A Bluffton man is launching an organization that is relatively unique, not only to Ohio, but perhaps the entire country. Eric Wagner heads up the new organization called “Single Dad’s United: Standing Stronger Together.”

According to a recent Huffington Post article, the number of single father households in America has risen nine-fold since demographers began measuring it more than 50 years ago. Also according to the article, one of the biggest reasons for this phenomenon is simply the increase in the divorce rate.

Wagner said that in the wake of divorce a father is generally confronted with many new issues.

There is, for instance, the emotional trauma around the divorce and a host of feelings to work through for the dad. He may have reduced or lost contact with his children in the ruling (which happens less often today).  

In addition to the multiplied financial stress they experience, dads now have a world of new responsibilities to attend to. Working through not only his own emotional challenges that come with divorce, but also those of his children.

Behavioral as well as emotional issues that surface with children resulting from the loss in divorce are formidable. Children suffer the loss of family, the loss of dreams, uncertainty of their future resulting in the loss of security and often the onset of depression. This is in deference to the common thought that “kids are resilient. They’ll be able to deal with it (divorce).”

Wagner, who was divorced 10 years ago, said the children also experience a plethora of problems. Often they have two sets of homes, two sets of home rules, new step brothers and sisters. What’s more, in the wake of a divorce, the children have intense feelings (anger, sadness, fear, rejection…) to process.

“Often children feel a sense of helplessness because they have no say in the matter. They have no choice (about the divorce),” said Wagner. 

Wagner said his intent is to: “Communicate to single dads that they are not alone in their single parent challenges and that there is a place they can turn to; a place to learn how to overcome these challenges of single parenting.” 

Men often become isolated after divorce. Single Dads United is a place to connect with other single dads who know what they’re going through. This is a place to learn how to reduce the stress in the home to improve the future for your family. 

Some of the group programs will include: 
• home management 
• financial coaching 
• education about the grieving process 
• nutrition, discipline
• education about a variety of life skills 
• improved parenting techniques
• family legal

“Everyone knows a single dad,” Wagner concluded. “We define a ‘single dad’ as any dad not living with the mother of his children.”

Wagner is currently meeting with area community leaders, ministers, and others, around the new organization. He is also open to give talks in area churches, civic groups, and so on, about Single Dads United.

If you are interested in participating in this organization please contact Wagner at [email protected]; Eric Wagner, 121 South Main St., Suite C, Bluffton, OH 45817; 419.348.1493.