help, insecurities gallore,

I started dating a guy who is 7 1/2 years younger than me. I'm 33 and he turned 26 shortly after we met. I had no intentions of dating anyone when I met him, but my 12 year old daughter was away for the summer with her dad and my friends kept telling me just to have fun for the summer. Now 5 months later, my daughter is back and we are still seeing each other. He's met my daughter and is over at my house all the time, which I love having him there.

my problem is, I'm now completely hooked on him, and I think my insecurities could ruin what could potentially be a really great long term relationship. I had no problems at first when I went in thinking it was just a fun summer fling but now, I my head isn't screwed on right any more.

I worry about how much older I am, and that he could easily find someone much younger, without kids etc... Why would he want to be with me when he could have the latter. I would like to be able to talk to him about my problem but I'm afraid it could scare him away if he thinks I'm such a week person and full of insecurities, and I'm wondering if I should just walk away now, even though I know it would hurt rather than wait till I know it would hurt even more. As my mother likes to point out, I have a shelf life and I'm not getting any younger and she'd like to see me married off soon.

What should I do?

I think talking to him would be just the answer. If he loves you and has no intention on leaving for somebody younger without kids, then all is well, and it will settle your insecurities--that's what partners are for after all. If that isn't the case, then as you say yourself, it's best for it to come out in the open now. There are a number of successful relationships where the female is a number of years older than the male, so if both of you are comfortable with it, then that isn't a problem.

I, for one, do not think you're a weak person for wondering what the future may bring.

it sounds like you are really deeply in love with him it sounds like you 2 are ment 4 each other i'd keep dating him age doesn't make a difference in less it's 20 yrs. or more.

I agree that communicating is usually the best thing to help any relationship.

As for the age difference ~ 26 to 33 is not that long ~ not in my opinion.

Good luck!
Try to be more confident in yourself.
It sounds as if you have found a decent man, who finds you attractive ~ and that's great.

meh. My parents are 11 years apart (then again, they're now divorced...) but i say go for it if you really love him!

yeah...