Wow we're pretty much on the same boat! I'm sorry you had to go through all that, it really sucks. Been there, too. It's awesome you've been making great progress, and I hope your life gets way better! Looks like you have amazing, supportive friends, hope this works out for you, it'll be fun!

Been single again since Fall 2008. I have a 5 year old as well, and a ton of stretch marks too. Got this body image thing that I can't seem to shake off, no matter how hard I try! Maybe it's that low self confidence I exude, I don't know- but it's like every guy I meet wants to know me just for my body and not for any long-term stuff (marriage and stuff). Hot mama comments are nice, but not when the person isn't going to be serious. And it makes me feel so upset! I don't like the fact that most guys think I'm a despo-single-mom who wants nothing but you know what. I'd like you know what, and I'd like for him to take my child, and my past a bit seriously. Do guys like this exist?

I'd like to know how other single moms and dads work this out, too! I know of a few success stories, where single parents have found other single parents, or single again people. They've taken from past relationships, and their current ones are amazing!

(P.S. I'm sorry for the rant!)

Its hard at first, I think that the group thing is a great idea to build your confidence, but don't go into it thinking that something will come out of it, that way you won't get hurt.
Are you open to the idea of dating yet?
If not just try and widen your circle of friends and see what happens, this will also boost your confidence.
It gets better, I promise, but take everything at your own pace.
Dont feel like you HAVE to meet someone, when I started dating it was almost about validation that someone wanted me, then I met a great guy and we dated for a year before I ended the relationship as I realised that it wasn't what I wanted and that giving up being single is a big deal, and that i didn't want to do it.
Not because I want to go back to dating but because I can focus on me, I see my friends when I want, and the only other person I need to look after is my child, realising its ok to be selfish has increased my confidece and although I am open to dating I am not going to get into a relationship unless it is right, I am worth more than that, and my child deserves only the best people being introduced to his life.
Its also about knowing who you are other than a wife and a mother, I was 15 when I met my husband and we split when I was 31 so I had never really got to know me.
Anyway I have hijacked your post enough, but feel free to add me if you would like to

You will only be ready when you know. AND you won't always know until you try. Personally I think it is to soon for you to go out and date, one because you are not just going to get over someone who you were with for 12 years in just a few months. You need time for yourself, time to heal, time to fix you so that when you do start to date again, or are looking for that one again, you are ready. I divorced my daughters dad in 2011, but it was not finalized till last year and I was with him for 6 years prior. What I learned though was the first year, I tried to date, tried to tell myself how could I possibly date anyone else. But I did, I went out with these guys that seemed nice at first but I would always find something wrong with them or I compared them to my daughters dad and always found a reason to dump them. Why? Because of my own insecurities, because of what my daughters dad out in my head, I always worried about those extra pounds and for a whole year that's what I did, I couldn't date, I gained more weight, etc. But 2 years later and I am realizing something I feel like all woman should realize, you don't need to get out there and hurry and date someone else, you don't need to get over your ex that fast, you don't have to do anything at all really until YOU are ready. What I decided was that I was going to be single, I was going to love myself and appreciate myself and work on myself until i was completely happy and confident and THEN and only then would I go out and date because then I am ready. You need the time (TIME is so essential) to grow on your own and to COMPLETELY move on from your ex husband. Given that you can still love him and that's ok too because you love him, you just aren't IN LOVE with him right? I guess my point is, no one else can tell you when its ok to date someone, you on your own will know, you will go through your own obstacles and growth and you will know when you are ready! Don't worry about your age or your daughters age. My daughter is 3 and I spent countless nights worrying about that same thing, but it's something that you can't change so when you do find "That guy" or are ready to date then you'll just have to work around it. Hope this helps and I will pray for you xoxo