Father-daughter relationship suffers when daughter's mom decides to move

By Sean Cutshall

Even as a father, nothing in life always goes as planned.


When the mother of my three year old daughter moved, almost 8-months ago, I thought my role as a father was over. I thought I was losing my influence, my right to

mold and teach. Little did I know then, my influence would never be taken from me- but how I adapt to the changes, will influence how effective I am, how much love and strength I give her, and, ultimately, how long I hurt for the situation my daughter and I have no control over.

In all honesty, I fight feelings of bitterness and anger towards the mother, even God, for the loss of my daughter's daily presence in my life. This is not how I imagined my becoming a daddy for the first time would be, but I know the sooner I accept and grow into this situation, the more comfortable I might become.

From one parent to another, one dad to another, I'm embarrassed to say, I'm not there yet. I still want to be with her when she wakes up, eats breakfast, goes to the park or falls asleep. I fight accepting the move that happened many months ago, but one message I want my daughter to get is...I will!

I will be here for you, and be wherever you need me to be, whenever you need me to be. I will be here because I love you, and I need you too.

I am Sean, a father and forever destiny daddy!