Hi all, thought I'd introduce myself....
I'm the full-time single dad of a 14-month old son, trying to juggle the necessities of child, work and home, by the graces of babysitter, cleaning lady and fluff n fold.
My son lived with his mom (my then-girlfriend), apart from me for logistical reasons, until, for some reason, she thought it was a good idea to leave him in the car while visiting a friend in the hospital.
Child services put him in foster care. After a number of truthful, but harsh, words, directed towards his mother, that I can't, or don't care to, take back, and 3 months of court, I got my (then) 7 month old son back.
It has been quite an upheaval and I find me losing myself: changed jobs (for better hours); travel an extra 60 miles every day to keep the babysitter he's used to; starting/maintaining relationships are a non-starter, having no time away from my son, except to go to work; abandoned my art hobbies (dangerous chemicals, sharp glass and metal - not to mention time); gave up the sports car; no more social life (from going out 3-4 nights/week to not having been out past 9pm for the last 7 months)

Welcome Victor's dad,

I'm very impressed with fathers who fight for their children.

Welcome aboard Victor's Dad. Sorry to hear that it took something like that to kick off you getting custody, but you're definitely not alone....but you have him now and sounds like you're making sacrifices to provide him a safe loving environment to grow up in. Some of the things you are giving up now you won't have to forever, he'll get older and those hobbies won't be so dangerous. We all sacrifice certain things so that we can raise our children, personally I think that with raising them comes a lot of other great stuff that somewhat replace the things we gave up.
Stick around and get to know some people here.

Welcome Victor's Dad. Since this is so new to you, it's going to be really hard but as you get used to the new roles in your life it will almost be second nature. It will be hard, but you will never regret it.

Welcome! Your tale is unique and familiar. There are a lot of people here who have some issues as well. I have so many issues . . . LOL J/k

Anyway, welcome to the site. You wont regret being here. Its fun, informative and there are some life long friends here.

quote:

Originally posted by smshybug:
Welcome! Your tale is unique and familiar. There are a lot of people here who have some issues as well. I have so many issues . . . LOL J/k

Anyway, welcome to the site. You wont regret being here. Its fun, informative and there are some life long friends here.

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Issues Smshy? I thought we were all here for the free cake and punch

Glad you could join us Victor's Dad. I remember child proofing my house so tightly the fire department couldn't have gotten in. It will get easier I promise and the rewards are definetly worth the effort we we put into our kids. By the way, many of us refer to each other in posts by initials. I promise to never refer to you as VD for obvious reasons.

quote:

Originally posted by rwe1dad:
Issues Smshy? I thought we were all here for the free cake and punch

Well the punch is spiked so you never know what kind of "free cake" you will be getting. LMAO

quote:

Originally posted by rwe1dad:
I promise to never refer to you as VD for obvious reasons.

Dang it! You so beat me to this.

Welcome and watch out you may become a SFV junkie like most of us! Well actually, smshy is the junkie j/k girl!!!

Oh you are so lucky I didn't catch this while in chat last night

I am addicted yes. I will admit it

Welcome aboard Victor's dad!!!!
I haven't been on the forum for quite some time, but do drop in from time to time to say hi to everyone and see what's new.
I think you'll really like it here!
BTW....I think you are some dad to fight for your child and to work so hard and give up so much to make things easier for him. My ex just walked away from his like it was nothing....that hurts, but it was his stupid choice.
We, who are left to raise our children alone, and go through heart-ache after heart-ache, often times, alone.....we are a strong people.
Here's to you, Victor's dad!!!!
We're sure glad you joined us.

Welcome to SFV--hope we can be of some help as you adjust to being a single parent!

side note: I am still not adjusted-LOL

Welcome Victor's dad. I too have been raising my daughter by myself since she was 1 1/2 years old( she is almost 6 now).
I can only tell you not to worry about the things you can't do now, I also quit doing many things but I figured I had plenty of time in the past to do them, now is time to enjoy raising my child, I looked at it this way, I can always buy another motorcycle, go back to going out all the time, play guitar, etc. but this is the only time in my life where I can see my baby girl grow up, I can't come back and try to do it later because it'll be too late.
It's a good feeling when you get them off diapers...heheit gets better with time as they get older and are able to entertain themselves.
Good luck.