Lots of RESPECT for you pshankstar, it's not easy being a single dad. Our son is also a single dad, two boys 7 & 8. Not always easy. Sounds like you're doing things the right way. Good on ya.
At least he's still interested. My grandkids mother and 2 fathers have no interest. After 3 years of full time care we finally gained 'legal jargon' custody. 4yr and 10yr old. 4yr is a special needs child. Those that have been around probably remember my post on his early days.
Thankfully I’m not a single dad just for the long weekend. My wife is in NYC (6 +/- hour drive) with a girlfriend seeing some broadway shows. She’s a single parent more than I am b/c I travel for work for a week a month. It was much more frequent when our kids were much younger.
When mom’s away I like to let the kids have fun and try to tire them out as much as possible. She does too, but she even says I’m more of the “fun parent”. I tell her mom’s have the hardest job and I mean that. She gets back tomorrow and I’ll see her for a little bit then I’m out the door till late Friday night. For work not broadways shows.
For the times I have the kids on my own I think of all the single parents and think of how hard it is. It’s a lot of work and I count my blessings that I have a great partner in all of this, even though marriage can sometimes be hard too.
@BongoYodeler, I wish your son the best! Again it’s weekends like this that I love to have time with my kids, but it reminds me and keeps me in check of how hard it can be if I was in it on my own full time.
@PianoMan, those kids are lucky to have you in their lives! My younger brother who has much older kids than I do (teen dad) sounds like what you described. My mom was his kids rock, but she passed over 3 years ago. It’s sad to see what has happened since her passing with them. She was more of a parent then him and their mom. God bless you!
It’s 12:30am and breakfast time will be here too soon. Good night, sorry to sidetrack this thread briefly, but I will raise my next glass to you both!