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It’s a single dad’s town
  
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By Michele Sample
According to Lone Tree resident Bill McLeod, anybody can be a father, but it takes a special person to be a dad.
McLeod never imagined his life would take the turns it did. He married his wife Sara in 1992 and a few years later had two children, Jack and Michaela.
“We were living the American dream,” McLeod said.
By late 2003, Sara started having problems with alcohol and entered a treatment center in 2004. Unfortunately nothing improved, and the couple separated and later divorced.
“And then I received a phone call,” McLeod said, in June 2007. Sara had unexpectedly passed away in her home at the age of 44. Now, not only did McLeod face life as a single dad, but also helping his children cope with divorce, death and alcoholism.
“I think at times it is tough on them as they cannot run to their mom when they disagree with me, or don’t like my answer,” McLeod said.
He believes his philosophy of three key points in raising his children has helped get through challenging times: make them feel safe, listen to them and tell them he loves them.
Also, what McLeod considers his ‘counseling at no cost’ is the creation of his Web site, Single Dads Town, and most recently the addition of an Internet radio show, The Bill McLeod Show. Not only has this second profession — along with being a full-time mortgage and real estate professional — been rewarding for him personally, but hopefully helpful to others.
The Web site offers a source for services, advice and resources, but also how fathers can become more motivated to be an excellent role model to their children.
“I’m not a doctor or a counselor,” McLeod said. “But I have had real-life experiences.”
The biggest difference, according to McLeod, between single moms and dads is that he wasn’t necessarily “trained” for the Mr. Mom role.
“I was conditioned to go to work, and spend time with my kids when I could,” he said. McLeod said that he had to adjust his mindset and jump into the cooking, laundry, school and activity schedules — that, with other married dads, he hadn’t been participating in at the time of his marriage.
To help manage his new lifestyle, McLeod hired a nanny, Tabitha Betz, who also writes a blog on his Web site. Not only has Betz become similar to a big sister for McLeod’s children, she was also raised by her father.
“It is amazing to be part of something so real and true,” Betz said.
McLeod’s Internet show features professionals every Monday, and they discuss issues that not only single fathers experience, but parenting in general.
His Web site has had approximately 2,500 hits so far.
“I try to remind my kids how much their mother loved them, and all of the wonderful qualities they received from her,” McLeod said.
For information, go to www.singledadstown.com, or The Bill McLeod Show on www.wsRadio.com.
McLeod never imagined his life would take the turns it did. He married his wife Sara in 1992 and a few years later had two children, Jack and Michaela.
“We were living the American dream,” McLeod said.
By late 2003, Sara started having problems with alcohol and entered a treatment center in 2004. Unfortunately nothing improved, and the couple separated and later divorced.
“And then I received a phone call,” McLeod said, in June 2007. Sara had unexpectedly passed away in her home at the age of 44. Now, not only did McLeod face life as a single dad, but also helping his children cope with divorce, death and alcoholism.
“I think at times it is tough on them as they cannot run to their mom when they disagree with me, or don’t like my answer,” McLeod said.
He believes his philosophy of three key points in raising his children has helped get through challenging times: make them feel safe, listen to them and tell them he loves them.
Also, what McLeod considers his ‘counseling at no cost’ is the creation of his Web site, Single Dads Town, and most recently the addition of an Internet radio show, The Bill McLeod Show. Not only has this second profession — along with being a full-time mortgage and real estate professional — been rewarding for him personally, but hopefully helpful to others.
The Web site offers a source for services, advice and resources, but also how fathers can become more motivated to be an excellent role model to their children.
“I’m not a doctor or a counselor,” McLeod said. “But I have had real-life experiences.”
The biggest difference, according to McLeod, between single moms and dads is that he wasn’t necessarily “trained” for the Mr. Mom role.
“I was conditioned to go to work, and spend time with my kids when I could,” he said. McLeod said that he had to adjust his mindset and jump into the cooking, laundry, school and activity schedules — that, with other married dads, he hadn’t been participating in at the time of his marriage.
To help manage his new lifestyle, McLeod hired a nanny, Tabitha Betz, who also writes a blog on his Web site. Not only has Betz become similar to a big sister for McLeod’s children, she was also raised by her father.
“It is amazing to be part of something so real and true,” Betz said.
McLeod’s Internet show features professionals every Monday, and they discuss issues that not only single fathers experience, but parenting in general.
His Web site has had approximately 2,500 hits so far.
“I try to remind my kids how much their mother loved them, and all of the wonderful qualities they received from her,” McLeod said.
For information, go to www.singledadstown.com, or The Bill McLeod Show on www.wsRadio.com.
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nthis4fun wrote on Jan 30, 2009 11:00 PM: