It's okay to be somewhat protective, but I'm not sure it extends to waiting til your engaged. Why would you ask someone to marry you if you don't know how she would be with your kids? What if she's an ogre to children?
I can see questioning it, especially if they are just separated, but how much should extend beyond questioning it? Should one parent indicate that you can't have the children if you are going to be around other potential relationship interests? You made the choice that you wouldn't have your kids around dates unless it was serious enough to get engaged. That's your choice...and Jets as well. But does that mean that the spouse that wanted out needs to follow that lead or not see the kids when they are around other men? Not sure...it seems controlling.
In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. Abraham Lincoln
It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed. Theodore Roosevelt
