‘I had to leave. I had to be a single dad to be a better father for my daughter.’: Single dad explains his relationship was ‘vulnerable, beyond repair,’ despite being determined to have a ‘strong co-parenting relationship’

Parenthood officially began that night in the hospital when the last nurse left the room and we were alone for the first time. Some things I guess just come instinctually, especially when all of a sudden you assume responsibility to keep a human alive! As confident as I was in my abilities to raise a child, I was apprehensive.
Damon D’Arienzo/@singledadmagic

The first year was really hard and, candidly, I’m not sure how much I enjoyed it. I also started a new job in a different field 10 days after she was born. As well, we were living with my girlfriend’s mother in a small apartment while I saved and searched for a house to buy. I was up almost every night to help with feedings, pumping and just supporting her emotionally by being awake with her. With all this going on, I wasn’t able to really think about my relationship. It was purely survival mode.
Damon D’Arienzo/@singledadmagic