Time For John Edwards To Be Single Dad
September 14, 2009 by admin
Filed under Dating & Sex
By Peter Ehrlich
Special to Single Dad Life
There is a way back for John Edwards but it’s going to take courage and commitment.
Mr. Edwards needs to step up to a microphone and announce to the world, in a clear and unequivocal voice, that he is determined to take on the role and responsibilities associated with being the single father he truly seems to be.
According to press reports, a secret DNA test proved he was the father of the baby he fathered with Ms. Rielle Hunter. And if you look at the baby’s face, it’s obvious – Frances’ father is John Edwards.
I remember looking at a photograph of John Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth renewing their vows and I thought, what a joke, because John Edwards is exchanging vows with the wrong girl.
Instead he should making a vow to Frances that, in consensus with her single mom, Ms. Rielle Hunter, he will take care of her as her father for the rest of her days.
Edwards is committing the ultimate sin at this moment. He is abandoning his child, and as I wrote previously for Single Dad Life, there is no excuse not to be involved. No man who abandons his child has the right to hold public office.
He has chosen to put his daughter into that great abyss of a black hole that is the final and unavoidable destination of all children who do not know where their father is.
Edwards has the resources and resolve to take care of his new daughter. He merely needs to call upon both to do the right thing.
As for his wife Elizabeth, according to her book she “begged” for fidelity. Well, it’s time for her to take responsibility for this relationship. If you have to “beg” for fidelity going into a marriage, let’s face it, he’s just not that into you.
And the fact that he cheats on his wife, while she has cancer is further proof that John Edwards doesn’t really want to stay married to her. His renewal of vows was a photo-op and that’s all it was.
I would have a lot more respect for Mrs. Edwards if she put forward the proposition that every child and I mean “every child” needs to know who their father is and have consistent contact with that father.
As a mother herself, she should understand that she needs to give John permission to do whatever it takes to see that that happens. For example, “why not invite Frances over to stay the weekend with us?”
Their marriage was likely finished years ago. They stayed married for his political career and their children.
But we wise single dads know, you don’t stay married for the children. In the end that only hurts the children, because children are uber-perceptive and all they witness and learn is how to conduct a loveless relationship.
Mr. Edwards, it’s time for you to step up to the plate, declare yourself the single father you are and undertake the responsibilities that come with the most wonderful job in the world – being a dad.
Do that and you have a chance at having a political career again, because you will have shown Americans that you’re not a deadbeat dad, you’re someone who took responsibility.
Feel free to contact Peter Ehrlich via his website - www.geronimocode.com
or directly via peter@geronimocode.com
John Edwards picture courtesy of Alex DeCarvalho
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I have no respect for John Edwards. I’d like to discuss Elizabeth though. I saw her interviewed recently about this subject and was put off by her demeanor.
She seemed far more interested in holding her marriage together than holding her husband accountable. Part of the holding accountable, in my opinion as a woman would mean making sure an innocent child didn’t pay for her husband’s bad choices.
I like what Elizabeth Edwards stands for politically but I would be very surprised if she has the strength needed to promote a relationship between her husband and the child he has fathered.
.-= Cathy Meyer´s last blog ..The Wheel of Karma or What Goes Around Comes Around =-.
Cathy – I understand your concern for the innocent child John Edwards has fathered but I disagree with you that Elizabeth needs to the one to promote the parenting relationship in this case. Elizabeth has her own children to parent with John. He made the decision to have the affair and was the irresponsible one not to take precautions not to father a child. He needs to take care of this relationship not Elizabeth.
Dear Marilyn,
Thank you for taking the time to comment on my column. How about this; Elizabeth doesn’t “need to” promote the relationship with Frances, but, she should merely offer John the support both he and Frances need to be able to undertake the relationship, even if that’s manifested by Frances being able to visit their home?
Sincerely,
Peter
I can’t pretend to know how Elizabeth Edwards feels about this situation but I imagine the fact that John lied all along about the paternity makes this harder for Elizabeth to accept. Since, Elizabeth’s cancer is incurable, and not knowing how long she has to live, she needs to make her life as stress free as possible so I will cut her and any other person in this situation a lot of slack.
I still stand by my suggestion that Elizabeth doesn’t need to be involved with or encourage John regarding parenting of Frances Quinn Hunter.
I do agree with you that John Edwards hasn’t wanted to be married to Elizabeth for more than three years since thats when he knowingly started an affair and continued it while running for POTUS.
My guess is Elizabeth’s decision not to divorce John is to save her young children the pain of having their family go through an ugly divorce from their father and his Mistress.
There are only victims from this sordid affair because of cowardly decisions John Edwards made. I’m surprised the grand jury hasn’t brought charges against Edwards for breaking campaign finance laws.
Also, I think John Edwards is hiding behind Elizabeth as the mistress could be pressuring him to marry her – I’m sure he was lying to both his wife and to his mistress.
All excellent points Marilyn. Thank you.
Peter