In this final Dad Diaries episode of Season 3, Blue is winding down for Christmas and gearing up for a precious visit from his eldest son, who has lived in the UK for almost eight years. From his little trailer studio in the Canadian winter, he talks about why he is pausing the podcast, where his energy is going next, and how he keeps showing up as a dad from afar.

In this episode, Blue talks about:

Why this is the last episode of Season 3 and what the winter break will look like

A quick recap of the relocation case, joint guardianship, and life as a long distance dad

How he stays plugged into school life from overseas by being on email lists, contacting teachers, and watching the calendar

The Christmas jumper story and using small, thoughtful gestures to stay present in a child’s day to day life

Creating physical photo albums after visits so kids have something tangible to hold onto

Letting go, trusting the universe, and teaching kids to make good choices when you cannot be there in person

Using outdoor adventure and risk management as a framework for leadership in parenting

Growing his platform through Instagram reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts, and why he is focusing there for now

Navigating spicy comment sections, old friction with his ex, and choosing to lead with love instead of resentment

The joy and chaos of blending families, planning the airport hotel adventure, and looking ahead to Christmas on the slopes

A message for dads and parents who are not with their kids this Christmas and ideas for making connection anyway

If you are a dad facing separation, distance, or complicated co parenting, Blue’s hope is that this episode reminds you that you can still have a deep, loving relationship with your child, even when you are not there as much as you want. Lead with love, keep showing up in whatever ways you can, and create your own version of “Christmas day” when it works for you.

Connect with Blue

Instagram: @dadwithoutborders

TikTok: @dadwithoutborders

YouTube Shorts: Dad Without Borders

Website and writing: bluenetherclift.com

If this episode or this season helped you, the best way to support the show is to share an episode or a reel with another dad who needs it, leave a rating or review, and connect with Blue on social. Season 4 is planned for the spring, so stay tuned.

In this episode, I unpack what it is like to be labelled a dad who “lost custody” after years of giving everything to my son. I walk through my work story, how my flexible career and time with him were framed as a weakness in court, and why that judgement left such a deep feeling of shame. From there, I talk about the choice to stop feeding resentment, to step away from online drama, and to focus instead on love, presence and long term connection.

I also share one of the biggest turning points in my journey, taking my son and my partner off grid while we waited for an appeal decision, and how those days by the lake became a template for how I cope with stress as a long distance dad. I close with some simple ideas for staying connected across distance, from consistent FaceTime rituals to making small, memorable adventures when you are finally together.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

What it actually feels like to “lose custody” and carry that label

How my work history and time with my son were used against me in court

Why holding on to bitterness gives your power away to the system

The story of going off grid with my son while we waited for an appeal decision

How nature, adventure and simple rituals help me stay grounded as a long distance dad

Practical ideas for staying close through FaceTime, shared interests and small adventures

A reminder to get support, keep showing up and let your love for your child lead the way

In this episode, I open up about a period when I lost my final appeal, my son had already relocated overseas, my partner was heavily pregnant, and I simply could not travel. With the help of attachment focussed social worker Catherine Williams, I built a plan to stay in my son’s daily life through predictable calls, creative rituals, and a neutral story that explained the court decisions without blame. I share the moment we finally reunited in the UK and how that first hug confirmed that all the effort to stay connected had been worth it.

I also push back on the idea that backing off contact somehow makes things easier for a child who misses you. Drawing on attachment principles and my own experience, I talk about why consistency beats perfection, how kids experience long silences, and why it is kinder to keep showing up even when goodbyes are hard. To close, I encourage dads to get both solid legal advice and seasoned counselling support early, so they can protect their parenting time while staying grounded and connected for their kids.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

A tribute to Judson, a former guest and ski guide who died suddenly of a heart attack

The “fitness paradox” and why very active middle aged dads still need to think about heart health

How an eight month separation unfolded after losing a final appeal on relocation

The daily Skype routine that helped my son feel I was still part of his everyday life

How I used a child friendly “life story” book to explain court decisions without blaming his mum

The emotional first reunion in the UK and what it revealed about secure attachment

Why pulling back to “make it easier” usually hurts kids more than regular goodbyes

Simple, realistic ways to stay present from afar, even with time zones and busy schedules

The importance of outdoor, screen free time together when you do reunite