Do You Have a Relationship With a "Fatherless Son?"

You can only imagine my excitement when I heard I would be attending Oprah's Lifeclass in Chicago!!

A few weeks earlier, I had received an email from a fellow psychotherapist named Marianne living in British Columbia. Having sent her a review copy of my novel STRIPPED DOWN RUNNING, she sent me a message with her glowing reviewing, remarking, "I'm going to Oprah in January, I hope to be able to give her this copy of your book."

I replied jokingly, "Oprah! That's awesome. I wish I could come with you."

On a sunny December day, I shouted with surprise when I received this email from Marianne, "I have decided to ask you to join me to Oprah's Lifeclass. Your book really made an impact on me."

Jumping off my chair screaming, much to the shock of my two young boys, I typed, "Seriously? Because I will absolutely take you up on that offer! Seriously??"

"Seriously," was her simple reply.

I started howling, bouncing wildly all over the living room. My oldest son shouted, "Mommy! What's wrong?"

"Oh nothing is wrong sweetheart. I've just been invited to go to Oprah."

He looked at me intently then dropping to his knees to continue playing. "Okay," he mumbled.

Marianne said I was invited on the condition I had personal experience with the topic of "fatherless sons." As a parenting educator, I had worked with some, but wasn't sure it was a fit for me. Then I realized I was raised by one. A fatherless son for the purposes of the show is someone who was raised by either a physically or emotionally absent father.

In my quest to be as prepared as I can for this Lifeclass discussion with Oprah and Iyanla Vanzant, I have been reading books written by fatherless sons and interviewing adults with this experience.

So, my question to you is, What is your experience with fatherless sons? Are you married to one? Raised by one? Raising one yourself? What would you say has been your greatest challenge due to this dynamic? And secondly, what was the one thing you found the most helpful in working through that challenge?

We are going to have a conversation about this over on my facebook page so if you would like to join us, please visit www.facebook.com/andrea.m.nair or search for "Andrea Nair—parenting educator." You are also welcome to leave a comment here.

I will write all about my experience in hallowed Harpo Studios when I return. We are not allowed to offer gifts to Oprah or bring in our phones. DAMN! That means my plan to get my novel in her hands or a photo of us together are likely shot. Two episodes are being filmed while we are there ¾ we have been told to plan to be at the studio between 8am and 2pm that day so I should have time to get creative!

Now to decide what to wear!

Photo credit to dbrekke; Flickr