That is an extreme example. Sorry soffie but it was a very bad example. This touches a nerve.
That father did everything wrong. Every book and parenting class I have digested says you NEVER let a child call someone dad (or mom) who is not their parent. If fact it is in my divorce agreement per court order. The true dad should NEVER take second place. NEVER.
My son is 11. An 11 year old is not old enough to decide anything, let alone the visitation schedule with his dad. A father LEADS his son, not the other way around. A father sets the example. Just b/c of divorce does not mean his responsibility ends.
They may be best friends now, but seems to me that this dad did not see his son grow up. That time is priceless and he lost out, and no you can never get that back. He let another man and his son's teenage friends raise him.
Sorry this sounds harsh, but the court system in the USA already treats dads as second class. What I get is called 'visitation" like I am a Dutch Uncle or something. I will never agree to give up my position as a father and a dad. I will never compromise on my position as THE man in my son and daughter's lives.
To do otherwise makes me less of man; not a man at all.
