Brother, i have been in your exact shoes...I wasn't married with kids but I was engaged....I broke it off, I dated the girl giving me attention and that didn't feed the need like I thought...I only wanted more from a NEW one then! I had bad self esteem, thus getting called beautiful and getting attention was like a drug to me....Now, I am very happy i didnt marry that woman because we were all sorts of wrong for each other but let me tell you this: you are correct, I presume, in your self-assessment of the situation. The attention will feel good but then what's next?! it won't be enough from my experience. If you have a great homelife then you are a lucky man
I keep dating and not finding it, hopefully this woman I met recently fits the bills lol...
Not sure if that made sense but I know I can relate to what you are going through...it is natural my friend!