Name: Eladdieyo Robinson : La plata, Md | @Wait.hear.me.out.first
What does being a father mean to you?
It means to be the cornerstone of the family to be built upon. You have to develop tough skin, don’t expect a verbal thank you often, and accept blame for things you either didn’t do or have little control over. You have to be strong every single day in one fashion or another.
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?
He did his best parenting when not with a woman for a long term. I have never seen him in a successful relationship with a woman. Although many women loved him and he didn’t flaunt them around me. I have never seen him completely dependent on a woman, nor in a situation where he didn’t take care of everything himself. I use this because I suffer from this same affliction. My thought process is just let me love my kids and you (the woman) can go, live your life. While this is poetic and can be admirable because I am not attempting to control my children mother’s love life; it comes at severe sacrifice as if you are not with the mother of your child, no matter what you do you are a lesser man in their eyes. Its a bitter sweet setup.
Have you had any obstacles on your fatherhood journey?
Obstacles,
Only the ones I created. I chose to lay down with the women I had children with. I chose to take years to get joint custody to earn my respect between the mothers of my children and myself. I chose to fall back when they would attempt to keep my children from me. I chose to not seek therapy to develop the tools and coping mechanisms when times got rough. I chose to run to social media to vent. I chose to have a career that makes my child support gargantuan. I chose the choices to make my life what it is today. I can’t blame them for anything. It is all my decision that put me here. There are all sorts of obstacles and some I don’t even see coming. But, when I stop seeking answers from the mothers of my children and starred providing solutions to EVERY problem. I noticed a difference.
What advice would you give others new on their fatherhood journey?
Accept the challenge. Do not ever think the easy route will work. Do the job every day without fail and while they may never tell you thank you, your children being amazing adults is all the thanks you will need.
If you could write a quick letter to your father, starting with “Dear Father,” what would you say?
Dear Father,
There are no words that could explain what you mean to me. You are the greatest of all time. You have taught and shown me so much I will always be indebted to you. Although you have been gone for more than half my life, I am you reincarnated. I have worked for decades to match your smooth demeanor and hard work ethic and have fallen short plenty of times. However, I think that the path that I am on now would truly make you proud. I have given you grandchildren and they are amazing. I hope you are looking down on us with smiles as I try to navigate the world we are in today. Things are so different, but I still put my best foot forward and take a lot of pics like you taught me to do. I love you and appreciate you tremendously. Thanks Dad
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