Oct 8, 2015

What It's Like to Be a Single Dad


Their eyes met in the mirror again; he rested his chin on her shoulder. She smelled of the pale green soap she loved because it was shaped like a dinosaur. Her face was so much like his own, yet softer, finer, and to him infinitely beautiful.
"You could, but then tomorrow would be your first day of school. You'd still have butterflies."
"Butterflies?"
"Right here." He patted her tummy. "Doesn't it feel like butterflies dancing in there?''
That made her giggle. "Kind of."
"I've got them, too."
"Really?" Her eyes opened wide.

Taming Natasha


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By nerissa's ring (Flickr: girl, lost) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons




Parents are constantly shamed for their choices. From how we feed our children to how we educate them, everyone has an opinion. The result? Moms and dads feel endlessly judged for the choices they make — even if they have no other options. This week, families around the country are sharing their inspiring, funny, honest, and heartbreaking stories with Yahoo Parenting in an effort to spark conversations, a little compassion, and change in the way we think about parenting forever. Share your story with us — #NoShameParenting.

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Full-custody single dads are a growing group, with 24 percent of single-parent homes headed up by fathers — a ninefold increase since 1960,according to the Pew Research Center. But living that reality can still feel pretty lonely for the man managing everything for his family solo.
To find out what it’s like to be a single father, Yahoo Parenting sat down with 42-year-old Ian. 




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"Dad." She giggled, as she always had, when he scooped her off her feet for a hug. "Oh, it's so good to see you. I've missed you." She blinked back tears she hadn't expected as she reached out for Natasha. "I've
missed you both so much."
"The house isn't the same without you." Natasha rocked in the tight embrace, then eased back. "But look at you! So sleek and polished. Spence, where's our little girl?"
"She's still in there." He bent to kiss Freddie again.

...

"You've accomplished a lot in less than a month," Spence pointed out. There was a little ache, just under his heart. He expected it would always be there when he thought of his baby living away from him. 
But there was pride, as well, and that was what showed in his eyes as he draped an arm around her shoulders.

Waiting for Nick