What’s it like to have a ‘normal’ relationship with your dad?

[GoodnightJude1]

I just wondered really….

am I missing much?

I don’t want to go in to too much detail but let’s just say I’ve never been close to my dad. He left when I was 9 and never bothered with me much growing up. He’s never said he’s proud of me, never said he loves me.
He allowed my mum full custody of me if she promised not to ask for any money from him.

So I guess I just want to know what it’s like having a proper dad. Do u call eachother and chat? Do you have nice memories of doing stuff together growing up?

My dad is my hero. He's 77 now and is still incredibly fit and active, a real inspiration,

My DB and I had a charmed childhood. Dad worked hard but he found time to take us camping, fishing, cycling, swimming. He took me to riding lessons every Saturday and, later when I had my own pony, he'd come to watch me at gymkhanas or help if I was unwell.

He's got a mischievous sense of humour and is always cracking jokes. My mum says that's why she married him.

He'll help anyone. Lifts to the airport, dog sitting, help with DIY.

I count myself incredibly lucky.

My dad is great and was a good dad, although he has his flaws (like everyone.) I love him dearly and am closer to him than I am to my mum.

He worked a lot when I was a child but I remember him doing fun things with us. Running round the garden with us, bringing us little gifts back from work trips, teaching me how to fish etc.

He is fiercely intelligent and someone I've always looked to for advice. He was always a very outgoing, confident person and really clever.

I moved out when I was 18 and moved into my boyfriend's flat 3 hours away from home. One night my boyfriend and I had a huge argument and he kicked me out on the street with just my bag of belongings (he was a shit and I didn't see him again after that.) I called my dad in tears, it was about 9pm and he dropped everything and jumped in the car to come and pick me up and bring me home. I'll always remember that, that he was there as soon as physically possible when I really needed him.

He has a bad temper though, I remember him having some awful arguments with my mum and he would lose his rag and smack us when we were kids which I don't agree with at all. It was more socially acceptable at the time but it's not ok. He's also becoming far more grumpy as he gets older.

He's in his mid 70s now and has had some health scares. It makes me really sad to see him slowing down and getting older basically. His world has become smaller the last few years and the fact that his ageing and isn't the dad of my youth is starting to hit home.