Mumsnet Talk

Simple question really, why are the dads here?

I am a dad of a little girl aged 3 and looking for an online place to call my online home, if the dads can say a bit about their experiences here, it would help make the decision whether to stay or not.

Thanks!

Specifically in the Dadsnet forum hoping I find other dads (and mums) who are happy to share their experiences and challenges of parenting to the benefit of all of us.
I am happy to hang out on the main fora too - as the answers are probably out there too.....

Wanted to get women's perspectives on so many things in my life. Like how to be a better husband and father.
It has helped a lot. The vast majority of women here have been hugely helpful.

Well well, I never knew forum could be pluralised to fora. That's got to be worth sticking around for.

<slinks back to active convos>

I was bored on a holiday with my inlaws and a busted knee. Now they can't get rid of me

Fora - aye - I don't usually come out with clever stuff in my posts so don't get your expectations up......

i joined just now because i saw a thread about the 6 nations... my favourite topics of parenting and rugby in one place... if i dig deeper and find snowboarding and martial arts, i might never leave!

Shonun - there's a whole skiing board! I'm sure they'll let in boarders if you promise to behave

'Wanted to get women's perspectives on so many things in my life. Like how to be a better husband and father.
It has helped a lot. The vast majority of women here have been hugely helpful.'

Now call me a cynic, but was the advice do all the housework and never go out?

Me? I have been on many forums and still am, hopefully some of the experience I have will enable me to help others, plus I dont do football or rugby, just not posting alot at the moment as I am busy.

Normally I am on the main boards and have just popped on to this one.

I joined Mumsnet because it was one of the first places I found online after desperately looking for information after my (now ex) wife abducted my son from the family home without warning while I was at work.

It took a five year court case and 15 hearings during which my health was permanently damaged, my house lost, my business closed and I moved 300 miles across the country to stay in my son's life when he was taken there with the aim of cutting me out of his life.

I got a lot of support here.

Now things are finally on the up. I joined the the charity Families Need Fathers for help and support and they helped me more than I could ever say and I now work with them (despite the name there are a large number of female members too). I also work as a McKenzie Friend helping mums and dads who can't afford - or choose not to - use solicitors in court to stay in their childrens' lives.

People don't realise that there is a lot they can do and there is a lot of support out there if they know where to look for it.

because my wife recently dropped the bombshell that she wanted to separate, so looking for any parenting tips for when I have DD and generally just a bit of support when I'm feeling low. Cheerful, isn't it?!

lost - glad things are on the up for you. I can only imagine what you must have gone through emotionally. I find it hard just being apart from DD for a couple of days in the week atm. Are Families Need Fathers useful for any general advice for single fathers? I think my main concerns are about not wanting to lose my bond with my daughter.

Yes - that is one of the charity's main functions: Helping separated parents continue to play a meaningful role in their childrens' lives despite the fact they have parted.

The charity has branch meetings up and down the UK where you can meet others in similar situations for emotional support, often solicitors available to give free advice, practical solutions to parenting children after separation and legal pointers if needed (a lot of our people represent themselves).

I felt ripped in half when my son was taken for a long time. Utterly, utterly destroyed and told by most government agencies, etc. to pretty much `Forget your son - move on'.

FNF was the first (and only body that helped me).