Single Dads

I have three wonderful daughters. Lindsey, Jayne, and Sarah are wonderful kids. They are all three unique and similar at the same time. If you look at them they look totally different (unique), but they have the same smile and same nose (similar). They have different types of friends and do very different in school also. I could go on and on about how great my kids are. But, the truth is I don't really know my kids. I haven't lived with them for over 10 years. There were 2 weeks they lived with me as a trio about 8 years ago, and they have stayed here for weekends over the years. Having them live with their mom was a conscience decision. When I was going to court discussing how to do this I had my sister's son staying with me. His parents were divorced and he told me the day he hated the most was Wednesdays because that was the day he switched houses. After talking to me I realized the kids needed A home, not two. I don't regret my decision to have them spend most of their time with their mom. I had them every other weekend and a week in the summer. My kids know which is their house. They also know there Dad is close to them and if they need to go somewhere, or need something, or just need to talk all they have to do is call. My kids are my world, even though I live alone. Am I a single Dad? Sometimes I think a Single Dad is someone that the kids live with, but if that is so, then what am I? I always wonder if I did what I should do. I wonder if I should have spent more time with my kids. I wonder if I should have allowed my kids not to come to my house when they didn't want to or should I have demanded they come. When they hit 13 each one of them stopped staying the night, even though when the other did that they told me they wouldn't. I have to admit something, each time they stayed the weekend I took them home and cried on the way back to my house. It was like having a full life for a few hours and then going back into a vacuum for a couple of weeks until I get them back. I talked to them in the mean time, I saw them at school or gave them rides home or to meet their friends. Was I a great Dad, no. Did I always put my kids first, no. Could I have done something better, yes. I guess I can only tell if I did a good job is how did they turn out. They are all successful in school, they all have good friendships and contribute to organizations they are involved with. I love my kids and I hope they know that!!