A.R.
M., I am sorry to hear about your situation. I'm sure it was one of the worst things you ever thought could happen to one of your children. But if I may just say one thing. I feel that it is important to protect your family first, especially your children. I have two of my own and I believe firmly in that. There are some very sick people in this world, a lot, I know. But the main word is "some." I can imagine how scary it would be to try to learn to trust someone again after something like that. But to say that you NEVER will and that you will be alone forever or until your children are grown is a HUGE statement. My husband and I are happily married, so meeting new men is not something that I have to deal with right off hand. But my Mother has been dating several men over the past 7 years and she keeps my children a lot. There are very VERY stict rules when they are around. One, they are NOT around until I have gotten to know them quite a bit. Two, even once I get to know them (as nice as I think they are) they still will NEVER be with my children for a split second without my mother there. Not even for her to go to the jiffy store. UNACCEPTABLE! If their feelings get hurt, OH WELL, those are my babies! I guess what I am trying to say is, as few as it may seem, there are good people out there. Someone that would make a wonderful father. Someone that would have to earn your trust over a long period of time and would have to understand that from the get go. Then you give it however long it takes. 1 year, 2 years, whatever. You can be with someone and still protect your children. Just try to be reasonable where you pick them from- not the bar, or the bus stop. :) This is not fool proof of course but helps. And set standards for the person. Be picky! I know this was probably not the answer you were asking for, but I hope this helps some!