Welcome to the DAD.Info forum: We are not open to new posts at this time
Our forum aims to provide support and guidance where it can, however we may not always have the answer. The forum is not moderated 24 hours a day, so If you – or someone you know – are being harmed or in immediate danger of being harmed, call the police on 999.
Alternatively, if you are in crisis, please call Samaritans on 116 123.
If you are worried about you or someone you know is at risk of harm, please click here: How we can help
Hi all,
I have 2 kids, my son 11 and daughter 13.
My son lives with me 3 days per week and my daughter only visits once a week.
I moved out the family home in May and my son instantly wanted to share his time with me which is fantastic but my daughter is not to sure. We do (or did) have a good relationship and at first she would call round 2-3 times a week and even stop over occasionally but that has tailed off and I barely see her now. I know she is getting older and I need to give her space but I feel we are drifting apart, I contact her each day just to say good night or ask her how she is and put no pressure on her to come round but also let her know how much I like to see her.
Yes she's a teenager but she does not go out the house much unless it's with her mum so it's not like she is out with her mates etc.
Her attitude towards me has changed which comes as no surprise (considering I left her mum)
I don't have a girlfriend or anything like that and she can do the same things at my house as she does at her mums.
I believe that my ex encourages the kids to be with me so I would like some advice from dads who have been there.
It sounds like generally, you have it reasonably well sorted with your ex and son, so well done on that.
Although your daughter isn't out with her mates, is she on facebook (or similar) with them in the evening? If so, she may feel that by coming round to see you, she will miss out on that. I think as long as you can make the atmosphere fun for her, she'll come round when she wants and feel relaxed when she does so. You could try having a regular evening with just her to do something she wants (but make sure you do the same for your son).
- Samaritans – call 116 123
- Shout – text the word ‘Shout’ to 85258
