I would have to agree with nosonew.
My son is 12 and has been dealing with an absent father all his life, he went 2yrs once without seeing/talking to our son. He now comes around when he gets kis flavor of the month.
My son hasn't seen his dad since 5/22 (and he lives with his sister 4 miles from our house) Our son has called his dad once since May to see if dad wanted to hang out, dad said he couldn't this week maybe next week and that he would call. hmmmm no call this weeek.
My son and I talk about this, our son loves his dad, however, he knows that he cannot count on his dad to be there etc (thankfully he has a great stepdad)
Anyways, I tell our son that his dad loves him, but sometime people don't know how to show their love the way we would like them too.
Our son basically gave up on his father years ago, when I married my dh 2yrs ago, my son decided to use stepdads name and he thinks of stepdad as his dad. Since my son is older, I explained to him that anyone can create a child man or woman, but it takes a special person to be a parents, (natural or step)
I explained how I can never change is dad, that maybe sometime later in life dad will realise what he has missed, and regardless how you (son) feels about dad he needs to respect him a an adult.
Children adapt pretty well for the most part, just let sd know you love her and her mom does too.
:)
**These are my opinions, they are not legal advice**