It's so good to hear of you having a high level of interest in your relationship with the kids, especially with her striking me as being more into herself than she is into those kids. You build a life around those kids, and the you will be rewarded richly in years to come.

It is rough to have family time without a mother at the heart of things. That's how families, ideally, are supposed to be. But life has dealt you a different hand. There are women out there who could be a part of this and complete the picture, but finding one of them is the challenge. Just don't let yourself get tangled up with another hard@$$ed, self-absorbed female. You got to be on the hunt for a woman with a good heart . . . . maybe someone with a child of her own who's been hurt as you were. It's got to be someone special. Don't waste time with someone who falls short. Move on.

This is a very tough time for you to get through. Just be glad you're not wasting more effort and years with someone who is not committed to you. Somewhere out there is a woman who needs you and needs to be needed by you. Be very discriminating in who you spend your time with.

I think, in the past, you may have let women pick you. They did to meet their own agenda. Take charge. Along the way, some women may pass through your life who are okay to spend a night with. You have to ruthlessly move on, if a woman is not fitting in with your kids and is all about herself.

Yes . . . it's lonely, now. Find out what's out there. This could be the beginning of a better life for you. I'm glad you are working out . . . taking care of yourself. Let others know you are in the market for a good person to build a future with.