The Complete Single Father
Reassuring Answers to Your Most Challenging Situations
By Elaine Fantle Shimberg and Michael Shimberg (Adams, $14.95 paper)
Being a single parent is tough, and single dads — as the exception rather than the rule — face even more challenges than their female counterparts. Here, some 50 dads provide advice, while the authors — a mother and single-parent son — touch on topics from discipline to dating.
1. “The first commandment for single dads is the mantra TOYK, or ‘think of your kids.'” This concept should guide all decisions dads make.
2. Even if the ex-wife has custody, children should have a space of their own in your home, where they can feel secure and find privacy during visits with you.
3. Dads know what it is like to be a boy; relating to daughters requires a bit more work. Keep in mind that girls are generally more emotional than boys and more inclined to verbalize their feelings.
4. Just because your ex-wife is in contact with your children’s school doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be.
5. Children shouldn’t be introduced to every woman Dad dates. But when a romantic relationship becomes serious, girlfriend and kids should meet.
