Hi smellie!
Have a read of our article on Internet Dating for a few tips?
I agree with Louise, once correspondence has started it would be good to mention you have a child so that they know whether they still want to get to know you or run a mile!! Keeping as honest as possible without giving too much away I think is the best policy.
Good luck, I look forward to hearing about it.
Yes, an excellent summary, thanks
ditto the above 2 posts. Really interesting and very informative. I really like the idea of saying 'I am a parent', rather than even talking about children.
You wrote:
"My biggest tip would be put yourself first, you owe the men you meet on there nothing. I made the mistake previously of putting my manners and the concern for another guy's feelings in front of my own feelings and safety. If you meet up and you instantly wish you weren't there just make up an excuse and leave, you don't owe them anything. It sounds harsh and many people out there are genuine but there are certainly some that aren't so tread cautiously."
FANTASTIC! Well said. This goes for everyone we meet actually and should be first lesson in confidence building.
I remember watching a programme a few years ago about the signals women give off to strangers. There was a clip of a woman standing at a bar with a drink waiting for her friend. A man walks in and asks if she wants a drink (he was an actor and made to look a little unappealing and slightly aggressive). The woman turned to him and smiled and said 'No thanks'. He then asked what she was doing there and continued to chat her up. Every time she replied she had a smile on her face even though she was declining all his offers.
Afterwards it was pointed out to the woman that she needed to forget about her manners when it comes to strangers in a bar. If, as a woman, you smile at a man, regardless of what you are saying he is seeing that he is pleasing you in some way. We need to be firm and rigid faced. Not always easy, it does take practice. But very very interesting I thought.
smellie I hope that PG's words have given you encouragement to see that it can work, but also some serious factors to consider too.
It can be scary when actual people start popping up! I am not encouraging you to be rude but you do not have to go ahead with meeting anyone you don't like the sound of. If you don't know how to get rid of anybody unsavoury, you can just email and say I have met someone, thank you, so can't correspond any more.
My top tip is when you do meet them, just agree it is for a coffee and then you can get away easily if you need to after half an hour, preferably in the daytime. if they are gorgeous then you can quickly arrange a second date!!
Hi smellie
When you say 'it shows my whole name' is that on the dating site or on the email? Either way for safety's sake it might be worth seeing if you can get that changed.
You mention that you think it is rude not to respond, I think Louise is right, if you are really not interested then a brief note is fine, perhaps you could create a standard reply for 'No's'.
As I hope you read earlier though politeness does not come into it here, frankness and honesty does, you do not want to get caught up in something because you felt it rude to say no.
People can sound fantastic on paper, but meeting them in person is the real thing. You say that these men aren't as handsome as you had envisaged! DO NOT judge a book by its cover, usually the handsome people are the arrogant/selfish/spoilt ones who won't have time for you other than needing you to dote on them. There are lots of lovely men out there, once you get to know and see their goodness they can become more attractive. Also internet photos aren't always great.
I once chatted to a guy for a couple of months via email, we were then talking about meeting (well he was, I was quite happy just emailing!!) I asked him for his mobile number and called him. Within minutes I knew that I didn't want to meet up with him, can't put my finger on it, just instinct said No.
SO, remember smellie, you don't have to give him your number, you don't have to meet him, you don't have to do anything! It is all up to you!
I just wondered, perhaps if after emailing with a couple of prospectives and you do want to meet with them, get their number, call them, chat a few times on the phone, then only arrange to meet when you are good and ready.....at a coffee shop, with no alcohol involved!
Aww, that's lovely ficurnow. 
Yes, I know a few people that it has worked really well for.
That's a good summary as well, Paul_30. The only thing I would add is that they are actually single! 
Hi laurenjukes,
Welcome to one space, it is a great site and so friendly, you will find lots of support on here.
I have never tried the internet dating but my friend has and today I got to meet her new man and have to say he is lovely, I really did have reservations and concerns for her but couldnt fault him at all, which really surprised me as I have always wondered what kind of men went on these sites which is silly really as there is nothing wrong with my friend and she was on there!!!!!
I think it takes guts to go on to the dating sites but as my friend has proved to me it can work for some people xxx
I know, just please be careful and always let someone know exactly where you are going if you decide to meet up with anyone and what time you will be back, good luck xxx
Hello laurenjukes
Welcome to One Space. Have you read the whole of this thread? There are loads of good points made by all the contributors and of course there is our Internet Dating article. You might also be interested in these other two articles: Dating Again and also Will I ever trust anyone again? Have a read and let us know what you think
Looks like some great advice already given....just dont expect too much and dont fall in love before you have met him/her ....
If something feels wrong then also go with your gut reaction.
I;ve met some lovely guys through Internet Dating - one special guy who I dated for 18 months....
Good Luck!
Hello smellie
How are you? That sounds like a big step for you, I wonder if you are feeling apprehensive. As for the matter of your child, presumably you will talk on email or phone before meeting up with someone, so you could tell them at that stage.
Don't forget that you need to stay safe through all this. Don't give out too many personal details and always meet up in a public place. That said, dating again could be fun!!!!