My name is Jodie and this is my first message. My daughter just turned 4. Her father left me when Iwas 5 weeks pregnant and I haven't heard from him since. Why do men do this? I feel so bitter when my friends have children and tell me about their husbands doing this and that for them and the baby. I've hidden this pain for years. I cannot say that my daughter's father and I were ever in love but, I was completely alone and I cannot seem to get closure.

Hi Jodie and welcome.
This is going to sound a little strange but I have heard it works. You need closer on this relationship so create one. Doing some type of ritual like a short service for yourself may help. Say good bye to him. I know it sounds strange but it may help you to move on.
I understand being a little bitter when you hear of friends having the other half help. I have found myself feeling similar at times. I bite my tongue and move on. It is not their falt that he is not with me, and deep down I am glad that they have someone there for them.
Lots of prayers.

Hi Jodie...
your story sounds very familiar. My daughter is 4 also and has never met her father. He left when I was 7 wks along. I guess men do this because they can. I also feel jealous of "families". I wanted a father for my daughter..I met someone who said he wanted a family and thought I could trust him and after 4 months of living together decides he no longer wants a family, so now due to my stupidity my daughter loses a father figure. I think kids can be ok without fathers. That's better than a crappy man in their lives
Take care

Why do men leave

Here is a thread previously discussed you might read, lots of different ideas/thoughts in there.
Honestly, I think it's just too easy for a man to leave since he isn't the one carrying the child. Although a real man would at least step up for the child, and if not be a boyfriend/husband at least be a dad.

Thank you all so much for your replies and your offer of prayers. I'm working on being more gracious to the people around me who are my age and have the "American Dream Family". TooMany2count, you are a good person to be able to do that.
Even after I became pregnant, I didn't want to spend my life with my daughter's father (I refer to him as "The Donor"). So, I don't think that I need closure for the demise of our relationship. I want to know why my, no...OUR daughter isn't worth his time or thought. I recently found out that he is married with a baby boy. That means that my daughter has a brother. Why is that child worth something to him and my daughter is not? I give men who step up to the plate a lot of credit. They are real men. I also agree that she is better off with just me than with someone who doesn't love her.

I find myself avoiding people who love me simply out of jealousy. I can't get over the anger...especially when I see daddies holding their new baby girls.

Welcom on the forum pilotjodie.
WOW, there is another threat that might interest you, 'WHY DO MEN STAY ? '. It was about a man who left the first woman and child, and stayed with the second. So, just like your story.

Jodie, he has no idea what he is missing. I wish I could tell you how to get over the anger, but I can't. I guess the best idea I have it try to turn it around. Instead of thinking about why your daughter is not important to him. Look at him with pity. Look at your daughter and see all the good things that he is missing because he could not take on his responsibilities. It is hard to hold anger at someone we pity.
Letting go of it would be good for you and your daughter.
Lots of prayers.