Dear diary, let’s have another look at this life…
American writer Jessamyn West, author of The Friendly Persuasion, said, “People who keep journals have life twice”. It’s hyperbole, but appeals to those of us who want to live a…
2018
How to deal with Christmas as a single dad
If you don’t have your kids for the day, or part of it at least, the loneliness and sadness of Christmas as a single dad can overwhelm. This Christmas will…
5 reasons single dads are wary of dating
From being protective of their kids to just looking after their own heart, JC Clapham outlines the real reasons a single dad might baulk at dating again. I’m a ‘single…
How I coped when my kids got a step-dad
Seeing my ex-wife with someone else has been a big challenge — it means my kids have a ‘stepdad’.
How I created a new ‘home’ for my kids after my separation
After the breakdown of his marriage, JC Clapham moved out of the family home. This is how he built another one for his three young kids.
How my father’s suicide helped me to become a ‘real man’
It was Saturday, March 28, 1998, when I received the news that would cast a shadow over the rest of my life. I was 16 years old, and nothing would…
I had to walk away from my marriage and job to be a better dad
Married with a young family and a great job, JC Clapham thought he had ticked all the boxes for a good life. Then he nearly lost it all, and himself.…
Red Dog, I’m Truly Blue | The Westsider
One of the many shitful things about having a parent who died while I was young is that my kids never knew him. In my case, my dad would never…
A new career path
Two years ago I had a complete breakdown. I was physically exhausted and mentally shot. A perfect storm of a marriage ending, total burnout and disillusionment with work meant nearly…
#YOUCANTALKABOUT suicide | The Westsider
A new suicide prevention education campaign has been launched through a collaboration of leading mental health organisations in Australia. The campaign aims to empower people and increase their confidence when…