How to explain absent parent?

[Teetoni]

i have a 7yo DS me and his dad broke up when he was 1, his dad would see him every weekend up until last year when he decided he didn’t want to be a dad anymore and stopped bothering with DS. (I It’s been 7 months and DS misses him a lot he doesn’t understand and has started to blame himself. I know it’s overdue a conversation with my son but I don’t know what to say. I don’t want him to feel hurt or rejected It’s horrible :( please any advice would be so appreciated I am lost on what to do now

Do you know what's changed? Sounds unusual he would see him every weekend then suddenly not want to be a dad anymore? Usually they are inconsistent to start with then it usually fizzles out but seeing him every weekend he was obviously very involved

I think it had something to do with moving out and getting a place with his girlfriend. Before then he lived with his mum and dad and it would be them looking after him most of the time; he’d just be there

There is a book on Amazon called 'why don't I have a dad' which I read to dd. It was a useful conversation starter.

I think being as honest as you can be helps, are there any other male family members that would be good role models?

Just keep saying over and over, that it's not his fault. There is nothing he could have done to change things, it's about the leaver not the people left behind.