Is Loneliness Cast in Stone? The cure for loneliness is most often found in community. But where in this world do you find community.....?

Single Parents: Non-Custody Parent Continuity is the most important part of your relationship after divorce. It is important for the non-custody parent to see children frequently and regularly-and-start this  right after separation .

Non-Committers in the Singles' World The singles’ world is full of people who can not sustain a long-term relationship. A long-term relationship is one that lasts a minimum of four years. You often meet singles who have a history of six-month to three-year relationships. For whatever reason, they can’t make that fourth year.

Is It Time to End Your Relationship?   Many singles get in at least one long-term relationship that never gets to the altar. How do you know when it is time to end a relationship or marriage? Ask yourself these questions from SOLO and decide. Then be aware there is always an initiator for the end of a relationship. You have a choice. You can be passive and wait for your partner to "bail out." Or you can be active by evaluating the situation and taking action.

Single Parents Avoiding Allergies and Asthma During Holidays At holiday time,  particularly Christmas, millions of singles decorate our homes, bring in trees, branches, mistletoe, holly berries, etc., to fill our house with holiday spirit, prepare foods using processed ingredients,  and inadvertently trigger allergies and asthma in our family and friends.

Are You Old? What do singles mean when they use the word "age" or "young' or "old?" What is age? It seems to be a matter of opinion.

Fools Rush In: It Pays to Plan! When singles' are using the internet for dating, it pays to plan an internet dating campaign in advance.

Physical Intimacy and Singles. There is a saying which goes, 'Men will do anything for sex, even love. Women will do anything for love, even sex.'  What  singles need  is for men and women to bridge the differences between them rather than men being 'right' or women being 'right.'

Dreams into Goals From your dreams, you are ready to set goals. A dream that is pursued with goal setting and day-to-day life can flourish.

What Do Women Want From Dates and Dating? The first thing a woman wants on a date is definitely not the first thing a man wants.

Single Parents Go Organic Single parents go organic on the lawn and in the garden for the sake of the kids, the planet, the family pet, and of course, the single parent.

Singles Dating: Start With a Goal Dating is a major step in reaching your relationship goals. So a date is the first goal. Where does that date originate?

Making Single Friends Singles meet,  singles attract, and a friend is made. Single friends interact, singles friends confide, and eventually a good friend is made. 

Dating Is A Roller Coaster There is a concept to dating.  Concentrate on the concept or process of dating rather than the date itself.  As you begin to date again, be proactive; set goals; make things happen in your life. You will take yourself off the roller coaster of dating.

Need to Express Your Undying Love? Found the perfect person to share your life? Can't think of a way to say it best? Borrow a love poem or quote from the all-time masters of love and poetry.

Singles' Date Again: Before you can date successfully or get the most out of any of the various singles' services available, you must know yourself! Before you can decide where any relationship is going, you must know yourself. Start there first.

What is Self-Esteem Feelings of self-worth stemming from the individual's positive or negative beliefs about being valuable and capable that are not set in stone but can be changed.

Singles and Marriage The reality of leaving love to chance for singles is not very encouraging. In fact, one single man thinks it is the best way to be forever single.

Singles Procrastinate Procrastination hurts many aspects of our lives as singles. So why procrastinate? There are multiple reasons. Find yourself here!!

Reality Checks for Singles

Games Singles Play When her voice said “NO”, but her eyes said "YES," Barbie  may feel cute but if  Ken actually follows the rules, then she wonders why he isn't more aggressive and assertive. Should Barbie tell the truth?

Imagine Yourself Not Shy Use your imagination to overcome shyness. Imagine situations with the opposite sex. Relax and let your imagination go through an entire meeting situation. Don't be shy in the conversation but don't be unduly bold. This is not a fantasy situation. Try to make it real life!

Singles and Procrastination Who procrastinates? We all do to some extent. We all need to conquer procrastination in some realm of our actions. If for no other reason than procrastination often hurts our self-confidence and self-esteem.

Singles, Divorce, Security, and Reality The security of a relationship, even a bad one, is replaced by questions and reality checks when divorce happens. SOLO has answers for your questions from being a single parent to dating again.

Singles and Packaging Your appearance, whether you are a man or a woman, is the first impression you make.  As much as we all deserve to be taken on our own merits, we are attracted or repelled by the plumage people display.

Steps to Marriage: One of the most important steps to marriage is your own reality check. The percentages of men or women available to you is not high. Come do the math with SOLO!

Questions & Answers

Question: What makes a personal matchmaker different from an internet matching service? Answer

Question: What happened to all the singles social groups and singles dances in (insert your city here)? Answer

Dating Solutions If you are recently widowed or divorced, and just starting to date again, or if you are trying to get your dating life off dead-center and have better or more dates, discover how goal-setting can actually improve your dating life. More

Exercising and Working Out Finding time to exercise is not easy for most singles. It is particularly hard when you are a single parent. Here are a few suggestions to make exercise easier to do for all singes, parents or not.

Singles Choosing a Non-Abuser in Relationships You are in love. You can't wait to get married or move in together. The last thought on your mind is that your beloved might be abusive. How can you tell?

When Relationships End! Singles and long-term relationships end. Divorce happens. Your lover departs. A friend moves away. Grieve, then be proactive and set goals for dating again and/or getting back in the swing of things. Moving on...

Magic Words for Single Parents and Kids Think about words and kids:  Two, three, four right or best words and phrases are easy and short and mean the world to your children. It's magic!

Loneliness When you are single, some times are more lonely than others. Holidays, crisis, anniversaries, or a sudden memory can bring feelings of loneliness to singles so strong they hurt. What to do; what not to do when loneliness strikes...

Meeting New Singles Like a dog in west Texas, we continue to sit in the same old spot, even when a cactus grows there. Meeting new singles requires breaking old habits and change--not comfortable but the only way to make life work!!

Singles' Parents Dating  Children make dating and the desire for intimate relations for single parents difficult. The time to prepare children for another partner in your life is now--before you even start to date.

Singles Meet While Walking or Hiking Meeting other singles while walking or hiking is an informal and nonstressful way to get out into the singles' world. It has an extra bonus. You will be in better shape when you do meet someone.

Marrying Again? Make your second marriage successful!

Single Parents: Exercising and Working Out Finding time to exercise is not easy for most singles. It is particularly hard when you are a single parent. Here are a few suggestions to make exercise easier to work into your schedule.

How DO Singles Meet? Singles actually only have three real ways to meet: Singles might meet by chance; singles might meet by an introduction from someone else; singles might meet in the singles' scene. Although all three meeting avenues are multi-faceted, it is up to each single to use them. 

Single Family Values Week-Ends Week-ends are always hectic in a single parent's home. Yet if you teach your family to help you, week-ends can become a time of value for you and your children.

Are You Being Verbally, Emotionally, Mentally, or Psychologically Abused? Women and men can be verbal abusers and both can be victims. If your latest flame is making you uneasy, read this article on abuse.  That might be the problem.

Abuse General info on abuse, including physical abuse of women and men.

Dates Reading Minds What if your date thinks he/she is a mind reader or a psychic? Some singles make relationship decisions based on assumptions and mind reading.  And, just as you would suspect, they are rarely correct in those decisions.

Simon Single SEZ: Pssst: Are you single?   Want a little love and romance in your life? Want to meet someone special? Then listen to what Simon SEZ.  

Meeting Singles Post Internet Is Less Active, Less Successful Author grieves the fun, active days of the singles world before the internet. He wants a return of the good ol' days when it was much easier to meet singles face-to-face. 

Men and Women and Sex Although the spread is narrowing, there are some basic sexual differences with men and women that make it very hard for women to understand men and vice versa. Bearing in mind there is always that scope for individual variety, there are some almost universal truths about men that women most often fail to understand.

Dad is Essential!  If you find yourself in the role of disposable dad, what can you do to bolster your relationship with your children? 

Singles Put Life and Intimacy On Hold   This is the time of year that many of us look at our past lives and ponder what the future will bring for us. It is a good time to be open to the fact that many of us have put our intimate relationship on hold for another day. Now is also a good time to release that  hold button.

Is Marriage For You in 2006? Accepting the reality of where you are now frees your energy for achieving the life you want and moving ahead toward marriage. It frees you to set goals.

Divorce and Children Single families:  The effects of divorce on children can be lessened by keeping lines of communication open and answering children's questions completely.

Choosing a Matchmaker   Maybe you have thought about it and have decided to use a personal matchmaker in the new year. How to choose a personal matchmaker... and some pitfalls to avoid.

Q & A: 1-2-3 Magic Single parents often need help in disciplining children alone. Questions and answers about this style which is wonderful for parents of  toddlers, pre-schoolers, and elementary school kids.

Imagine Yourself Not Shy! As holiday parties continue, use your imagination to overcome shyness. Imagine situations with the opposite sex. Relax and let your imagination go through an entire meeting situation. Don't be shy in the conversation but don't be unduly bold. This works!

Finding Love for You Often singles think they are doing everything possible to meet someone special. Are you really doing that? Look back for a year or so. What did you do to meet someone? How long did you try each meeting avenue? Were you realistic about the people you met or were you chasing impossible dreams?

Commitment Phobic  Many singles searching for a lasting relationship and marriage, have encountered the commitment phobic in the singles' world. He/she talks a good game, but when the relationship moves forward, the non-committer quickly moves in reverse or causes you to end the relationship.

Singles and the Commitment Phobic: Is It Abuse? Some singles have written SOLO saying their relationship with a commitment phobic seemed abusive. Is it abuse?

From the Beginning Before You Even Want to Date From the beginning of your new life as a divorced or widowed parent, you need to set aside time for a social life. Make time for old friends and new friends. In particular, make room for social time without your children.  

Gender and Non-Committers Many singles dread becoming involved with the non-committer, also known as the professional single. Does gender make a difference here? Are males or females more likely to be non-committers?

Men Don't Date Man Haters Some women hate men. However, even if man haters have some legitimate basis for their hatred, most men want to date someone else.

Travel Tips for Single Parents  More hints for non-custody single parents traveling alone or with your significant other and child.  Other travel tips such as what to say to keep the conversation going, that is after you ask, "How's school?"

Non-Custody Single Parent Traveling Alone When you are a non-custody parent, the prospects of a trip with your child or children is full of wonderful expectations mixed with a little apprehension. These hints make that travel less stressful and more of a quality time for all.

Singles Target Goals by Steps To Meet Singles use small steps to target goals successfully and meet other singles. In order to work, targets must be used successfully. Sounds easy but how do you use these targets successfully?

Selecting a Matchmaker or Dating Service to Meet Your Goals In matchmaking services,  matchmakers do the choosing. In dating services, members do the choosing. Why does a good  matchmaking service work more often than a good dating service? Find out here.

Singles and Targeting Getting married one year from today is a goal. Meeting someone to marry is a goal. Breaking goals down into small tasks, such as the steps necessary to meet a potential mate, is targeting.

Singles Use Targets to Meet Goals Targeting starts with a list of small steps. These small  steps are actually small goals. They are easy to reach so it is easy to be, and feel, successful.

Dating with Children Is Like Walking a Tight Wire Many single parents feel they are balancing their children, their new love, and their ex-spouse when they start to date again. As you try to balance all the people involved, you feel as though you are walking a tight wire.

Is Your Life on Hold?   For some reason, an ailing parent, a career, children... you put your life on hold for another time.  After mom is gone... After I get that promotion... After the kids are grown... can be a whole lifetime alone or continually replaced by another reason to leave your life on hold.

How Do Singles Set Goals? Goals are statements of what you wish to accomplish. Start with a list of written goals. Why? Written goals are the most likely to be achieved.

Proper Discipline Builds Esteem  Proper discipline adds self-esteem. Helping your child set limits builds self-esteem. Children not disciplined, with few limits, rarely grow up with high self-esteem.

Common-Law Marriages  We're ready to move in together. But if we live together, will we have a common-law marriage? Will we have to divorce if we split up? Singles' questions answered for this dilemma.

More about Matchmakers  More about using personal matchmakers to meet one-on-one. Is size better? What about free memberships. Can a matchmaker screen for chemistry? And more... Matchmakers for shy singles and the rest of the singles world.

Family Meals: Eating Healthy  I'm a single parent. Maybe I have a little less time than a two-parent family. But all of us parents have a responsibility to feed our families healthy.

Singles Dating: Start with Your Own Reality, Then Dream  For dating to be most effective, you need to define your reality and your dreams before you start to date. You are where you are and that place in time and space is your reality! Now that you know where you are, you can dream!

Being Single is Stressful The death of a spouse or a separation/divorce has an  inevitable fallout: stress. Dealing with the disruption, grief, change,  and readjustment  of divorce or a spouse's death has been  identified as the leading cause of stress that people face in our society.

The Myth of the Lonely Single Parent The real story about being a single parent and loneliness. It's a myth!!

Packaging  Your appearance, whether you are a man or a woman, is the first impression you make.  As much as we all deserve to be taken on our own merits, we are attracted or repelled by the plumage people display.

Need to Express Your Undying Love? Borrow a free love poem or quote from the all-time masters of love and poetry.

Whose Child Is This? In child custody cases, single parents essentially ask, "Your Honor, whose child is this? How do single dads fare when this question is asked?

Singles and the Mad Game: She makes me so mad; he makes me furious. Playing the mad game can ruin your relationship. You can stop it, however, by refusing to play. Here's how! Anger is something we allow ourselves to feel. No one can make us mad or angry unless we let him/her. No one can make us feel anger if we refuse to participate in the mad game.

Visitation Rights Include grandparents' visitation rights in your divorce decree for the sake of your children.

Apologies    Do you need to apologize? It is often hard to do and occasionally we don't know how. Here are many ways to say "I'm sorry" to someone you love.

Singles Dating Again If you are just starting to date again,  see this new web from SOLO.

Singles with Children Dating Again Having children from a prior relationship changes the whole concept of dating again. Another new web for single parents from SOLO.

Non-Committers of the Singles' World     Single people have many reasons for their inability to sustain a long-term relationship.   They are perfectionists; they are hunters; they are lust-seekers,  they are happy being single; and/or they are non-committers. A long-term relationship, one that lasts a minimum of four years,  is rarely achieved by the non-committers, even in marriage. Rather, they are masters of the six-month to three-year relationship.

Use the Language of Esteem   You can build your child's self-esteem merely with the proper choice of words. Use this five-step esteem builder to help your child.

Singles and Loneliness A lonely single feels isolated and separated from other people. A lonely single may feel different from other people. Some lonely singles feel people are only using them.

How to Be Married in 2006... Come along with SOLO as we lead you up the garden path to the altar.

Holidays can be fun, introspective, pro-active, or lonely. Some suggestions:
One: You'll  be alone this year and need something to do.
Two: You'll never spend another holiday alone.
Three: You spend all holidays single and  wonder why you aren't married.
Four: If your children are spending the holiday with you.
Five: If your children are spending the holiday somewhere else. Specific suggestions for Independence Day.

Packaging  Your appearance, whether you are a man or a woman, is the first impression you make.  As much as we all deserve to be taken on our own merits, we are attracted or repelled by the plumage people display.

Single Parents Teaching Teens The next time you have a lesson to teach your teen, try to use an effective example to show your teenager. The more dramatic the example, the better the lesson.

Apologies    Do you need to apologize? It is often hard to do and occasionally we don't know how. Here are many ways to say "I'm sorry" to someone you love.

Senior Singles Check out SOLO's new web for Senior Singles

Momisms and Dadisms  How to get your children to behave when you are ALL on a date.  Useful at other times, also.

Proactive vs. Chance Most singles who are really proactive in trying to meet someone special eventually do meet that person. Singles who are not proactive leave that special meeting to "chance." 

Matchmaker vs Dating Service  There are major differences between a matchmaking service and a dating service. If you are considering joining a service, check this out before you join!

Single Friends The first step in making new and single friends is to meet other singles. There are many ways to do this, yet some singles have more trouble meeting new people than others. Ways to overcome obstacles and make single friends from SOLO. 

Matchmaker vs Dating Service  There are major differences between a matchmaking service and a dating service. If you are considering joining a service, check this out before you join!

Singles Dating Again If you are just starting to date again,  see this new web from SOLO.

Singles with Children Dating Again Having children from a prior relationship changes the whole concept of dating again. Another new web for single parents from SOLO.

First Date Roller Coaster First dates can be similar to riding the roller coaster. Fun but nerve racking. How much better to have ten or so first dates in one evening?!?  This is the easy way to date.....

Goal Setting Works for Dating: A series. Starting with a purpose, we show you how to use goal-setting to date/cure loneliness.

Is It Time to End Your Relationship?   In the single's world, there is more to divorce than the "marriage" that needs a legal divorce. Many singles get in at least one long-term relationship that never gets to the altar. How do you know when it is time to end a relationship or marriage? Ask yourself these questions.

Age and Singles: What do singles mean when they use the word "age" or "young" or "old?" What does it mean when a single person says, "Oh, he's too old for me," or "I want to meet a young woman."

Dance Away Lovers   The non-committers of the singles' world give out two messages, "Come closer; go away. Don't abandon me; don't engulf me."  Psychologist Daniel Goldstine calls non-committers "dance-away lovers." These singles cling to the illusion that they want to settle down, while their lives are governed by a fear of intimacy. 

Loneliness:  Being lonely is described as universal, even among married people.  When you are single, however, you often think that one is the loneliest number is the world. Can that loneliness ever be cured?

Speed Dating Speed Dating, Rapid Date, Express Meet or whatever you want to call it... It has touched singles' life in most parts of the world. Should you do it? What are the advantages and disadvantages? How should you dress? SOLO answers your questions  about this successful way of meeting singles.

Health Is a Choice Singles do not have time to be sick. Yet many singles do not realize that health is a personal choice that begins with lifestyle. Yes, we have genes, but we can often outrun those genes with safe lifestyles!

Being Single is Stressful The death of a spouse or a separation/divorce has an  inevitable fallout: stress. Dealing with the disruption, grief, change,  and readjustment  of divorce or a spouse's death has been  identified as the leading cause of stress that people face in our society.

Dating Services  Singles need to beware of all dating and matchmaking services that do not advertise prices, will not discuss prices over the phone, or pressure them to come in for an appointment without answering all questions by phone.

Stress and Singles  Reduce stress in the three most important ways, then add 12 more ways to lead a stress-free singles life.

Still Not Married? Here it is--2007--you are not a bride or groom. Maybe you set a time frame in your own mind. You would be married by age 25, 28, or age 30. And here you are 33, or 36, or even 40 years old without a mate in sight. Why? Some of our answers will fit you!

Gender and Gender Roles Some men and women are more gender-role evolved than others. The degree that men and women have evolved to be alike has a great deal to do with gender understanding and misunderstanding.  This degree of evolution is quite important to relationships.

Non-Committer One man's experience with a non-committer. He recognized this early in the relationship.

Whose Child Is This? In child custody cases, single parents essentially ask, "Your Honor, whose child is this? How do single dads fare when this question is asked? 

Meeting Other Singles One  of the best ways to meet numerous singles is to  country & western dance. Boot scootin' as a dance form is sociable and fun. It is also one of the most accessible forms of dancing.

Tips for Physical Safety   Tips that could save your life if you have car trouble. Final article in SOLO's physical safety series. 

Are All Men Afraid to Commit? Many men fear responsibility for women's fulfillment and happiness. A man may also fear involvement with a woman who wants him only for  what he can provide.

Matchmaking or Dating Service  Singles interchange the terms. Yet there are major differences between a matchmaking service and a dating service. If you are considering joining a service, check this out before you join!