Good Time Charlie Dads

When I was growing up, my grandmother would sometimes refer to someone as a “good time Charlie “.  This meant the person was only out for a good time and had no interest in responsibility or loyalty.

There are many fathers out there who fall into the good time Charlie category. These are the guys who, instead of being an active parent, are only around when they feel like it and partake in the fun stuff while the other parent is left holding the bag.

When the mother is helping with homework and running children to practices, he is trying out a new hobby.

When the mother is calming fears and hugging away heart aches, he is out hanging with the guys.

When the mother is disciplining and making sure every one eats their vegetables, he is out on a date or trying a new restaurant.

When the mother is struggling with choosing between her job and her child, he is comfortable in his career with no restrictions.

These are the men who see their children once a month or less and do all the fun things the mother wishes she could or struggles to find time for.

He’s the good guy, the fun one, while she is the bad guy, the rule maker, the consequence enforcer. While he sleeps soundly with no responsibility, she lays awake at night fretting and worrying over their every need.

Take heart, mothers! It is all worth it! As your children grow they recognize where their needs are met. They see you cheering them on from the bleachers at every game, and they notice who isn’t there. They understand that your rules are out of love and that you are always there for them when he is not.

He may be enjoying his newfound bachelorhood, but you, ladies, are raising you’re little boys to be men who aren’t good time Charlies and your daughters to be strong women like you who do for their families even when the man doesn’t.  Keep up the good work moms!

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