A heartwarming story from an adoring father. As this story shows, being a father occurs at different levels. Research is consistent in showing how fathers play a unique role in the cognitive, emotional, physical, and spiritual development of their child. 

I want to share something that means a lot to me this evening. It might not mean much to the parent who sees their child or children every day. Perhaps it will.

For the first time about one week ago, my son had a part of his toy ambulance stop working. The various siren sounds stopped working when any of the three buttons on top of the toy were pushed, but the lights would still flash when any of the buttons were pushed. My son, through merely observing his initial reaction, could tell there was no sound coming from his toy. He didn’t understand why there was silence present instead of sirens roaring.

Fast forward to tonight. After my son was picked up by his mother and I took care of a personal matter, I fixed his toy ambulance. It was an easy fix where even the most inept person in fixing things could have figured out the remedy. Silence be gone! Sirens be blasting!

The point is, I fixed one of my son’s toys for him tonight. I was dad helping out my boy, even though he wasn’t here to see it. I feel so much joy right now over something most may or even would deem as insignificant. It’s not to me. To me, it’s another piece of me being daddy to my boy. I love it, and my heart’s at peace and my eyelids are watery. If my son and I spent time with each other considerably more than the approximately 7.5% of the week we currently do, perhaps this wouldn’t be so poignant and sentimental to me.

The next time my son is over to spend time with me and I with him, he’ll notice the sounds blaring from his beloved toy ambulance. Whatever his initial reaction, I reminded myself tonight that no matter what any person or entity tells me verbally, through family court, etc, I’m ultimately more than a visitor to my son. He deserves equal time with both of his parents.

“To me, it’s another piece of me being daddy to my boy”.

#538 Being a Daddy

Shared by an adoring father, Jason Gearhart, fighting for equal shared parenting for all parents and children. Permission granted 9/25/2018 approx. 10: 09 p.m.

Sometimes, someone may feel really down and sad and say they are fine. They may appear perfectly happy and content on the outside and act differently in front of everyone. This artist shares their innermost thoughts.  Every experience is different.  And, the way we feel one moment may not be the way we think in the next moment.  Things change. Please know people are available to help you.  Help is available 24-7. Please reach out to someone!

#571, Happy On the Outside

Suicide among parents of divorce is an important issue to address in all countries: “Every week 21 Australian fathers commit suicide as a result of child access issues, child support financial pressures, and unfair family court rulings following separation.  We need your help to change this.” Australian Brotherhood of Fathers http://www.theabf.com.au

#572, Suicide Rate

Australian Brotherhood of Fathers http://www.theabf.com.au

Children want and need to have a relationship with BOTH parents. In this ‘artwork’ one parent is nondescript and separate from other family members. From the standpoint of the child, each family member is important.  No one is ‘crop-able’. Supporting the parent-child relationship with each parent is important to the child.

# 478, Are Family Members Cropable?

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A message for all parents!  Kentucky Fathers (Facebook page) shares words of encouragement.  Notably, this message is for both mothers and fathers. Creating awareness and educating the public is key. In divorce and custody, BOTH parents should be included.

“Open letter to alienated fathers…Guys, our children need us. I could care less what the feminist, the idiot family court judges, unethical family court attorneys argue…our children need us! Never, never, never give up the struggle against parental alienation. There is more than one way to battle parental alienation and to re-connect with your children: use social media, reach out to her friends and their parents, school officials, teachers, Sunday school teachers, etc. Educate them about parental alienation, never, never, never criticize the mother, and stay 100% focused on your relationship with your children!”

#526, Words of Encouragement