X-Symantec-TimeoutProtection: 0 Return-Path: Delivered-To: info@ausheart.com.au Received: (qmail 12841 invoked from network); 13 Jul 2003 06:47:46 -0000 Received: from m1.dnsix.com (63.251.171.164) by 0 with SMTP; 13 Jul 2003 06:47:46 -0000 Received: from [203.147.241.112] (helo=bne001se.server-mail.com) by m1.dnsix.com with smtp (Exim 3.36 #1) id 19badv-0003Ab-00 for info@mensprayer.com; Sat, 12 Jul 2003 23:47:31 -0700 Received: (qmail 15361 invoked from network); 13 Jul 2003 06:47:28 -0000 Received: from unknown (HELO bne063v.webcentral.com.au) (202.139.234.63) by bne001se.server-mail.com with SMTP; 13 Jul 2003 06:47:28 -0000 Subject: Fathers-Family stabilizers Sender: "Fatherhood Foundation" From: "Fatherhood Foundation" Date: Sun, 13 Jul 2003 16:47:26 +1000 To: "info@mensprayer.com" X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal Content-Transfer-Encoding: Quoted-Printable MIME-Version: 1.0 X-USER_IP: 61.9.128.173 X-Mailer: JMail 4.1.0 by Dimac Message-ID: <003301c1cfc4$27ced2d0$0800a8c0@bosweb.com.au> Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="--NEXT_BM_83942B98917446C1BBE92712347060D5" This is a multipart message in MIME format. ----NEXT_BM_83942B98917446C1BBE92712347060D5 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: Quoted-Printable Newsletter Issue No=2E 46-14th July, 2003 In this issue: - Welcome to fathersonline=2Eorg - Dads with Young Children - Grandads - Laughter - Single Dads - Special Feature - Thought for the Week - News & Info - Dad's Prayer - Mission Statement & Help Us! Welcome to fathersonline=2Eorg ---------------------- Dear Ken, Despite having produced a number of TV shows, I am not big on TV or movies=2E= =A0 I find most movies to be shallow, unbelievable or lacking in moral fibre= =2E=A0 However, I recently watched =91I am Sam=92 on DVD, starring Sean Penn= and Michelle Pfeiffer and found it to be one of the greatest movies I have = ever seen=2E=A0 It is well scripted, brilliantly acted, a great story, and d= eals with the whole issue of the importance of fathers to their children=2E=A0= Sean Penn was nominated for an Academy Award for his acting in 2001=2E =A0 =91I am Sam=92 tells the story of Sam Dawson (Sean Penn) a developmentally d= isabled adult who has been singularly raising his daughter, Lucy, for all of= her seven years=2E=A0 Sam provides a fun and loving environment for Lucy, b= ut it soon becomes apparent that she is intellectually surpassing him=2E=A0 = When she begins intentionally stunting her own growth so as not to hurt her = beloved father, a social worker intervenes, removing Lucy from her home and = placing her in foster care=2E=A0 It is now up to the courts to decide if Sam= is fit to continue raising Lucy=2E=A0 As the day of the hearing looms, Sam = seeks the aid of self-absorbed, successful lawyer, Rita Harrison (Michelle P= feiffer) who only agrees to take on Sam=92s case free of charge to save face= with her colleagues=2E=A0 And so it begins: a battle of love versus ability= , the individual against an unbending system=2E In the centre remain a fathe= r and daughter who just want to be together=2E =A0 In some ways the tense court room scene with Ann Kersell, who is Lucy=92s pi= ano teacher and next door neighbour is the defining moment=2E=A0 Rita Harris= on, Sam=92s attorney, poses the question=2E =93In all the time that you have= known Lucy and Sam, have you ever questioned Sam=92s ability as a father=3F= =94=A0 Anne answers, =93No, never =2E =2E =2E=A0 never=2E=A0 Look at Lucy=2E= =A0 She is strong; she displays true empathy for people, all kinds of people= =2E=A0 I know that you all think she=92s as smart as she is despite him, but= it=92s because of him=94=2E=A0 Rita asks another question, =93So what you a= re saying is you don=92t worry about Lucy=92s future=3F=94=A0 =93No, I do=94= replied Ann=2E=A0 =93I worry about it all the time=2E=A0 I worry if they ta= ke Lucy away from her father, they will take an enormous piece of her and I = worry that she will spend the rest of her life trying to fill that hole=94=2E= =A0 The irony of the story is that Ann knew the heartbreak of fatherlessness= first hand=2E =A0 The movie puts the case for shared parenting=A0 and the importance of father= s far better than The 12pt Plan=2E=A0 Reality is hard to argue against=2E=A0= Hollywood has been known for father bashing=2E=A0 This time they get it rig= ht=2E=A0 This is a movie to be seen by every father, family and politician=A0= in Australia! =A0 Lovework =A0 You guessed it! Hire this movie=2E=A0 It won=92t break you=2E=A0 In fact it = just might inspire you to become a better dad=2E=A0 Even an imperfect dad is= better than no dad=2E=A0 I=92m imperfect, but this movie gives me great hop= e because despite my imperfections I am trying to be a good dad=2E=A0 There=92= s hope for me yet=2E =A0 Yours for imperfect dads who do their best Warwick Marsh =A0 =5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F= =5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F= =5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F =A0 Warwick Marsh=A0=A0has been married=A0to Alison for=A027 years=2E He is the = father of five children, four boys and one girl, ranging in age from 22 year= s to=A010 years=2E=A0 Warwick is a musician, songwriter, producer and public= speaker who likes to think he can still laugh at himself=2E =A0 Dads with Young Children ---------------------- THE ART OF FATHERING =96 LOOKING FOR ANSWERS =A0 =A0 Well, well, well=85here I am 9pm Saturday night watching a DVD=A0 =93Cracker= jack=94 with my wife and a friend of ours from Wollongong=2E Just cruising, = ready to nod off on the lounge, then RING RING=85=93Warwick Marsh here, how = are you legend=94=2E Just then it hit me, I haven=92t finished the Fatherhoo= d article yet; but hey=85I=92ve got till tomorrow night=2E How wrong was I, = Warwick informs me that the newsletter gets mailed off Sunday morning, and I= need to email it off tonight=2E But Warwick, I=92ve had such a busy week! A= s an accountant the month of July becomes pretty busy being Tax Time and all= , haven=92t had time to scratch myself=2E Also, I have had this other stuff = happening, and don=92t forget this and that and=85well you know how it is ma= te, I=92m just busy=2E Anyway, seem to be running out of excuses all of a su= dden, It appears that I am just slack, and lazy, and Male=85what else can I = say=3F =A0 So, best get my little behind into the office and type something=85but what=3F= Often I recount the events of the week, with the last couple of weeks menti= oning the good surf=2E Don=92t worry; this morning was just as good=85so I w= on=92t continually bore you with that=2E However, there is one thing that wa= rrants mentioning, and that is a movie I saw during the week; =93Bruce Almig= hty=94=2E Forget what the art critics tell you, they don=92t have a sense of= humour; I really enjoyed it=2E I think if you get just one thing out of a m= ovie, one thing that sticks in your head, then it was worthwhile=2E =A0 The one thing I got out of Bruce Almighty was the issue of people putting pr= ayer requests before God, and how hard it must be to have all these requests= answered in the affirmative for all people=2E In the movie, for those of yo= u who have not seen it yet, Bruce gets the =93job=94 of being God, with one = of his tasks being that of reading and answering prayers=2E Now most people = would say just answer yes to all the prayers, but think of what a lot of peo= ple are praying for=85money, wealth, stigma, status and recognition=2E Sure = all of these would be nice, but life doesn=92t finish there=2E =A0 I have just finished a tax return for a young couple, which recently gave bi= rth to their first children (twin girls)=2E Now the first twin was born on t= he Tuesday, but only lived for 30 minutes=2E The second twin was born on the= Wednesday, and also only survived a short time=2E People will recognise the= tragedy here, losing their children, the pain and suffering, the injustice=2E= What struck me was the need for these poor parents to have to go through th= e grieving process again within 24 hours=2E It doesn=92t seem fair!!! =A0 So, what do you think these people would have been praying for=3F I think I = know exactly=85not money, not wealth, not status=85just their babies back=2E= I don=92t mean to sound depressing or morbid here; it just occurred to me t= hat we need to take stock of where we are in life=2E Often we think we are d= oing it tough, when, as my Grandmother used to say =93there=92s always someo= ne worse off=94=2E =A0 My point=3F Before we complain about our position in life, before we wish fo= r more and more=85think of people such as the young couple above=2E I am tru= ly blessed to have a wife and three lovely children, and I am thankful for t= hat=2E Praise God for the things we have, pray for those things we =93NEED=94= , not the things we =93WANT=94=2E Life is short=85tell your wife and kids ho= w much you love them, and how much they =91make=92 your life=2E =A0 =A0=A0 Till next time, PAUL =5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F= =5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F= =5F=5F=5F=5F Paul Sloan is an accountant working in Maroochydoore=2E He is married with t= hree children aged one, nine and eleven years=2E Paul is an active surfer wh= o lives on the Sunshine Coast=A0in Queensland=2E He is a family man who hasn= 't lost his sense of humour=2E Grandads ---------------------- Live Onby Ron Hellyer=A0=A0 Is there life to live for when we get old=3F What good are we any more=3F Are these common questions in the later years=3F =A0 I hope not=2E Recently a close friend lost his mother in law through cancer=2E He is supporting his wife and father in law through the difficulties=2E =A0 The father in law threatened, before his wife=92s death, that he would commi= t suicide if she died=2E He wasn=92t hanging around on this earth without he= r=2E Two days ago he attempted to take his life =96 and failed=2E =A0 A son and two daughters, grandchildren and more on the way extend this famil= y into many communities in Australia and overseas=2E =A0 Is it selfishness, grief, insecurity or chronic depression=3F Whatever the c= ause or causes of actions that destroy lives fathers are the mainstay, the r= udder, the pillar, the stabilizer in a family=2E =A0 The taking of one=92s life as a father significantly destabilizes the family= and extended family structure for generations=2E This is not a legacy that = anyone wants=2E Our grandchildren are owed a better life in this world=2E =A0 My in laws recently visited for the school holidays and not all my children = were able to be present=2E It was with some angst that those away tried to r= eadjust the grandparents schedule to be with them, in fact a great deal of e= ffort was put in to try and see them=2E It was not to receive presents or he= ar great yarns or go on trips with them-it was to be with them=2E They are t= he grandparents=2E =A0 Whatever the situation grandparents are so important to the family=2E They c= an give so much without even knowing=2E Their existence alone is a comfort a= nd security to doting grandchildren=2E =A0 Life is worth living-just for the family and the generations thereafter=2E =A0 =5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F= =5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F= =5F=5F=5F=5F=5F =A0 Ron Hellyer has been married to Margaret for 24 years and is the=A0 father o= f five children (plus extras)=2E Ron is management consultant based in Broke= n Hill , Outback NSW=2E =A0 =A0 =A0 Laughter ---------------------- A man stumbles up to the only other patron in a bar and asks if he could buy= him a drink=2E 'Why of course', comes the reply=2E The first man then asks: 'Where are you from=3F' 'I'm from Ireland', replies the second man=2E The first man responds: 'You don't say, I'm from Ireland too! Let's have ano= ther round to Ireland=2E' 'Of course', replies the second man=2E Curious, the first man then asks: 'Where in Ireland are you from=3F' 'Dublin', comes the reply=2E 'I can't believe it', says the first man=2E 'I'm from Dublin too! Let's have= another drink to Dublin=2E' 'Of course', replies the second man=2E Curiosity again strikes and the first man asks: 'What school did you go to=3F= ' 'Saint Mary's', replies the second man=2E 'I graduated in '62=2E' 'This is unbelievable!', the first man says=2E 'I went to Saint Mary's and I= graduated in '62, too!' About that time in comes one of the regulars and sits down at the bar=2E 'Wh= at's been going on=3F', he asks the bartender=2E 'Nothing much,' replies the bartender=2E 'The O'Mally twins are drunk again=2E= ' =A0 =A0 Single Dads ---------------------- Bedtime By Roland Foster =A0 One of the joys of being a parent to young children is the ordinary and ever= yday experience of putting the children to bed=2E=A0 This routine, successfu= lly completed, is often followed by a sense of accomplishment and relief on = the part of the parent=2E=A0 It is the moment peace and tranquillity descend= s on a busy household after the final burst of frenzied activity during feed= ing and bath time=2E =A0 I remember as a young child expecting some sort of performance from my mothe= r or grandmother during bedtime=2E=A0 This usually came in the form of a son= g (sometimes a German lullaby) or a story from their own childhood=2E=A0 Som= etimes we were still awake when my father arrived home from work=2E=A0 My fa= ther always knew exactly what he needed to do to have all four of his childr= en tumble from their beds and wrestle him to the ground=2E=A0 The game would= continue until such a time that my mother considered it necessary to reasse= rt her influence and restore order=2E=A0 My father would then retreat, conte= nt and well-pleased with his contribution to the ceremony of putting the chi= ldren to bed=2E =A0 A few days ago my mother found a handwritten poem, composed by her own mothe= r in D=FCsseldorf, Germany, in the 1920s=2E=A0 The Rhythm & lyrical eloquenc= e is lost in the translation, but the essence of its meaning remains: =A0 Go to the Bed of Your Child =A0 When it=92s ever possible in the evening go to the bed of your child and enjoy with him the last five minutes of the day=2E Just take your time, also when there are visitors around, And consider how happy you make the little darling, just to be beside your child, satisfied with the grateful belonging feeling=2E= With such contentment your child will soon slip into its slumber And in your own dreams you will see your child=92s quiet satisfied smile=2E Your presence smooths into tranquillity the nerves of the sweet rascal, It calms his mood and countenance, It softens the little worries and angers of his playtime, And it deepens the love and trust of his mother Who, in spite of all other duties, Takes these precious moments and guards them like a treasure=2E =A0 When we get older, we may long for the conversations of former friends, But to feel again the stretched out arms of our little child, one would give= half a life=2E Therefore enjoy the time that your children are still stretching out to you Now is the time to enjoy these precious moments=2E =A0 =5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F= =5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F= =5F=5F=5F=5F =A0 Roland Foster is an non-custodial father, separated since 1997, with 5 young= children aged between 6 and 14 years=2E=A0 Roland is a passionate father an= d an active social reformer who believes Australia's current laws are contri= buting to the creation of our fatherless society=2E Special Feature ---------------------- Bouncin' Babies =A0 by Steve Gray =A0 Listen v-e-r-y carefully! I categorically do not recommend or suggest anyone= ever should try to bounce a baby=2E I have accidentally done so a number of= times=2E It is definitely not a good thing to do to any infant and it's not= very good on your own nervous system=2E =A0 But guess what=3F Babies bounce - well sort of=2E Like when they roll off th= e sofa or the bed=2E Sure they may be terrified, out of breath, shocked, dis= mayed, upset, howling, but in a little time fully recovered=2E =A0 In the same period you've gone through the whole range of fears, tears and s= elf-criticism=2E If there is anyone else around they will be sure to add to = your condemnation as a low life=2E Should you leave and let the infant cry i= tself dry=3F =A0 I think not=2E After a while when you've warmed, cuddled, comforted and cons= oled (yourself as well) there will be a return to peace and smiles=2E =A0 Think about it! Your older kids are just like bouncin' babies=2E After the p= ain of a regrettable family event they will come bouncing back=2E Whatever h= as happened, don't retreat into useless recriminations=2E =A0 Don't isolate yourself from them 'cause they really need you to come back an= d assure them=2E It can actually be harder to face the problem, than it is t= o go away and sulk=2E (All men like to sulk!) Don't excuse yourself with the= lie that you can't undo what's in the past=2E Technically it may be true, b= ut never true of the heart of a child=2E =A0 There are times in my parenting when I have been bitterly ashamed of my acti= ons and insensitivity=2E Hindsight is perfect 20 x 20 vision - looking back = is not pleasant at times=2E Never having known a father, I did not know how = to be one=2E By necessity, I got better and learnt to be more effective=2E I= will never claim to be a perfect Dad, but I don't stop trying=2E =A0 The memories that make me keep trying harder=3F An emotionally upset or sick= child bouncing back from their own feelings holding out their hands toward = me=2E Even if I had been the source of that upset or misunderstanding, it is= their heart they hold out in their little hands=2E =A0 As they get older into teens sometimes they may be holding their hearts in t= heir hands, but behind their back=2E Don't let them get away with that old t= rick=2E Apologise for anything you did and really tell them you love them=2E= =A0 =5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F= =5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F= =5F=5F=5F=5F =A0 Steve Gray is a Finance Broker, divorced and single=2E His three children sp= ent most of their time over the past decade living with their Dad=2E Steve h= as been teaching Sunday School for five years=2E 'I don't think of myself as a good Father, but I keep trying to be one=2E' Thought for the Week ---------------------- =A0 Huge disagreements escalate from small misunderstandings=2E =A0 Ed Cole News & Info ---------------------- Newsflash =A0 We have taken delivery of 3,000 colour copies of The 12pt Plan=2E=A0 Printed= on 180 gsm gloss paper, they are beautiful!=A0 Special thanks to the follow= ing organisations for their kind and generous sponsorship:=A0 BCH Printing, = Wollongong, NSW; Alexander Moir & Co Pty Ltd, Erskineville, NSW; Bicycling A= ustralia, Wollongong, NSW; Coverall Roofing, Wollongong, NSW; Harback Joiner= y, Hobart, TAS; GA & PL Jasper, Moama, NSW and WOODENBOY Graphics, Wollongon= g, NSW=2E =A0 We are trying to find a way to get this booklet posted to every politician, = state, federal and local, as well as every person of influence, in the count= ry=2E=A0 This will cost the Fatherhood Foundation several thousand dollars i= n postage as The 12pt Plan is a full size A4 document=2E=A0 If you know of a= nyone who would like to help, please contact us at info@fathersonline=2Eorg = (mailto:info@fathersonline=2Eorg) or phone Warwick Marsh on 02 4272 6677=2E =A0 Letters =A0 23/6/03 =A0 Dear Fatherhood Foundation =A0 I was sent your newsletter by a devoted single father friend of mine, one of= several I know, and admire=2E I have no idea why he sent it to me=2E It alm= ost made me burst into tears=2E =A0 I am=A0a single mother and whilst I do not dispute that there are many singl= e fathers who get a raw deal, you seem to overlook that there are likely jus= t as many single mothers=2E We are not all family-wrecking sadistic man-hati= ng bitches who enjoy sucking the lifeblood out of our former loved ones=2E O= rganisations such as yours however do at times make it seem as though we are= =2E =A0 I left my husband because he was abusive=2E However, in the five years since= we separated I have done nothing other than encourage him to have a close a= nd loving relationship with our daughter, as I believe very strongly in the = importance of the father-daughter bond, and I am lucky enough to have a wond= erful father=2E =A0 My ex-husband=A0however does not take advantage of the opportunities afforde= d him=2E We live about 2 hours apart and I take her to him once a month=2E O= ther than that, he has complete freedom to phone and visit his daughter when= he chooses to=2E He does not=2E His social life often takes precedence=2E W= hen given the opportunity to accompany her to netball and and her ballet les= son next=A0Saturday - to do the normal things dads do, and something of monu= mental importance to our daughter=A0- he has decided not to=2E He will come = up for a while on Sunday when he doesn't have to have the responsibility of = running her around=2E I have given or sent him school photos, birthday photo= s, concert photos etc=2E He has been invited to every concert and presentati= on=2E Sometimes he comes sometimes he does not=2E It all depends on=A0his so= cial life and the girlfriend of the moment=2E =A0 In five years I have received negligible amounts of child support, and no mo= re than $200 since January this year=2E He is often 'self-employed' and appa= rently broke, despite driving a prestige car, living in a nice suburb, trave= lling overseas and having an active social life=2E =A0 Several months ago he told me that I ruined his life and that he does not ow= e me a 'f***ing thing' so I can whistle if I ever think I am going to get ch= ild support=2E The last time there was a large assessment against him he lef= t his job and has been apparently unemployed for most of this year=2E He wil= l cut off his nose to spite his face=2E =A0 I feel I have done everything possible to give him the opportunity to be a p= articipative father, and feel cheated for her and for me that he won't 'step= up to the plate' so to speak=2E =A0 He is the one with the financial, employment and social freedom=2E He can co= me and go as he pleases, do as he chooses and be beholden to no one=2E I fin= ished tertiary studies, became qualified, work full-time, am=A0the full-time= breadwinner and parent, had to move away from Sydney because it was too exp= ensive and have restraints on my finances, my employment and my social life=2E= =A0 I think that for a change people should stop championing hardly-done-by-moth= ers and stomped-upon-fathers and instead be supportive of all parents in cri= sis=2E It should stop being 'us and them' - men against women, and fathers a= gainst mothers, as this perpetuates this ridiculous cycle of blame and recri= mination=2E =A0 I am lucky enough to have a very loving and supportive extended family=2E An= d my daughter is lucky to have other good male role models in the form of my= father and my brothers=2E =A0 May all families and all parents receive the support they so desperately nee= d=2E =A0 Louise =A0 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * =A0 Dear Louise =A0 Thank you for your email and sorry to take so long to respond to it=2E=A0 It= has been quite busy around here lately=2E =A0 Quite possibly your friend sent you our newsletter as he finds it encouragin= g=2E=A0 We are sorry that it upset you=2E =A0 We would like to think that the fathersonline=2Eorg newsletter does just wha= t you have said, and=A0I quote, =93I think that for a change people should s= top championing hardly-done-by-mothers and stomped-upon-fathers and instead = be supportive of all parents in crisis=2E It should stop being 'us and them'= - men against women, and fathers against mothers, as this perpetuates this = ridiculous cycle of blame and recrimination=2E May all families and all parents receive the support they so desperately nee= d=94=2E =A0 At the recent release of The 12pt Plan Mark Latham made the following statem= ent:=A0 =93We don't want a men's movement that blames women; we want a men's= movement that works with men and women to develop better identity, better r= elationships, a stronger fathering role in our society and to develop win-wi= n outcomes, where as a society across both genders we can make advances and = make successful changes=94=2E=A0 =A0 Congratulations on doing such a great job of raising your daughter in such d= ifficult circumstances=2E=A0 You are very lucky to have such a wonderful and= supportive family=2E =A0 Warwick Marsh Fatherhood Foundation =A0 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * =A0 4/7/03 =A0 Dear Fatherhood Foundation =A0 Thank you for taking the time to write=A0a reply=2E It is much appreciated=2E= =A0 I am sorry I came off so strongly, but I guess it is the culmination of many= years of trying to do the right thing, and in the end getting nowhere=2E Bu= t that is my cross to bear, and not yours=2E =A0 I hope that the fathers you support truly come away with the idea that all p= arents should be supportive and loving of their children, and part of that i= s at least giving the appearance of being supportive of one another, as it p= rovides a child with security, and prevents the child from being conflicted = as a result of loving both parents=2E None of this should be a competition, = which is, I think, what most people forget=2E =A0 Kind regards =A0 Louise louiseathunter@yahoo=2Ecom=2Eau =A0 =A0 Dad's Prayer ---------------------- Dear God =A0 I think that you are a perfect father, so would you =91perfect me=92 real quick please=2E =A0 Everyone expects me to be perfect and seeing that I=92m not, it sure becomes obvious after a while=2E =A0 Please drop a bucket load of perfection this way, real quick=2E Mission Statement & Help Us! ---------------------- Mission Statement The Fatherhood Foundation is a charitable, non profit incorporated associati= on with a goal to inspire men to a greater level of excellence as fathers, b= y encouraging and educating them, thereby renewing and empowering families=2E= Click here for more information about us (http://www=2Eausheart=2Ecom=2Eau/f= athers/about/index=2Ehtml) Help Us! The Fatherhood Foundation believes that the key to life is=A0giving=2E That'= s why this newsletter is given freely without expectation=2E=A0 The Fatherhood Foundation would like to develop long term friendships with t= hose who give=2E=A0Your gift will help us change=A0our world=A0for the bette= r, one father at a time=2E Give on line at www=2Efathersonline=2Eorg (http://www=2Efathersonline=2Eorg/= ) - a secure site=2E []=B7[Donate Online (http://www=2Eausheart=2Ecom=2Eau/fathers/help/index=2Eh= tml)] You have received the fathersonline=2Eorg newsletter because you have subscr= ibed, or you have been subscribed by a friend=2E=A0 If you do not wish to re= ceive future emails, please click the=A0UNSUBSCRIBE button below or send an = email to info@fathersonline=2Eorg (mailto:info@fathersonline=2Eorg) with the= word UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject heading=2E To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please visit this address: http://www=2E= bosweb=2Ecom=2Eau/email=5Fblast/html/unsubscribe=2Easp=3Fclient=3Dfathers&ci= d=3D684 ----NEXT_BM_83942B98917446C1BBE92712347060D5 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: Quoted-Printable