In the realm of senior dating, how do you navigate the balance between maintaining independence and fostering a connection on DateGlows?

Question

Jean M · Answer

As a Senior, try to do what makes you happy. I am a widow and a senior and I have dated a few men. All have been nice men. I thought I was in love with one of them, and we almost married. I am so glad I didn’t marry him. One of the benefits of dating as a senior is that you have companionship, and in some cases, love. Different Seniors have different wishes when it comes to dating. I always enjoyed dating, but i am sorry that I did not, or have not so far, found a compatible mate with whom i can continue this journey. I am now getting to the point that I don’t like to “get out there” anymore - but i know someone won’t miraculously come to me unless i do. Find someone if you want, as it is possible to do. This is probably not much help, but as a senior, you can find someone if you really want to. It can be very pleasurable, but it can also be frustrating, like any relationship. I wish you good luck. You didn’t say how old you are, and sometimes this makes a difference too. :)

Jaison Jensen · Answer

I'll give you my experience, it is similar but not the same.

When I was a sophomore I was 14, I skipped a grade but it's only relevant because my first girlfriend of high school was 17 when we met. That's a big difference in age when you're so young. My guess is that you two are 16 and 17 or 17 and 18. That's a lot easier to deal with as you are both closer to the same maturity level.

It was a fun and exhilarating experience to be with that girl and I wouldn't trade it for the world. We spent a lot of time together and through that we both learned what we did and did not want from a relationship. I was foolish and I fell into the trap of thinking this was the woman I would spend my life with, grow with, etc. At such a young age this possibility is rather slim, not impossible but highly improbable.

She went to college and even though it was only two hours away it meant we didn't see each other every day or even every week, I was still only 15 when she moved. This led to a break down of our relationship as she has be avenues to pursue with things like rushing a sorority, meeting entirely new groups of people, expanding her educational horizons and so on.

Enjoy the time you have with her and don't live in the fear of losing anything if you two do break up. As Doctor Suess said, "Don't cry because it ended, smile because it happened."

Alan Carlson · Answer

Question: Is senior dating doable?

Answer: You bet your sweet bippy it is! (If you are old enough to remember that line from “Laugh In”, you are probably a senior or on the verge of being one.)

I had to start Senior Dating when my wife of many years died. At first it was nearly as difficult in my 60’s as it had been in my teens and twenties. But life is not as intense at every moment when you are 65 as it is when you’re 20 or so. So, there was nervousness, but I could get past it. And when I had a date that was obviously “Let’s not go there again!”, I could call it a “learning moment” and move on.

The toughest part was that while I was obviously a Senior (Check my photo), I had some trouble at first seeing women my own age as desirable. In the Middle Ages or even later, I could have just gone after younger women. While that’s not impossible now, it has lots more drawbacks than it used to. I don’t recommend it.

Eventually I met a woman (Online) who was my age and seemed to be interesting. So we had coffee. And went kayaking. And I fell in love, big time. And realized that women my age could be attractive. Very attractive. “Turn your cell phone off, we’re busy this weekend” attractive.

Practical advice:

Be patient and pay attention to the process, as you stumble into this new version of what you used to do.

Be clear with yourself on what your standards are, and then stick to them. Don’t settle for just OK. (You may find you’re tweaking your standards as you learn more about yourself. That’s OK. You can adjust them to fit an ongoing better understanding of yourself, provided you don’t lower them out of fear.)

Try online dating. Really. “Our Time” is aimed at seniors. I’m sure there are other good sites. Online dating vastly speeds up the first, time consuming, stage of meeting people. (While keeping you at a safe distance.) Once you’ve got some viable options, you still need to do real dates and sit face-to-face with someone for the first time. I crashed and burned on about six actual dates before I met Ms Right. Your mileage may vary.

One more thing. If sex is at the heart of your question, you can have it both ways. If you and your libido are still good buddies, you can find members of the opposite sex who are glad to hear that. And if you want a quiet, friendly, intimate-but-not-sexual relationship, you can find that, too. You will, of course, have to be upfront about which way you want to go at some point.

Good luck!

Bradley King · Answer

First of all.. No body gets pregnant. Most of us have dealt with tragedies and difficulties so we are less idealistic as to what a relationship is. At one time I was dating 4 different women at the same time. I was honest with all of them and told them I was dating other women when we first went out. What happened after the 1 st date was up to them. You learn that looks are less important and how you feel when you are with that person is much more important. I have now found a love who makes me smile every time she walks in the room.

Alan Gramer · Answer

Most types of dating are doable, and dating in your later years certainly qualifies. The key thing is to first off all figure out what you want and what you expect from dating. So there are some questions that come first:

* Are you into it for the long run or are you just looking for fun?
 * Do you expect love or are you just happy with simple companionship?
 * Are you comfortable with using the internet, particularly dating websites?
 * Do you prefer to find people the traditional way?
These are just a few questions that should guide you on the right path. It will help you to determine what sort of dating site / service you will use, if any. All and all, knowing what you want will make the process easier and way less confusing.

Let’s say you’re not too web-savvy, then maybe look around for communities in your local area. Find an activity which you enjoy and join a group that does such activity. Book clubs, cooking clubs, walking clubs… you name it. The idea is for you to find people who are into the things you love to do. Meeting new like-minded friends can often lead to finding a suitable partner, the key is to approach them in an environment where you have things in common. Sites like meetup.com [ https://www.meetup.com/ ] are actually pretty good for finding out what happens in your area. If not, the local papers (both online and offline) can be a great source to find new activities to do.

If you are comfortable with using the web, your best bet these days is to use a mature dating site like singleandmature.com [ http://www.singleandmature.com/ ]. Mature dating is more appropriate than using younger dating sites, simply because you will be put in touch with people who are closer to your age. More respect and less rejection will occur if you reach to people closer to your own heart, and you will find older people do act more mature than their younger counterparts. You can think of mature dating sites as communities for singles in their later years.

A final word of advice: be careful with online scammers. Make sure to keep your privacy intact, don’t give away your name, address or phone number to people online. Those details can be used by others to commit online fraud [ https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/fraud_protection/dating_fraud ], so best to keep it all safe. Instead use a pseudonym, and make sure you stay in control. Dating is an emotional ride, but keeping your logical cap on will allow you to see scammers from miles away. The bottom line is: if that person sounds too good to be true, then they are probably lying, time to move on. Logical thinking and confidence will be you best tools.

All the best on your journey, I hope you find what you are looking for!

Ejj1955 · Answer

Find someone who you can spend pleasant time with without changing your basic lifestyle. Maintain your own living space and schedule. You might find it better to be friends with someone rather than dating them—up to you. I have a male friend I go to the movies with, go out to dinner with, and go to concerts and museums with. We talk daily. I’m very glad he’s in my life, but I’m still in complete control of my environment and time.

Hershel Flemming · Answer

She’s just thinking realistically. High school relationships usually end when school ends. Sounds like she’s already realized this. I would say you’re lucky she’s even giving you a chance. Enjoy it while it lasts, or, if you want to avoid heartbreak, find somebody in your grade that isn’t going to be graduating an a few months.

James Webber · Answer

I think what the person giving this advice is trying to say is that you should take it slow and not rush into things. It’s not some battle to protect your independence; it’s merely being smart and realizing that it takes time to get to know someone and for trust to start building.

Emily Helwig · Answer

Yes! Senior dating is very possible, but you do have to watch out for any potential online safety threats that might be looming if you’re going the online dating or dating app route.

For those who are new to the online dating or dating app scene, here are some safety precautions to take to ensure your personal identity and physical safety stay in check:

1. Be wary of profiles with little or no information, or profiles that have some type of stock photo as their avatar.
2. Avoid connecting with people far away, and of course, be careful when someone asks for any personal info upfront.
3. If you opt to speak with a potential date on the phone, use a cellphone instead of your landline. Home phones are much easier to trace, meaning that someone could use your home telephone number to figure out where you live much more easily than your cell.
If you do end up meeting someone for a date, keep these safety tips in mind:

1. Always meet in a busy public place, and make sure someone knows where and when you’ll be having your date.
2. Watch your alcohol intake. Alcohol is known for being a great social lubricant, but it’s best to stay sober for a first date in order to make sure you’re making good decisions about your actions and keeping yourself safe.
For more senior social media and online dating safety tips, check out this guide: Ultimate Guide to Social Media & Online Dating Safety for Seniors [ https://seniors.knoji.com/social-media-dating-safety-seniors/ ]

Anonymous · Answer

Together shouldn't end after graduation... A senior vs junior makes no difference whatsoever in the reality of life. Enjoy every moment... Don't stress about tomorrow... or the next day, etc!!

Zahri Azizis · Answer

Senior relationship is really simple. A hobby that you can enjoy together goes a long way. Find something that you can do together. Imagine having a ballroom dancing class on Saturday evening and having the rest of the week to practise the moves so that you can show off in the next class. Let your imagination runs wilds.

J. Valentino · Answer

It will be just like any other relationship. Normal.

Pro of having a relationship with someone from the same class

* You will have a study partner. You will have someone to help you with classwork.
 * Your partner will keep you in check with your grades and you won’t ever fail.
 * You will feel less lonely and feel more happy because you have someone to talk to before class and after class.
 * You will be able to do homework with them.
 * You will walk with them home everyday from school.
In general, you will spend more time with each other, love each other and be happy.

Cons of having a relationship with someone from the same class

* You will get distracted during class.
 * You will be subjected to peer pressure. (other classmates may tease you or your partner about your relationship). Always happens with HS couples.
 * Your friends/their friends will try to convince you to dump them for someone better.
Overall, it would be a lot of criticism from people around you. In the end, it’s about what makes you happy. If that person makes you feel good, date them.

I was your position when I was in 11th grade. I fell in love with a girl. She was beautiful. I asked her out one morning and we went on a date. After several months, we were in love. I remember I walked to class with her and held hands. We had our seats next to each other so we didn’t have to ask anyone to move seats. We would look into each other’s eyes during class and hold hands while doing classwork. We would help each other during classwork. Once it was over, I walked her to French class, kissed her and went to my History class.

It lasted till after HS. Once that happened, I felt we were drifting apart. Next thing you know, we broke up. Never saw each other again. It hurt for a while since she was my first love. Couldn’t eat or sleep for days. Took me 6 months to get over her. Once I did, I felt better.

I am telling you this because while dating someone from the same class can be good, it can be bad. Sometimes HS relationships can last but sometimes it’s not meant to be .

I hope you can make the right choice. Anyways, HS isn’t the only place to find a partner. You have College and the world to find your partner. I’d say dating gets more clear as you get older. It gives you time to figure out what type of partner you are into.

Unicorn · Answer

I have Never Heard of Date Glows, but any relationship`s rely`s on two way trust & respect, to get comfortable with each other, your not both Youngster`s, if it seems a one way street, & one party is not giving their all, then it maybe due to lack of interest, you may be full on, But traffic needs to flow both ways without that, Sadly it isn't going to work,

Chukwunoyerem Valentine · Answer

However, platforms aiming to balance traditional matchmaking values with modern preferences for senior daters typically focus on incorporating user-friendly interfaces, advanced matching algorithms, and features tailored to the unique needs and preferences of older users. They may prioritize compatibility based on shared interests, values, and life experiences while providing a digital environment suited to modern dating dynamics. For the most accurate and up-to-date details, I recommend checking the latest information directly from “Dateglows” or related sources.

Curt Weinstein · Answer

If you are young (and marry them), you get to spend your inheritance (without your spouse).

On the other hand, seniors have a lot of knowledge which can make hanging out with them enjoyable and profitable.

I met a very young woman who was dating an older man. BUT he had a history of dating younger women, which meant her days with him were numbered. But he was married, which meant there was nothing good in the relationship for her (in the long run).

Michael Lush · Answer

I tried to get my mother (then 84) online dating on Plenty of Fish and only found ~ 5 candidates over 70 in the area. Signup may be better with 60’s and younger.

I would not recommend ‘specialist dating sites’ or any site that did not have a useable free level of service (ie able to search plus send and receive messages).

Over the 3 years I was online dating I found I was far far more likely to get scammed by the site itself than it’s users. Online Dating is a funny business model, if a service works it will haemorrhage users (one successful match loses two users). It is much cheaper and easier to con someone into subscribing and accept they will leave in disgust after a few months.

At the moment it is fairly easy to test this, create a blank male profile and leave it for a week, if it gets any messages from other users (usually from attractive ladies interested in Sexxx, one site would have be believe that 10% of the next village fell into that category, later inspection showed this was not the case).

Scammers will control a whole string of niche sites Christian dating, over 40’s, Fetish Sex, Model Railway fans, Geek, BDSM etc. and use the sign-ups from one site to pad out the membership of their other sites.

Free dating sites don’t have this temptation, their interests are best served by people coming back to look at the adverts (and maybe buying some of the extras), which is not unreasonable apparently it takes about 30 first dates to find a relationship.