My situation is perhaps a bit unusual for a single parent: my wife passed away three years ago. My kids, six and eight, have clung to me since. When I approached the topic about six months ago, they specifically asked me not to date. Which was fine since we're for the most part happy and busy.
However, this spring, I totally went into heat. It was bad. I may as well have been half my age. I'm in no hurry to seek companionship, but I'd like to start moving in that direction. My kids will be hurt and take it personally; I believe this to be unavoidable. But I hope it can be reasonably manageable somehow (unless I want to wait another ten years).
My question is: How can I explain to them the importance of adult companionship in an age-appropriate manner, reassuring them of their paramount importance to me but slowly accepting that daddy (sooner or later) will bring a partner into our home?