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I've been divorced for several months now, separated for over a year. I don't have full custody of my kids, so I don't get to see them all the time, but I do love them. Unlike a lot of guys in today's society I actually want to be there for them and be a good father. A lot of times I just feel like a straight up failure though. I worry that I just don't do enough for them, I'm worried about what they'll think of me when they grow up, or if they'll learn anything I try to teach them. I don't have a clue what's right and wrong about bringing them up, and I'm just really lost I guess. I don't know how full time single parents do it.
Does anyone else feel this way? Worrying about how their kids will turn out, and if they're doing everything ok?
Although my husband and I are still married, and our two kids (boy, 3yr, girl, 6mo) are still very young, he recently confessed his worries and stress of how he was feeling about raising our children. He has a lot of the same fears you do, it seems. He had a very chaotic and confusing upbringing that left him more than unsure of how to have a stable relationship let alone raising children.
I will give you the same advice I gave him...
Spend less time worrying and more time doing. In the end, your children won't remember the nights you stayed up late worrying about things, what they remember is the things you did WITH THEM... the summers at the beach, the ball games played, tea parties and fort conquering, dances and dresses, and so forth.
Every minute you spend worrying is a minute that could be spent praying or playing for them or with them.
They are only young for a while....
That's a very good point, thank you. One thing that's helpful to (if I remind myself) is remembering that I pray for them everyday, and God can take better care of them than I can. If I put them in His hands why worry, you know? I also just need to remind myself that I'm not always going to be the good guy with them, and that they're going to grow up.
Zao...you know I was married & don't have kids,but I can say this much from what I have seen of you on the threads I truly believe you are a man after God's own heart & he will guide you as being a witness to your kids. I think your are probabaly doing a better job than a lot of men in your position (christian or secular) I will keep you & your kid's in my thoughts & prayers. May God show you how best to exemplify the love & words of Jesus to your children. I truly believe that ADD OCD Autism,whatever the case is,Your kids can come to know Jesus in a true & lasting way. Trust in him & don't let satan keep trying to discourage you about all this...he's full of crappola! May God continue to fill & strengthen you, dude!!!!
Kids are resilient.
So true MissCris more than we ever believed when they were first placed in our arms.
God knew what He was doing designing them that way![]()
I've been divorced for several months now, separated for over a year. I don't have full custody of my kids, so I don't get to see them all the time, but I do love them. Unlike a lot of guys in today's society I actually want to be there for them and be a good father. A lot of times I just feel like a straight up failure though. I worry that I just don't do enough for them, I'm worried about what they'll think of me when they grow up, or if they'll learn anything I try to teach them. I don't have a clue what's right and wrong about bringing them up, and I'm just really lost I guess. I don't know how full time single parents do it.
Does anyone else feel this way? Worrying about how their kids will turn out, and if they're doing everything ok?