Single Dads: Why 58% of Divorced Dads Say Their Relationship with Their Kids Improved

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Despite losing full custody of their children, 58% of divorced men say the relationship improved with over a quarter saying the relationship with their kids significantly improved.

Life has a strange way of giving an opportunity when you least expect it. Single dads, have a healthier more transparent relationship than married fathers.

A father's biggest concern is the time with their kids. You go from having them daily only to see them half the time—or less.

This fear is valid, but as a divorce and recovery coach, I can give you countless examples of how and why your bond with your kids strengthens—especially if your ex is a helicopter mom. When your kids are with you, they’re truly with you, and you make the decisions. Your ex, she's only getting in the way. And because it’s your time, you get to parent on your terms, your way, your values and as a single man you have more of an opportunity to keep things real: Yes, you can and should include them in your dating life - You're still their dad so be careful but you should.

As a divorce and recovery coach, I conducted a study analyzing the impact of divorce on father-child relationships. Men who had been separated for over a year had a stronger relationship with their kids by a large margin but the difference isn't exactly why you may think.

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Here’s what the study uncovered: 21% of dads felt uncertain about the direction of their relationship with their kids post-divorce. But an impressive 58% reported that their bond had improved, compared to just 21% who said it had gotten worse—more than double the odds in favor of a stronger connection. For dads who, like me, thought their relationship with their kids was already great and couldn’t possibly improve, here’s the best part: not only can it improve, but you’re likely in the group that stands to gain the most.

How Divorcing Men Felt The Relationship with Their Kids Changed

The study goes on further to address why some fathers had improved relationship with kids versus those that didn't. Had nothing to do with who's the one that wanted the divorce or who's the one that one that's right, that made no difference.

Father Child Relationship of Men Not Accepting Divorce

The key difference between those two groups came down to how the dads handled the divorce. Men who took the divorce the hardest—usually the ones who couldn’t let go or move on—were far more likely to see their relationship with their kids deteriorate. More than half of them reported that the father child bond got worse (54%) while a mear 23% said it got better. Why? Because they let the divorce consume them. The bitterness, the anger, the victim mindset—it all spilled over into how they showed up as fathers. And when you’re stuck in that place, it’s hard to be the dad your kids need.

Father Child Relationship of Men Thriving After Divorce

So where did these "successful" dads come from? For those dads that managed to move on, who didn’t let the divorce define them, it was a completely different story. Only 14% of them said their relationship with their kids got worse. 64%— or 2 out of 3—said their relationship either improved or significantly improved. That’s a massive difference. You want to do something for your kids, take care of yourself first and foremost.

What’s the moral of the story? Whoever handles the divorce best, wins. As a divorce coach, I have to keep it honest with my clients. It doesn’t matter if your ex cheated. It doesn’t matter if the legal system is rigged against you. It doesn't matter if you're hurting and in fact, it makes things worse. If you let the pain and anger take over, you lose. Period. And the fallout doesn’t just stop with you—it affects your kids, too. Think of how many times you saw your dad cry. Maybe once, twice or a few times. They talk about it and frankly, what they need more than anything now is normalcy.

I'm not saying to pretend you’re fine or bottling it all up. It’s about facing the pain head-on and doing the work to get through it. Therapy, coaching, leaning on a group of men who’ve been where you are—whatever it takes, don’t go through this alone. You can learn more about our services by clicking here. The site addresses common myths about divorce, strategy and services. You need a coach, just don't know it. Schedule a free consultation because I can assure you that it's easier than you think. Your kids are watching how you handle this. They don’t need a perfect dad; they need a dad who shows up and dares to think of what could be rather than what once was.

If you’re sitting there wondering how to navigate this storm, take a deep breath. Right now, you have a choice. You can let this break you, or you can use it as the turning point to rebuild your life—and your relationship with your kids.

Of the hundreds of clients I’ve worked with—including those facing criminal charges like domestic violence—I’ve yet to see a single father who didn’t secure the custody he was fighting for. The difference? Preparation. I won’t let you be the exception.

You need a strategy—not hope. Your attorney won’t prepare you because, it’s not in their best interest. I will because, while you’re debating your next move, your ex is already years ahead of you.

Hiring me isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. If you don’t take this seriously now, you’ll be the one paying for it later—in legal fees, lost custody, and emotional exhaustion.

So stop waiting. Catch up. Get the strategy you need before it’s too late. Your kids are watching how you handle this. They don’t need a perfect dad; they need a dad who shows up and dares to think about what’s possible instead of dwelling on what’s already gone.

If you’re ready to take control of your future, click here to learn more or, if you’re serious about turning this around, click here to schedule a consultation. The hardest part is letting go. I'm well aware of it, that's why I chose this specialty. Now it's your move.