Fathers role in parenting ( Archived) (72)

Wow!! that is quite the question indeed. I think that it varies in so very many ways depending on the structure of the relation of the Mother and Father..assuming they are both alive and together..or not. Many things change from religion or absence of, the values that are in play in the country you live in.
I have no Biological children, pretty sure about that now...But no matter. I was Married a long time ago to a lovely woman that had left her son and daughter to be raised with their father and then his new wife. At the point in time that the daughter was almost in high school I was confronted with a very important decision to make. That decision probably had many influences in what my future would be. I was asked if I would agree to raise the daughter because they could not do it as she was becoming very rebellious. It may seem odd that "I" was asked instead of my wife. I was considered "stable" and in that time my ex was also showing this stability though I can't say that it was as true as many, including myself believed. So I knew what I felt but wanted to lay down a certain rules with the natural father that he not go against our decisions and the same was agreed with my ex and me as well.
I will tell you it was some of the best times though sometimes challenging, but yes! rewarding. I think that I did a very good job and now she has a child of her own, a loving husband and is drug free, her smile is infectious and I would never change a thing. I many times had to be Mother and Father as My ex had a drinking problem and I was very cautious to make sure that the daughter would not follow her lead. I remember the freshman year when all the "guys" decided our house was the place to be. lol, that did not last long after I explained to the "guys" that I would love to have them over after they introduced me to their parents. Some of the decisions I made were not so popular but when she was down,,,first car accident, or problems with her teachers, I was who she called. She (the daughter) learned very quickly that as strange as it seemed I would do what I said and she could talk with me about anything. By her senior year Graduation she had many plans, and though I did not agree with all of them I always gave her "choices" She could have gone to college and had it all paid for. She did not do that much to my dismay, but she knew it was her choice and she did well in what she has done with her life. I am proud of her to this day.
What was my role as a father? I will tell you what it was, It was treating her like a human being and expecting the same back. Keeping my word and expecting no less from her. I hope this answers the rather "broad" scope of the question to some degree.