Day two and you’re coming back for more “worst dad” stories. I appreciate the comments, but many of you respond with empathy and that isn’t really what I’m after. I’ve lived this (or at least I did) and finally decided a couple years ago that it was over.

My father at one time was a very respectable man and had good qualities. These posts are from my past. I’ve moved on. This is my way of dealing with memories I wish I didn’t have, but the reality is they happened. I try to find the humor in it. My challenge to you is the same.

E,

Just a quick note to let you know that Brenda and I did not appreciate you ignoring us Saturday. We didn’t tell you we were coming because I’m your father d*mn it! I don’t have to. Why is it so wrong for us to be waiting at the restaurant on your prom night to eat and take pictures with your friends? Just because your mother and I are divorced doesn’t mean I lost my rights to be part of your life. I do pay a weekly child support amount that helps pay for things like prom dresses!

Dad

For those of you trying to keep up, by my junior year in high school Louise was gone and Brenda had entered the picture as the significant other. My father was angry that I didn’t invite him to our house to see me dressed up for prom. He decided to be at the restaurant when my date and I arrived with friends. No kidding. There they were standing outside with two freaking camera’s. I tried to be cordial, but when I found out they made reservations for a table right next to ours, I admit I lost it.

HOW EMBARRASSING! {Do you think I told him where we were eating on my senior prom? Hell no!}

As promised here is my letter for today. My parents divorced while I was in middle school (good timing, as if things aren’t hard enough for a 13 year old!). When my father moved out and into an apartment down the street he immediately “hooked up” with the lady (named Louise) across the hall. By immediately I mean like the night he moved in!

Several months later I went through confirmation at church. Our family came and my father was invited as well. He demanded I invite Louise. Let’s re-cap: this was less than 4 months after he moved out & he wanted me to invite this lady he was screwing to a church event where my mom would be?

I refused. It was a family event, she was not part of my family…no matter how many times he screwed her. So in the end he didn’t come. Pretty sad I think, but his loss. {By the way they moved in together a couple months later and then broke up a 2 years after that.}

This is the letter I received with the confirmation card:

My Dearest Daughter,

It saddens me that you were selfish enough to exclude the one person I care about from attending your confirmation. What a well mannered young lady you’re turning out to be. I’m sure your mother is to blame for most of that.

In the future you should know I will expect you to invite Louise and be friendly to her. She loves you kids very much d*mn it! You should treat her with respect.

It’s not her fault you mom and me got divorced. And it’s not mine either. You need to grow up and accept her as part of your new family.

Love,
Dad

Now it’s your turn. Give me your worst dad story & win prizes! Check out the rules here.

In honor of Father’s Day next Sunday, I have decided to host a contest with a very jazzy button & even prizes!!! You have from now until Saturday to write a post about “The World’s Worst Dad.”

Some of you may remember reading a “Letters from Bob” post I wrote a while back. My father and I have no relationship at this moment to speak of, but our past has plenty of turmoil and lots of letters (mostly from him).

I have not spoken to him since he was released from jail almost a year ago. This week I will share with you a letter from Bob each day. (WARNING - his language is a bit explicit.) Stay tuned…

Here are the rules:

1) Write a post between now and Saturday (the deadline) regarding “The World’s Worst Dad.” It can be a story from personal experience or one you’ve heard.

2) You must use this link back to the contest.

http://www.fenicle.com/2007/06/10/worlds-worst-dad/

3) Use this button as well.

<a href="http://www.fenicle.com/2007/06/10/worlds-worst-dad/"> <img src="http://fenicle.com/images/Worlds-Worst-Dadx200.png" /></a>

4) E-mail me at info@fenicle.com when you have posted your story.

5) I will draw a random winner from all the entries on Sunday, June 17th and announce it on this site ~ along with a list linking to all of your Father Day’s posts.

The winner will receive a $25 gift card to Wilson’s Leather Store, a $15 gift card to Starbucks & a SPECIAL PRIZE. (I promise it isn’t anything I’ve stolen from Wal-Mart!) Who couldn’t use a new leather purse and some coffee? And the special prize is definitely worth sharing a post! So spread the word & start thinking of those worst father moments, that not-so-loving advice he shared or just the best darn story you’ve ever heard.

I almost feel guilty. Especially after reading a recent post by Kristen @ Motherhood Uncensored about a “stolen” $6.95 duck from The Gap. Seems some people who live in glass houses decided to throw a few stones and almost suggest they have never taken anything without paying (whether on accident or not).

They’ve probably never dented someone’s car door at Target or taken a piece of candy from the grocery store center aisle stand either. The again I’m sure they never received a restaurant bill only to notice they weren’t charged for a drink and didn’t bring it to the waitresses attention.

A few weekends ago I went to Wal-Mart’s garden center to pick up some flowers and bags of cedar mulch. The way it works is that you pay at the register inside, then drive your vehicle around to the side lot where these landscaping things are located and one of the friendly, tan Wal-Mart boys (usually in high school or college and not too bad on the eyes) will load your car. About 75% of the time they will ask to see your receipt.

So there I stood in the 90 degree heat waiting patiently for one of these fine young men to come lift some bags of mulch into my vehicle. And I waited….for at least 5 minutes. No one in sight.

In anger, I start hiking the bags of mulch (I paid for) into the back of the Expedition. Great customer service uh? Great theft prevention program too I thought. In my anger I may have thrown a couple extra bags of mulch in my vehicle (that I did not pay for). So what?

Then I did something beyond a $6.95 duck. Way beyond. I went over and grabbed some landscaping stones (that were heavier than the mulch), placed them in the Expedition and left.

I only feel guilty that Kristen got so much crap about accidentally bringing a stupid duck home when there are a lot of people, like myself, who take things on purpose.

It happens. How many times have you gotten home after hitting the McDonald’s drive-thru only to realize they gave you the wrong food? How many times has McDonald’s given you an extra order of fries you didn’t pay for? It all equals out.

Kristen got raked over the coals, but responded with humor. Go check out her ducks and choose your stance.

Thanks for the extra mulch and stones Wal-Mart. I’m sure you’ll get the money back next week when the sale items don’t ring up at sale price.

Our city council is expected to vote tonight on an ordinance that would require bicycle riders under 16 years old to wear a helmet or their parent/guardian will be subject to a fine.

You can have the first $25 fine waived if you show a receipt after your ticket is issued that you purchased a helmet. Every fine following the first offense is $50.

I understand the reasoning behind this safety issue. During the summer months you hear about kids getting severely injured (typically brain injuries) from not wearing a helmet while bike riding. But you also hear about moped accidents, skateboard accidents, etc…

My husband and I have joked many times about our son needing a helmet. He manages to hit his head on just about everything. And it happens daily! He always wears a helmet when riding his bicycle. It’s a rule.

Although I am very much in favor of wearing your seatbelt, due to a past experience in which it saved my life and shielded our 23 month old son from injury, I’m not sure if this is a wise use of our police force.

I can think of many other issues they should focus their time and energy on such as the ever-growing drug issues (in particular meth) the area encounters.

What doesn’t make sense to me is why motorcyclists, who travel much faster and are at greater risk of an accident, aren’t required by law to wear a helmet.

I’m also wondering why would there be an age limit for requiring personal responsibility. If the intent of the law is to reduce the risk of injury or death, then why not protect everyone?

The next thing you know our city council will be creating a beach patrol to ticket those who are not wearing sunscreen. Yes, we know it’s proven to save lives from cancer, but when do you draw the line of the government controlling our choices. (Whether they be stupid choices or not.)

Does anyone else’s town have a similar law in effect? I’d love to know your thoughts and I’ll let you know what they decide.

I want to clarify something - I believe that wearing helmets while riding bikes is an excellent idea for ALL ages. I would think the the government (both local & state & national) would look into requiring helmets for motorcyclists as the next logical step in making laws. Our local area is a little behind in these things, which is why it has taken so long to get here.

This post was up for 3 hours and I’ve already had some negative e-mail saying I’m against safety measures that protect kids. Which I am all for. I just saw some humor in it.