What is the best way to reach out to my long lost father?

[Dason]

i'm 17. i haven't seen my dad in 11 years and i would like to reach out since i'm about to leave for college.
my mother has been very hush hush about him and i am afraid to go through her to contact my father, so i did some research and was able to find out his name and his facebook.

so now what?

[Misunderstoodbead725]

well its upto you what you wanna do. if you wanna speak to him drop him a msg saying hi and tell him who you are and take things as it comes

[J 808]

Write to him. Send him a message. Tell him who you are, why your contacting him, and if you could meet him sometime. Don't try to be judge mental and ask him why he was never around, you know, don't blame him for not being there for him. You don't want to start off your relationship bad. Start it off with a fresh start and then later when you guys are more comfortable with each other and can talk openly about things just ease it in and ask him what happened. If thats what your curious about.

[elecheart]

Wow, you found your long lost Dad on facebook?
Isn't technology amazing! Well it's easy for me to say but l could not let this one pass. My Dad's dead unfortunately, so l was told, not seen him since l was 5 but that's another story.
You don't have to go through anyone else with that info. Honestly though, talk to someone you trust before you do it, it could go pear shaped or you could get a disappointment you are not prepared for. I hope not but you got to be prepared for all sorts of stuff coming up in this sort of situation- have you watched Trisha?!!
Very best wishes with it though X

[no it 2]

See if you can find his phone number and call him ask him if could over talk to him. If he gives the ok make sure you take nice and slow and be care full many a long lost father has take the child on financial ruin. If he asks for money make an excuse not to give to him

[Bettylou]

My advice would be to make sure ur prepared for rejection, cos its possible. Ur mum might have been secretive to protect ur feelings. I would just send him a message saying 'How are you?' If he wants to be a part of your life, no doubt he will reply to that. I dont think you would need to explain anything, he should know who you are and why you're contacting him. If he doesnt reply or says he doesn't want to know, then you can move on and be glad your mum figured out what he was years ago.