Man up and be a real dad

[pam]

This was an interesting article that I just read. It hits home to me as 2 of my 3 children have not seen their dad in what is now 10 years. One of them saw him for 2 months when he went to live with him and was sent back home with the comment "he was disrupting his life style."

Commentary: Man up and be a real dad - CNN.com

Your thoughts?

Edit: Thank goodness for their grandfather and uncles who have tried to be good role models in my kids' lives.

Edited May 6, 2009 by pam

[Carter]

I have to agree with the article and what I see from fathers around me. Children are a blessing, but apparently not if you’re a man. It’s a ridiculous double standard that isn’t helping the U.S. but hurting it. As someone who came from a home where my mother in all honesty couldn’t handle a child and my father saw me on some weekends but was usually high during the time, I know the damage that it can cause. As a whole if people really stopped and think before they had a child, or even sex for that matter a lot more children would be in loving homes. From coming from a not very close or even there family it has taught me to not be like my parents but really treasure children when I am blessed with them, I would do anything to be able to be a father but I know so much more comes with it.

Maybe they should just give every 14-16 year old boy a baby for a month and have them be responsible for it. That would be the best birth control ever!

[Moksha]

For us single fathers, children can be extremely frustrating, but you always want them to grow up as normally as possible and that includes having a loving father. In between being frustrating, they can bring you contentment too. That is the best point to dwell upon - contentment and knowing you did your job as as a father.

[talisyn]

This was an interesting article that I just read. It hits home to me as 2 of my 3 children have not seen their dad in what is now 10 years. One of them saw him for 2 months when he went to live with him and was sent back home with the comment "he was disrupting his life style."

Commentary: Man up and be a real dad - CNN.com

Your thoughts?

Edit: Thank goodness for their grandfather and uncles who have tried to be good role models in my kids' lives.

The grandpas and uncles who do the things with the kids the dads should be doing are a great breed. I would be lost without my own support group. Too bad about your ex, Pam, he doesn't even know how he's impoverishing himself. Mine is awakening to that awful realization, we'll see if yours does the same *crosses fingers*

[talisyn]

Maybe they should just give every 14-16 year old boy a baby for a month and have them be responsible for it. That would be the best birth control ever!

Excellent idea! I know being there for the birth of my daughter was a huge deterrent for two of my younger sisters

[marshac]

Children are a blessing, but apparently not if you’re a man.

Especially when the ultrasound for the month yields a "suprise" in the form of a second heartbeat.

... where's that cry emote?

[pam]

The grandpas and uncles who do the things with the kids the dads should be doing are a great breed. I would be lost without my own support group. Too bad about your ex, Pam, he doesn't even know how he's impoverishing himself. Mine is awakening to that awful realization, we'll see if yours does the same *crosses fingers*

What's sad is I have one son that wants to change his last name to my maiden name when he turns 18. He states he doesn't want to keep the last name of a man that made no effort to be a part of his life for the last 10 years.

[pam]

Especially when the ultrasound for the month yields a "suprise" in the form of a second heartbeat.

... where's that cry emote?

You trying to tell us something here?

[marshac]

You trying to tell us something here?

I'm still in denial

[pam]

So is it true?

[jadams_4040]

This was an interesting article that I just read. It hits home to me as 2 of my 3 children have not seen their dad in what is now 10 years. One of them saw him for 2 months when he went to live with him and was sent back home with the comment "he was disrupting his life style."

Commentary: Man up and be a real dad - CNN.com

Your thoughts?

Edit: Thank goodness for their grandfather and uncles who have tried to be good role models in my kids' lives.

Lets not forget all the very wonderfull caring and responsible dads whom get the shaft in regards to there kids visitation, As many years ago i was one of those dads; there is always two sides to this coin; If only both parents could put the kids first and foremost, things would be a whole lot better for the inocent little ones;:)

[marshac]

So is it true?

We will know for sure next ultrasound (end of the month)

[pam]

Wow talk about blessings!! hahahaha I have twins.

[havejoy]

I have twins, too and they're only really hard for the first 18 years or so. Then it gets easy.

Mine are 29 now.

[pam]

Mine will be 18 next month. So you mean it will get easier then?

[Heavenguard]

Just to follow up with jadams, sometimes it's the mom that is irresponsible. Indeed, usually if one parent is absent, or otherwise less than ideal, it is typically the father, but not always so. Also, a lot of dads are well meaning parents who would do more for their kids, but are barred by the mothers' efforts. Those men (and some women who are likewise barred by the fathers) need more voice.

[Carter]

Excellent idea! I know being there for the birth of my daughter was a huge deterrent for two of my younger sisters

HAHA, I can't say it was the same deterrent for me (seeing my sister being born at 9) I thought it was eww gross! cool!!! Then the doc. showed me all the afterbirth ect. and let me poke it. Maybe I was just a weird kid...

[Dravin]

Excellent idea! I know being there for the birth of my daughter was a huge deterrent for two of my younger sisters

Now admittedly I'm not the one who has to give birth, but newborns make me want to be a Dad all the more. Admittedly within the bounds of marriage but still... guess its just proof that people are different.

[ADoyle90815]

A major pet peeve of mine is when someone says that a dad is "babysitting" his children, when what he's really doing is called parenting. Now, I know this opinion might not be popular, but I have no problems at all with stay-at-home dads, especially if the woman earns more money at her job than he did. Even though I'm a woman, I often think that divorce settlements often are unfair for the dad, who could be one of those who pays his child support as required, yet he isn't allowed to see his children.