Single dads... (page 2)

lonelysheep

My brother and I were raised by my dad. My mother walked out on all of us when I was 7.

If I met a single dad now, I would certainly have an understanding on where he's coming from and the position he is in.

Mary

I mean dads who are primary caregivers. How do the ladies REALLY think/ handle it.

OK ladies, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think amongst womenkind, there is unconcealed admiration for single dads. Generally speaking, the mother is the emotional nurturer and to see a father doing this single handledly generally earns him a very deep respect from the opposite sex. I dated a single dad (a Witness) when I was 19 years old. He was 23 and had custody of his 5 year old son and was trying to get custody of the other one (which he eventually did). I loved those boys (should have married him) and really respected him for doing all he could to make sure they were raised in a decent home. Another friend of mine just got sole custody of his daughter. His ex-wife literally signed away all her Rights with absolutely no provocation from him at all. He was shocked when his lawyer said "look what I got in the mail today." Because so many single moms know first hand what it's like to raise a child on your own, they can empathize with a single father.

daystar

I'm also the primary custodian for my son. We've been apart from his mother for nearly three years now (he's five).

My experience with women's reactions is a lot of respect, for all the reasons mentioned by others here. If you're a single dad, primary custodian, it indicates to many the sort of strength of character you have. (At least, that's what I tell myself. LOL!)

Why are you asking, avishai?

juni

Excellent topic!!!

I think Dads do a wonderful job raising their kids. A woman is not necessarily the best parent to have full custody of the kids. In the US, 99.9% of the time the kids are raised by the mother who often times pits the kids against Dad. There are those few couples who work things out for the sake of the children. This is in divorce situations.

Raising kids is the hardest job you'll ever have! And Dad's certainly have proven that they can do the job!

Juni

delilah

Yup....I think it's wonderful!!

Someone made this comment," For the time I raise him though I will be remaining single, for me he needs to know my attention is 100% for him. "

You've got the right perspective here, I only wish my brother had thought this way when my nephews were younger. He didn't have custody, but he got involved with another woman who demanded ALL his time, and now he has his eldest son living with him, his 2nd wife isn't all that happy about it. It means she has to share my brother's attention with a 16 year old.

katiekitten

Ive got nothing but respect for men who are primary care givers.

I know I shouldnt think this, but I think its WAY more unnatural (wrong word - wicked maybe?) for a woman to walk out on her kids than for a man.

I cant decide if thats because I have such a low opinion of men I almost expect them to walk out, or if its because as a mum I just cant imagine wanting to live without my daughter.

Anyhow, I think a man looking after kids had got a guaranteed date with almost any woman.

lonelysheep

For the time I raise him though I will be remaining single, for me he needs to know my attention is 100% for him.

That's great. Having girlfriends live with us and then leave when they broke up didn't do anything but hurt our feelings. As children, we thought it was our fault they left.

love2Bworldly

Whenever I see single dads raising their kids, my opinion of them goes WAY WAY UP--even if I don't know them. Kids need both parents, I find it appalling (did I spell that right?) that so many parents walk away from their responsibilities.

I was a single mom of 3 kids for many years. My children have not seen their dad in about 10 years. Unfortunately, I had to take custody/visitation rights away from him due to his domestic violence and drug abuse issues. I had no family to help me out, so it really sucked that I didn't even get breaks on the weekends or have any time to myself. Especially--there was a time when my oldest was too young to leave at home with the other two, so I had to drag all 3 kids to the grocery store or other errands at night after work.

The good news? My kids are now 19, 17 and 13 and all doing great! I get to reap the rewards of my hard work by having a good relationship with my kids and they respect me because I always took good care of them. They do not respect their dad and feel a lot of hurt and anger toward him.

When my son was in Little League Baseball for 7 years, I can count on ONE hand the games I missed all those years. Since so many dads were involved, I couldn't stand the thought of my son looking at the stands and not seeing one of his parents rooting for him--I feel really good about that.

JWdaughter

Single or married, a good dad is a prize for any child to have. Single parents have it harder. I work with a few single dads, and they have the same struggles as the single moms. Maybe more because they are given less slack for 'dad' issues than I think women are for 'mom' things. Even married moms get more give.

When courts and some moms make it easier for men to neglect their fatherly responsibilities, it is very refreshing to see a dad take all the responsibility they are granted and run with it. God bless 'em.

doofdaddy

I raised my kidsfor a number of years as a single dad. My daughter was eight and my son was five at he beginning

Single dads...

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