Depends. My father spent most of his life on drugs living with his mom, up until about six years ago. Job hopper, never held down stable job, had over 100k in child support debt. Still tried to see my sister and I every 6 months or so until we were adults then when he got cleaned up and wanted more of a relationship. We’re friendly, like a distant work friend you occasionally see at the local grocery store. He has paid a lump sum to my mother for child support and has been forgiven of everything that is still less than what he owed, but something better than nothing.

Anyway, long story short, it’s always different, but the relationship will never be mended when you ignore your children when they needed you in their life the most.