a lot of money, judging by the $10,000 he paid his ex monthly, his flashy Upper West Side apartment, and the fact that he told me all the time he made a lot of money. This guy was in his early 50s, and after a year-long affair with a hot 25-year-old blonde who worked retail that ended his 20-year marriage, he’d dated a stream of hot 25-year-old blondes who worked retail, according to his Instagram feed. We went out for a few months, and I appreciated that he was creatively brilliant and a basically good guy, and he did treat me well. But we never gelled.

I always felt that while we connected intellectually, I was a good 30 lbs too fat for him, and frankly, too independent. I’d imagine that he’d tell his therapist about me, and because she’d urge him to pursue someone age- and professionally appropriate like, say, me, he stuck it out for a while, even if my flabby ass and full bush didn’t really do it for him. He did, however, really appreciate that unlike his other, less hard-knock-life honeys, I understood his divorce woes. But, because he had for 20 years a wife who did not have a career, who had their kid 80 percent of the month, he did not understand me.

The designer would often suggest we go out to loud clubs populated with hot 25-year-olds and guys in their 50s in expensive suits during the week, at like 10 p.m. Finally, after the half-dozenth invitation, I said: “You know, I can get a sitter from time to time, but weeknights aren’t my thing. I have kids at home, you know!”

Him: [Blank stare. Blink. Blink.]

And after the 100th bitter rant about what he saw as his lazy, entitled ex-wife who refused to work full-time, I said: “I appreciate that being a mom to one teenager is not a full-time job, and your ex-wife needs to stop being so entitled, but your career did benefit from having her home taking care of your kid all those years.”

Him: [Blank stare. Blink. Blink.]

I have said it before, and it stands saying a million times: The power of pussy is real. The life you lead is a force for activism, or not. You inform others around you how to treat you, and also how to treat others. The way you manage your romantic life — whether it’s something casual, FWB, or in a long-term marriage — affects those around you, directly and indirectly, which trickles into politics and policy, near and far. When you demand respect for “women’s work” at home by presuming it is shared, you, by default, are demanding respect for “women’s work” in the rest of the world.

While eharmony is our No. 1 dating site recommendation, learn more about popular sites through our reviews of Match.com, Tinder, Elite Singles, Bumble, and Zoosk.

3. Focus on the right guy

I often see successful single moms going after the wrong guys.

These might be men who are not their professional or social peers — men who will indeed be threatened by her success.

Or you might have your eyes on a younger man who doesn’t know what it’s like to have a family or is not ready to settle down.

This guy is in a different stage in his life than you. Instead, focus on a man who is ready for a family and is truly open to your situation.

This might mean you date single dads, or men who have been involved with single moms before.

Find great guys near you on eharmony or consider a matchmaking service.

4. Let him take care of you

When a woman starts to focus on pleasing the man, opposed to accepting his care, she ruins the natural mating cycle.

The man’s job is to please and satisfy the woman.

If it’s the other way around, he will start to focus on his needs and not yours.

As long as he satisfies you and you let him know through gratitude, he will continue to help and love you.

Over-pleasing is a sign of seeking validation.

This subconsciously tells a man you can’t take care of yourself.

That is why we are turned off when someone repeatedly texts and calls, even when we don’t respond.

When you have the confidence to allow a man to take care of you, he feels masculine, secure, and devoted to you.

With confidence, you already own everything you need to attract a quality man.

Confidence is a choice in the moment. You create it. Don’t worry about your mom bod, child, financial situation, or ex.

Just know that you have it covered. Then take action. The only life worth living is a life full of action!

Once the man sees this, he’s going to be attracted to you.

Attraction isn’t serendipitous. You create it.

I have dated just as many single moms as childless women.

[Older single moms dating younger men: What you need to know now]

If a single mother has the qualities of a single mom as well as the confidence to own it, she is in a league of her own.

successful men date single moms

Elliot Scott is a women’s dating coach who lives in Seattle, Washington.

Into older men? Do’s and don’ts for dating an older man

Bottom line: So, do guys want to date single moms?

Yes! Many single moms find love, companionship and partnership with good, successful men who respect and care for them and their children.

A woman who has children or is divorced are not deterrents for quality men — many of whom are also single dads themselves and seeking partners who understand them!    

Recently divorced and looking for love? Here’s what you need to know about rebound relationships and finding a good man. You might even find that dating a single dad is the way to go.

Dating sites for single moms

Check out a dating app. This is the easiest, cheapest way to get your mojo back, and get a feel for what is happening out there. All you need to do is connect with one cute guy or girl to get that spark going again. 

Here is my list of the best dating sites and apps for single moms.

Need help with your profile? 14 examples of good dating profiles and how to pick profile pics.

For finding a serious relationship, a boyfriend or a husband, eharmony is the leader:

  • Free 150-point personality report
  • Apps for iOS and Android
  • 100% of members are proven to be real (no catfishing or married people!)
  • Free version
  • For paid memberships, eharmony has one of the lowest prices.
  • A Better Business Bureau rating

Learn more about eharmony in my review.

Do guys want to date single mothers?

Yes! Many single moms find love, companionship and partnership with good, successful men who respect and care for them and their children.

Why do men like single mothers?

A single mom knows first-hand what responsibility is. A single mom is patient, open-minded, trustworthy, loyal, and selfless.

The idea of dating after a divorce can be paralyzing for so many people — men and women alike. 

I’ve been in a serious, long-term, live-in, own-two-homes-together relationship with a wonderful man for 5 years, but I dated like CRAZY for 5-6 years before that. Lots of casual sex, a few boyfriends, and plenty of in-between — including a year-long affair with a Danish man who took me sailing in the Nordic sea one summer.

Long-story-short: I had a very good time dating, and I want that for you, too.

Ready to date after divorce? Get my tips:

My tips for dating after divorce

  1. Have fun
  2. Don’t rush into a serious relationship!
  3. Take your time
  4. Be positive about dating, men and relationships
  5. Divorce counseling: Why you should consider post-divorce therapy

What I wish I knew about dating after divorce:

  1. First thing I wish I knew about dating after divorce
  2. Second thing 
  3. Third thing

Your first relationship after divorce

First adult relationship after divorce

Can you find true love after divorce?

Should you get back together with an ex after a breakup?

How long should you wait to date after divorce?

Is it hard to meet someone after divorce?

How do I start dating after divorce at 30, 40, or 50?

Why is dating after divorce so hard?

Advice from a 90-year-old single mom on dating after divorce

Bottom line: Dating after divorce does not have to be difficult

My tips for dating after divorce:

A happy couple on a dinner date. Check out these 5 tips for dating after divorce and what I wish I knew.

Here are my tips for dating after divorce:

1. Have fun

A man and woman laughing while on a date. Here are 5 tips for dating after divorce and what I wish I knew.

I understand why you are looking for a new husband — you likely were used to being married, you feel left out because everyone around you seems to be happily married (trust me, they’re not). The idea of dating casually may be new, or foreign, or just scary. After all, the very real threat of a post-divorce rebound breakup looms large. I get it.

That said, try to lighten up. Have fun. Go out with people you don’t really want to be serious with — older guys, younger guys, guys outside of your demo, women, dads with kids, people without kids. Try online dating (Read our roundup of best online dating apps for single parents).

2. Don’t rush into a serious relationship!

Don’t focus on finding a husband — or even a boyfriend. That is a fine goal, but why the rush? There are so many other romantic arrangements to explore. Be as open as you are able. Allow yourself to be surprised by what you have not yet experienced — and may enjoy.

Divorce rates for remarriage are very high. Just saying.

3. Take your time

There is no rush to getting into a relationship, to starting to date again, or any other landmarks. Give yourself a year to be a hot, post-divorce mess.

Listen to those red flags!

 “At this stage of my life I know who I am and what I want.” … I hear that often from single moms. Reality?

Divorce rates for second marriages are very high, heartbreak common, and we may not be as wise as we want to believe. When your girlfriends warn you to run, run.

 4. Be positive about dating, men and relationships

A woman with a child and a man offering flowers and a gift. Find out more about these 5 tips for dating after divorce and what I wish I knew.

Be proud of being a mom! Please do not lie about having kids, be open to dating single dads, and understand that living in your truth, including your parenthood, is sexy and real and will attract all good things to you.

No one wants a girlfriend who hates men, is cynical about relationships or otherwise is a drag about the very gender she is spending time with! I get that you are wounded and lonely and this mess is confusing. Spend time with positive people, even if it means making new friends. Fill your life with joyful activities and otherwise lean into being a single mom.

5. Divorce counseling: Why you should consider post-divorce therapy

Post-divorce counseling can be an excellent way to help you understand the patterns of your marriage, your dating patterns now, understand and process the grief of your breakup, and help you envision and seek out a healthy, happy new relationship. But first, you have to lean into being single.

LeNaya Smith Crawford, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Atlanta, said that therapy is critical to help you find a healthy new relationship.

“Understanding what went wrong in your marriage, the role you played, and making peace with your ex are all part of the inner work needed to find a healthy relationship,” Crawfor says. “Dating from a place of hurt and negatively will affect your new relationship and can cause history to repeat itself. Don’t skip the counseling — it will help your next relationship be happier and healthier!”

“Remember that your kids want you to be happy too (even if on the surface they are crying for you to stay home). You need a life and a partner; having that will make you be a better mom, not a worse one,” said Raffi Bilek, LCSW-C, a relationship counselor at the Baltimore Therapy Center in Baltimore, Md.

I’m not the first person who has suggested to you therapy at this stage of life. Therapy is not a silver bullet of personal growth and healing for everyone, but studies find that quality counseling will help you recognize unhealthy patterns, grieve a loss, and move through trauma.

It can be very helpful to work through your grief and insecurities before dipping your toe into dating too soon, which can only deepen old wounds.

Have more concerns? Here are some answers to common questions about dating after divorce. Even more tips here:

Life after divorce: 12 tips for moving forward and starting a new life

What I wish I knew about dating after divorce:

1. First thing I wish I knew about dating after divorce

That first big relationship after divorce is BIG, and DEEP and very sexually intense. 

2. Second thing 

The second lesson I learned about dating after divorce is that first relationship HURTS LIKE HELL when it ends. 

3. Third thing

Final big dating-after-divorce lesson: Dating is new and fresh and fun and exciting at this phase of life. You invent the rules! Try anything you like! 

Your first relationship after divorce

Does the first relationship after divorce last?

It seems to be a universal experience: When that first relationship after divorce ends it just kills. When that relationship ended, it hurt like a mofo! Holy bananas did that hurt. Ouchie!! Owwie ow ow ow! Mommy! Make it stop! Please, ow ow owie ouchie ow I can’t take any more!!!

It took me a long time, and a lot of interaction with other, divorced people to figure out why post-divorce rebounds are akin to your body dripping with infected hangnails while, at the same time, a rusty scythe strikes your guts. Again. And again. And again.

Even more than an ending love, all that pain and torment is really about contending with unresolved heartbreak from divorce. You are likely as I was: needing to go through that rebound and the subsequent pain. It served as a critical point of reference through which I dealt with the dissolution of my marriage.

Divorce often robs us of the opportunity to mourn the romantic relationship itself because there is so much practical and logistical hell to contend with at the time of the split. Including:

  • Your children’s care and feelings
  • Finances
  • Worry you will be be destitute
  • Custody
  • Co-parenting
  • Worry your children will be forever neurotic/hateful of you/incapable of love
  • Real estate transactions
  • Relocation — including deciding whether to keep or sell the house in the divorce
  • Lost relationships with in-laws
  • Lost relationships with mutual friends
  • Divvying of personal items (make sure to sell your engagement ring and don’t make it part of the divvying)
  • Removing names from bank accounts and mortgages and wills, credit cards, utility accounts and car notes
  • Managing your debt and credit
  • Acclimating to visitation schedules
  • Acclimating to living alone
  • Figuring out how to live on far less money (how to set up a budget)
  • Figuring out how to make way more money
  • Fear of finding love after divorce
  • And on and on

Is the first relationship after divorce doomed?

No! Not all first relationships after divorce end. But most do. That’s OK!

5 tips for dating after divorce

First adult relationship after divorce

After my post-divorce rebound, I needed another rebound relationship. I happened to be his first post-divorce rebound relationship. I couldn’t believe my good fortune, especially after fear that I would never find love after divorce.

My first serious relationship after divorce

Me: “I’ve been thinking about how the first time you sleep with someone, you’re not really sleeping with that person — you’re really sleeping with all the other people you’ve had sex with before them.”

Him: “That’s right. You’re really sleeping with your point of reference.”

In essence, before you get to know a new lover’s body and preferences — as well as how your own body and preferences fit with that person — each of us is really just sorting through all of the bodies and preferences that came before in order to truly enjoy current company.

Relationships are no different. And this analogy holds most true in a rebound relationship.

There has been plenty written on the perils of the rebound. The old maxim suggests that the recently heart-broken is too angry/vulnerable/hurt to be truly open to a new love. The rebounder is at risk of attaching too quickly to the wrong person, and those dating a rebounder are subject to wandering into the line of fire of scatter-shot devotion.

I’ve written exhaustively about my own post-marriage rebound with a man who was also recently divorced. It lasted a full year and was thrilling, wonderful and dysfunctional.

When that relationship ended, it hurt like a motherfucker! Holy shit did that hurt. Ochie!! Owwie ow ow ow! Mommy! Make it stop! Please, ow ow owie ouchie ow I can’t take any more!!! Even more than an ending love, all that pain and torment was really about contending with unresolved heartbreak from my divorce. But I needed to go through that rebound and the subsequent pain. It served as a critical point of reference through which I dealt with the dissolution of my marriage.

Dating a widower: 6 things you need to know

Falling in love too soon after divorce

But no matter how much I tried to stay true to my belief that anything is possible in love, there was no escaping that I am three years out of my marriage while he is a mere three weeks. This guy’s giddy openness about starting life anew reminded me of just how I felt at that juncture.

I also sensed a vulnerability and neediness that was woefully familiar — in this man I could see myself two years ago when I, too, first ventured into post-divorce dating. It evoked being on a third date with my own rebound boyfriend. Anxiously, across the table in a dimly lit West Village restaurant, I stammered: “Are you dating anyone else? Because I’m not.” My barely salvaged heart could barely stand the risk of being dinged yet again.

Today, I feel differently about emotional risk, heartbreak and dating. On the one hand, bring it on! You don’t get to the good stuff in relationships without putting yourself out there emotionally. But now I don’t feel quite as vulnerable and needy. I am feeling strong and free and optimistic about love in a different, more grounded way — one that allows me to see obvious love landmines before I enthusiastically dance on one. As such, I couldn’t figure out how to make my own phase of divorce jibe with that of my recent amour.

So in a breakup email exchange, I shared more or less what I said here. I added that I hoped we could stay connected in some way, keep open the possibility of finding each other in other phases of our journeys. What I got in response was one of the most touching compliments I’ve received in a very long time. It said:

“I can’t think of anyone I would rather have lost my divorce virginity to.”

What to know about dating while going through a divorce

Can you find true love after divorce?

Answer: Yes.

One data point: Me.

I separated from my husband when I was 33 and pregnant with a toddler. A year and a half later I started to date. I dated like a maniac and had a blast meeting all kinds of wonderful, mediocre and weird men. Tons of sex, fell in love once or twice, made some new friends and a bunch of stories. Three years ago I feel in love with a wonderful man who loves me, loves my kids, and wants to spend his life with me.

I’m not special. I’m a little fat, pretty loud, frequently grumpy and fickle.

Here is my list of the best dating sites and apps for single moms. 

For finding a serious relationship, a boyfriend or a husband, eharmony is the leader:

  • Free 150-point personality report
  • Apps for iOS and Android
  • 100% of members are proven to be real (no catfishing or married people!)
  • Free version
  • For paid memberships, eharmony has one of the lowest prices.
  • A+ Better Business Bureau rating

Learn more about eharmony in my review.

Should you get back together with an ex after a breakup?

Lots of people do, with a lot of success. Here are reasons not to get back together with an ex after breakup:

  • You want totally different things and you believe you will change him.
  • You want totally different things and you are ready to make major, soul-crushing compromises to make it work.
  • Abuse.
  • You know in your heart is wrong but you’re so lonely. Or horny.
  • You tell yourself you’ll just hook up with no feelings involved.
  • You’re miserable with him, if comfortable.

How long should you wait to date after divorce?

The general rule of thumb for doing anything major after divorce is: Wait a year. But nothing magical happens after a year. Also: Dating is not major, unless you make it major.

It is fine if you want to date casually, have sex, have fun. But for the love of god don’t do any committing — no moving in with a man, no getting pregnant or buying real estate together!

Read this post: After divorce you get a year to be a hot mess

Also, the answer to this question depends on where you live. For example, in many places where you can easily get divorced within 30 days, it is taboo to date while legally married. However, in New York where I live, everyone dates while they are separated, but legally married, because it takes FOREVER to get the paperwork finalized.

Is it hard to meet someone after divorce?

This is a common question, which really cloaks your fear that you are unlovable. Millions of people date, fall in love, fall in lust, get into relationships and even marry after breakups and divorce. Many of them have kids, all of them are wounded, human and lovable. Many divorced people prefer to date other divorced people — you get each other!

All about red flags to watch out for while dating

How do I start dating after divorce at 30, 40, or 50?

Once I the divorce fog lifted, the post-divorce breakup wound healed, I started dating like crazy. I probably went on more than 100 or 200 first-dates in five years, before I met my wonder now-boyfriend.

Warning: You will receive all kinds of toxic messages about your chances of meeting someone after divorce — and the older you are, the more negatively is likely to come your way.

Messages like:

There are no good guys out there at this stage — you’re 30! [actual quote directed at me by a loved one]

All the great men in their 40s are already taken.

No one wants a divorced, single mom in her 50s. Used goods!

Men in their 40s/50s/60s only want to date women without kids in their 20s/30s/40s.

If you believe these messages they will become a self-fulfilling prophecy. You manifest what you think.

Fact: There are just as many divorced, heartbroken, single dads as there are single moms. Men are humans, and they also want deep connection, or fun, or commitment, depending on the phase of their journey — just like you!

Here is my advice, which is also informed by thousands of moms who have shared their experiences with the joys and horrors of dating at this phase of life:

  1. First, set some guidelines for yourself and understand that an immediate spark over mojitos after work does not mean you should make a serious commitment to anyone, anytime soon! Dating is not about finding a husband. It is about meeting new people, exploring romantic possibilities and learning about yourself. Hopefully, it also includes some fun and good sex.
  2. If you’re looking for men to meet, ask friends to set you up, consider online dating or go ahead and ask out that guy at the coffee shop you’ve been crushing on. (Check out our list of the best places to meet singles in person.)
  3. Pay attention to how you feel. This is a process, and you will be working through a lot of feelings and baggage. Are you really angry at all the men you meet? Feel so vulnerable every time someone pays you attention? Terrified of being left (again)? All normal!
  4. Pay attention to how men react to you. Do any themes emerge? Do they tend to find you clingy, or angry at men overall? Are you stand-offish, or prickly? Don’t dismiss the entire gender, but instead use this as an opportunity to discover things about yourself that will help you heal and attract the type of relationship you are looking for.
  5. Be open to different types of men. Again, this is not a marriage hunt, but dating! Date against type, both in terms of profession and physical characteristics you tend to attract. Heck, date against political party!
  6. Be open to new sexual experiences.
  7. Safe sex, ladies.
  8. Don’t expect immediate chemistry — or for a lightning bolt to hit you when you meet the one. We’re not in a Disney movie, after all. And how many divorces started with “I knew he was the one!”?

Why is dating after divorce so hard?

First, you are traumatized by your divorce, no matter how wanted or amicable it was. Divorce is a big fucking deal, and it can take a long time to get over. Totally normal.

Second, you are afraid of getting hurt. You are licking your wounds from your breakup, and are very timid about making yourself vulnerable to that again. 100% healthy.

Third, you likely have not dated for a long time — decades even. You worry you are unattractive, unsexy, fat and out-of-touch with the dating world. Online dating? WHAT?! Getting naked with a man at this stage of life? HUH!? There are so many toxic messages about dating after divorce, or dating later in life, it is no wonder you are hesitant.

In reality, you are just out of practice.

Fourth, you don’t trust yourself. Your picker was off when you committed to your husband, you likely stayed through some horrible behavior, maybe cheating, and you don’t trust your own instincts — especially when it comes to men.

Advice from a 90-year-old single mom on dating after divorce

Last week, my kids and I visited my mom at her Milwaukee condo, the complex of which is occupied mostly by senior citizens. While lounging by the pool where my kids caused a ruckus, mildly amused and mostly annoyed by the very loud woman who went on and on and ON about how she could not believe the restaurant charged her $2.75 to swap the picadillo peppers for onions, I was delighted when a very elegant, spry older woman sat down next to me, put on her wire-rimmed bifocals and dug into her Danielle Steel paperback.

“I’d like to jump in there, too, but I’m going to be 90 this month and probably shouldn’t get into a swimsuit,” was her opening line. That, of course, was cue for me to tell her a) she looks fabulous for her age (true), b) who cares what you look like (truer still), c) engage with her. I’m so glad I did. There were some gems of advice from my new, brilliant friend, and I must share them with you.

First, a quick bio: This beautiful woman grew up in a small, rural midwestern town and became a PhD psychologist. She married her college sweetheart very young. At age 26 after recently giving birth to her only child, a son, her husband unceremoniously “sued me for divorce.”

“He was a heavy smoker, and two years later he was dead,” she said with a shrug. “My parents said, ‘Honey, what do you want to do?’ I said, ‘I want to play the field,’ so they suggested I see the family doctor.’” She had her tubes tied. “I never regretted it for a second,” she told me.

For the past 37 years she has been married to “the love of my life” — a building contractor who just celebrated his 100th birthday. Here are some genius single-mom nuggets from this hot momma:

Always have your own money. 

When her love rang in his centennial birthday, his grubby daughter sent real estate brokers over to the condo to assess its value, intending to sell it. Joke was on her! “When we married, I had money saved from my practice and bought the place I wanted in cash. The house in my maiden name. Always make sure you take care of yourself.”

11 steps to survive financially as a single mom

Marry for love. 

“Mr. Goldstein is the love of my life,” she says. Before him, she dated a prominent lawyer for 12 years until he passed away. “But no one loved me like Mr. Goldstein.”

Do you give an engagement ring for a second marriage?

Marry your financial and professional peer. 

“But Mr. Goldstein was doing very well for himself. Honey, you need someone who respects your career, and you respect his. Don’t settle! And make sure you have your own money, in your own name.”

Enjoy your body. 

“Honey, you’re still young. You look great. Play the field.”

9 reasons sex and dating are better as a single mom

But be careful. 

“That’s great you’re dating. But honey, be sure to protect yourself. Don’t get pregnant.”

One more thing on the ‘be careful’ note that the 90-year-old probably didn’t have access to when she was playing the field. Your vaginal microbiome is a different animal in your 40s and 50s than it was in your 20s, and a lot of women coming back into dating after a long marriage have no idea how much the hormonal shifts and antibiotic courses and just plain passage of time have changed the picture down there. Recurrent UTIs, sudden flare-ups of bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections that don’t respond to the usual treatments, that whole zone tends to get messier with age, and most standard gynecologist visits aren’t actually testing for it in any real detail. At-home options like Evvy’s online vaginal health test will run a full panel from a single swab and give you a much clearer picture than the basic culture your doctor sends off. Worth knowing about, especially if you are dating again and want to feel like you are running on solid ground rather than fingers crossed.

P.S. Enjoy your body. 

“When I went for my annual exam, the doctor said, ‘You look like a young girl on the inside! You could still be having sex!’

When I asked her if she and her husband still had sex she said: “Oh no. Not any more.” Did she miss it? “Sometimes. Honey, play the field.”

How to be confident when you feel old, gross and fat

Don’t stop playing the field. 

“The other day I was in Pick ‘N’ Save and I ran into a doctor I knew 40 years ago. He told his daughter, ‘I knew her years ago, and when her husband dies I’m going to marry her!’”

Bottom line: Dating after divorce does not have to be difficult

Have fun, embrace your new freedom, set positive example for dating for your kids and enjoy your body.

Does the first relationship after divorce last?

It seems to be a universal experience: When that first relationship after divorce ends it just kills.


Is the first relationship after divorce doomed?

No! Not all first relationships after divorce end. But most do. That’s OK!


Can you find true love after divorce?

Answer: Yes.

Should you get back together with an ex after a breakup?

Lots of people do, with a lot of success. But there are lots of reasons not to.

How long should you wait to date after divorce?

The general rule of thumb for doing anything major after divorce is: Wait a year. But nothing magical happens after a year. Also: Dating is not major, unless you make it major.

Is it hard to meet someone after divorce?

This is a common question, which really cloaks your fear that you are unlovable. Millions of people date, fall in love, fall in lust, get into relationships and even marry after breakups and divorce. Many of them have kids, all of them are wounded, human and lovable. Many divorced people prefer to date other divorced people — you get each other!

Why is dating after divorce so hard?

In reality, you are just out of practice.

I have been a work-at-home freelance writer and media professional for 20 years.

There is no way that I could manage my family life, business, and personal care without the flexibility my work-from-home schedule affords me.

Since becoming a mom, I have felt so grateful that I have control over my time, location, client base and general professional happiness.

One of the most common questions I get from readers is:

What are the best jobs for single moms?

Single moms want what other moms want in a job — but maybe even more so. What are the hallmarks of good single mom jobs? Here are some:

  • Good pay (at least $20/hr)
  • Flexible schedule
  • Remote (at least partly)
  • Fair boss (including, sometimes, yourself!)
  • Interesting work
  • Room to grow

Thankfully, many companies recognize that some good positions they need to fill don’t benefit from a university degree. Also, there are many ways to be self-employed or a contract worker without going back to school — and still make a very good living without going into student debt. You can also find a no background check job if you have a criminal record.

If you are thinking of going back to school, we also put together a list of scholarships for single moms.

Of course, many of us really want or need the flexibility of working from home. Here is a list of 21 jobs single moms can do from home, as well as same-day pay jobs.

Or, invest in resume writing services from Harmontau.com.au.

Keep reading to learn more about the best jobs for single moms:

  1. Accounting jobs
  2. Admin jobs
  3. Bookkeeper
  4. Child care provider jobs
  5. Clinical research coordinator jobs
  6. Content manager
  7. Copywriter/Freelance writer
  8. Corporate travel consultant
  9. Customer service chat jobs
  10. Dog groomer
  11. Doula
  12. Grant writing jobs
  13. Graphic designer jobs
  14. Healthcare/medical jobs
  15. Marketing jobs
  16. Nursing jobs
  17. Programmer
  18. Proofreader
  19. Sales jobs
  20. Real estate jobs
  21. Recruiting coordinator
  22. Specialist in restoring old photos
  23. Tax preparer jobs
  24. Project manager jobs
  25. Transcription, typing, and data-entry jobs
  26. Translator or interpreter jobs
  27. Tutor
  28. Virtual assistant jobs
  29. (Virtual) event planner
  30. Virtual social media manager jobs

FAQs about careers and jobs for single moms

Bottom line: What are some high-paying careers for single moms?

Accounting jobs

Every business, and most individuals, need an accountant at some point — and much of the work can be done remotely, from home. Whether you are a CPA, bookkeeper or accounting assistant, there are many job opportunities in a wide variety of industries, for all levels of education and experience.

Admin jobs

Administrative work is a broad description that can range from basic data entry that pays $15 per hour, to highly skilled executive assistant positions that earn multiple six-figure salaries with benefits — most of which can be done remotely.

If you get an administrative job through a temp agency, you may be able to get paid on the same day.

21 jobs that no one wants (but pay really well!)

Bookkeeper

Becoming a bookkeeper tops our list of the best jobs for single moms because it offers:

  • Pay as much as $60+/hr
  • Flexible work hours
  • Room for growth
  • Challenging work
  • Quick training

Bookkeepers can earn a salary, or build a business earning $60+/ hour, which can be more than $100,000 per year. Entry-level bookkeeper jobs can pay $20/hour.

Depending on whether you are an independent bookkeeper or work for a company, you may be able to set your own payment schedule.

The job description for bookkeepers includes organizing financial transactions, tax information, and “the books” for their clients. They also update financial statements, read over financial documents for accuracy, and create reports.

If there is a problem with a statement or a miscalculation within their client’s numbers, it’s the bookkeeper’s job to find it.

While there are bookkeeping jobs available, more and more companies are turning to bookkeepers who work from home. Bloggers and influencers hire bookkeepers that work virtually, as do companies that don’t work out of a brick-and-mortar office.

Because most bookkeeping tasks are done online, many small businesses also hire work-at-home bookkeepers to keep their overhead down.

Bookkeeping is also an ideal career for military spouses looking for jobs working from home, since they so often have to move to new places.

There are many online bookkeeping courses:

Bookkeeper Launch is an online video course that helps people with zero experience learn bookkeeping skills, find new clients and build a successful online bookkeeper business — from home.

Bookkeeper Launch offers a free masterclass that goes over: 

  • Why bookkeeping is a stable and simple business option
  • How to earn money as a bookkeeper
  • Step-by-step instructions on how to get started and pick up clients

Get all the low-down on how to become a bookkeeper, how much you can earn, and how to get your first client and grow your business.

We give the details in our Bookkeeper Launch review.

Child care provider jobs

Child care jobs can range from the occasional babysitter, to part- or full-time nanny positions, working in a family’s home, or being a child care provider in a daycare center.

Child care providers may choose to open a daycare center in their home. In this case, they may decide to watch several children in addition to their own (if they have any), while some work for someone else watching their children as nannies, or sporadic babysitting for an hourly rate.

Most babysitters get paid upon job completion, though full-time provider jobs likely pay out on a weekly or biweekly basis.

The requirements for this work really depend on the type of daycare position you desire. For example, The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that many states require private, in-home daycare centers to become licensed.

To qualify for licensure, you likely need to pass a background check and have an up-to-date record of immunizations. You may also need to meet a minimum training requirement and be certified in CPR.

Some states also require childcare workers to earn a credential such as the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential offered by the Council for Professional Recognition. This credential requires some coursework along with childcare experience.

Check out our post on 8 free online childcare training courses.

Clinical research coordinator jobs

Clinical research coordinators oversee and assist with a wide range of experiments and clinical trials. They perform administrative tasks such as data entry and documentation, but they also conduct a lot of research to prepare for clinical trials and other experiments.

If you’re interested in building a career in this field, you can explore current research assistant jobs with visa sponsorship to find positions that match your skills and background.

Clinical research coordinators also spend long periods of time researching and brainstorming potential experiments and conducting interviews to find out which experiments may be feasible. Finally, they follow up after experiments are complete to study and report any findings.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that natural science managers (the official term for this career chosen by the BLS) earned an annual median wage of $118,970 in 2017. However, many clinical research coordinators earned a lot more.

Content manager

Like the job title implies, content managers manage website content. Think about your favorite blog or news site. Chances are, a content manager is in charge of scheduling and posting everything you’re reading and every email alert coming to your inbox. 

If you have a knack for juggling multiple tasks and making sure things get done — skills you already possess as a single mom — this career might be the perfect fit for you. 

Content managers plan and schedule editorial content, assign projects to freelance writers, send out promotional emails and share content on social media.  

Glassdoor lists the national average salary for content managers at $75,672, though some positions may be offered on a part-time basis. Many content manager jobs can be performed remotely and offer flexible hours.

How to make money as a teenager: 25 best ways to earn cash

Copywriter/Freelance writer

Businesses, schools, non-profits and government organizations all need content: Websites, emails, newsletters, texts, social media, books and more. Increasingly, the skills of SEO, or search engine optimization, are all critical to being competitive in the writing world.

A journalism, marketing or communications degree will give you a leg up in landing one of these positions, but you can also obtain relevant expertise from freelance writing gigs and free online courses, like this one from Coursera on Search Engine Optimization. Learn more about whether it’s worth going back to school.

15 ways to get a free laptop for low-income families and students

Corporate travel consultant

Credit card companies, travel firms, and hospitality-related businesses hire travel consultants to assist corporate clients with travel planning, booking itineraries, and emergency assistance.

These jobs are completely virtual, requiring the consultant to work over phone or through email, chat, and sometimes social media.

With full-time and part-time schedules, moms with excellent customer service skills and a desire to help others will find success in these roles.

Most travel jobs are paid on commission, or a percentage of the cost of the booked trip.

While corporate travel jobs may pay a lower rate per hour than some of the other jobs on this list (usually in the $15 to $20 per hour range), the fact you may work flexible hours makes it easy to pair this job with another job you can do from home. Another perk: This job makes it easy to keep your eye on travel deals!

Can’t afford health insurance? 5 health insurance options for single moms

Customer service chat jobs

Using phone and chat, customer service jobs are often done remotely from the parent company — including from your home.

If the job is offered through a temp agency, you may be able to get paid on a daily basis.

Dog groomer

If you love dogs and want a rewarding career helping them look their best, you can become a dog groomer or even start a dog grooming business.

While pay varies based on location and experience, beginner dog groomers can make $34 per hour or more, though $23 is the national average, according to Ziprecruiter.

While you do not need a degree to become a dog groomer, you do need to learn grooming skills. Some pet stores and independent groomers will train you on the job or pay for you to receive training. Independent training programs are available online and in person.

Learn more about how to become a dog groomer.

Doula

Doulas help mothers with the emotional and physical support during birth and postpartum. Mothers who were assisted by a doula have been found to have healthier outcomes for both mother and baby, as well as lower financial cost. Doulas in large cities can earn $100,000 or more per year.

According to parents who used doulas on Reddit, some doulas charge half of their fee upfront, then the other half ahead of the delivery.

When to hire a Doula?
byu/babycrazytoo inBabyBumps

Learn more about how to become a certified doula, and find the best online doula certification programs.

Grant writing jobs

Salaried grant writers who write proposals for non-profit organizations average $45,000 per year, though freelance grant writers working remotely from home, online can earn $50/ hour or more.

Grant writers pull together the applications businesses and nonprofits use to apply for grants from public and private foundations.

These individuals read through grant applications, draft intriguing and informative proposals, and work with donors to ensure the clients they work for have a solid chance at the grants they’re applying for.

This job requires excellent writing skills as well as the ability to conduct thorough research. Grant writers also need to be organized and have excellent communication skills since they will need to interact and chat with clients and potential donors frequently.

Payscale.com figures show that grant writers are currently earning approximately $45,757 per year. However, self-employed grant writers who are good with their time may be able to earn $100 per hour or more.

Learn the ropes of grant writing, how to get your first job, and how much you can earn in this post.

Graphic designer jobs

Graphic designers create the visual effects and artwork that businesses use in brochures, print media, and web pages found online.

These professionals need to have an eye for creativity and some experience using software programs. You don’t necessarily need a college degree, but you do need to master photo editing programs as well as software programs like Canva.

While the Bureau of Labor Statistics says graphic designers earn a little less than $50,000 per year on average, their figures don’t reflect the many online design jobs available today. I personally know graphic designers who design the pages for websites and earn upwards of $100 per hour! That’s a lot of money, and it just shows how much potential there is in this field.

If you’re looking for a job designing for websites and other media, start with online job boards such as Indeed.com, Glassdoor.com, ZipRecruiter.com, and CareerBuilder.

Think graphic design is the at-home career for you? Read this post on how to get started, find your first client, build a portfolio and make coin as a graphic designer.





Healthcare/medical jobs

The medical industry has many opportunities to work remotely from home, including medical billing and coding, case management, telephone triage, clinical research assistants and coordinators, customer service, general administrative support and many others. Some jobs require special training, a degree or certificate, while others do not.

Clinical research coordinators oversee and assist with a wide range of experiments and clinical trials. They perform administrative tasks such as data entry and documentation, but they also conduct a lot of research to prepare for clinical trials and other experiments.

Clinical research coordinators also spend long periods of time researching and brainstorming potential experiments and conducting interviews to find out which experiments may be feasible. Finally, they follow up after experiments are complete to study and report any findings.

How to become a home health aide: 5 HHA training classes to get certified

Marketing jobs

Marketing jobs can include managing social media, data entry, marketing coordinators and managers, and much more — most of which can be done remotely.

The Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate will teach you the skills you need to collect, synthesize and present data for your employer — within six weeks.

If you have a sales background, you might actually make a great private investigator!

Nursing jobs

As telehealth grows in demand, popularity and offerings, more and more nurses of all specialties are required to fulfill positions that allow them to work from home. Employers might include managed care / insurance companies, telehealth providers, clinical trial coordinators and more.

Beyond remote positions, elderly care franchises such as non-medical home care agencies offer another flexible option. For single moms especially, owning or managing a senior care franchise can provide schedule flexibility, steady income potential, and the chance to build a meaningful, community-focused business while balancing family life.

Programmer

Coders and programmers build all the software or hardware code to create anything from a website, to an app, to the hardware of a phone, laptop or game console. This is an in-demand field, where salaries easily top $80,000, and can go up to $200,000 or more with experience (though degrees are not always required).

Payout schedules vary depending on whether you’re an independent contractor or work for a company.

Even programmers who work for large corporations often work remote, online, from home.

To become a coder, there are free and paid online courses via Harvard’s edX or Code Academy. From there, you’ll want to learn how to build websites using source code—which you can teach yourself.

Google’s UX Design Professional Certificate will help you learn the skills you need to be a user-experience developer within six months.

Proofreader

Our next pick for the best high-paying jobs for single moms is proofreading because it:

  • Requires no prior experience
  • No degree required
  • Is remote-friendly
  • Offers flexible hours and good pay
  • Is inexpensive to get started

According to ZipRecruiter, freelance proofreaders in 2024 earn an average of $57,520 a year in the United States or an average of $28/hour, with entry-level online proofreader jobs starting at $13.70/hour.

You may be paid by the gig or on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis based on your client’s payout schedule.

Proofreaders are great for people who are good writers with attention to detail. Tasks include reading over copy written for businesses, academia or others, to find spelling, grammar or style errors.

Learn more about how to become a proofreader.

Sales jobs

Nearly every industry needs sales people, and much of this work can be done remotely. There are many opportunities for entry-level sales, including those that do not require special training or education.

Contract Manufacturing (Entrepreneurial Path)
If you want to launch a product-based business without owning a factory, contract manufacturing is a smart option.
You create the product idea, and a third-party company like Kenvox Contract Manufacturing handles formulation, production, and packaging. You’ll just focus on branding and sales, allowing you to build a flexible, scalable business while managing your family schedule.





Contract Manufacturing (Entrepreneurial Path)

If you want to launch a product-based business without owning a factory, contract manufacturing is a smart option.
You create the product idea, and a third-party company like Kenvox Contract Manufacturing handles formulation, production, and packaging. You’ll just focus on branding and sales, allowing you to build a flexible, scalable business while managing your family schedule.

Franchising (Business Owner With Built-In Support)

Franchising allows single moms to own a business with an established brand, proven systems, and ongoing support. Instead of starting from scratch, you invest in a franchise model and operate under an existing company’s name.

Franchise options range from home-based businesses and senior care services to cleaning companies, tutoring centers, and food concepts. Some franchises can be run semi-remotely or with flexible hours, depending on the model.

Franchising can offer a structured path to entrepreneurship while still allowing flexibility and long-term growth.

Real estate jobs

Remote positions in the real estate industry can include title examiners, mortgage and loan processors, administrators for real estate firms, data analytics, real estate marketing and more.

Recruiting coordinator

Recruiting coordinators manage the entire job hiring process for businesses and organizations. This can include: post open positions, coordinate job fairs, conduct background checks, schedule interviews, communicate with candidates and more.

Specialist in restoring old photos

If you have an eye for detail and enjoy working with images, restoring old photos can be a flexible work-from-home job for single moms.

Photo restoration specialists repair faded, torn, stained, or damaged family photos using digital editing tools. Many clients want to preserve wedding photos, baby pictures, military portraits, and family memories that may be decades old.

You do not need a degree to get started, but you do need patience, basic photo editing skills, and practice with programs like Photoshop, Canva, or other editing software. There are also online tutorials that can teach beginners how to fix old photos, remove scratches, improve faded colors, and make damaged images look clearer.

This type of work can be offered as a freelance service through your own website, Etsy, social media, or platforms like Fiverr and Upwork. Since most projects can be completed online, photo restoration can be a good option for moms who want creative work with flexible hours.

Tax preparer jobs

If you have experience using tax software to prepare federal and state taxes for individuals, then consider a seasonal gig as a tax preparer. Tax season runs from January 1 through April 15, though tax preparers do work outside of this high season. 

Tax preparers are professionals who provide guidance, advice, and explanations to help customers fill out their tax forms during tax season. 

Tax preparation jobs can be full-time or part-time. Part-time roles during tax season can be a good option for parents looking to work from home. Beyond tax season, you can keep the work going year-round by offering other services. These include bookkeeping, payroll processing, and financial planning. 

Large tax preparation companies, like Intuit, H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt, and Liberty Tax, rely on seasonal workers to satisfy customer demand during tax season. These large companies hire thousands of tax preparers each year, meaning there is huge demand. Small accounting firms also hire for these roles, and you can set up your own shop and work independently. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a part-time tax preparer makes on average $22.64 per hour, which amounts to $47,090 annually. Senior tax preparers can easily earn more than $100,000 per year, while tax preparation managers can take home $200,000 annually, according to Robert Half Finance & Accounting.

You may also be eligible for commissions and bonuses. Per Glassdoor, H&R Block tax preparers typically receive around $2,500 in additional pay from commissions and bonuses. Jackson Hewitt employees typically earn an additional $340, and Liberty Tax employees usually snag an extra $300. 

Don’t have a background in tax prep? Take the free federal income tax course. H&R Block also offers a virtual income tax prep course, which runs for 12 weeks. (The course is free, but course materials cost $149 in most states.)  

Project manager jobs

Project managers oversee projects from start to finish. They set the overall scope of a project, coordinate deadlines for all individuals involved, monitor deliverables to make sure work is completed on time, communicate with stakeholders, and provide administrative support as needed. Industries in which you’ll find project manager positions include construction, software development, information technology, healthcare, and marketing. 

You’ll excel in this kind of position if you’re super-organized, enjoy collaborating with others, work well under deadlines, and have great time management skills. You’ll also need to be savvy with workflow tools, such as Trello and Asana, which are commonly used by project managers. Other tools that are good to be familiar with include Slack (to communicate with teammates), Evernote (to organize your notes), and Dropbox (to share files). 

Per the Project Management Institute, by 2027, employers around the world will need more than 87 million people in project management roles (yes, you read that right!).  According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary for a full-time project manager is around $66,000. Rates start at $46,000 on the low end but can go up to $107,000 on the high end, per Glassdoor. 

There are also certification courses you can take from the Project Management Institute (PMI) that can help you stand out from other job candidates. 

Learn from Google’s Project Management Professional Certificate in six months or less.

If you think of yourself as a natural problem-solver, consider going for Google’s Project Management certificate.

Transcription, typing, and data-entry jobs

If you are an accurate, fast typer and can meet deadlines there is unlimited work for you in the field of data-entry and transcription — especially if you can proofread your own work.

These jobs can involve a variety of tasks and require fast, accurate typing, fast internet, and familiarity with software like Microsoft Office and G Suite.

Translator or interpreter jobs

Interpreters and translators are hired to translate one language into another, either by listening and reporting in another language verbally or by translating a language using the written word by hand.

These people work with medical and legal organizations, publishing houses, educational institutions, television and movie production companies, and other businesses, and are responsible for helping two or more parties communicate through language barriers.

For medical and legal translation, experience in the medical or legal fields is a must. However, the biggest requirement for this job is absolute fluency in at least two languages.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, through the decade ending in 2026, jobs for interpreters and translators should increase by 18%. Approximately 22% of interpreters are also self-employed since this job is one that can easily be done from home.

Tutor

If you have solid proficiency in a school subject, including English, math, science, a world language like Spanish or Mandarin, you can find tutoring jobs near you. Other in-demand specialties include English as a Second Language (for both children and adults), GED, and SAT/ACT test prep.

Consider joining and/or getting certified from the National Tutoring Association, the American Tutoring Association, or the Association for Tutoring Professionals. A college degree and education experience is helpful.

You may be able to find gigs through people you know, CraigsList, Facebook groups and NextDoor, or community organizations that serve low-income students. You can also apply to be a teacher’s aide or educational paraprofessional at a public or private school near you.

Virtual assistant jobs

While most entry-level VAs start earning around $20 per hour, experienced virtual assistants can earn upwards of $75 per hour. Keep in mind that salaried executive assistants at top corporations can earn $200,000 per year or more — these are important jobs!

These professionals perform virtual services like customer service, accounting, scheduling, word processing, and sales-related support tasks. Virtual assistants can also be social media managers, create content for Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, as well as email campaigns.

Learn more about what it takes to become a virtual assistant in this post.

(Virtual) event planner

Event planners are the professionals hired to coordinate large office parties, corporate retreats and meetings, weddings, and other events for large groups.

These workers handle the intimate details of each occasion, booking guests, speakers, vendors, sponsors, meals, travel plans, décor, media production, public relations, sales, and entertainment. Because events often involve public-facing communication and media attention, planners may also coordinate with PR teams on PR crisis management to help protect an organization’s reputation if unexpected issues arise.

Virtual social media manager jobs

If you spend a lot of time on social media, understand the ins-and-outs of each platform, and have experience managing this type of marketing for companies, virtual social media management jobs are a great option.

People who do well in these jobs like to engage people in lively conversation and provide interesting links to articles, videos, and other media to attract website visitors to a company’s website or try out a product or service.

10 quick job certifications that pay well

FAQs about careers and jobs for single moms

What is a good career for single moms?

There are countless ways for single moms to make good money, with flexible schedules. In-demand jobs that do not require a degree that we recommend include coders/programming, project management, bookkeeping and proofreading — depending on your interests and skills.

How do I make money as a single mom?

Often, single moms feel like they need to hide the fact that they have kids when they apply for work. Instead, focus on promoting your skills, great work ethic and the fact that having kids has helped you learn to manage your time.

Single moms can make more money through:

Bottom line: What are some high-paying careers for single moms?

Starting a career as a bookkeeper, proofreader, or programmer/coder and project mangers is a great way to increase your earnings in a short amount of time. Some  courses in these fields can be completed in as little as six months.

What are the best jobs for single moms?

Single moms want what other moms want in a job — but maybe even more so: good pay, flexible schedule, remote (at least partly), fair boss, interesting work, and room to grow.

What is a good career for single moms?

In-demand jobs that do not require a degree that we recommend include coders/programming, project management, bookkeeping and proofreading.

What can single moms do to earn money?

Single moms can make more money through a raise, promotion a new job, a side gig, starting a business or sell things you no longer need.

How do I get a job as a single mom?

Prioritize finding the child care you need to build your career, and forging a positive co-parenting relationship or otherwise sharing child care time with your children’s dad.

How can a single mom work full-time?

Nearly all single moms need to work, which is possible by way of quality and affordable child care, a reasonable commute (or work-from-home position), and ideally, a flexible schedule.

Did your divorce story start with, “I knew he was the one!” ??

At my wedding, my mom stood up and gave a heartfelt little speech, which included, “After Emma went out with him for the first time, she called me up and said, ‘I know he’s the one!’”

That’s a really sweet story, the one a mom is supposed to say at a wedding. It wasn’t true. The real story was when I met my ex, I was also carrying out a long-distance romance with an older British school teacher who lived in Santiago, Chile, and in my youthful, South American-sized ego told anyone who would listen how I was tormented in my inability to choose between the two men.

Ultimately, I made the right choice, but, well … the rest is history.

When is remarriage OK? How long after divorce can you remarry? 

So many moms I know jump out of marriage and immediately start hunting for the next husband.

A desire for remarriage is understandable. After all:

  • You were likely used to being married, so that feels normal
  • Society pressures you to be married. All kinds of social and cultural messages that sanction marriage, not to mention tax breaks, cost of living and travel discounts for couples

That is not to say marriage is wrong — or wrong for you. It may be totally right!

First, after a big breakup or divorce, take a full year to be a nice, steaming hot mess. I show you how here. Good news: You can date and get laid! But no serious relationships yet.

Then, take some time to heal your wounds. Maybe your ex cheated, and you need to sort through that. Perhaps you are struggling to find yourself financially and professionally, moving homes, and generally getting your act in order.

First thing—surround yourself with some great friends. Maybe these are wonderful old friends who share your new life vision, or you build new relationships with women and/or men who are also committed to positivity and building a new life. Read: How to make friends after divorce.

Then, it is time to dip your toe in the water. 

[Best dating apps and sites for finding a serious relationship]

Thinking about remarrying? Here’s what you should know:

How long should you date before getting married a second time?

Why wait for remarriage after divorce

What are the odds of divorced couples getting back together and remarrying?

How to do second marriage without divorce

  1. Keep your own money, girl. 
  2. Focus on your co-parenting.
  3. Get a prenuptial agreement
  4. Seek remarriage counseling
  5. Questions to ask before remarrying

Remarriage FAQs

Finding your soulmate after marriage

Benefits of long-term marriage

How long should you date before getting married a second time?

There is no one answer for this question, but I offer you this:

One, are you really over your first divorce? Everyone is entitled to be a screaming hot mess for one year after divorce. Then, I urge you to learn to love your own company. Enjoy quiet time, travel, your children, your friends, your career all by yourself.

Many women struggle for years with confidence, loneliness, getting over an ex, and finding and trusting a boyfriend again. That is part of the process. Maybe not for everyone, but it is completely normal.

Why not just try being single? If you have never been alone, or not been single for a very long time, it can be an important, if not thrilling experience.

Why wait for remarriage after divorce

I recently started a conversation about the desire to remarry (or, for many, get hitched for the first time) in my Facebook group, Millionaire Single Moms. There were 82 comments last time I checked, and all but a few said they had no interest in getting married. Most were happy dating, open to serious partnership (or were currently in one), but the rest found the idea of a marriage draining, a hindrance to their careers and enjoyment of motherhood, and generally cramped the freedom they’ve come to enjoy.

Plus, they said, what is the point? To wit:

Second marriage statistics

According to the National Center for Family & Marriage Research, the remarriage rate in 2019 was approximately 25.1 remarriages for every 1,000 men and women who were eligible to remarry.

That same year, the median age at remarriage was 48 for men and 44 for women.

Are second marriages more successful? Remarriage statistics

If you’re wondering if second marriages are more successful, the answer is no. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, remarried adults have a higher likelihood of divorce than those in their first marriage. Half of remarriages that ended in divorce ended within 10 years.

Research published in the Journal of Marriage and Family found that children of divorced parents were about twice as likely to experience divorce themselves. Divorce was most likely to be transmitted between generations if parents reported a low level of discord prior to the marriage ending.

A study published in the PLOS One journal found that the biggest risk for kids in single mother homes is not that she is single, but instability caused by different romantic partners (and their children) moving in and of the home. 

[Single mom statistics: Prepare to have your mind blown]

Also, as many women do after divorce, so many moms commenting in the group found their professional and financial groove, and were reluctant to share that success with a man inside of the institution of marriage. These women are no fools: In a study of 4,000 married couples, the University of Chicago found that once a woman started to earn more than her husband, divorce rates increased. Other supporting research: Single women are happier and healthier than married women, and women are far less happy in marriages than men. Single people have more friends, more community connections and are more politically involved.

Second marriage divorce rate

It has been widely reported that the divorce rate for single marriages is about 40-50%, second marriages 60-67%, and third marriages, 73-74%, though there is no legitimate reported data that backs up these statistics. 

However, risk factors for divorce include:

  • You or your partner’s parents were divorced
  • Adults whose parents divorced and remarry are twice as likely to divorce than adults whose parents divorced but never remarried
  • You are poor
  • Lower education correlates with higher chances of divorce
  • You married young
  • Spouses practice different religions or race
  • Cohabiting or having a child together before marriage

Second marriage after 40

According to the Pew Research Center, 57% of divorced people in the United States ages 35 to 44 remarry.

Second marriage after 50

63% of divorced people in the United States ages 45 to 54 remarry, as do 67% of divorced people ages 55-64 and 50% of people over 65.

But when is remarriage or second or third marriage right?

The answer is that if you’re really committed to finding love, if you really want to make your current relationship work, you stay until you can’t stay anymore.

Maybe deep down you’re terrified of love, and bolt when shit gets real. Maybe you cling to those glossy rom-com plotlines and friends’ glittering relationship narratives on Facebook and jump ship when your own romantic story deviates from the meant-to-be-love script.

But maybe what you should do is dig in and scrape below expectations of shine. Maybe you ignore all the messages about how finding The One and things Meant to Be and create your own love story.

Why post-divorce breakups hurt so damn bad

Or maybe you’re older and wiser now. And maybe like me, when you go on a date with a really brilliant guy, and the walking date turns into the burger date, which turns into the dessert date, and you still want to know more — and even though lightning didn’t hit your heart or pants when you saw him waiting for you on the sidewalk, you go out with him again. Because that is what adults do.

Yes, that is what is done by adults who have told stories about love-at-first sight and got their hearts busted up and whooped on and thrown into moving traffic. And then they get up again and write their own love stories.

More single mom statistics here

Second marriage problems

Common second (and third, fourth and fifth!) marriage problems include:

  • Conflict over step-children and blended family issues
  • Jealousy of an ex-spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend
  • Resentment over ongoing conflict from previous marriages
  • Disagreements over where to live, housekeeping and personal space (each spouse may be used to having their own home, but now must share in the remarriage)
  • Money (just like in a starter marriage!)
  • Stirring up of wounds and baggage from previous relationships
  • Lack of trust — of each other, and of yourself

But how do you learn to trust your dating instincts when they were likely horribly wrong once? How do you learn to trust your own judgment when your judgment lead you to the painful fate of divorce?

The answer is listening to your gut, but also digging in, being patient and committing to knowing someone. This is increasingly difficult, thanks to our culture of instant gratification. This Thought Catalog essay captures the effects of online dating, social media and a general culture void of long-term commitment.

Our choices are killing us. We think choice means something. We think opportunity is good. We think the more chances we have, the better. But, it makes everything watered-down. Never mind actually feeling satisfied, we don’t even understand what satisfaction looks like, sounds like, feels like. We’re one foot out the door, because outside that door is more, more, more. We don’t see who’s right in front of our eyes asking to be loved, because no one is asking to be loved. We long for something that we still want to believe exists. Yet, we are looking for the next thrill, the next jolt of excitement, the next instant gratification.

Oh man, is that the cold truth. Except for this:  I want to be loved, and I know a lot of people out there who want to be loved, too. In fact, everyone wants to be loved. But we can confuse an exciting date, sexual chemistry or a glamorous person for the promise of love. Sometimes, the problem is not that we don’t commit enough, we commit too much.

I’m guilty of all the above.  My recent history includes going bananas over the cute cardiologist with the glamorous life resume full of charity work and swing dancing and media startups that would give any mom a case of love-at-first-sight. Yet, I’m guilty of overlooking an entire evening of his self-references of being an “alpha prime,” all the way to his trying to sneak around my insistence of condom use before I finally committed to not committing to a second date.

But, ultimately, what is wrong with any of it? In those two little examples, I spent four mostly nice months with a good person, and in the second I enjoyed some fun company, a free dinner and left the scene with my dignity in tact and a good story in my pocket. I stuck it out in each one until I couldn’t stand another minute.

What if you look back on your courtship with your ex, only to see the red flags waving like crazy all over God’s creation? Do you regret every moment you spent with him? The kids and the memories? Would your life really be better if you had left him sooner — or never got involved at all?

How to deal if you feel guilty for divorcing a nice guy

What are the odds of divorced couples getting back together and remarrying

Researchers at California State University in Sacramento interviewed 1,001 reunited couples around the world, and found that just 6% said they married, divorced and remarried the same person — and 72 percent of those who reunited stayed together, particularly if their separations occurred at a young age. The author, Nancy Kalish, Ph.D., published her findings in a book, Lost & Found Lovers: Facts and Fantasies of Rekindled Romances.

Here is what Reddit users say on the subject:

How to do second marriage without divorce

If you are ready to get married again after a divorce, I wish you all the best. I really do! Some quick advice:

1. Keep your own money, girl. 

Before you send the digital wedding invitations, make sure you and your soon-to-be have separate checking and savings accounts (though many couples choose to also share a joint account for shared expenses — not a bad idea). Keep saving and investing for your future — and never consider a man a financial plan!

2. Focus on your co-parenting.

If you share children with an ex, bring him into the conversation. If possible, have a meeting between your new partner and your child’s other parent, and yourself. Express your desire to raise the children collectively, but recognize that the kids’ parents will always be their mother and father (or two moms or two dads) first.

3. Get a prenuptial agreement

You can hire a lawyer, or create a prenup yourself through a service like RocketLawyer for a flat fee of $49. HelloPrenup also guides you through the prenup process and allows you to create your own documents for $599 per couple.

4. Seek remarriage counseling

Go for remarriage counseling. Just unpack all the logistical and emotional considerations of combining your lives, your families and your futures. Can’t hurt. It may make this transition easier. And if you are afraid of what couples therapy digs up, then you 100% must go!

Studies find that therapy has been helpful for millions of individuals and couples. Pre-marriage counseling can be a great way to work through any issues now, as well as understand if marriage is right for you.

Whether you pay a visit to your regular therapist, seek out a session with your pastor, priest or rabbi, or spend big money on a couple’s retreat, remarriage counseling can be an important step in understanding your compatibility, ironing out relationship issues, and establishing boundaries and rules.

Not in counseling yet? Connect with a certified mental health professional through BetterHelp.com. Read our review.

5. Questions to ask before remarrying:

What are your goals in 2 years, 5 years, etc.?

What is your vision of married life?

Do you want children and how many?

How will household duties be divided?

How much debt do you have?

What is your credit score?

How to improve and protect your credit score— and get your credit report for free.

What are your values around money?

Talk to me about some of your savings goals?

Are fancy things important, or are you okay living frugally?

Where (geographically) do you want to live?

How do you envision retirement?

What makes you feel loved and supported (knowing these will change over time)?

(A seminal relationship books of all time: The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts.)

Can you walk me through the past few years of your life and provide more detail around how your circumstances or actions align with these dreams?

What setbacks have you overcome?

What are your values?

How important is reading to you?

What does it mean to you to be a good parent?

How do you co-parent? 31 tips for how to co-parent

How do you discipline (if at all)?

How do you define your role as a support to your pregnant spouse?

How do you plan to support me, should we agree to have more children? Emotionally, financially, physically, mentally?

What do you know about mental health? How would you handle things if I was struggling with mine and how do you handle things when you’re struggling with yours?

How do you feel about cosleeping with your child?

How do you want to spiritually nurture our child, especially since we were of different religious backgrounds?

How will we manage a child with special needs if that arises?

How do you picture work/home life balance after a child?

Will one of us stay home or will we use childcare?

How do you communicate when triggered? How do you deal with major stress?

Do you have a spiritual life? Are you religous?

How would we would make decisions regarding major life changes?

What issues from childhood are you still battling with?

What addictions run in your family and how have you dealt with it?

Do you plan to raise your children the way your parents raised you — or are you flexible and open to something different?

How important is exercise to you? How important is it for your children to exercise?

Do you believe in eating healthy?

Will you still love me if I’m fat?

How long have you been in your career? How are you performing?

Do you enjoy your career? Why or why not?

7 business ideas for moms

What do you think about cheating?

What are your thoughts on therapy?

What do you do to give back or volunteer?

5 tips for dating after divorce

Remarriage FAQs

Does marriage counseling really work?

A 2017 University of Miami study of veterans’ marriages found the relationship were still improved 18 months after therapy. Another study from the University of Ottawa researchers found that couples therapy benefits lasted at least 24 months after treatment.

When should you seek pre-marriage counseling?

It is a good idea for all couples to seek pre-marriage therapy. Counseling before committing to your relationship can help establish rules and boundaries, and questions regarding:

  • How to blend families, co-parent and manage step-parenting
  • Manage money and finances in a second marriage
  • Establish guidelines regarding exes
  • Create expectations for how to manage in-law relationships and holidays
  • Improve communication, sex and connection

You may seek pre-marriage counseling near you through your current therapist, a leader in your church or temple, a specialist like a certified financial advisor — or through online therapy.

Our list of best online therapy sites includes BetterHelp, which has an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and allows you to choose from thousands of certified, licensed therapists anonymously (no worries about running into a neighbor at the appointment!). BetterHelp fees start at $65/week for unlimited messaging and weekly live sessions. Financial assistance is available. Read about my experience with BetterHelp.

Is it common for divorced couples to get back together?

Signs your husband or wife is about to leave you — and what to do to prepare

Finding your soulmate after marriage

I’m going to be 39 this year. Round that up, and I’m basically 40. Which is middle-aged.

I’m not going to pretend like I’m reveling in that, or even that I don’t care. I’m none too thrilled about getting older, the least of which is that my crepeing under-eyes, sagging chin and increasingly profound laugh lines make selfie-taking a humbling chore. I can already see how it will be harder to be professionally relevant, it is harder to stay thin, and according to some older friends, very bad things happen to your genitals as the years press on.

But one that that comes with age, is that relationships are older. And those relationships, they are so, so dear. While traveling in Denmark, I was feeling blue, alone in a foreign country. I pinged my friend Kirsten, who I’ve known for 15 years. She’s going through some real-life rough times (not like my first-world, boo-hoo I’m lonesome in my fabulous Copenhagen apartment “rough times”) and I asked if she could nab a plane ticket to join me for a few days.

“I can’t this time, but wanna Skype?” she immediately replied.

“Yep! Now? Want to join me in some wine?

“It’s 11:30 a.m. and I have a few conference calls ahead of me, but don’t let that stop you,” she texted.

“Oh yeah — not everyone’s time zone revolves around my own, perpetual 5 o’clock somewhere.”

We jumped on video chat and caught up (while I uncorked my bottle). We noted that not only are we both really into our careers, share politics, and have similar mommy issues, our periods are in synch! It didn’t really matter what we talked about — we love each other, talk in short-hand thanks to so many years of friendship, and can be totally candid with one another in a way that is just not the same with newer friends. Time has created an intimacy that is otherwise impossible.

Apply this to romance.

What to watch out for re: relationship red flags

Benefits of long-term marriage

For all my dating antics, and appreciation for short-term affairs and sometimes-lovers, those romantic relationships simply are not long-term marriages. I was with my husband eight years, married four, before we split up. That is a short marriage. Every once in a while I come across an email or little note that we left one another, and they seem as if they were written by other people — people who were lovers, rather than two people who lived through a whole lot together and knew each other in ways that cannot be articulated in words. Because we were. Ours was not a long-term marriage. Today, in the rare occurrence that we chat casually, the familiarity is deeper and more presumed — even if we are no longer romantically involved, we are bound by time. I have known him nearly 15 years, and there is a connection that is like those very old friends or the family that we are. That is precious.

In my future, I can imagine a life that is full of different lovers — some for an evening, others for a few years. That is a comfortable pattern for me, but it is limiting. In the rest of my life, I seek out intense experiences that challenge myself. Adventures in travel and exercise, books and movies that challenge my intellect. But emotional adventures are perhaps the greatest of them all. Motherhood, possibly the most gripping, mind- and heart-expanding experience yet in my middle-aged life. I want to experience all I can in this world, and there is something in a long-term marriage that cannot be replicated in other experiences. Those years and decades of love and passion and tedium and tragedy and healing and adoration and resentment and resolve and acceptance and love and love that a good marriage has. That is an experience that I don’t know. Not yet.

Do you give an engagement ring for a second marriage?

When is remarriage OK?

After a big breakup or divorce, take a full year to be a nice, steaming hot mess. Take some time to heal your wounds.

How long should you date before getting married a second time?

Why not just try being single? If you have never been alone, or not been single for a very long time, it can be an important, if not thrilling experience.

Are second marriages more successful?

If you’re wondering if second marriages are more successful, the answer is no. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, remarried adults have a higher likelihood of divorce than those in their first marriage. Half of remarriages that ended in divorce ended within 10 years.

What are the odds of divorced couples getting back together and remarrying?

Researchers at California State University in Sacramento interviewed 1,001 reunited couples around the world, and found that just 6% said they married, divorced and remarried the same person.

Just as you can sell pure silver in the form of bullion and coins, you can make money when you sell sterling silver jewelry, coins, silverware, tableware and other items. 

Silver prices are up 41% from a year ago on a silver shortage, stock market volatility and high interest rates.

As of end of October, 2026, silver was selling at 53.97 per troy ounce—an increase of 12% jump from a year earlier.

However, don’t assume that a 1-ounce silver fork or bracelet will fetch you $54!

Sterling silver is worth 92.5% of the silver spot price — the current price in the marketplace at which silver can be bought or sold. Also, any jewelry store, gold/silver buyer or pawn shop will take a cut.

For example, a sterling silver spoon that weighs 1 ounce is worth about $49. minus the buyer’s commission of approximately 20% (1 ounce x .925 x $73.10 on Oct. 26, 2026). Expect to take home 50 bucks for your spoon.

Still better than a tarnished fork or dated bracelet sitting in a drawer.

CashforSilverUSA calculator

Where can I sell sterling silver?

How much is sterling silver worth?

How to sell sterling silver

  1. Verify that your silver is sterling silver
  2. Assess resale value of your sterling silver
  3. Assess scrap metal value of your sterling silver

What else you should know about sterling silver

FAQs about selling sterling silver
Bottom line: Best place to sell sterling silver

Here’s what else you might want to know before selling sterling silver:

Where can I sell sterling silver?

You have several quality options for selling your sterling silver: near you at a jewelry store, gold and silver buyer, coin dealer, pawnshop or some jewelry stores, or at one of the quality online silver buyers.

Where to sell sterling silver locally

It’s easy enough to search Google for where to sell sterling silver “near me,” but you probably won’t get the most money possible for your sterling silver items with any of those results.

Your search will likely bring up a list of local pawn shops, coin dealers or jewelry stores — all of which will typically pay 50-80% of the spot value of silver

Where to sell sterling silver online

It is easy to sell sterling silver online, whether you have sterling silver jewelry, sterling silver flatware or other items.

Our top recommendation for selling sterling silver is CashforSilverUSA because:

  • A+ Better Business Bureau rating
  • Trustpilot 4.8 stars with 2,377 reviews,
  • Will buy any weight or size of silver, gold, diamond, gemstones, fine watches and jewelry
  • Guaranteed highest price
  • Payouts within 24 hours
  • 100% free shipping via FedEx
  • Insurance up to $5,000
  • Free returns on your items if you decide not to sell
  • 10% bonus if you send in your item within 7 days

Here is a recent sterling silver payout on CashforSilverUSA.com:

Sterling silver flatware sale on CashforSilverUSA.

Other online sterling silver buyers:

  • Silver buyer: PGS Gold & Coin
  • Silver buyer: reDollar.com

5 silver bar buyers where you can sell silver

Sell flatware to CashforSilverUSA

How much is sterling silver worth?

Sterling silver is marked as 925 silver when it contains 92.5% silver, combined with another metal — typically copper. Since 925 silver contains 92.5% silver, it is worth 92.5% of the silver spot price.

As of October 26, 2026 Silver was selling at $53.97per ounce.

What sterling silver jewelry is worth

Sterling silver jewelry is worth at least the value of the pure silver it contains, plus potentially more if its a rare or collectible piece. Sterling silver jewelry is often stamped with “925.” 

How to sell sterling silver vs. white gold.

How to sell sterling silver

Whether you sell your sterling silver online or locally, first understand the quality and weight of your item, as well as any special brand, design or history, and research the reputation of any potential silver buyer. Don’t always accept the first offer, and feel free to shop around!

1. Verify that your silver is sterling silver

If you want to sell sterling silver, you should first verify that it’s authentic — not just silver plated. Here are a few ways to tell: 

  • ​​Sterling silver items will have a hallmark or be stamped with “925” (occasionally, “950” — which means the item has 95% silver). In this post, you’ll learn everything you need to know about symbols stamped on jewelry and how to determine what type of silver you have.
  • If your piece is attracted to a magnet, it is fake or plated — silver is not magnetic.
  • Silver tarnishes but never rusts.
  • A white polishing cloth will remove black debris from sterling silver.
  • Sterling silver will quickly melt a piece of ice — it has the highest thermal conductivity of any metal.

2. Assess resale value of your sterling silver

Next, you should research whether your sterling silver piece has any value as a collector’s item. ebay is a good place to start — see what other similar pieces might be selling for.

3. Assess scrap metal value of your sterling silver

Then, determine your sterling silver’s scrap metal value — i.e. the value of the silver it contains.

To find out how much your sterling silver is worth, you will need to do a simple calculation:

  1. Find the weight of your sterling silver in ounces
  2. Multiply that weight by .925 to determine how much pure silver you have
  3. Multiply that number by the current price of pure silver (in ounces). This is also called the spot price.

For example, a sterling silver spoon that weighs 1 ounce is worth about $49. minus the buyer’s commission of approximately 20% (1 ounce x .925 x $73.10 on Oct. 26, 2026). Expect to take home 50 bucks for your spoon.

Compare the two prices to determine whether you should sell your piece as a collector’s item to an auction house, dealer, or pawn shop or to a reputable silver buyer like CashforSilverUSA.

CashforSilverUSA calculator

What else you should know about sterling silver

Here are some common questions about sterling silver.

Is there a difference between sterling silver and 925 silver?

Sterling silver and 925 silver are the same thing. 

Sterling silver is an alloy of 92.5% silver and 7.5% metal alloy — typically copper. A 925 stamp on silver denotes its purity as sterling silver. The United States and most of the world follow the standard of 92.5%, though France and some other countries have a standard of 95%, or 950 silver. 

How can you tell if you have 925 sterling silver?

  • Sterling silver jewelry, coins, flatware, tea or coffee sets or other items will be stamped with “925” (or, occasionally, “950”).
  • Silver is not magnetic, so if your piece is attracted to a magnet, it is fake.
  • Weigh your item against one of similar size you know to be 925 sterling silver — they should weigh the same.
  • Does it tarnish as silver does?
  • As silver has the highest thermal conductivity of any metal, it will quickly melt a piece of ice.
  • Silver never rusts.
  • Good sterling silver jewelry will not turn your skin green.
  • Typically, an intricate piece of jewelry or serving ware is made of sterling silver since it is soft enough to be carved into an elaborate design. 
  • 925 sterling will tarnish, and when rubbed with a white cleaning cloth, black residue will show on the cloth.
  • Sterling silver will weigh approximately the same as another piece of 925 sterling if you compare the two.

Is 925 silver good quality?

Sterling 925 silver is in fact one of the highest-quality silvers you can find.

Learn about the differences between sterling silver vs. plated silver vs. white gold.

Sell flatware to CashforSilverUSA

FAQs about selling sterling silver

What is the difference between silver and sterling silver?

Sterling silver is an alloy of 92.5% silver and 7.5% of another metal — typically copper — that increases its durability for use in items like flatware and sterling silver jewelry. However, sterling silver is the most valuable of commonly used silver items. Silver bullion, is 99% silver, but too soft to handle.

Can sterling silver be sold for scrap?

Yes! Sterling silver can be sold for scrap. Since sterling silver contains 92.5% silver, it is worth 92.5% of the silver spot price. 

Sterling silver scrap is worth 92.5% as much as pure silver, since that is how much pure silver sterling silver contains. 

To find out how much your sterling silver is worth, you will need to do a simple calculation:

1. Find the weight of your sterling silver in ounces

2. Multiply that weight by .925 to determine how much pure silver you have

3. Multiply that number by the current price of pure silver (in ounces)

Where can I sell my sterling silver Pandora bracelet?

Currently, Pandora does not have a buyback program. If you have an old sterling silver Pandora bracelet or charms that you no longer want, you can sell them in the same ways that you might sell any other silver. Pawn shops, jewelry stores, and online silver buyers will all accept your Pandora items. 

Bottom line: Best place to sell sterling silver

Ultimately, the best place to sell unwanted sterling silver is where you’ll get the most money for it.

Start with a local pawnbroker or coin dealer. If you have a lot of silver, do not have trustworthy or convenient metals buyers in your community, or are embarrassed to sell, check out an online silver buyer.

CashforSilverUSA is our top choice, for a few reasons:

  • CashforSilverUSA pays within 24 hours
  • BBB A+ rating
  • Will take all your silver, gold, watches, jewelry, diamonds and more
  • Price match guarantee
  • Free return guarantee
Is there a difference between sterling silver and 925 silver?

Sterling silver and 925 silver are the same thing.

How can you tell if you have 925 sterling silver?

Sterling silver jewelry, coins, flatware or other items will be stamped with “925” (or, occasionally, “950”).

What is the price of sterling silver?

As of Dec. 31 2025, the silver resale value in the United States was at $73.10 per ounce. This is up 41% over the previous year.

How much do pawn shops pay for sterling silver?

As a rule of thumb, pawn shops will usually pay around 50% of the resale value of an item.

Where can I sell my sterling silver Pandora bracelet?

Currently, Pandora does not have a buyback program. If you have an old sterling silver Pandora bracelet or charms that you no longer want, you can sell them in the same ways that you might sell any other silver. Pawn shops, jewelry stores, and online silver buyers will all accept your Pandora items.

Is it a good time to sell sterling silver?

Sterling silver prices are on the rise amid the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Investors are increasingly turning to safe investments like silver, gold, platinum, and other fine metals, driving up prices. That means it’s a great time to sell sterling silver.

Is selling sterling silver for scrap worth it?

If you have sterling silver jewelry, sterling silver flatware, or other pieces that you bought or inherited but no longer want, it’s absolutely worth it to sell your sterling silver for scrap to a reputable online buyer like CashforSilverUSA.

How much is sterling silver worth?

Since 925 silver contains 92.5% silver, it is worth 92.5% of the silver spot price.

Is it worth it to sell sterling silver?

Yes! Since your sterling silver items can still be worth quite a bit of money, and are certainly worth selling.

Is 925 sterling silver real silver?

Sterling 925 silver is very real and desirable.

Is 925 silver good quality?

Sterling 925 silver is in fact one of the highest-quality silvers you can find.

Does 925 sterling silver tarnish?

925 sterling silver will tarnish but can be easily cleaned with a polishing cloth. However, sterling silver will never rust.

Can sterling silver be sold for scrap?

Yes! Sterling silver can be sold for scrap. Since sterling silver contains 92.5% silver, it is worth 92.5% of the silver spot price.

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