Name: Joe Bell | Instagram: @Joe_D_Bell
What does being a father mean to you?
| It means everything ! It’s my identity its allows me to make a map that I never had as a child . I am now and in the future will be able to give honest advise as well as guidance from my failures and success. |
Describe your experience with your father growing up and how that impacted you today.
I had no father experience my mother was molested by her stepfather which how I was conceived. For awhile I had no image of him and he wasn’t a nice person for years I knew i wanted to be the total opposite so I always tried to stay on my best behavior and dod the right thing. I lack confidence and an identity.
Have you had any obstacles on your fatherhood journey? If so, explain.
Absolutely! I had my first born at 18 years old by my high school sweat heart. After we split a failed at spending the time with them it should have been more than every other weekend. This allowed my young boys to question my decisions as a father and believe 100% of what mommy says. Also my experience of the child support system didn’t work in my favor.
What advice would you give others new on their fatherhood journey?
I would let them know that once your child is born its not about you anymore its about them and once you put your time and energy to them I promise you they will be great in life.
If you wanted to write a quick note to your father, starting with “Dear Father,” what would it be?
Dear biological father, I hope at some part in your life you felt some type of guilt for taken advantage of a child. I wonder if you knew I existed ? Why did you not show any good sides of yourself for them to tell me about. I guess I would never know but I can tell you that I’m probably the only great thing you put on this earth.
