Thought I Was Going To Have To Term

[sharlan]

I can count on one hand the number of families I've had to term and none have been for non payment.

I have a single dad (no mom in the picture) that I know he doesn't make much. The kid is always clean and neat, clothes freshly laundered.

He's supposed to pay on Fri morn. Last Mon (3 days late) he said that he couldn't pay me, could he double pay Fri. First time, so I said yes. Fri comes and he said he'd be by that night. Fri night 8:30PM I get a text, still at work, I'll be by tom. I said no, come on Sun. 5:30 no show. I texted him and he said he'd be by shortly. I was ready to give him notice as I figured he wouldn't be able to pay the full 2 weeks.

He totally surprised me by showing up and paying in cash, with an apology.

This is a very young father who I believe is trying. For some reason, I am surprised everytime he follows through with something. If I ask for something - pillow and blanket - spare clothing - toothbrush - forms - etc, he always shows up with them the next morning. It's like I'm expecting him to fail, but he surprises me everytime.

[wdmmom]

Isn't it wonderful when you have parents you can trust and come through?!

[sharlan]

I need to give him more trust.

I know he's made a lot of bad choices in his life, but it seems like he is trying to be a good dad.

[LittleCrawfishCC]

Thats awesome Sharlan! Sometimes society puts name on people for no reason, I applaud every "Single Father" Because as society says, it is usually the father that leaves, but at least he is doing what is right for his child! I love when men give people a swift kick in the butt

[cheerfuldom]

good for him!

[Meeko]

It's nice that this dad is stepping up to the plate.

But I also find it sad that as day care providers, we expect the opposite from single parents as a rule.

It must be hard to be a single parent. But not impossible. Please don't flame me for this, but I get tired of hearing it as an excuse for everything.

"Bobby is still in his overnight diaper because I'm a single mom and I don't have time in the mornings" (But you had time to stop by the store for a coffee)

"I'm a single mom and I can't afford to pay you this week"....so who pays for that smart phone in your hand and the ski lift pass on your coat?

"I'm a single mom and I can't cope"...then why are you pregnant yet again?

I'm not saying it's easy.....but it's used as an excuse for bad parenting over and over again. So we are surprised when a single parent takes responsibility.

[erinalexmom]

I never count them out since before we got married my husband was a single dad and he was/is amazing! He totally rocks the dad thing
Also the best/most devoted/loving parent in my daycare is the single dad. He is always kind/respectful and EVERYDAY he thanks me before he leaves EVERY SINGLE TIME! That means alot. He is amazing with the kids, the ladies not so much apparently LOL

[Sugar Magnolia]

Sharlan, you rock! Thanks for giving this young (?) guy another chance. I've had 2 single dads in the past, they NEVER let me down. I've had many single moms, only about 50% of them have NOT played the "boohoo I'm a single mom" card at least once. I once had a client who got pregs by artificial means, said she LOVES to be a single mom, and yet she played the boohoo card EVERY week. I'm still scratching my head over that one. But thanks for giving this single dad some credit Sharlan. Maybe give him a nice note in a thank you card that says what a good job he's doing? He would probably appreciate that sooooo much.

[godiva83]

I was raised by my Dad alone, and he did an amazing job raising me and my brother. He enrolled himself in cooking classes, parenting classes and was better than most Mums in my neighborhood- a lot of parents, teachers. And others doubted he could do it and that broke his heart, but boy did he prove them wrong. I say don't judge a book by it's cover, and yes it is hard... And good for you for seeing you have to trust him more! I hope he continues to give all the single Dads out there a good name.

[NiNi.R.]

It's nice that this dad is stepping up to the plate.

But I also find it sad that as day care providers, we expect the opposite from single parents as a rule.

It must be hard to be a single parent. But not impossible. Please don't flame me for this, but I get tired of hearing it as an excuse for everything.

"Bobby is still in his overnight diaper because I'm a single mom and I don't have time in the mornings" (But you had time to stop by the store for a coffee)

"I'm a single mom and I can't afford to pay you this week"....so who pays for that smart phone in your hand and the ski lift pass on your coat?

"I'm a single mom and I can't cope"...then why are you pregnant yet again?

I'm not saying it's easy.....but it's used as an excuse for bad parenting over and over again. So we are surprised when a single parent takes responsibility.

I'm soooo with you on this!

I had a DCM once that used this as an excuse all the time. Yet I know for a fact that even though she didn't have a father for her children- she had plenty of other family/friends that stepped up and helped her on a regular basis.

[Meeko]

It's nice that this dad is stepping up to the plate.

But I also find it sad that as day care providers, we expect the opposite from single parents as a rule.

It must be hard to be a single parent. But not impossible. Please don't flame me for this, but I get tired of hearing it as an excuse for everything.

"Bobby is still in his overnight diaper because I'm a single mom and I don't have time in the mornings" (But you had time to stop by the store for a coffee)

"I'm a single mom and I can't afford to pay you this week"....so who pays for that smart phone in your hand and the ski lift pass on your coat?

"I'm a single mom and I can't cope"...then why are you pregnant yet again?

I'm not saying it's easy.....but it's used as an excuse for bad parenting over and over again. So we are surprised when a single parent takes responsibility.

Please don't get me wrong...I have had wonderful clients who are single parents. Just sadly, they seem the minority.