I think you are doing excellent. This is uncharted territory, but it seems that you have been having fairly calm, reassuring, non-threatening talks with your X. I don't think you should just continue on, but maybe you really have cleared away a few of the cobwebs that are hanging on for her. You know, left with just their own point of view our WAW/Xs will likely draw the worst conclusion. Ergo, the comment about all the other women you could have. I really think she probably needed to hear those things and she will have another viewpoint to consider.
Quote: She also noted, "Right now, I just want respect from you."
I sense this is at the heart of the matter for many of our XWs and I know it is for mine. The self-esteem issues are big. How are you going to give this? I mean...type it out. I want to see if there may be some kernel of wisdom that we all can glean. You've come a long way with highlighting her mothering skills and you've touched on her beauty on several occasions (which I'm sure she did like hearing since she is concerned about your younger students, etc), but since her professional life is so important I'd suggest looking at this area for other opportunities to boost her ego/show respect.
The only thing that comes to mind at the moment is the previous episode where she posted her work inappropriately. Is there an opportunity for you to say something like "I thought your paper was really impressive. I hope you know I was just following the rules when I took it down rather than being critical of it. It was good work." Or something of that ilk?
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
