have a better relationship with my dad

I try to talk to him a little more when I call him instead of just asking for my mom right away. I’m still a lot closer with my mom and I’m sure I will always be but I feel like my dad is making an effort too. I’m really happy that he’s close with my daughter like he and I were close when I was little.

He has been my dad since I was a baby, while my biological father was busy being a loser. I was daddy’s girl until I hit that awkward preteen stage and turned into a horrible, unappreciative, little girl. I wrote notes to my friends about how much I hated my ‘step dad’, which he read and which I know really hurt his feelings. I have been cordial to him since then but our relationship never recovered. I call and say “Hi…is mom there?” I never have a conversation more than 5 minutes long with him and it’s usually uncomfortable.

We both know it’s a sad excuse for a father/daughter relationship but neither of us makes much of an effort.