Father’s Day: The daily life of Mick, solo dad since the disappearance of his wife

Football posters, champions’ medals… Ethan’s passion for football is quickly evident. But this Saturday morning, before returning to the field, the boy must free himself from an obligation. And his father is there to remind him. Before the fun, it’s time for homework…

Since the departure of the eldest of the family, Mick and Ethan have lived together.
On a wall is the smiling portrait of the teenager’s mother, who died too soon, lost to illness. If she is always present in photos, and in their thoughts, the absence of his wife reminds Mick of the need to spend quality time with his son. And every moment spent with his last gives him pure happiness.

Mick is keeping an eye on things. Once the last lesson is learned, it’s training time for father and son. Head to AS Dragon, in Le Gosier, for the last day of the championship.

At the edge of the pitch, Mick watches his son having fun with a smile.

Children need their parents next to each other. He likes it when I stay to watch him play. It’s the most natural way I go there.

Between the two, the complicity is obvious. At 13 years old, Ethan still enjoys these Saturday mornings just as much.

I like it when he sees me play because he encourages me. He comes to all my matches.

Now taking on more than just his role as dad, Mike makes a point of being there in the good times and the bad.

You have to juggle between the cuddly dad and the more severe dad, so you have to find the right balance. This is what is important but is not always easy. At the start, we almost only have one role, in the family. The mother has her role, the father has his role. So there, you have to juggle both.

A balancing act that Mick seems to have mastered.

There are funny moments, moments where you have to dot the I’s and that’s good. The link is strong. It’s like a chain, very strong.

Words that make this devoted and loving dad proud who, without a doubt, will be pampered this Sunday, for Father’s Day.