absent parent - how do I get them to be involved or my daughter deal with the hard facts?

[Kelly Trimoore]

All you can do is give her your support. There is nothing else you can do. In time, hopefully, it will all come together. I, for example, only saw my dad a total of 2 times since I was born. It wasn't until I turned 25 that my father had his new SON contact me on facebook (of all ways to contact someone) to let me know how much he has heard about me his whole life wanted to know me bla bla bla. I forgave him though, and am trying to have a relationship with my estranged father. Eventually, your daughter will probably have to be the one to be strong and forgive her father. There is nothing you can do right now except wait. I'd encourage her to not let this interfere with her life too much. That is just a waste of time. Tell her to stay focused on her own life and goals. I'm so sorry for her. I know how she feels. I have cried so much from feeling so abandoned and unwanted by my father so I know how difficult it is to deal with, but he made the decision to be a deadbeat and HE is the one who is missing out. It is NOT her fault, but his own and someday he WILL regret it. She'll be in my prayers . Good luck.