Raising kids without a mother figure - need advice

1w ago·1 min read

Been a single dad for 4 years now since their mom left. I want to make sure my kids still learn compassion and emotional intelligence but I also want to model what it means to be a strong man they can depend on. Some days I feel like I'm missing something in the equation. How do I balance being their rock and also teaching them that it's okay to feel things? I want them to grow up respecting themselves and others.

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Comments(3)

DDerek M.New Dad1w ago

Man, this hits home. Four years solo is tough. I've been thinking a lot about what values I want my kids to pick up on, and honestly, it's not about having a mother figure - it's about them seeing you show up consistently. That's what teaches compassion. My kids watch me try, fail, adjust, and keep going. They're learning that from me.

RRobertNew Dad1w ago

Been there with my daughter. One thing that really helped was getting her involved in activities with positive role models - teachers, coaches, mentors. Not replacing anything, just expanding her world. And honestly, let her see you be vulnerable sometimes. My daughter learned compassion when she saw me admit I didn't know how to do her hair and we figured it out together.

TTravis N.Regular1w ago

You're already doing it by being present and asking the question. My kids learned more about being good humans by watching their dad own his mistakes than anything else. Sounds like you've got this.