Happy Hallmark holiday

[freezorburn]

I know we have a variety of circumstances on this board, and everyone is going to have different feelings about Father's Day. And I think in these situations, I'd like to honor those who are working hard each and every day to be in their kids' lives. Whether you are an only parent or co-parenting, etc. and I think it's also a day for those friends and family members and other partners and step parents, who step up to help fill the gaps when one parent is less than fully present.

For the second year in a row, STBX has chosen not to spend the day with DS. He says he doesn't care about a silly Hallmark holiday and he has the rest of the year to be a good dad. And DS is too young to know what day it is. Never mind that our draft parenting plan says he gets DS on Father's Day.

MIL has stepped up and is spending the week with us, and with her help we are making an awesome weekend -- we are doing a mini road trip that I've been wanting to do but didn't feel comfortable doing on my own. It's hard for her to come out to visit because FIL is having health issues and needs lots of help, so we are really grateful for her time. Having her along is less stressful and more fun than if I were to do this solo. And it's way better than last year, when we sat at home all day waiting for a phone call that was supposed to happen during breakfast, but didn't happen until the day was already wasted. So, I think I'm getting better at managing expectations and not letting his decisions affect my life.

Hope everyone out there manages to take a moment for yourselves, and give yourselves a pat on the back for the superhero parents that you are. And shout outs to those who step up to be there for you and your LOs.

[lolo918]

Thank you for this, freezorburn. I hope you enjoy the day also. It helps to focus on the positives.

[Deleted]

Well J is known to frankly say " I don't have a Father". Which is true, but sounds a bit stark. We chose to celebrate the day by hanging out with my step dad. No card no shmarmy stuff, they fished off the pier near his house, and it was good fun. Shout out to Moms who are doing double duty with no father or other parent in the picture... and also hugs to moms who swallow it to let their kid have a day with dad, so he can feel like less of a jerk than all the other days. Or whatever. It gets complicated, but I tell J we use this day to celebrate the important men in our lives. While I can occasionally get all self righteous about being a single mom/ only parent, I do feel its sometimes harder with the "dad" to navigate/negotiate. SO props to us all, right?!