A father's poem

This is a poem from a father whose words stand as a reminder of the journeys of many of those who have been to A Place for Parents. Right from the beginning he wanted to learn about himself and understand how he became the man he was. He challenged his behaviour and his thinking and slowly began to share his feelings, his confusion and his story. His commitment to the work never ceased.  There was a strong inner need to live and think differently as a parent, as a partner, and as a man.  As he left A Place for Parents on his final session he held his poem up and said, "I have now graduated".   He knew the challenges of life would not all magically go away but this time he felt he had choices.   This time he knew he could look at situations in a different way.

My name is man
When I was a kid it was hard to say what a crappy childhood I had so I blanked it.
I thought I could deal with things when I was a child growing up.
I thought I could turn things off inside......But inside I remembered.
Most children get upset when sent away from home. For me time away from home was good.
I remember mum handing me away because I was a little...........
I was bullied at school and I knew I needed to learn to look after myself.
Years later when I came home, I came home to nothing, so I went from Care to prison.
I have children now
My first two are grown up
My younger children are growing up
I love them all.
When I first went to A Place for Parents. I went because my partner said I should go.
After the first session I went because I wanted to go.
It has helped me be more confident about myself
It helped me to look at different things without exploding.
It helped me to find knowledge.
Most of all it helped me to begin to communicate differently with my partner and the children.
I didn't realise how much my children love me.
I have learnt so much about myself.
It is hard to share my past with the older children.
The past did upset me but now I have a future.
What I can share with all my children is my love.