Jun 19, 2009 7:32 am US/Mountain
Dad Makes Every Day Father's Day By Helping Others
Written by Brooke Wagner
DENVER (CBS4) ―
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Bill McLeod started is the creator of Singledadstown.com, a Web site devoted to helping other single parents.
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Michaela McLeod, 13, sums up her dad with three words: "He's pretty awesome."
While she and her 15-year-old brother Jack are at school their father, Bill McLeod, is reaching out to other single parents on his Web site and his radio show as well as on Facebook and Twitter.
"We're all the same, and all I try to do is share my experiences in letting people know it will be okay," Bill McLeod said.
Last year, McLeod started Singledadstown.com a Web site resource for single parents. It includes advice on topics as simple as grocery shopping and as complex as raising children with one less pair of hands.
"(The children's) mom had a problem with drinking, she had a disease with that, so we went through a separation and divorce and Jack and Michaela went through quite a bit at a very young age. So when I first becamse a single dad, I went to the Internet thinking, someone's got this blueprint for me and there was really nothing out there," said McLeod.
Then, about 2 years ago, Bill McLeod's ex-wife suddenly passed away. Soon after, Singledadstown was born.
"The day you become a single dad, there's still school activities, there's still homework," McLeod said. "I'm not a doctor. I'm not a counselor. I'm just a single dad. I'm just providing an outlet for all single parents to share their ideas, their concepts ... what works for them (and) what doesn't work for them."
Bill McLeod recently received the "Embrace Life" award from State Farm Insurance for his self-funded efforts to help other single parents succeed.
"I just think it's really great how he does the Web site and radio show and he's also on Facebook and Twitter, so that's also how he helps other people," said Michaela McLeod.
According to Bill McLeod, one in four children in the United States is raised by a single parent. McLeod said he'd like to see more parents get recognition for all they do.
"There are no holidays for single parents. There are no walks or fundraisers for single parents. You just do what you do," said McLeod.
He also talks frequently on his radio show -- "The Bill McLeod Show" -- about breaking stereotypes.
"Just because you're a child of a single parent doesn't mean you're going to jail, doesn't mean you'll be depressed, doesn't mean you'll have bad grades," said McLeod. "I get so many emails from dads who are really depressed. They're just like, 'I didn't ask for this, I don't know how it happened. I have to pay too much money.' And I do feel sorry for them, but if you're going to model depression and sadness, what message is that teaching your kids at the end of the day?"
McLeod points out that money is another tough hurdle for single parents. Singledadstown.com includes a budget calculator and financial planning exercises.
"If you're looking for the best advice on beating the recession go ask a single parent, because they are working on beating it every single day of every single month," said McLeod. "You do your best not to spend more than you earn, you budget where you can, there's a lot of things you can do as a family that don't invovle spending a lot of money. And, you know, if your child asks you for the newest, hottest video game and you won't get it for them, they're going to throw a fit. But 20 years from now they won't remember."
McLeod invites single parents from all walks of life, including celebrities, onto his show to talk about how to raise children with less time and fewer resources.
"(Children) need to feel safe. They need to be listened to and they need to know they are loved. Be proud you're a single parent -- be blessed to have this opportunity. I'm blessed to have Jack and Michaela and have the opportunity to watch them grow, because it goes so fast," McLeod said.
Whether he's working on his Web site, radio show or home life, McLeod said he keeps one motto in mind; "Anybody he can be a father. It takes a special person to be a dad."
(© MMIX CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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