awww, i envy you, the only time i can bond with my dad is over sports, which i know, but don't really care about, i have to force the conversation to continue. be glad that he's part of your life like that, my dad is alive, but not active in life in general, it's sad, i miss him, even when he's next to me
My dad is alive, and while i agree that you should spend a lot of time with your dad, not everyone loves their dad. Me and my dad, although people say we look alike, i can't help but to feel that we are complete opposites. He does several things i hate with my very soul, And sometimes he can be a severe Hypocrite
The only one in my life I respect as a father figure is my grandfather, because my biological father is a despicable person who likes to pretend I don't exist.
My dad molested me so I don't give a fucking shit about him... everybody always says to me "He's still your father and he loves you". I don't think you yell and scream at, hit, abuse, push and molest somebody you love. When people ask me if I have a dad I pretend I don't have one. He used to tell me "You filthy waste of space, nobody would ever love you and you will be a failure. End up working in a factory because you don't do anything right." Well sorry but I'm a straight A student, I have a job at Lorna Jane, I have a boyfriend (7 years) and I'm a National Figure Skating champion... sorry to break it to you asshole but you were wrong.
I'm so sorry that you went through that, but you are strong and you have your shit together. You never have to speak to that man again if you don't want to. Surround yourself with people who know your worth. Good for you for rising above.
I experienced something similar in an odd way recently. My dad and I have never gotten along. He's always been very distant and isn't as active in my life as I want him to be. It got really bad a couple years ago when I cried and begged him to be there for me and spend time together but nothing changed. I left for college this year and the last time I came home my dad hugged me and cried that he missed me. I wasn't even sure how to react to it because he's never showed me that kind of affection. It almost made me mad because I gave him so many chances to be there for me and now suddenly he wants to be in my life when he never was before. I don't want to be a brat but I just don't know how to handle it. Sorry for the long comment.
Quite honestly I don't know if I can help because I legitimately would be as confused as you would and I wouldn't really know how to handle it either. The emotions your father appears to be showing don't really match up to me. I guess it might be a simple case of you don't know what you've got until it's gone... but I'm not sure. If you gave him so many chances to be there for you and so many chances to be there for you and nothing changed, then suddenly he started acting weirdly, maybe it's something that's gone on in his life that's made him realise the importance of having a child. Or maybe he's just gotten it into his head that you're an amazing person and should be grateful to have you. sorry I couldn't help much but that's all I've got :)
Well thank you for your take on it :). My dad struggles with anxiety and depression so while he pushes people away, at the same time he doesn't like being alone. When my parents got divorced he was constantly dating woman after woman, because he was looking for that companionship, that I so desperately want to give him. That's the most frustrating thing because he's always so amazing with his girlfriends and giving them all this love and attention that he never gave me. For example I was lucky if he took me out to dinner (after begging to spend time together) and most of the time during those dinners he would be texting some woman. I think what happened was once I left for college and the house was truly empty he realized how alone he was. He treated my mom in a very similar way.
His response? "What the fuck do you want now?"
Love you too dad, I love you too.
.
Maybe then.