Following on from the thread about our relationships with our mothers (of which there have been a few) I'd like to start one about our relationship with our Dads as there seem to be fewer of them (sorry if I am repeating something though!)
My Mum and I have an almost perfect relationship but with my Dad it's been more tricky I'd say. My Mum used to say I could wrap him round my little finger if I tried but I never felt like that at all. I felt I had to be really good at school and work hard all the time to please him. He has never complimented me about the way I look or anything. He comes from the school that if you praise kids too much they become conceited and arrogant so you have to keep them grounded.
I think this made me pick men who were hard to please and I have picked some crap ones!! I'm finally out of that cycle now but it's taken til i was 40. Luckily my Mum gave me enough confidence for 2!! So after a while with the crap men I turned round and said I'm out of here and dumped them which gave them a shock!
Once I got to university he let up on me a bit because I'd achieved his main aim and things are fine between us but we don't really communicate hugely - talk about work or money but not personal things. I know he loves me and that he is the way he is and that's it.
My dds have no contact with their father and I worry how that will affect them. Anyone got any experience to share on that? I now have a lovely dp and I hope we will marry and they will get a wonderful step-father who will make it up to them a bit.
So what is/was your relationship like with your Dad and how has that affected your self-esteem/relationships etc?
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Relationships
So how did/does your relationship with your father affect you/your life?
Listmaker · 10/06/2005 10:06
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