Just a Guy Raising Two Boys

Just a Guy Raising Two Boys

Saturday, March 28, 2009

filed under: bruce sallan

A single dad shares his story.

I have been writing a dad's column for several years. My parenting background seems to have included many of the most common challenges. As an older parent to begin with (having my first son 5 days after turning 40), I made the choice to quit my so-called glamorous showbiz career and stay at home with my two boys (a second son was born 3 years later).

My wife was a workaholic and eventually, not surprisingly, our marriage ended. The surprise was that she abandoned the state and boys, leaving me to raise them alone. I found, for all the goodwill out there supposedly for dads, that I was isolated at PFA meetings and other mom get-togethers. Other dads, for the most part, worked and had little time to discuss changing diapers and toilet training a 4-year-old.

Add dating into the mix and I faced yet another challenge. Babysitters, extra expenses, and secrets (when do I tell them I'm dating and when do I introduce someone I've dated for a while?). Did I mention our two big dogs? My wife's contribution was to make our divorce as costly and difficult as possible.

We survived well. Challenges help us grow, and my boys and me definitely grew (my teen is now 6'2" and still going). I met, online, a wonderful woman who became my second (and last) wife this past December 2008. She was divorced, but had no children. Now, we have the additional challenge of a new member to our family, a stepmom with no experience raising kids and one of mine now a full-fledged teen.

I like to think I can write about any and all of the challenges of parenting, having now lived through most of them. But, you be the judge as ... after all, I'm just a guy.

Bruce Sallan gave up his showbiz career a decade ago to raise his two boys, full-time, now 12 and 15. His nationally syndicated column, A DAD'S POV, is his take on the challenges of parenthood, both as a single dad and now, newly remarried, in a blended family.

Want to connect with other dads? Check out dadlogic in the momlogic community!

filed under: bruce sallan

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27 comments so far | Post a comment now >>

It’s so great to “meet” you Bruce! So, inquiring minds want to know: where can we find your syndicated column online? It would be great to connect. Congrats on the new fam!

- single mom seeking

Posted 03/28/09 01:14 PM

I would also like to know where to find your column. I know more Dads-as-primary-parents than I would ever have guessed I would. One of my brothers-in-law(youngest brother of my late-husband) has been the primary parent of his two sons since the older was 2 and the younger was 3 months old. He has always been slightly bemused when people act like he has done something nearly impossible by caring for his sons. When I married my current husband 2 years ago, he was 48, never married, no children. He has been a better father to my(our)daughters than their father was. My father was 18 when I was born. Age has nothing to do with a man’s ability to be a good father. Younger fathers, older fathers, what matters is the father’s heart. Your kids are lucky to have you.

- ame i.

Posted 03/28/09 06:57 PM

Dear Single Mom Seeking and Ame I.; Thanks so much for my FIRST comments and such lovely ones at that. This first blog is obviously just introductory so please look for the next ones which I hope will be illuminating (in that they’re from a guy’s pov). Some may even be controversial. I’ve just suggested a topic that I suspect will incur some debate among moms. But, maybe debate and discussion between the genders, and specifically our different approaches to parenting, is good for the kids which, after all, should be every parent’s goal (vs. being right). As for finding my column, just google me and you should be able to find several of the papers and sites that carry it. Soon, I’ll have a web-site, which will be posted here, that will give you access to many, if not all, my columns. And, please do let momlogic know you want more coming from me! I’m the new guy on the block and I hope to stay a while! I think, btw, you can find a video of me in something called Dadtourage, on this site, when I joined several other dads in a roundtable sort of discussion. Again, thanks for the comments! And, Ame, I’m the lucky one (to have my boys). bruce

- Bruce Sallan

Posted 03/31/09 12:07 PM

I think Dads do get lost in the mix and we don’t hear from them near as often. Clearly your situation is unusual as I can’t imagne any mom abandoning her kids. Welcome to the blog mix. Looking forward to hearing more from you. - Another Mom struggling thru it all.

- Erin

Posted 04/04/09 01:19 PM

You’ve piqued my interest. Want to read more. Where can I find your column?

- Camille

Posted 04/06/09 12:29 AM

Bruce, you seem have to have very well for yourself! I’m thoroughly impressed! How did you get your training to raise 2 healthy and balanced boys?…just kidding… Much luck to you with your new life with your more grown up boy and your new wife. Keep up the great work……do tell your secrets………..

- Marla Vaughn

Posted 04/06/09 06:05 PM

What a challenge it must be two boys. New wife, one teenager, all starting at a new transtion period. I am in aa new relationship too. My teen son is adding alot to the mix also. Would love to hear how you are handling the struggles…

- Michelle

Posted 04/06/09 08:11 PM

I love how Bruce tells a story. I hope to hear more from him here, soon. His point of view is fresh and real. Write on Bruce!

- Newoman

Posted 04/06/09 09:52 PM

Hi Bruce - Thanks for sharing your story and showing that there aren’t just dead beat dads out there. Sadly there are dead beat moms as well. Happy to hear you were able to make it past the challenges and step up to the plate! Best wishes with the new addition to your family!

- Monica

Posted 04/06/09 11:59 PM

What a great story, and such a fresh, candid perspective. I really look forward to seeing your blogs AND your columns. We need this POV.

- susan

Posted 04/07/09 11:49 AM

What a wonderful story… sounds like you are a great Dad and a great husband to your new wife!

- Susan

Posted 04/07/09 09:05 PM

My parents divorced when I was 9. At 10 I went to live with my father. That was pretty unusual in the 60’s. I am sure a male point of view like this would have been a great help to his parenting skills.

- Valerie

Posted 04/07/09 09:37 PM

Blended families are challenging. As long as you remain the one dishing out discipline, things should stay healthy. Good luck!

- Anonymous

Posted 04/07/09 10:15 PM

I read both of your comments and your point of view is very healthy and helpful to any single parent raising kids. When I was young and single and date divorced dads with small children, they never used your common sense approach to parenthood. They dated me and introduced me to their little ones very early on and I think they should have waited liked you suggest. I think you are right on and will help all of the parehts needing good solid advice. Keep on truckin!

- Elise

Posted 04/08/09 03:56 AM

It’s good to hear a Dad’s point of view.

- Rayna

Posted 04/10/09 12:23 AM

Dear Bruce: I am so happy to hear that a dad is raising the children, it is usually us “mom’s” who do it. Knowing when to introduce the children to a new person is hard but I believe you do what your heart tells you and as long as you do not introduce every girlfriend to your children, then it is ok. Please continue writing your experiences about raising your children especially now that you have a teenager. Thank you. Denise

- Denise

Posted 04/10/09 01:22 PM

I really enjoy Dad’s Point of View. In fact, Bruce’s column now appears in our local paper and I have heard wonderful things about it. Keep it up Bruce!

- Lorie

Posted 04/10/09 05:12 PM

Bruce - your writing reveals a wonderful storyteller at heart - one that conveys a rich true life tale with heart - all done in a style that is spare and descriptive at the same time. BC

- Bill

Posted 04/10/09 08:01 PM

Very fresh viewpoint. Thank you. Fortunately, I’m not a single parent. My husband is a great Dad. But I know far too many single parents and always wonder and marvel at how they do it. It must be a constant challenge. My hat’s off to you and I wish you continued success. You sound like a great Dad.

- Carolyn

Posted 04/13/09 12:29 PM

Very compellng situation, wouldn’t want to be in it myself. Bruce, you’re doing a great service for us by sharing your stories.

- Pat

Posted 04/15/09 10:36 PM

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