Absolutely rather have a few good friends than many acquaintance's. That's wonderful that you have such a loving and supporting wife! So happy for you with that. You must be a truly amazing man and the experiences have surely made you wiser, as I think they have for all of us. We are human and going to make mistakes, especially when kids are involved. But the past experiences can show us what type of parent to NOT be. Part of that is becoming healthy on all levels to show a good example for children. To build trusting relationships so they will come forward when they are hurting and that emotion can be worked through with love and support. It's not an easy job. I expect being a parent is the hardest, but most rewarding, job of anyone's life.