Someone with less baggage

[Stormieweather]

One thing I would suggest is that you talk to your children in advance of any meeting. Get their input and try to find out what their feelings would be about dad having a girlfriend that is not much older than they are. Start conditioning them to accept someone in dad's life, reassure them that it doesn't mean you love them any less or that you expect this person to replace their mother. You might want to reinforce that you would like a mate, a partner, but you won't run a string of girlfriends through their life (obviously you haven't done so). Ask them to give someone you bring home to meet them a chance, because you wouldn't bring them unless they meant a great deal to you.

I also strongly suggest that you and your girlfriend work out what her role would be in your blended family. Is she to be their buddy? Friend? Housemate? Co-disciplinarian? It takes a long time for a new mate to be accepted, particularly by teenagers. They are usually pretty indifferent (or seem to be) although protective and a tad jealous if you are an opposite sex-parent.

Good luck!

Stormie

Good idea, but also be open to let that dynamic change... their relationship is going to develop as it develops (within reasonable boundaries, obviously).