The assumption that, if you are a single mom, you must be on welfare and are looking for someone to financially rescue you

Welcome to the club, 1st and foremost. A lot of not healing ppl and due to that don't want to commit again or have some kind of fear of love again, "Guard Up" it's sad but I think in mmy opinion is the truth.

Dating.

Theres a few hard things about dating in your 40s: You have the group that's already been married and divorced and they want nothing serious. You have the ones who've been drug through the dirt, been manipulated, lied to, cheated on, probably abused in some way. They want a serious long term someone who is willing to put in the work (as a team) and make something special. Then you have those who just want a fuck buddy. The hard part is figuring out who is who before you get too attached.

Finding a man who wants to have an actual relationship and not just hook ups

Does it have to be just one thing? It’s all hard. It’s so weird. I don’t think it was this hard 20 years ago.

Dating around different parenting plans

I don't know. After my divorce I didn't try to date yet. Just worked on myself, my personal development. But in generall I can say it's hard to meet someone who is on the same level like me.

It’s like riding a bike, except the bike is on fire and you’re descending into hell. 

The whole thing