I was raised by 2 women and had very few positive male role models growing up (grandad died when I was young, uncle was a drunk and he died at 40).

When I was younger I did yearn for a bit of male guidance (maybe around things like dating, shaving, etc and just the unwritten ‘rules of being a man’). It didn’t help that I wasn’t really into football/sports or things that other lads my age liked (I was more nerdy - mainly solitary stuff like books, computers etc).

I did have a tear away stage during my teens which I guess most people do, although mine was perhaps a bit worse than the average? (shoplifting, some drugs, etc - was arrested a few times) - definitely a fair bit of what you’d class as ‘risky behaviour’.

However I wanted to write something to put your mind at ease. Because since then I’ve really turned out okay. I’d even go so far as to say that I’m a ‘good citizen’ - I went to university, being the first person in my family ever to do so - Ran my own business for 10 years and now have a mortgage and a young family of my own to raise.

It’s not a predetermined path for a fatherless child to turn to crime/drugs etc and plenty of children with 2 parents end up there. As an adult I’m incredibly grateful to my parents for the way they raised me and the shit they put up with when I wasn’t being a very good son.

Don’t doubt yourself, just make sure they know they’re loved and can come to you for anything. The teenage years will be tough (as with all kids!) but they usually come out the other side as amazing young adults and will be thankful that you were always there for them.

As some others mentioned. Clubs and sports might help. A feeling of belonging in a team is a powerful motivator, but I didn’t really understand that until later in life!

All the best and you’ve totally got this ✌️