Regardless, I knew the right thing was to support her no matter what. We didn’t get back together right then, because we didn’t want it to feel like it was just because she was pregnant, and maybe not even mine. Even though I was there for her every day, going for walks, talking to her belly, getting her the popsicles she craved and everything in between, we were still just good friends planning to be co-parents. She even told me often that if the test came back negative, I could be a role model, but she wasn’t about to let me just step up just because the other guy dropped off the face of the earth.

When she went into labour, she called me right away, and I went to the hospital. I spent 25 hours there with her, until Eden was born at 7:25 the next day. I’m so grateful I got to be there, when other dads in my position might’ve been told to stay away until a DNA test was done.

When I held my daughter for the first time I had this feeling of unconditional love that’s hard to describe to anyone not in my shoes… I knew she might not be, but my gut just said “This is my baby girl.” I knew then that I didn’t need a piece of paper to tell me so.

We got the test results back about 2-3 weeks later, after we had already begun co-parenting, and I had assured my ex that I was too emotionally attached already to just run. Well, when the test came back negative, I found out none of my promises had prepared me for the life decision I had to make.

I knew half the men out there would’ve hated their ex and moved on with their life. But something about this wonderful little person struck me in a way I still can’t put into words. From the moment she saw me for the first time, she grabbed my soul and hasn’t never let go.

I faced a lot of judgement for my decision to be her dad, even had family alienate and ostracize me for it, when in fact it wasn’t their decision, or their life. I ignored it and just told myself sometimes the best things in life are unplanned. Her mom and I got back together for a year but in the end admitted we were just different people. At that point she never questioned if I’d “stick around,” because I was simply Eden’s dad.

We never saw a courtroom, I just got a place with a room for her and started taking her 50/50, half of every week. And I’ve been blessed to watch her grow into a daddy’s girl who tells me she loves me 50 times a day. Now, three years later, she just turned four, and we had one party with parts of each family, my wonderful girlfriend, Eden’s soon to be stepdad, all of us came together to celebrate her life, and I couldn’t have been happier with how life has turned out. And I probably don’t thank her mom enough for letting me be the best dad I could be.

I only hope that some folks read this and know that there are good dads out there, blood or not.”

– Jordan Forget

Want to share a story about fatherhood? Email fatherfigures@thedad.com

But that’s the great thing about beer, nay… America. We all have individual tastes. Just because some guy doesn’t share your affinity for a specific brew, that doesn’t mean he’s wrong (even though he is!) It just means you get to connect with someone with a differing perspective, while drinking beer!

So, if you see Jim in a bar, don’t make fun of him for his taste in beer. Instead, buy him a round, and make fun of his age – like an adult.

Cheers, Jim!

He takes a much calmer, more sympathetic approach to parenting than Lois. She has a short fuse, at the end of which is a barrel of dynamite eager to ground someone for the rest of their life. Hal, conversely, seizes any opportunity to bond with his boys by having a sit-down and doling out fatherly words of wisdom.

He’s far more lenient, but will raise his voice and put his foot down when necessary. He’s often creative in his punishments. For example, when Malcolm told him “[bleep] you,” Hal sat him down in the backyard and forced him to look him in the eyes and read aloud a comprehensive list of every vile swear words, teaching him their power.

His biggest strength, however, is his laid-back, often immature attitude. It serves as a refreshing palate cleanser for Lois’ incessant shouting. He is truly the yin to her yang.

DAD WEAKNESSES

He’s more permissive than his wife. In one episode, Hal surprises the boys by letting them skip school to accompany him at some stock car races.

Hal’s lax approach to parenting is, regrettably, his biggest weakness. His spontaneity and often childish behavior sets a bad example for his sons. Case in point: the steamroller. After winning some money on a scratch-off, Hal secretly rents a steamroller.

When Dewey catches him, Hal agrees to let him steamroll over Reese’s bike. Ultimately, Hal goes mad with power and Dewey must talk him down from steamrolling a row of cars. Surely this gave Dewey license to misbehave in the future. His impulsive nature is typically harmless, but still sets precedent for the delinquency of his kids.

VERDICT

Despite shortcomings at the cost of his need to be the parent his sons actually like, Hal is a great father. Sure, all four of his sons are rambunctious hellions, disobedient and destructive at every turn, but that’s predominantly the result of their stubborn, temperamental mother. He’s a big-hearted working stiff, determined to provide for his family however dysfunctional they may be.

FINAL DAD GRADE: A-

It’s been a long journey and no two days are alike. Through it all we’ve learned that Faye is just a younger, female version of her older brother. From her diagnosis, we were able to recognize the ASD traits in Jordan. He is now beginning the diagnostic process.

But long story short, both our girls now attend an autism unit in a special school. It’s a God send and they are both doing great! They turned 6 in August and Jordan will be 11 this December.

Be positive and always make sure your child gets all they need. Raising a child with special needs definitely puts into perspective what’s important in life!

Everything for the kids!”

– Nic Young

Want to share a story about fatherhood? Email fatherfigures@thedad.com

Aside from a small modification to the bike’s seat, he’ll be riding the bike as-is. “My knees clear the handlebars by about half an inch so it’s going to be really tight, but it’s a great bike,” he told the BBC. When he factors in his unique mode of transportation Peter estimates the ride from Bristol to Land’s End will take him a week to complete.

Ellie loved cycling and impressed her dad at age three, when she was able to ride without training wheels.

The bike he’ll be riding was her pride and joy – a present she received for her last Christmas.

So far Peter has raised £23,349 (roughly $30K US) through his JustGiving campaign, already doubling his £10,000 target.

What a guy! What a dad! Go, Peter, go!

If you’d like donate to Peter’s campaign, visit his JustGiving page.

If you want to learn more about where the money is going, check out The Brain Tumour Charity.