Baby Boomer Love:
Dating In Your 40s, 50s & 60s

Want love and relationship advice that speaks specifically to the life stage you're in? Read on for wisdom you need now to suit any and every age.

There are certain things about dating that, no matter your age, remain the same, from the butterflies you feel when you meet someone cute to that painfully sweet moment when you exchange your first I love you's. And yet let's be honest: There are also major differences between hooking up fresh out of college, looking for a mate during mid-life, or finding a companion when you’re 60-something. Goals shift. Priorities change. To help you navigate each decade, we consulted leading dating and relationship experts to pinpoint the common desires and pitfalls of each age group -- and got their advice on how you can maximize your dating experience along the way.


Dating in Your 40s
Since half of all first marriages fail, the 40-something singles scene is flooded with divorced folk who are back on the market -- with somewhat rusty dating skills. Or people who can be feeling ready for the ''real thing'' -- if only they could find The One.

Brush up on your dating skills
If you're dating after a split, ease into it, says Beatty Cohan, co-author of 'For Better, For Worse, Forever: Discover the Path to Lasting Love'. Make small talk with the person next to you in the grocery store line, or go out on a ''practice'' date with a friend, asking them to be brutally honest about how you come across. You may also be way overdue for a makeover. ''This doesn’t mean you have to get a facelift,'' she says, but it just might be time to trade in that ten-year-old pair of stonewashed, baggy jeans for a pair that actually fits.

Don't date too soon after divorce
People frequently date too soon after a divorce, warns Parmelee. ''They need to allow themselves time to heal and recognize how they contributed to the demise of their relationship.'' That way, history is less likely to repeat itself, and they won't fall into the same destructive patterns. To gauge if you're ready, ask yourself these questions, suggests Judsen Culbreth, author of 'The Boomers Guide to Online Dating:' Do you have an accepting attitude of the opposite sex -- that is, do you not think all men are jerks or that all women are gold-diggers? Are you engaged in activities and interests besides your work and kids? Do you believe you have control and can shape what happens in your love life? If you answered yes to these questions, then you may indeed have the right attitude.

If you have kids, proceed with caution
Don't have time to date? Lean on friends, family, or qualified childcare givers for babysitting services, or schedule dates when your ex has the kids. But skip the introductions: ''Never bring dates around your children until it's serious,'' Cohan advises. ''Otherwise, you will simply confuse the child and bring up loyalty issues.'' Even if you're not introducing your dates to your children, however, you can tell kids, ''You spend time with your friends, and I need to spend time with my friends, too,' '' Cohan recommends. Just remember you don't need your kids' permission to date. They might not exactly like the fact that you're going out, but if you develop a full life without them, you'll be a better parent.


Dating in Your 50s
Many single 50-somethings often feel like their dating days are over, having completely outgrown the bar and club scene that younger generations thrive in. Finding places where you're comfortable meeting (and getting to know) people is crucial -- and, according to our experts, well within reach if you take some small steps.

Don't use work to escape intimacy
Because the fifties are often prime earning years, many singles this age use their work as an excuse to avoid intimacy. ''I always tell my clients that when they're on their death bed, they won't say they wish they had spent an extra hour a day at the office,'' Cohan says. ''They're going to wish they spent more time with their loved ones.'' To jump-start your dating life, look at it as another ''work project.'' Set goals -- say, to spend a half-hour a day on a dating site, or go out one night a week with a single friend -- and meet them. Wouldn't set foot in a bar? Try local volunteer organizations, a walking, running, or exercise club, or something else that feels more your speed.

Bridge the age gap
Many 50-somethings may find themselves dating someone much younger. This doesn't mean the relationship is doomed, provided you've picked the right person. ''I've seen some May/December romances work well, as long as the younger partner is mature and sensitive,'' says Culbreth. ''You don't want to be the parental figure or the paycheck. If that’s the dynamic that's forming, get out while you can.'' Culbreth adds that even though there is a ''trophy wife'' stereotype surrounding men and middle age, statistically men marry women within a three-year range of their own age. ''Boomers want to be with someone who remembers the Beatles and when Kennedy was shot,'' she says.

Don't wait for The One to pursue your dreams
Holding off on buying a summer home, getting a pet, or taking that trip around the world until you find someone special to share it with? Stop waiting and start doing things for yourself, and love may magically arrive. That's what happened for Catherine, 53, of St. Louis. ''I used to wait for this knight in shining armor to save me,'' she says. ''But then I purchased a great house. I developed close bonds with my extended family. By the time I met my new boyfriend eighteen months ago, I didn't need anyone for the first time in my life -- and that' why our bond is so strong.''


Dating in Your 60s
The golden years are indeed sweet: You'e worked hard, and now it' time to enjoy the fruit of your labors ... only with whom? ''People this age tend to spend a lot of time complaining about being alone,'' Cohan says. ''But doing something about it is the only way you'll ever change your situation. The mailman is not going to bring the perfect partner to your door. You're going to have to take action to find that person!''

Get out there and meet people
Convinced you're too old to mingle and meet new people? On the contrary, there are plenty of opportunities milling with single 60-somethings just like you. Try churches, charities, volunteer groups, online dating sites, or classes at your local college in everything from pottery to ballroom dancing. If you're on the shy side, convince a pal to sign up with you for mutual moral support.

Accept the changes that come with age
By this point, widowhood also becomes more common -- and it hits hard. Most experts advise that recent widows and widowers abstain from dating for about a year -- and to not be afraid to seek professional help with a therapist. ''We all need a coach occasionally,'' says Cohan. ''This is one of these times when it's important to have a professional on your side.'' Bereaved spouses should try to avoid the common habit of putting their late spouse up on a pedestal. ''When you choose to regard your late husband or wife as a saint, you can easily convince yourself that no one else will ever live up,'' Cohan warns. ''Try to remember the person as he or she truly was -- warts and all,'' and don't be afraid to open yourself up to love again.

Julie Taylor dated in her 20s, married in her 30s, and is anxiously awaiting her 40s and beyond.

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