Heart & Soul of a Single Dad

Being a father is a full-time job.  The day I learned that I was a father my life changed forever and I must say it changed for the better.  My daughter brought the best out of me immediately.  I knew at that moment whatever excuse I had for not chasing my dreams or being my best self-was null and void.  As I held my daughter innately, I knew I had to blaze of a path that would last for generations.  I read Proverbs 13:22 in the King James Version (KJV) which says "22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just."  The verse didn't say how it just announced as a father it was my responsibility. There wasn't a manual on how to be a man, a father, or an active co-parent.  I learned some hard lessons immediately.  My daughter's mother and I weren't together when our daughter was born.  So in the eyes of the system and some members of the public, mom has all the rights an...

The theme around my last post dealt with fatherless sons specifically as it relates to young men coming of age without much male guidance.  In this post, I want to discuss how at times dad’s face many personal dilemmas which often leads to dad being on the outside looking in as it pertains to the decision-making process. I said it before and I'll say it again whenever and wherever possible a conscious decision has to be made to involve the father in the upbringing of his child(ren).   I know several fathers that want to play integral roles in their child’s life and/or redeem themselves as the “man” in the eyes of the family, on some occasions those eyes are their very own.  In our society, there is little sympathy and/or empathy for fathers and it shrinks when it appears the man has abandoned his responsibility to his children.  My intent isn’t to defend, make a case, or make an excuse.  What I want to do is cause the reader to look objectively at the dilemm...