DAUGHTERS SAY…

"Because of Dr. Nielsen I have gotten someone back in my life who had been taken away from me after my parents' divorce – my father."  

• "The mere mention of my father used to reduce me to tears. I never expected to be shown a way to remedy this ache. But now my dad and I are actually spending time together."
  
  
• "If it weren’t for Dr. Nielsen’s advice, I still wouldn’t be speaking to my dad after not talking to him for 8 years since my parents’ divorce."

 "Hearing my father’s story made me uncomfortable because I’ve tried so hard to maintain a positive image of my mother. After much thought, I’ve decided that it’s still possible for me to admire her even though I see that what he told me about her is true."

 "He said that the saddest experience of his life was losing me. He said it again and again. I had no idea what an impact I’d had on him. I realized that he and I have wanted the same thing from each other all these years. But we never talked enough to figure that out. After we talked about the divorce, I realized that there’s more to it than him being the bad guy and mom the good guy."

"It had been 5 years since I’d seen my dad. I never thought I would get any response if I tried to contact him. He said my contacting him was the best gift I had ever given him."

" I always had this vision of him as some opinionated, overbearing, stubborn tyrant. It has always been unthinkable to me that he might admit his failures. Now I know that he actually does care. I realize now that seeing mom constantly upset by him while I was growing up had a profound effect on the way I feel about him. Now I know I have to focus on my issues with him—not on hers. I’m constantly amazed at his willingness for contact with me."

"One of my father’s comments cut straight to my heart.  He said that he wonders if he will ever marry again. The expressive look on his face and tone of his voice showed me how much the divorce had hurt him. I stopped feeling mad at him because I saw him as a man with a lonely heart."

"After I allowed my father to tell me his side of things, I realized that he had to give up half his wealth when they divorced. Especially since my mom remarried so soon, he feels that she’s spending his money to enjoy her life with another man. Finally, I see his side, not just hers."

"I was stunned when he said the saddest thing was his having to live away from me after they divorced. It was great to hear because my mom has always given me the impression that he didn’t care."
 
"The picture he said was most meaningful to him was a picture of us together when I was a little girl. When I asked him if I could have the picture to take back home with me, he wouldn’t let me because he always keeps it hanging in his bedroom. That made me cry. This long talk with my father is the most wonderful thing we have shared in over a decade. As I drove back to my place, I had a feeling I’ve never had before after spending time with him: I felt that I was leaving home rather than coming home."
 
DADS  SAY ………..
"Thanks, Dr. Nielsen, from all divorced fathers who know that we are as caring and deeply devoted to our daughters as any mother can be."

"As a divorced dad who has been through one of the worst divorce battles in Georgia’s history, the advice in your book is too important for me to explain in words. You have truly given a gift to the world with this book."

"Until I read your book, I felt like I was in a jail but without the bars. I love my daughter, but I didn’t dare have many feelings for her for fear of losing her in a custody battle. Now I realize what she needs from me."

"I hope that before my time expires on this plain of existence, my daughter will find peace with me. Your book may spur her to forgive me for my failings and to understand that we parents learn as we go and do the best we can."

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