[NCDad]

Any divorced Dads or Moms out there who have unwillingly been excluded from the lives of your kids? If so, can you share how you have dealt with it personally and emotionally? How do you resist the strong pull of depression and despair? What has worked for you in terms of successfully getting on with your life?

[450donn]

Successfully getting on with your life? Get professional help. Talk to a counselor, pastor, or priest but get help. This can take a long time to get rid of the emotional baggage that you are carrying. And the only solution is help.

[DoulaLC]

How old are the kids? Do you have visitation? If not, why not? Are they near by or live far away? Was the divorce fairly recent? How was it played out... amicable or hostile?

Keep attempting periodic contact... remember birthdays and holidays... send e-mail, regular mail, etc, this can make a difference when they reflect back as they get older.

If they are older, keep the door open, but they may get busy with their lives, get involved with their friends, work, school, etc. and just don't stop and think about what you are feeling.

Get some counsel, as 450donn suggested if it is more than you can take on yourself. You might seek out groups for divorced parents as well. Focus a bit more on things you enjoy doing, spend time with your friends, get involved in something in your community, or a cause you feel strongly about. Just don't close the door completely as odds are they will come around at some point.