Hey dads, got a topic for you sparked in part by my unborn son and my somewhat jerk of a father. I recently noticed I have become very bitter toward my father, who was pretty decent when I was little but has done very little to maintain a relationship with me as a man. I am so bitter now that I have refused to answer any of his calls, the last of which was about 5 minutes ago. I haven't listened to the message yet and I'm dreading it. He'll ask why I haven't called, maybe even be a little upset about it, and pretend nothing was ever wrong between us.<br><br>I guess it's my fault for not really coming clean. My sister does not talk to him whatsoever. He ruined their relationship years ago. I don't really want to go into other reasons I am bitter, but he just wasn't always the greatest dad. I can remember family vacations spent with my mom and dad yelling at each other, my mom being the only parent who came to my band concerts, and other events along those lines.<br><br>In talking with many guy friends my age, the majority are in my boat - they don't have a great relationship with their fathers. I find very few with good relationships. No matter what their status is, though, they assure me that at some point my son will not like me. Okay, fine. But I am damn sure it won't be because I wasn't there for my son, or that I did not love him with every fiber of my being. I am a world apart from my dad. I was raised mostly by my mom and grandmother. So I can rest comfortably that my values are far from his. Family is my most important priority.<br><br>I have told him before some of how I feel. But with my sister already not speaking to him at all, I am afraid to crush the rest of his world by telling him -- look, I don't really think you are a great (or even a good) dad. Besides, I haven't seen him in about 3 years and we only talk minimally on the phone. He says he wants to be a part of my son's life. Yeah right.<br><br>Luckily, my wife's father is great and he'll be a good grandfather figure for my son. That's not my concern. I don't really know where I'm going with the advice question, but if anyone has anything to offer, or would like to share their own experiences, I am all ears.<br><br>Thanks, dads.