Meet Brent


We met Brent and his seven year old son at the first Single Dad’s Day at Principal Park a couple years ago. Des Moines got to meet Brent 18 years ago after accepting a job here with the same company he works for today. Brent says he loves Des Moines and he loves what he does.

It’s evident Brent also loves his son. After their divorce in 2012, Brent and his ex-wife were hurt and angry with each other. However, they both decided no matter what they felt, they would always make their interactions focused on what was best for their son.

In the five years since their divorce, they have done just that. Brent says, “His life in is our hands and we have to do what is best for him.”

This biggest challenge he faces as a single dad is how to best juggle his schedule so that when he is with his son, he can choose to focus on activities that are enjoyable for both his son and him. “It’s a commitment you need to make that when you are with your child, you are doing things that are focused on the two of you, not just what you as the adult wants to do.”

His greatest joys are the little things of life with his son; the snuggles on the couch watching TV, fishing, going to the park, jumping in leaves, making homemade chocolate on Christmas Eve, going to Adventureland and closing down the Lazy River. Brent says “You don’t always have to do things that cost money to have fun. It’s more about being together. That’s something we want to instill in our son.”

When Brent thinks of Single Parent Provision, he thinks of community. “I get to be together with others who are in the same situation, and hang out with other adults who are doing things with their children, too.”

At the Single Dads Day at Principal Park, Brent says, “We felt like royalty. They welcome me and my son and had so much fun. And I appreciated being able to do something with him.”

The best advice he wants to pass along to other single parents is to, “enjoy your kids at the age they are. Kids are small for only so long. Just yesterday I was rocking him and reading a book to him. He changes every weekend I see him. Enjoy the little things together while you have them.”

Thanks Brent for sharing a bit of your story. You are such an encouragement to us!

Published November 2017






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