I had went through almost the same thing. When I got with my ex she had a 3 year old boy who I immediately fell in love with and called my own. She has a history of mental illness and drug use. After dating for almost 5 years she was pregnate with my daughter and when she was 3 months old she walked out on all 3 of us due to drugs and I became a single full time parent of 2. It was hell im not gonna lie for the first 3 years of being single I was not doing anything productive. Yeah I had a full time job and providing for me kids but it was like I was in shocked those years. Always being hung up about my ex in the back of my mind. Then one day I finally snapped and decided to change and become happy. 2 years later I went back to school to finish my career and started to learn how to live again. A little over a year later I'm sooo much better but I'm still fighting today i recently I've been diagnosed with hyperactivity syndrome and lately it seems to be more than that. I'm starting to fall in the categories of being bipolar or hyperthymic temperament. lol man it sucks. It explains a lot why I do things certain ways that some find weird or my way of thinking like caring too much about humans in this world and the ignorance. I don't have any friends anymore. They all turn away which I don't blame them. Thanks to my family though I couldn't do it without them. I really feel bad for the people that don't have a family to support them because that makes it nearly impossible to over mental illness. I've change my lifestyle yet again lol by working harder at the gym, writing on a daily journal, giving myself pep talks every morning in front of the mirror, daily work journal, and so many different things but most importantly live in the moment. I'm glad I found this website and hope to share my story more since my situation has never been heard off. God idk how many times people tell me that from parents to judges in court really fucking annoying cuz no one can give me some ideas what to do lol. It's all good I'm figuring it out on my own just like have have all my life really. I know I'm putting stress on my family and tried to go out and mingle but no luck. Can't find anybody to relate to. Hopefully this will change online. Sorry I kinda went all over the place. I wish the all te best on figuring out your life. Do whatever it takes to get help no matter how stupid it may sounds trust me I was hard headed at first I didn't believe in mental illness. It sucks about your ex I feel you but your child needs you the most. Your child is not your #1 priority. They didn't ask for any of this and it's not fair that's life but I promise you if your kids see your doing your best they will always appreciate you and understand why things had to be the way they had to. Like my son for example his 11 now he was 3 when I met him. It does not faze him about his mom. Which is really hard to believe I even took him to see therapists to make sure and his fine. The reason his fine is because he understands the situation he was put into and is also learning to just enjoy life regardless because life is to short. One last thing i highly recommend a book called "The Four Agreements" a Toltec wisdom book. The mayans had a interesting concept how to live life and I think their main goal is true in today times especially. Not really into this kind of stuff but I think the message on how to live your life is very true in this book. If you pick it up just go read it with a open mind. It's on Amazon for like $8! Have a great day fellow stranger (by the way I'm 26 dated my ex when I was 18, you got this, never to late to change.

I’m going through the same thing, bro. It’s good you’re young and have energy, because it really doesn’t get easier until they’re in school and then it’s hard for different reasons.

I count myself lucky that I still have my boys in my life, a lot of fathers don’t get a whole lot of time with their kids after a divorce, break-up, separation.

Just hang in there, it gets easier and try to relish the great moments with your daughter.