Hi.... This is a topic that is only to familiar for me. I live in Kent my 3 year old son in dorset. For the last two years since our split I have spent every other weekend picking him up on the Saturday morning, driving back to mine to then take him back home on the Sunday afternoon. Its horrendous, I can't imagine there's anyone that will say it's a good thing to do, my situation is only made easier in the fact he's so young and I try to knacker him out so he sleeps the whole way home. It's 600 miles all in and 10 hours driving. But.... We do what we have to do to make it work. I will never move closer I don't think because my support network is here and without it (which partly lead to the split) can send you to some really dark horrible places. I'm dreeding what will come when he's older and am fighting (not literally I promise but you know what I mean) an ex who thinks I have no right to know where they are living or even the name of the new Boyfriend they are living with.
Anyway I digress..... Some will say its OK, some will say its bad. My only advice is do what you think is right, don't allow yourself to be swayed by others as the right choice for you is the one you make that will keep you sane and safe.
Be lucky
When I was growing up, from the age of about 8 until my early teens, my dad worked away, mostly abroad. He would be away for 3 - 6 months at a time.
There was no such thing as Skype or mobile phones, we had to keep contact by writing and the occasional phone call, most of the time the line was awful.
As much as I missed him, we still managed to form a rock solid bond. We would spend time with him in the summer holidays and he always got home for Christmas.
He’s been gone a few years now, but it’s not the time we were apart that I remember, but the wonderful times we spent together. Children will fit around whatever the routine is and accommodate it. It’s love that really matters.
Hi. Unsure if this post is still active or not. I am about to shortly become a 200 mile long distance parent. Moved to southern England so ex could be closer to folks. Didn't work out but have a 6 and a 8 year old
Sadly the divorce has been pretty toxic and established that I have limited support network down here, which has got me feeling really low. Whereas when I am back in my hometown I feel normal again.
Any update from long distance dads on here on whether the quality over quantity argument is true would be appreciated!
Thanks