The single parents dating landscape can be, by turns, depressing, disappointing, and seemingly hopeless. If that's been your experience to date, chin up--there are sunnier days on the horizon. Think about it: what's the single most important factor in uniting two total strangers? That's right, commonalities! And what could be a more important touchstone in a developing relationship than the shared experience of parenthood?

One of the great things about meeting other single parents is that they already know what your commitments entail because, chances are, they share those same commitments. Driving junior to piano lessons, forking over thousands for orthodontics, and attending his or her soccer games is the glue that ties you not only to your son or daughter, but to your prospective partner as well. These things can become shared activities for everyone; you agree to attend his son's talent show, and he agrees to supervise your daughter's birthday party.

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The bond that begins when you meet another single parent will eventually develop into a bond that's unique to the two of you. The fact of parenthood alone will not sustain two people with nothing else in common, but it can be a good way to build trust, which is the basis of any successful partnership. If you and your mate are truly a perfect match, your love will endure no matter how your children relate to one another. It should survive their going to different schools, having different friends, and possessing different values.

It's tempting to let your initial foray into the world of single parents dating get overwhelmed by discussion of your respective kids. But it's critical to discuss your own lives in equal measure, for ultimately it's the two of you who are deciding whether to make an investment in one another. Chances are, if you have matching attitudes and dispositions and manage to hit it off, your kids will follow suit.