Why do I keep attracting clingy women?

Okay. I get it. My last post was kind of a troll. Firstly, I want to apologize for that. I made a mistake in saying that I was in my 30s. I'm actually in my early 40s. I also failed to mention that I'm a widower. <br><br>I've been single for just about 2 years now, and I've been trying to get back into the dating world. I've experienced a few different types of women, which is exciting and scary at the same time. But my biggest issue is that I keep attracting clingy women.<br><br>In fact, I just got out of a relationship with someone that became clingy. She was attractive, exciting, kind, and overall great... In the beginning. I was really impressed with her independence. She worked a great job, had a lot of friends, and had really cool hobbies. But then... She just became clingy. I found myself being smothered by her. It felt like she couldn't breathe if she was more than 10ft away from me. It felt like she needed me to validate her to exist. I think the straw that broke the camels back was when I came home from work and found her cooking dinner. I didn't ask her to, and I was expecting to cook myself but she already had. Then she searched my phone and became angry that I was talking to my ex. Mind you, my ex and I are just friends. We have a kid together and can't avoid talking. <br><br>Anyway, she threw a tantrum and left but later on begged for me to take her back. She even said that I was the love of her life, at 28. I just can't do it anymore. Particularly because I have a kid to think of. Before her, there was another woman that I met that did almost the same thing except much sooner. I just can't seem to break away from these women. <br><br>I feel like I'm just a magnet for this. I must be doing something wrong, right? I want someone who can be independent, someone who doesn't need me on their feet 24\7, someone who has her own life and pursues her own interests and hobbies. I want to feel that relief of having some space away from someone I love. Why am I attracting the complete opposite?