Name: Parnell Chestnut : Cleveland Ohio | @door_fourteen
What does being a father mean to you?
Being a father mean joy to me. It give me happiness impacting my child’s life.
Describe your experience with your father growing up and how that impacted you today.
What things did you take from your experience growing up into your own fatherhood journey?
The things I took from my experience growing up into my own fatherhood journey is communication ,patient and quality time.
Have you had any obstacles on your fatherhood journey?
Yes I always thought I was going to have children by a woman I wanted to be with the rest of my life. That didn’t happen my child mother and I split up. My child’s mother made a poor decision on guy she dated. It effected our relationship in a negative way. Example I remember years ago she dated a guy who didn’t like that I wasn’t present in my child life. It was challenging not to use violence against him. I thought to myself if I knock him out I’m going to go to jail and he is going to be there with my daughter. A few times we exchanged words but thank God I didn’t have to hurt that man. I was already hurting him being a good father. I had to understand that nobody could ever take my place and I can’t control my child mother choices. eventually she broke up with that guy. Despite the immaturity and negative environment I was able to the present in my daughters life during this trying time. Later on in life she apologize for her poor decision making.
What advice would you give others new on their fatherhood journey?
My advice would be love yourself and improve on the person you are becoming. You need take care of inner peace in order to set the best example for you children. Spend time with your children make memories and communicate. You got this !
If you could write a quick letter to your father, starting with “Dear Father,” what would you say?
Dear Father, God loves you and thank you for showing me what not to do.
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