Dealing with DS 's disappointment of absentee father and me as lone, struggling parent?

[SolitudeNess]

Any words of wisdom appreciated.

More details please,
Age of DS? Whats your situation?
What happened to his father?

Looking for a generic response. I'm sure this is common experience for many.

Same situation as you OP, no male figures in my sons life so I enrolled him in some activities that gave him access to positive male role models and “male” environments, he attends army cadets and jiu jitsu and really loves both. Could this work for you?

I don't think there is a generic response tbh. Its not one size fits all

@LordBummenbachsMagnificentBalls I have taken this approach. DS has seen his F over the half term after a very long time of not seeing him. I should not have allowed it. There's no abuse towards DS from his F, he's just a weak and nasty man and this has unsettled DS.

I don't think weak, nasty and absentee fathers are all that uncommon. Even those who are mildly present.

Sport. Role models abound,

In my child's case, godfathers and the HT at his school. All stepped up.

Not all men are scumbags. You're growing one brilliantly.