Michael Phelps father in Baltimore, not Beijing

re: Michael Phelps father in Baltimore, not Beijing

itshowyouperceive it — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 18:44:57 GMT

Not all dads are bad. not all moms are good and vice versa.

We all dont know anything about what happened. So just leave it at that. We all can assume depending on how we are all raised and depending on our own experiences.

Sure, its a free country. Express what you want. It reallly is not gonna get you anywhere.

Okay now focus on your own families! Get a life!

re: Michael Phelps father in Baltimore, not Beijing

george — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 02:49:01 GMT

In response to Erin. Did you work two jobs to pay for swimming expenses for not just one, not just two but three children? Did you officiate any swim meets to be with your children? Fred DID! So don't and I repeat DON'T call him a did beat father! May be you should get a job as a tabloid writer. You do a good job of writing comments without knowing the whole truth!

re: Michael Phelps father in Baltimore, not Beijing

terry — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:15:04 GMT

Whatever the reason for their strained relationship, I wish nothing but the best for Michael and all his family. Their problems are really none of our business.

re: Michael Phelps father in Baltimore, not Beijing

Erin — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:09:17 GMT

Why are we even focusing on this deadbeat. People--stop making excuses for dead beat fathers. If he was a good decent person then his children would be in contact with him. As for Cassie's comment above--We aren't beating up Dads--Just ones who are horrible parents

re: Michael Phelps father in Baltimore, not Beijing

Tom S — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:58:30 GMT

I am also a divorced dad, and I know that there are two sides to every story. I'm only "luke-warm" towards Mrs. Phelps. She did a good job as a single mom. But it also appears (to me...) that she might NOT be the easiest person on earth to be married to.

It could be that after their divorce, she drove a wedge between the kids and their father. I've been very lucky in that regard. Our divorce was civil. We both have the best interest of our kids in mind.

I hope that the Phelps children will reconcile with their father before it is too late. From the brief comments that Mr. Phelps has made to the press, he seems extremely proud of his son, and willing to remain in the background so Michael can have his moment or glory.

re: Michael Phelps father in Baltimore, not Beijing

Steve W — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:04:45 GMT

I am a divorced dad. I have been on the receiving end of my ex-wife trying to push me out of my children's lives, NBC is simply doing what society does today. It relegates dads to the role of sperm donors and paychecks. Nothing more.

re: Michael Phelps father in Baltimore, not Beijing

Brett Singer — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:10:16 GMT

One thing I didn't mention but is in at least one of the articles I saw about Fred Phelps is that it looks like Fred wasn't a big part of Michael's life after the divorce. His coach sounded, to one reporter, as if he took the place of his dad. That's not to bash him (or anyone), it's what I read. I actually thought the Cleveland article was a little over-interested in where Fred Phelps was. I never thought of it while I watched the Olympics.

re: Michael Phelps father in Baltimore, not Beijing

BBBGMOM — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:34:09 GMT

I don't think it's all that shocking that a parent would not go to Beijing for this event. I mean it's expensive - perhaps very, very, very expensive. And maybe it's not that big a deal to Michael or to his father to have him there. Which doesn't mean anything bad about their relationship. Different strokes, right?

re: Michael Phelps father in Baltimore, not Beijing

Mom2Two — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:14:33 GMT

As a Baltimore resident, I have to defend Mrs. Phelps against Cassie's unfounded accusations. Michael himself has had nothing but wonderful things to say about his mother. And whatever the circumstances are with the divorce, his mom is there is Beijing, cheering her amazing son on.

re: Michael Phelps father in Baltimore, not Beijing

Cassie — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:39:50 GMT

His mom looks like a battleax. I bet his dad ran for his life out of there! "Walking Out" means not paying child support or having contact with the children. Mr. Phelps did not such thing. He just divorced his wife and let her have full custody of the kids. She had better benefits at her job and worked saner hours. Stop beating up dads.