Clueless Single Dad Misses His Daughter’s Winter Ball
I’ve been a single parent for ten years now, and I take great pride in taking an active role in both my kids’ lives. Besides taking care of them at home, cooking, cleaning, talking to them about sex – I’ve also volunteered in their classrooms, coached a few sports teams, and helped with other activities.
So when I recently discovered that my teen daughter already attended her high school winter ball – and I hadn’t known about – you’d think I would be outraged.
Actually, it didn’t bother me a bit.
Oh, sure. I want to see my daughter every time she puts on a fancy dress. She’s a sporty girl, so it doesn’t happen too often. (But when it does, boys watch out! She’s got Italian and Swedish genes.)
And yeah, I want to know who my daughter is going out with, then make the boy sweat while she gets ready, asking about his intentions and future career plans. (Forget meeting the Fockers, he has to meet me!)
But the weekend my daughter went to her ball, I was out of town. So neither of those things happened.
Still, you’d think this single dad wouldn’t be totally clueless to the affair. And I wasn’t. Just a few weeks before, my daughter and her friends went to the mall to look at ball gowns. I simply didn’t know the date of the dance. And no one bothered to tell me. (Missed communications in two-home families can be deadly.)
Here’s why it doesn’t bother me that I didn’t know she already went:
1) My daughter never asked me to bust out my wallet and pay for a dress. (Score!)
2) I didn’t stay up late, stressing like crazy about whether she was making good choices all night (she did, and I got a great night’s sleep.)
3) I drank coffee martinis and had my own late night fun (conference affairs are a wonderful thing.)
And so, to whoever took my daughter to the dance, and whoever brought her home (no telling who’s involved) – I say thank you for returning her safe and sound.
When’s that spring dance? I need to make plans.
- Prom Night
- French Women are Hot
- My Sexy Daughter
- What a Dad Needs to Know About His Daughter
- A Dad, His Daughter, Her Friend
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Comment by Nicki
| February 2nd, 2010
I love the way you put this in perspective. Just tell me she at least shared some pictures for you to compliment. :)
Nicki´s last blog ..Someone to run to…
Comment by Cece
| February 2nd, 2010
During my wild child teenage years, my mom often told me “For me, it is better not to know.” then she would sleep at night and not stress and worry. That seems the case here! Sometimes it is better not to know.
cece
Cece´s last blog ..Why did the Chicken (soup) Cross the Road?
Comment by Heather
| February 2nd, 2010
At least you get to see pictures, right?
Comment by Vinomom
| February 2nd, 2010
It’s healthy to realize you can’t be there for EVERYTHING. Life simply gets in the way sometimes.
Vinomom´s last blog ..To Sum it Up
Comment by Travis
| February 2nd, 2010
I was intentionally blocked out of the last dance for my oldest. I was disappointed, but what is there to do? nothing. So I talked about it, asked how it went, let him dolt on his girlfriend about how pretty she was, and had a great moment retrospecting on his night.
I slept well. I’ve raised him pretty well to make good choices and treat girls with respect. And everything was fine. If something did happen, I would of known, and been there in a flash.
Travis´s last blog ..Tomorrow Night Will Be More Of The Same
Comment by Rob
| February 2nd, 2010
I agree with you. If my daughter had a dance I would have stressed the whole time as well wondering was she ok. Hope your daughter had a great time and hope you got to see pictures.
Rob´s last blog ..Valentine’s Day Party-Wilton Cupcake Theme review and GIVEAWAY
Comment by ditz
| February 2nd, 2010
And no one is picking up on dads’ comment about his own late night fun? C’mon people!
Comment by Big City Dad
| February 2nd, 2010
You’re more laid back than me. I’m tailing my girl to keep those boys in line. ;)
Big City Dad´s last blog ..The Rest of the World
Comment by BigLittleWolf
| February 2nd, 2010
I’m with you, DM. When you’ve been there (and annoying taking photos) for nearly all the events, the spring dances (or autumn dances) become routine . . . affairs. We trust that our kids will enjoy and only moderately misbehave, and make sure they get home safe and sound.
Beyond that? Teens tucker us out! (Besides, you were otherwise occupied. In conference, so to speak.)
BigLittleWolf´s last blog ..The Treasure Box
Comment by Danielle
| February 2nd, 2010
So those condoms came in handy after all?
Danielle´s last blog ..The damn thing lied to me
Comment by Sandra
| February 2nd, 2010
My stepdad definitely made the guy sweat during my junior prom, haha. Good thing your daughter’s date got off easy.
Sandra´s last blog ..Clutter Be Gone.
Comment by oshea12566
| February 2nd, 2010
Ok, so number 3..late night fun…please elaborate.
oshea12566´s last blog ..Busy Busy
Comment by dadshouse
| February 2nd, 2010
Wha? Huh? Number 3? I’m just a clueless single dad!
Comment by Ginger Magnolia
| February 2nd, 2010
Soooo, I guess that answers the question of whether or not you found a lady to use your sneakily-acquired condoms with. :) Way to go, Dad!
Ginger Magnolia´s last blog ..Teacherly Things
Comment by Elizabeth
| February 2nd, 2010
It turns out your adoring legions of readers do have virtual memory, Mott. That’s a very dangerous state of affairs.
Elizabeth´s last blog ..This country life
Comment by Elizabeth
| February 2nd, 2010
I just wrote about the talking sex robot. I dare you to write about it, too, from a guy’s perspective — and don’t go all sensitive on us. (grin).
Elizabeth´s last blog ..This country life
Comment by AngryDad
| February 2nd, 2010
yea i’m looking forward to having a kid sweat when he picks up my daughter. i’ve already got my outfit picked out,mesh tank top and ball gag ready.
AngryDad´s last blog ..How to Avoid a Fight with the SheBitch
Comment by Jack
| February 2nd, 2010
When my daughter is old enough to date I am going to send her to a convent. Oy, the thought just makes me crazy.
Jack´s last blog ..A Restaurant Surprise
Comment by mama llama
| February 2nd, 2010
Being a mother, I would feel like I missed out terribly on a huge experience of my daughter’s. And, being ME, I would *assume* there was something she specifically did NOT want me to know about. :)
Glad you can put things into a healthy perspective for you!!
Be well, Dads.
mama llama´s last blog ..A low point
Comment by notasoccermom
| February 2nd, 2010
Oh boy you are so right.. and a bit lucky..
I had to play both hands at this.. the scare the wits out of the poor kid ‘dad’ role AND the stay up all night worrying ‘mom’ every time!! through two teen girls!
can you please pass over one of those coffee? because Sweetheart Ball is in a week!
notasoccermom´s last blog ..Coo, coo, ca-choo, Mrs Robinson
Comment by katherine.
| February 2nd, 2010
you feel this way now…but once she is away at school…I predict you will feel otherwise….
katherine.´s last blog ..Welcome Home. We thank you for your service.