If you've managed to win the heart of a single parent, you've hit the relationship jackpot. Not only do you have a great excuse to appease your inner child with trips to zoos and theme parks, but you're with someone who has a unique capacity to provide selfless love and unwavering commitment.

Having a child is not a handicap, and dating a single parent may give you the opportunity to enjoy a rich, satisfying relationship. Need a little more convincing? Here are 4 reasons to date a single parent.

1. Single Parents are Adaptable

For a single parent, adaptability isn't just an admirable trait; they're sanity depends on it. His toddler has a sky-high fever on the day their big presentation is due at work? Of course they do; that's par for the course. She just found out her son's class is having a party tomorrow, and his teacher is expecting him to bring cupcakes? Guess it's time to bring out the mixer.

Single parents have a big job, and many things crop up unexpectedly throughout the course of a week. As a result, they take things in stride that may cause stress for a childless date. Single parents understand that life doesn't always go to plan, and they know how to be flexible. Bottom line: the occasional change in plans is unlikely to cause them to question the entire relationship.

2. Single Parents Appreciate Boundaries

Have you ever had a relationship where your partner became too clingy, or became frustrated with your too few-and-far-between text messages and phone calls? While a single parent, like any other date, appreciates reliability and consistent communication, they're not going to agonise over each moment that passes without a phone call or a text from their beloved. They just don't have time. They're too busy managing their own lives and the lives of their children, and they're not interested in managing yours. If you tell him or her that you need a little space, they will probably not be fazed.

3. Single Parents are Selfless

As Jessica Blankenship stated in her article 9 Reasons Why Single Parents Are The Best People To Date, single parents display a capacity for selflessness that few childless people even need to acquire. While that may not necessarily mean that they will always be completely selfless in their dating relationships, they understand what selfless love looks like. They also know when to be selfless and when to stand their ground and guard their own interests.

4. Single Parents Know What They Want from a Relationship

A single parent that has gone through a divorce has had some time to reflect on why their relationship ultimately ended, as well as what part they played in its failure. As a result, they have a stronger sense of who they are and what they need from a relationship.

While dating a single parent can be a challenging relationship to navigate, it has many rewards. If you are a single parent, or you are open to dating a single parent, we have a dating community just for you. Our Single Parents site is filled with individuals who are looking for love and companionship. Signing up is free, so create an account today to start connecting with other singles in your area.