Debbie Phelps Chats About Highs and Lows as Mom of an Olympic Legend

Everyone is always telling Black people to stop talking about race. Got it. So why are you doing it still?

Please tell me what the heck this has to do with this article about Debbie Phelps and Michael's mistake, and why the heck you pointed out the racial background of the persons involved? Need I list for you the countless crimes perpetrated upon innocent people of all ethnicities every day by other violent people irrespective of race including those perpetrated on blacks by whites--on whites by whites, and a full range of other inter-race and intra-race crimes like murder involving every racial & ethnic population that resides in the United States? What point are you trying to make by sharing this story here? Are you tying to incite racial tension, anger? Trying to make a point? I could share a number of stories of white-on-black crime & murder, but see no relevance in raising that here. Why are you?

Congratulations on one of the most irrelevant and off-topic yet sincere posts ever made on an Internet message board. You must be so proud.

Jim,
Don't you think that if the father wanted to be a part of the highs and lows of this family he would have stuck around? He is quiet, invisible, nowhere to be seen. It takes both parents to raise the kids but when one of them decides he/she wants to leave, he/she is no longer an active part of the children's lives. Misunderstandings happen but do not pass them on to the kids. Don't you think that it is sad that mother and children avoid talking about him and he takes it all in silence?

obviously not! If a person has the strength and the consistency it can be done by one person.

Do you openly talk about past relationships with your current significant other on a regular basis?

Maybe there's an agreement that the ex-Mr. Phelps never be talked about in public, or that he was such a bad man they don't want to talk about him. No need to let someone who doesn't deserve mention hog the spotlight.

How is this relevent?

Um, take a moment and look at all the well-adjusted, decent people who were brought up by one parent, another relative or someone else. What it takes is a mixture of love and discipline, along with dedication. Are you saying that millions upon millions of children were raised incorrectly due to the fact that there was not a mother and father present?

I would rethink that one Jim....

Well, one decent parent is better than two bums.

He left them quite a while ago. They do not talk about him freely because he walked out on them. When asked in an interview during the Olympics in 2008 specifically about him, they answered a few questions. They also had a small segment on the dad. If you are a dad and walk out on your family, then your child who you have chosen not to have contact with becomes an international celebrity, then it sucks to be you that you have chosen not to share in his life. She raised her kids by herself when he left and she did an amazing job. It does take two parents, but when one leaves or one dies unexpectedly, then you do what you have to do for your kids. I respect Mrs. Phelps 100% for what she has accomplished and you can see how much love and respect her children have for her in the way they interact with her.

Jim,
I need to disagree with you a little on your comment. While in a perfect world, two parents raising a child is the ideal, it does not TAKE two parents to raise one.. Statements should not be so absolute. I know it doesn't TAKE two, I raised a son, now 21 in his 2nd year of college all by myself. He is decent, respectful, etc. but also has his "faults". He is helping pay for his college education and working a part time job. His father and I divorced when he was 3. There was no real bonding, father/son relationship and then his father passed when my son was 13. So, I can agree that if at all possible, two parents to raise would be great, I don't feel that all children suffer from the lack thereof. Thanks.. : )

Why do you ask about the the father with such anger? Perhaps their father is riding a rainbow with singing ponies along with your naive intelligence. But if you read anything about this amazing family, of which smoking a little weed is their biggest shame, you'd know the father walked out on them. Good Riddance.