Advice please Dads!
Ok so i am new to this, i left my partner around 8 months ago and although i get on with my ex and see my two boys every other weekend. I still feel really guilty at leaving them. The relationship wasn't totally bad but i wasn't happy. I have two boys aged 2 and 7. I found bonding with my second son very hard at first, but now i am more than fine with that. I am now with a new partner who is supportive through this but hasn't got children of her own so i think she doesn't always see things from a parents point of view.
I feel low and down a lot of the time and have withdrawn into myself, this year will be my first xmas away from the children.
The guilt is taking over me and forcing my current partner away from me.
Been looking for help and advice and people to talk to and ended up on here, any advice or support would be great.
Hi martin my names Phil, I'm a single parent with two boys my eldest Tyler is 3yrs and my youngest Theodore who's almost 2yrs. I've had my kids living with me form the last 15mths and ive been with my new girlfriend for the last 6mths, things between me and my ex aren't great, i wouldn't even call us friends. I've been through numerous problems with my girlfriend concerning my kids, and i've found that talking things through really helps her to understand what i mean, my views or my side. Before i had my kids living with me, my ex and i were seperated and i was working away a lot, which made seeing my kids difficult as u can understand, what got me through was looking forward to spending time with them and making plans for the next time i'd see them. Make your time with your kids special for all of you, involve your partner as much as possible but make sure your kids also get time alone with you. The activities that you do with your kids don't have to cost anything either, me and my kids have loads of fun just being silly which i think all kids enjoy, i think i must look like an idiot at times but their smiles are worth it.
Hello again Martin I have replied to you on the other board, hopefully some more dads will be along soon. We have some dads who have day to day care of the children and some who share the care, as you do :)