Remember the dating scene when you were younger? Maybe you were a fun party girl who hit the dance floor with your friends and went after what you wanted like a man-seeking missile. Or perhaps you were the quiet type who met prospective dates through friends and family and focused on settling down with someone special. Whoever you were then, entering the dating scene again after having kids is a whole different world and will require a different approach.

How Things Have Changed

If it's been some time since you were in the market for a mate, things have probably changed for you.

The number one factor that has brought change to your life is, of course, your children. Being a mother not only changes the practical parts of a woman's life; it changes to some extent who she is and how she feels. Once you have children, you know what it is to love unconditionally, so all other loves have a hard time competing.

You also put your children's happiness and well being first, which makes you more discerning when seeking out a new prospective mate. Now when a guy gets your attention, you're not just thinking, "he's cute", you're imagining how he might interact with your children should things progress that far.

Your emotional maturity has probably gone up a level or 10 since you had kids and entered the adult world. You most likely have a pretty good idea of what you want in a man (or at least what you don't want!) and you're wise enough to think things through. You can enjoy the warmth of attraction between you and a guy, but you're not about to mistake it for everlasting love.