Alone this Christmas?

Christmas can be a lonely time of year if you are single, divorced, have empty nests, relocated, or may have lost loved ones or family and this is your first Christmas without them?


If this is you then stop! No feeling sorry for yourself, no tears, do something about it! It is good to see as many different people as you can if this is the case for your Christmas.

Try and organise some social events...

• Co-workers appreciate having someplace to go and gratefully call it my “Orphan Christmas.”
• Neighbors are glad to get out of the house. 
• Non-Christian friends have an excuse to party.

Redefining tradition

Tradition is important in defining ourselves and our values, but so is adapting as circumstances change, says Purdue University cultural anthropologist Andrew Buckser.

“Holiday rituals are really a kind of play, and everyone is always rewriting the script,” he says. “Each of us is our own character, and we each have something we want to say.”

Re-thinking expectations and letting go of the goal of a picture-perfect holiday can relieve the pressure on those who find themselves without family, says another expert, who specialises in family issues.

So if you are alone this Christmas, stay up beat - positive or contact Retrack so we can help! 

Dating tips for single mothers...

Have you ever thought to yourself... 'how am I going to find the time to date as well as look after my kids?' well help is at hand!

We can't promise miracles but a few simple Retrack tips can help you on your way!

Here's some practical advice you can use to save time and ensure you get with the right man all whilst giving the love you need to your kids.

Dating when you've got very little time to spare...

Contact us via using our online dating service. It's quick, it doesn't require you to leave the house in the early stages.

How can you give the amount of time to a guy that wants to date you?

The most important thing is to be upfront and honest early on... set your boundaries with your partner.


Most guys who want to date you but don't have kids will not fully realise how much time children take up. So let your partner know up front that your kids are a priority in your life, that it's not so easy to drop them and go to him. 

At the same time keep reassuring your partner you don't care for him any less.

Why don't some men want to get with women with kids?

Frankly, who cares? Just forget them and move on. There's no point trying to change someone who is scared off by you having kids. There are plenty of men out there who will happily date you as long as you are the type of woman they're looking for.

How do you know if he'll be good with your kids?

You don't really! The upside is that many guys who truly aren't comfortable with children will have left long before they get to meet yours. The bad news is that you cannot really judge whether your partner will treat your kids in a way that you'll be happy with until he actually meets them and spends time with them.

Help on finding your Mr. Right

Be sure about who you are looking for. This isn't specific to single parents, but it is a vital part to finding the right partner for you or any other single person.

Things you SHOULD do on a first date!

First dates can be rather daunting! Even when we have done it before!

So Retrack Introductions have come up with a few tips to provide you with our top do's for dating!

Choose the right outfit...

Wearing provocative or inappropriate clothing risk making the wrong impression. You also need to feel comfortable and confident so wear something that makes you feel this way.  Keep in mind what is appropriate to the venue.

Do not wear too much perfume or aftershave...

Just because you can't smell the perfume from your body doesn't mean that you don't have enough of it. Apply the perfume on your pulse points such as behind the ears and on the wrists, and you're ready to go.

Consider to meet at a public place...

Even if you are dating someone you know, it is best to meet him or her at a public place such as a park or a restaurant. A public place provides safety and security.

Prepare a plan...

If you are familiar with your date, you should have an idea of his or hers likes and dislikes. Create a list of activities that you and your date would both love to do. Why reserve a table at an expensive restaurant if you date prefers to have a picnic by the park?

Men should still practice chivalry

We may be living in a new century, but men should still take care of women. He should open doors for women, pull the chairs for her, and letting her order first.

Listen...

Ask question and show (not pretend) that you are interested to what your date is saying. The reason why you should not pretend to be listening because your date might end up talking more about him or her rather than making it a stimulating conversation.

Look at them in the eyes...

Eye contact spells out your interest and attention towards your date.

Have fun...

Remember that the date should be fun. Bring laughter into the conversation by bringing out your sense of humor through jokes. Make every activity light and happy. However, if you see that your date isn't laughing at your jokes, don't tell another one.

So good luck with your dating guys! 

Our top 10 ten dating tips!

1. Get prepared for dating.
   
   If you really want to succeed in the dating game, be ready to commit to dating. Half-heartedness won't work. In fact, it won’t even get you half-way. Prepare yourself for the inevitable rejection we all face at some point in dating and commit not to give up.
   
   
2. Get your act together.
   
   Begin a regime of looking your best. Join a gym, read health magazines, get fit and start a diet. Get your hair cut or styled and begin a new regime of good grooming or beauty treatment. Though it will not find you a date in itself, you will feel a million times more confident about yourself, and others can sense that.
   
   
3. Go shopping and treat yourself to new clothes and even a whole new look.
   
   Get your image right, one that you can manage and live with, but one that flatters you. Don't try to be someone you’re not, but amplify and accentuate your positives. Throw out those tired jeans, old sweaters or cardigans and spruce yourself up. Your date will appreciate that you demonstrated some effort.
   
   
4. Think about what you want to gain from dating and what timeframes you expect.
   
   Do you see yourself married within 2 years? If you do, then approach dating accordingly. If you are more laid back and don't take dating too seriously then ask yourself some honest questions about why you are dating and what you hope to achieve. If it is purely sex then ask yourself if you are about to be honest with those you hope to date.
   
   
5. Surround yourself with people who will support your dating aims.
   
   By following the first four tips you will feel better and be more focused. Don’t sabotage this by sitting around with friends who are negative about love and relationships (often the married ones). Start attending social functions frequented by singles. Sitting alongside couples at dinner parties in suburbia is not necessarily where you need to be right now.
   
   
6. Choose those you have a good chance of dating.
   
   Be realistic. In other words, your dating is based on the whole package you present as well as just your personality. If you are looking for a glamour girl or boy and want to date someone trendy and gorgeous, great! Just know that others will expect you to be the same.
   
   
7. Join clubs, societies, sports events, drama groups -- anything that might help you meet like-minded potential partners.
   
   You will not meet people by staying indoors and playing video games – many have tried and failed at this approach.
   
   
8. Take time off from dating occasionally if it’s not going well or causing dating fatigue.
   
   Recharging your batteries and keeping confidence and optimism levels high is an absolute must. We all hit rough patches, but don’t let your search for love become a death march. Date in phases if necessary.
   
   
9. Enjoy dating for what it is, dating.
   
   It is meeting people and socializing and spending time in the company of stimulating individuals who may or may not play a bigger part in your life down the road. The fact is, most people have something interesting to offer. While you may not be out on the dating scene looking for new friends, you may well find one or two fabulous people along the way.
   
   
10. Never make yourself too available.
    
    People like mystery and enigma and the thrill of the chase when dating. As part of keeping up the mystery, do not sleep with your dates early on. The longer a person is made to chase and fall for you within reason, the more likely that love may blossom. (And yes, this goes for both men AND women!) If the chemistry peaks too early, your emotions may never have time to catch up and the relationship will eventually wither away.
    

Welcome to Retrack Introductions

Welcome to Retrack Introductions, established in 2001 we have years of experience in matching like-minded individuals for lasting relationships.

 We believe we can provide a unique dating service in the Norfolk & Suffolk area. Whether you are single, separated, divorced or widowed we can help you find your perfect partner.

With this in mind we meet all of our clients personally with a friendly and understanding approach, which we feel can heighten the chances of finding you that special someone.

For more information contact us on 01638 711616 or email LTheOldForge@aol.com. 

To keep up to date with our latest goings on please visit our blog regularly!