Treated Like Criminals
Behind DCJ's child protection mandate lies a system that too often criminalises innocent families through fabricated risk, bureaucratic power and a culture of impunity.
Blood is Thicker Than Water
The family law system is unfairly stacked against separated fathers who simply want joint custody of their children. "Custody -- Blood is Thicker Than Water" is an inspiring true story of a loving father who fought the system so that he could be a dad to his son. As Dads, ...
Parenting by the Book or Parenting by Your Values
In an ideal world, perhaps one could follow all the steps in the parenting books, but real life often leaves scant time to read those books, so you just have to follow your instincts and values! At work the other day, one of the web developers made a quirky observation: ...
Dad – Hero-to-Villain & the Challenge of Communication
It is 6 degrees in Hobart, Tasmania and about 8 degrees off being properly cold. There is no snow. The wind is on leave. It is dark though. The rich indigo of the night and the stillness makes it a near-perfect evening to gaze on Articulated Intersect, the incredible light ...
Go Slow Into Those Teen Years
The stall at the Salamanca Market with a large sprig pulled from a peppercorn tree caught my attention. The farm my dad grew up on had an enormous peppercorn tree and many of my memories that bring on a smile feature that tree as a backdrop… the rusted chains draped ...
How Was Your Day?
I know that I gravitate to the happy, good things that each day of adventure delivers. Still, there are those occasional times when I struggle as great joy butts squarely up against sadness. I can have tears leak out while wearing a delighted smile. The simultaneous happy-sad thing doesn’t happen ...
Single Dads Need Parenting Partners
A cherished friend of mine has just died. I cried with my daughters, struggling to get the words out as I related how dear Joe has been. I love Joe for the soft kindness he delivered. He gave me a sense of being a full dad every time I saw ...
Homemade Honesty
I recently let myself be cajoled into letting my children make up ground on their lack of Saturday morning TV. While I am not allergic to television, I do have some sensitivity to the ‘entertainment’ that plays for laughs from overworked stereotypes. Telly dad is too often the bumbling weekend ...
Mountain Adventure with Dad
Taking the time to bring our children on a challenging adventure in the midst of majestic nature can build their self-confidence while strengthening family bonds. Adventure is key to personal and community growth. Mt Wellington is my playground. The mix of seasons might be regarded as its personality. Sometimes it ...
Urgent Call for Review of Domestic Violence Services
Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals men and women equally likely to experience emotional abuse. One in Three Campaign “Wednesday’s new ABS report revealed that, in the 12 months prior to the 2016 Personal Safety Survey, women and men were just as likely to report experiencing emotional abuse by a partner ...
Father’s Day Tribute to a Wonderful Dad and the Story’s Fourth Side
Editor’s Note: Last weekend, Tony Miller attended the Dads4Kids Men's Leadership Summit, where he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his lifetime service and sacrifice for the men, families, and children of Australia. See the photo above. He did not know it was coming. It was our ...
The Innocent Victims of ‘No-Fault’ Divorce
The “no-fault” divorce revolution that spread across the Western world was led in the 1970s by members of the cultural, academic, legal and political elites, in particular by radical feminists who made the case for easy divorce as a means of women’s liberation. By declaring marriage to be an oppressive ...
The Challenge of Finding Joy
When I was a few years younger, I would ride my push bike to work regardless of the weather. I did a full season of bitterly cold Hobart’s darkest winter mornings that gave me the full spread -- thumping rain, a dusting of snow and dodging tree parts from a ...
Children Need Father Figures – Stepfathers Have to Step Up
We have all no doubt heard the statistics regarding separation and divorce in this country -- something like 30% of marriages end in divorce, and a huge number of Australian children are forced to cope with life after marital breakdown. The typical divorce scenario in Australia today is that mum ...
8 Keys to Live through Divorce & Separation – A Layman’s Survival Guide
As someone who has been through the very difficult travails of divorce and undertaken various versions of shared care over the past 15 years, I understand all too well the confusion, stress and sadness these difficult travails bring with them. I have, however, learned a few things along the way ...
Trying to Get It Right
My life as a dad is whatever you get when you tumble excitement and pride and joy and sweet-sadness and wholeheartedness together. The heady mix of emotion had me blurt out an “I love you” to my girls on their mum’s voicemail and spontaneously add: “I am just so proud ...
A Single Dad’s Greatest Fear
Apparently, fear is a great motivator. To change a behaviour, people will try to move away from or avoid a fear. People will also change their behaviour when motivated by moving toward an incentive; however, it is fear that is running with me. I have ticked off some crazy mountain ...
I told my son I loved him, and I’d see him next week… that was five years ago
Editor's Note: This great article by Josephine Agostino from Kidspot, hosted by News.com.au, is reprinted here as a service to the many single parents who are robbed of their children and their rights as parents. ___ “The only pictures I’ve seen of my kids in that time are on their ...
I Can Cook: How a Flat Plate Toaster Saved My Life
Last Christmas, two hearty friends of mine surprised me with a present. It was a drinks coaster with a 1950s-style image of an apron-wearing woman holding a toaster with the caption, “If it fits in a toaster, I can cook it!” On its own, it would give most good folks ...
Luke Batty’s Murder — The Unanswered Questions
How can a man kill his own beloved son? The murder of Luke Batty by his divorced father remains a haunting horror to this day. Yet, Luke's mother Rosie recognised her ex-husband's genuine affection for his son in happier times. On 12 February 2014, Luke Batty was killed by his ...
Are You a Dad or a Father?
Thoughts have been running through my head about what makes a dad and what makes a father. It isn’t enough for me to sit still on such immense questions. I have even steered some of my dad-mates into the banter with a genuine desire to land a correct answer. "Dad" ...
‘Fatherhood’: Touching, Hilarious Film About a Single Dad
Recently, I was able to catch the 2021 comedy-drama "Fatherhood", starring the irrepressible Kevin Hart of "Jumanji" fame. The film centres on single dad Matt Logelin, left alone with his baby daughter Maddy after Matt’s wife Liz unexpectedly dies following childbirth. It is based on a true story
Single Dad to Super Dad
I have an affinity with single parents, especially since becoming one myself. My circumstances have created openings to meet some dads whose whole being is put into being a dad. Of course, there are a few dads who ought to lift their game; however, I tend only to mention the ...
Single Dad Supporting His Children to Succeed at School
A week or so back, I received a parenting tips email. The author proposed that I start the school year by getting in touch with my children’s teacher. He said I ought to get to know their teaching style, educational strategies, and understand what is expected of my children this ...
One Dad, Two Daughters: How I Love Them
I was asked to share some of my experiences of being a dad. The only reason that I am doing so is that I was the first to say “yes” to the invitation. Your story is as unique as mine. Your tales of being a dad are equally special. Your ...
In Defence of the Father Parent
After a divorce, both the mother and the father become single parents. The default assumption in society is that the mother takes on the bulk of the parenting, but our children deserve both parents in their lives as far as possible. Sitting at my desk on Monday morning, I open ...
