Tyler Francis, a well-known star of Love Is Blind, has recently opened up about his complicated relationship with his biological children, revealing that he doesn’t feel like a traditional father figure to them. In a candid interview on the Dear Future Wifey podcast, Tyler shared his emotions, stating that he often feels like “a glorified babysitter” rather than a dad. This revelation sheds light on the struggles he’s faced as a co-parent and the complex dynamics within his blended family.
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A Shifting Role in His Biological Children’s Lives
At 34 years old, Tyler’s experience with fatherhood is far from conventional. His story began years ago when he donated sperm to his close friend, Bri, who was married to a woman at the time. Tyler’s decision to help his friend start a family was rooted in his strong bond with her. “We were extremely close,” Tyler explained, “and when they wanted to have kids, I agreed to help.” His involvement in their family, however, would take a surprising turn.
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Despite his initial agreement to play a role in the children’s lives, things became more complicated as time went on. After his friend’s divorce, Tyler stepped in to help raise the kids — a decision he made out of a desire to prevent the children from growing up in a single-parent household, as he himself had. Tyler was determined to be an active part of their lives and be a father figure. However, as the years went by, his role changed dramatically.
In his interview, Tyler shared the difficult truth about his feelings towards the situation. “I don’t feel like a father,” he admitted, “I’ve told Bri this before. What I feel like is a glorified babysitter that you need money from.” This stark admission highlights the emotional complexity of his role and the shifting expectations placed upon him as a biological parent who has not had full custody or primary parental responsibilities.
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A Two-Woman Household and Tyler’s Struggle with His Identity as a Parent
The children, including a pair of twins and an older sibling, were raised in a two-woman household, with Bri and her new partner playing the primary parental roles. This new family dynamic led Tyler to feel more like an outsider. “These kids have been raised, the past four or five years, with another woman. She’s engaged, so they have been raised in a two-woman household, which I initially was signing up for,” Tyler explained. “So, I had to be OK with that if I did step back.”
Tyler emphasized that he did feel for the kids in this situation, acknowledging the emotional toll it took on both him and the children as they navigated the complexities of their family structure. “It’s not an easy situation to step out of,” he reflected, showing the deep sense of responsibility and care he feels, despite his complicated feelings of not being fully embraced as a father.
Tyler’s position as an outsider in the children’s lives was a challenge he did not anticipate. “I initially stepped out to play that role as a father,” he clarified. “Before the twins were born, I had already agreed to step in and I would be a part of it.” Yet, as the years passed and the children became accustomed to their family’s new structure, Tyler found it increasingly difficult to maintain his presence as a parental figure.
Another interesting point Tyler made was the misconception surrounding his involvement in the children’s lives, particularly regarding their names. He clarified that while Bri and her partner decided to give one of the twins his middle name, it was ultimately their decision. “That was [their] decision,” Tyler explained, emphasizing his limited influence in certain aspects of their upbringing.
Love Is Blind and Finding True Love with Ashley Adionser
Tyler’s journey took a new and exciting turn when he entered the Love Is Blind pods during season 7. It was there that he found love with Ashley Adionser, a 32-year-old who, initially unaware of Tyler’s complicated family situation, would go on to become his wife. Tyler didn’t reveal his involvement with the children until after they were engaged and had met in person. While Ashley was initially taken aback by this revelation, she decided to stick with Tyler, and their relationship flourished. The two were married in November 2023, and their wedding aired as part of the Love Is Blind finale the following year.
Tyler spoke fondly of Ashley during his podcast interview, describing their bond as something truly special. “I lucked out,” he said. “She’s not someone I usually dated, but her personality is 10 times better than anyone I ever dated — her soul, the way she brings God out of me, all the things.” He went on to say that their connection went far beyond physical attraction, noting that it was the depth of their emotional connection that truly stood out. “It wasn’t shown, but I said I didn’t care what she looked like; I was going to be with her. That’s how deep we connected.”
Building a Future Together and Hope for Fatherhood
Despite the challenges he’s faced as a biological father, Tyler is optimistic about the future and his potential role as a parent in his marriage to Ashley. The couple, who have been married for just over a year, have expressed a shared desire to have children together. Tyler revealed that he is looking forward to being an involved parent, something he feels he missed out on with his biological children. “I tell Ashley, when I have a kid, I want to be there,” he shared. “I want to do the stomach pictures and I want to be the one [in the hospital] before the kid’s even born, right? I wasn’t there for any of that.”
His desire to be present and actively involved in his future child’s life speaks to his growth and the lessons he’s learned from his previous experiences. As he looks forward to the possibility of becoming a father with Ashley, Tyler is focused on being fully present during the entire journey, from the pregnancy through to the child’s birth and beyond.
The Emotional Complexity of Parenthood
Tyler’s candid reflection on his role as a father figure to his biological children provides a raw and honest look at the complexities of modern family dynamics. His feelings of being a “glorified babysitter” instead of a father highlight the emotional toll of stepping into a role that wasn’t fully his, as well as the personal struggles of not being able to fulfill the idealized father figure role he once envisioned.
His story is one of both loss and hope, as he navigates the intricate balance between co-parenting and his desire for a fresh start with his new family. As he embarks on this new chapter with Ashley, Tyler’s journey serves as a reminder that fatherhood, love, and family are never one-size-fits-all, and sometimes, the most meaningful connections are the ones we build with those who accept us for who we are.
Tyler’s openness about his struggles and hopes for the future makes it clear that while his journey as a father may not have unfolded as expected, he remains committed to finding his place in the family he is building with Ashley. The emotional depth and vulnerability he’s shown in navigating these relationships highlight the evolving nature of family and the importance of creating meaningful connections, no matter the circumstances.
