White picket fence

The universe has conspired, over the last few weeks, to demonstrate how much of a single parent I am; to let me know that not only is my bestest scenario not happening, my second bestest isn't quite working as planned.

But, I am still an old romantic and I still want the white picket fence. I still hope to bring my little girl up in a stable, loving, traditional family. I'm not afraid to do it alone, I'd just rather not.

And I guess to do that I will, one day, have to start dating again. A prospect that I approach with a great deal of trepidation and a complete lack of understanding as to how you go about it with a nought year old.

Anyway in the spirit of 'Loving like you've never been hurt' I do believe I will meet and fall in love with someone who loves not only me, but also loves my little girl nearly as much as I do.

And, of course, we will live happily ever after.

Now, I know that being a single mum does not show testament to my ability to pick boys, but I have few regrets: lovely guy just not for me; great guy very, very much for me but alas picked for some 'higher purpose'; great guy, potential to be very right but..

I could go on.

But at no point in this process have I ever thought they warranted a police check, mind you I didn't have a little girl then. (There is a new police scheme whereby you can get a report on anyone who is to be in close contact with your child, which the BBC points out is ideal for single mums to check out their new boyfriend.)

Where does this fit in the dating process? Is there a box on Internet dating sites that says 'has passed police check'? Surely if I think I need a police check I shouldn't be dating them? Or should I just be doing it anyway to safeguard my child?

If I thought dating was a minefield before, I now think I am bound to loose a limb.