How Often Do You… (Part 1)

This will be part of a three part series on “How Often Do You _” The _ being “something” with your child(ren).  Geared towards the divorced dads out there.   Answers may vary based on your custody agreement, especially if you have primary physical custody.

How often do you call your child when he or she is away?

I, personally, call my daughter every single day.  Is that too much?  I don’t know.  When she is here during the summer her mom calls her every day too.  It’s pretty much expected that between 7pm and 8pm daily there will be an incoming phone call to wherever my daughter is at?

Occasionally my ex-wife will call me for my daughter.  I make the assumption that this is when my daughter specifically asks to talk to me.  She’s only five; she has yet to memorize daddy’s phone number. =)  One day soon, I hope!   From time-to-time they just aren’t home when I call, and that’s perfectly fine.

I have to admit that I probably have never gone more than four days without talking to my daughter.  Truly I feel a bit guilty when I don’t call if I get caught up or get too busy.  I don’t want to turn into the dad that never calls or follows-up on his promises.  It’s natural that we all get busy, but I personally feel that dads need to stay in constant communication with their children when they are not at home.  Does that mean you have to call twenty times a day?  Of course not.  Find your natural rhythm but try not to leave you child hanging by breaking promises or not calling.

Life is busy.  Life catches us off-guard.  Keep in mind how often you talk to your child.  You don’t have to have a deep discussion.  Sometimes they (and you) just need to hear that you love them.