Hi, Im looking for advice on how to explain and help my son in regards to his absent father. To begin with, I was with my son’s father for the first 4 years of his life. We split and for the first few months he would have him every other weekend. This slowly started becoming less until he then walked away completely for 3 months. Following this, he got back in contact and he started seeing my son again for a few months. He then disappeared for 4 months. Fast forward to him getting back in contact, he then saw him for a couple of months before going again for 7 months. I feel stupid for letting him back in his life again but he swore he’d been depressed etc and that he wanted to be a dad again. He saw my son for 3 months and the last time being Christmas last year. It’s coming up to 12 months since he’s last seen his son and in that time the only communication I’ve had is him signing deed poll papers for my sons name change (even though my sons 7, he has struggled massively and actually asked numerous times to take my name). I then found out he’s moving to Australia in a few months. I messaged to ask what date incase we bumped in to him before (he lives 15 minutes away currently) he ignored me then said he wanted to pick my son up to apologise and explain he’s going for good. I said no as my son is heartbroken already and even said he thinks his dad is working away with Santa and that’s why he thinks he hasn’t seen him! I’m absolutely heartbroken and struggling so much with the idea of hurting my child’s feelings but how do I explain in an age appropriate way that his dad is going and doesn’t want to be a dad? I’ve tried my best to get him to be a dad but he just doesn’t seem to care. He didn’t even ask if he was ok when he signed to deed poll papers. My boy is my world I just don’t understand how someone couldn’t care for their child. I would appreciate any help as my son is asking more about him and with it coming up to Christmas I’m so scared incase it’s going to ruin it for him when he realises his dad isn’t turning up.