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When Billy Flynn Gadbois helped his kids celebrate his ex-wife's birthday, he was demonstrating parenting beyond divorce, and was a role model.
When Billy Flynn Gadbois helped his kids celebrate his ex-wife’s birthday, he was demonstrating parenting beyond divorce, and was a role model.
Boston-based Billy Flynn Gadbois decided to surprise the mother of his children on her birthday, by bringing her flowers and cards with his children.
So what is so unusual about the incident? — Gadbois and his wife are divorced. But he hasn’t let that eclipse his relationship with his children or their relationship with their mother.
Billy Gadbois was stoic and went on to fulfill the tough part of a divorced relationship. He divorced from his wife and not from the responsibility of a father. Despite his differences with her, he treated his wife with all the pampering she deserved as his kids’ mother. He helped his kids celebrate her birthday. Even from the outside he proved his involvement as a dad.
His friends however did not spare him. It’s not a manly thing to pamper your estranged wife, they mocked. They perceived his gesture as being emotionally weak and needy. Gadbois gave them a befitting reply — that his was not an act of weakness but one of strength. He posted the status below on social media.
“It’s my ex-wife’s birthday today so I got up early and brought flowers and cards and a gift over for the kids to give her and helped them make her breakfast. Per usual someone asked me why the hell I still do things for her all the time. This annoys me. So I’ll break it down for you all. I’m raising two little men. The example I set for how I treat their mom is going to significantly shape how they see and treat women and affect their perception of relationships. I think even more so in my case because we are divorced. So if you aren’t modelling good relationship behaviour for your kids, get your sh*t together. Rise above it and be an example. This is bigger than you. Raise good men. Raise strong women. Please. The world needs them, now more than ever.”
I so agree with Gadbois. He did not let a bitter divorce leave his kids’ lives incomplete and bitter. He crossed the line to keep a gate in the fence. To work out the situation like an adult and not like a grumpy teen.
We can’t wish away unfortunate turns our life takes, but we can make whatever we have better for our kids. Give them a confidence that their parents regard their little joys above their mutual differences.
Hats off Mr. Gadbois! You make a strong role model. Even from the outside you will raise more responsible men than most people do.
Published here earlier.
Image source: Facebook
Doctorate on teenage pregnancy, published research papers with Medical journals. Articles for Reader's Digest and newspaper. Blogger at parenting and relationship websites. After having taught at school and college levels, currently employed as Independent read more...
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