From Publishers and Editors:
“Dear Reader;
Thank you for the kind words and enthusiasm for Bruce Sallan’s column. Like you, I am also a single Dad (of 3 teenage sons) and when I read Bruce’s first sample columns they spoke to me and I imagined that there must be others like us out there. E-mails like yours confirms that there is. I am glad to see the positive feedback that Bruce receives from readers and that his “point of view” resonates in our community. Interestingly, we also receive a fair amount of positive e-mails from female readers of his column which would indicate that real writing from the heart hits home no matter which gender is doing the reading.”
- Arthur von Wiesenberger
Co-Publisher, The Santa Barbara News Press
“I had several readers comment about what a great addition you are! Yours is a loving look at life, and your children are lucky to have you as a father, as we are to have you as a columnist.”
- Carol Forsloff, Publishe, GreenHeritageNews.com
“The community has loved your columns.. I am so glad you are with us.”
- Teresa Pearson, Publisher, Rogue River Press
Again Bruce. This is just an awesome, awesome post! You are by far my favorite contributor. You are so right on target. I am honored to have you as part of Single Dad Life.
- Barry Kahan
Founder & Editor, Singledadlife.com
“A lot of my staff has commented on how refreshing this different POV is to read. Not to say anything negative about our other columnists at all, but your perspective is fresh. A nice change of pace.”
- Lesley Valadez, Managing Editor, Stuttgart Daily Leader
“Just read your Father’s Day column, you teared me up.
You should write that love story, sell it to Hallmark.”
- C.F., Editor, The Daily Herald
From Australia and New Zealand:
Tena koe, Bruce.
I have recently started running some parenting workshops for young dads (15-25). May I utilize your wisdom and experience, as appropriate, when I need to with my clients? Please place me on your mailing list, or link me to more of your articles.
Mauri ora,
- Bevan
New Zealand
G’day Bruce,
I’ve just read your article, “There’s No Such Thing As Quality Time”. Well done Bruce! You’re an absolute champion father, and your boys are truly blessed. Keep fighting for their hearts Bruce, and never stop.
Kind regards,
- Darren
Australia
From Africa:
Dear Bruce,
I am a pastor, and a dad of four boys and two girls. My own dad died when I was 15, so it has been difficult to know how to be the best possible father to my own children as well as those in my parish. Your article about giving quantity time to one’s children has taught me something important about parenting. I struggle to give my teenaged boy some quality time, and often fail. But the wisdom I have learned from you about quantity will help me father him well.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us.
- Patrick Nsereko
Uganda, East Africa
From England:
I really needed to hear this. Thank you!
The bottom line is that men and women are just different creatures with different inherent roles and instincts for survival in life.
We can’t deny that we’re each built entirely different!!! We have no control over that. That’s how we each came out of the womb…
- Anonymous
From Ireland:
Hi Bruce,
I knocked across you by accident on on the net. Just read you article on the G the B & the U, it tickled me. I am a man of few words and even less where text is concerned, so please excuse the brevity. I live in a town called Killarney in the southern tip of Ireland. I will be 60 next year and can say I,ve had(and still am having) a very good life. As we get older we find poetry, philosophy & God(we all have our own version of the greater being) I have a theory I share with my buddys and by and large it works for me, I call it my CDC, Choices, Decisions & Consequences. But back to the G the B & the U. For me the Good is my wife and family, good health, country music, Italian food and simple things. The Bad is the loss of parents, my sister and brother-in- law. The Ugly has to be U2(the band). P.S. My friends call me Pat(amoung other things).
Kind Regards…..
- PK
From India:
It is such a nice article which says why men need to seek help as they need some tongue lashing to know what is reality and how to respond. Bruce, I from India thank u, all marking it to our group.
- Madhup Kumar
From Fans Closer to Home:
Bruce,
Your column, “Making the correct decision”, appearing in the 1/26/10 edition of the SB News-Press was outstanding. I applaud your openness, honesty, and ability to express with such simple eloquence, sincerity, and humility.
- Stu Sherman
Hi Bruce,
I’m a grandmother of seven. I agree with you that “parents need time away from their kids.” Parents need to connect with other parents to gain confidence and learn that they “are not alone.” – this is what’s called “social support,” and ultimately promotes good mental health. Also, in marriage, good sex is a form of “social support”! Most sincerely,
- Jane
Hello Bruce,
Ever since I started to read your weekly column in the Santa Barbara News Press, I was thinking to myself : “I’ve got to tell this fellow how much I enjoy his points of view! I need to encourage him to continue writing about the every day stuff, etc”. And then the day passes, and I get busy with other things, so I forget about it. Well, not this time.
When I read your article last evening [ Tuesday Aug. 4th in our SB paper ] about words that hurt, words that heal, I thought, okay, now is the time to tell you how much I have appreciated your words of wisdom, your insight in the simple things of life. I am telling you, Bruce, I really look forward to your opinions, your take on ordinary things, that we all deal with from time to time. You have a great sense of humor woven into your articles. But you also tell it like it is, in plain language, and right down to the truth. It all has to do with common sense, which we so often lack.
So, here is a person who hopes you will continue to give us people a piece of your mind. I admire what you have accomplished with your new wife and your 2 sons. They sound like a great family.
Again, I wish you success in all you do. God bless you and your family.
- Evelina [a faithful reader]
Hi Bruce,
Just read your article in today’s News-Press (4/21) on being a selfish parent. Out of your mind? Absolutely far from it. We, as parents, would go out of our minds if we didn’t take care of “us” sometimes. We sacrifice enough of our time and ourselves for the betterment of our children. Without some time for ourselves, we couldn’t be the best we can and want to be. I equate it to having a friend or relative overstaying their welcome. You would like them to leave so you can miss them and want them back. Too long a stay will only breed resentment. A warm and fuzzy feeling is missing your kids. So – when’s your next vacation? I enjoy your column.
- Greg
Hello Bruce,
Yesterday I read the Santa Barbara News-Press article regarding the lessons you learned as a Big Brother. It was very interesting and very true how we as mentors need to see each child as their own unique person, and even though we may introduce new experiences, we need to support their interests. I am curious to know what organization matched you with your previous “Little” and current Little Brother”. Thank you for advocating for others to volunteer. We do hear time and again, as you said, that “I get more than I give.”
- Bonnie
Dear Bruce,
I have been meaning to write you for some time to tell you how much I have enjoyed your writing. Your column is filled with honesty, humor and lessons to be learned. It is a pleasure to read such openness from the opposite sex. I do believe I knew your Dad. Did he have a dental lab in Los Angeles? My previous husband was a dentist in LA and Beverly Hills for about 25 years (1959-1984) Dr. Bernard Rosen. Dave Sallan was our Dental Technician. If so, I must tell you he was a lovely, kind, accommodating gentle man.
- Sybil
Note from Bruce: That was my dad; what a small world. This really touched me, as my dad has been gone nearly four years and I miss him (and my mom) terribly.
Bruce,
I printed your article and pinned it up in my office, highlighting, “It’s these moments that matter most in our lives—the little ones, like building Legos with your 8-year-old and figuring out where the mistake was. I hope I never say “later” to my kids again.” I thank you, Bruce. My 8 year old (and 6 and 4 year olds) have you to thank for getting this important contribution in front of their dad. Thanks again for putting your thoughts and experience out there to help dads feel normal, coach able, and excited to improve!
- Guy
I am a father of three 9, 7, and 5. I just read your article on Fathers.com. Thanks for the reminder to go at your kids pace. I am very athletic and want my 7 year old son to excel in sports. I like the point you make about quantity time, that makes a lot of sense. Thanks Bruce.
- Tom
Bruce,
I run a small weekly paper in south Georgia. I get so many column solicitations per week, I seldom reply to them. Yours, however, is the most refreshing I’ve read in a long time. You are a talented writer.
- Tim, GA
What a great story, and such a fresh, candid perspective. I really look forward to seeing your blogs AND your columns. We need this POV.
- Susan
Bruce – your writing reveals a wonderful storyteller at heart – one that conveys a rich true life tale with heart – all done in a style that is spare and descriptive at the same time.
- Bill
Thanks for easing my mom guilt and validating that being happy and creating a new life with a partner is a good thing.
- Anonymous
Easy answers are not out there…and it is nice to just hear a sane, rational viewpoint from an honest real guy! Thanks Bruce…lets hear more…
- Traci
Cute stuff. No easy answers in this department for both sexes. Glad to see a guy writing with insight, sensitvity and humor for once. Thanks!!!
- Michelle
Wonderful take on the dating with kids thing. Glad to see a dad’s view on these kind of situations.
- Lorie
I couldn’t agree more! I tell my kids (when they whine about Daddy and I going out) that we need playdates too. How would they like it if I invaded their lego games with their friends. Mommy and Daddy time is key to a healthy home and healthy family 
- Dr. Michelle Golland
Oh Bruce, “Delayed Gratification” WHAT A CONCEPT. Wish my parents had been so wise. Good for you setting an example and paving a new way for families to survive.
- Linzy
If you continue writing, I will continue reading YOUR COLUMNS. My son is grown but I have passed your articles to my daughters, they are most enlightening and informative. KEEP THEM COMING!
- Beverly
Your latest piece is oh so true, and though I’m not the mother of teenage boys anymore, still has great resonance when I remember that those years the boys were on the dark side of the moon. I hate to tell you this, but into their 20’s and 30’s this alien/alienated behavior bubbles up from time to time. My grandmother said, “when you have kids, you’re always in the army”. Believe it. Keep writing.
- Forever a major general
I love reading Bruce’s articles and it is so nice to know that there are dads out there that put a lot of thought into parenting, and being responsible for parenting – first and foremost. Unfortunately, my children’s father could not have been less involved, so Bruce’s comments are refreshing and inspiring! Maybe Bruce should consider writing a blog geared towards teenage boys about growing up to be a resonsible man (for all of those boys who don’t have participating dads in their life)! Bruce, please keep the articles and opinions coming.
- Carol
OMG, it’s like you’re talking about my kids! It makes me nuts when then talk like this. You are a real fresh voice and it’s great to get the man’s viewpoint, even if I may disagree with you now and then (like on the selfish parent thing…still not sure about that one!).
- Denise
My sentiments exactly. I have two kids, 5 and 7, and they are always pestering me to play on the computer. And I’m usually working on mine when they start up with “I’m bored….” We have a great backyard. The thing is, if I got out there more often, they’d follow me outside. If I just go weed the garden, then they’ll come out and ride bikes, or climb in the fort. Bruce, it’s great to hear the voice of a man who’s in touch with these issues.
- Monique
Dear Bruce,
I feel like I know you so I’m writing. Simply put, it is good that you are writing. I, as a reader who has had a smile on her face while traveling your life for the last hour, encourages you to continue with the “share”…..for it is a slice we all live – a rich humanness in your insight, topped with a candid irreverence that assists to trigger the reader to……… read more Bruce Sallan.
Someone once said of a Mentor ~ A Mentor is someone whose hindsight can become your foresight.
- The Mentored
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