Good Morning America published a story about pedophiles targeting single mothers in online dating sites. Chilling. One woman says a man she met and married through just such a service only married her to get to her daughter.
Single parents must always put their children’s safety and welfare above their own needs. Just because a guy makes your toes tingle, don’t forget your common sense. If something about him makes the hair on the back of your neck stand on end, don’t make excuses. Just run like hell. You can apologize later if you have to.
Do a background check. Run his name against the database of sex offenders. Talk to your friends. Talk to his friends. Don’t ever try to talk yourself into staying with a man because you’re lonely, you’re horny, or you’re too nice to hurt his feelings.
[...] talking about self-defense classes. I’m not talking about carrying a rape whistle or all the elaborate steps you should take when you’re on a date with a new man. I’m talking about even more [...]
I’ve just been thru it. Not from internet dating tho. My 3 year old accused my ex of abuse, she wud have been 2.5 at the time. hard to know if it did really happen as she’s so young and there was no physical evidence. The police couldnt do anything, and he still works with children. My gut says the potential is there, if he hasnt already…YUK!
My daughter is a happy go lucky little girl and im sure she wont remember, for which i am thankful.
Tread carefull and trust ur instincts. Even if ur not right, you dont need the stress as a solo mum!
As a single mom who’s recently back in the dating world, this article made me stop breathing. But I also think it’s easy to get paranoid and scared. Thanks Christina, for reminding women to use their common sense. Also, surround yourself with friends and family. I agree with what Stephanie said above: when you’re in a desperate place, you open yourself up to any number of scary situations. Thanks for this.
Stephanie, welcome to SoloMother.
One of the things I seem to constantly harp on in this blog is how important it is to value and honor your own self, before you try to take on anything else.
I was really saddened to read in the Good Morning America story that the woman thought the guy was somehow “rescuing” her. Looking for a rescuer is such a seductive trap for single mothers. I suspect that when you’re feeling vulnerable enough to look for a rescuer, you’re also vulnerable to a variety of potential abuses, and this story attests to that. Your advise about staying away from anything suspicious, no matter how tempting, is right on.
Yeah, I couldn’t believe it. I can’t believe the way people behave.
That is SO FREAKING scary. Some people are so sick. Sigh. What IS this world coming to?!?!