Last updated on March 19th, 2020 at 11:10 am
What led me to create a dad blog
Dad. This small word carries a lot of weight. For some, ‘dad’ might generate thoughts of love, support, and protection. For others, ‘dad’ might convey feelings of domination, mistrust, and abuse. To all of the dads out there… this dad blog is for you.
I love being a dad. Sure, raising two incredible little boys is by far the hardest thing I have ever done. Words cannot express the sheer exhaustion – physical, mental, and emotional – that I have experienced as I strive with all my might to give my boys the time and attention they deserve. Late nights and early mornings, cuts and bruises, tears and screams, frustration and heartache. But then, a smile… a belly laugh… and the most rewarding words my ears have ever heard – “I love you dad.” And suddenly, when I didn’t think I could make it another day, my spirit is recharged because someone believes in me and loves me unconditionally, no matter how many times I shout and no matter how many mistakes I make.
Yes, I find great fulfillment in being a dad, and I’m sure all of you out there do as well. That being said, I’m sure I’m not the only one who has made his fair share of mistakes. I am not the most experienced dad out there, nor do I have it all figured out, but I do have some thoughts on becoming “your child’s best dad.”
Disclaimer
On that note, let’s get started with a disclaimer. This blog will not help you become the “world’s best dad.” That’s not the goal. Rather, my aim for this blog is to help you become “your child’s best dad.” So much of life is steeped in competition… within us is the drive to reach higher, run faster, work harder, and on and on and on. But being a dad is so much more than all of that. And so, once again, this blog won’t help you become the “world’s best dad” (I mean, how would you even measure that anyway?). Additionally, this blog is focused on you, dad, not on your children. I’m sure we will talk from time to time about your kids, but my aim is on dads and what they can do to put a halt to some alarming statistics…
Statistics
According to the National Fatherhood Initiative, the 2017 U.S. Census Bureau revealed that 19.7 million children, more than 1 in 4 in the U.S., live without a father in the home. I know there are some noble circumstances which can cause this – military, other employment, and even death. But it is clear that not all dads are accepting the wonderful responsibility of raising their children. My worry, too, is that dads in the home are being distracted by other interests that honestly don’t matter as much as their children. I will focus on distractions in more detail at another time, but you could check out this Ted Talk if you’re looking for something meaningful to watch when you have some downtime.
Ultimately, my hope is that this blog will generate discussion and that it will prompt thoughts and feelings in dads all over the world who are looking for help to accomplish the monumental task of raising a child. I want this blog to be a safe place where awesome dads can share their triumphs and mistakes with each other and then grow together. Or, more succinctly, I want this blog to be a “Rad Dad Pad.” A famous African proverb states that “it takes a village to raise a child.” Today, a “village” is not geographically bound. Dads all over the world can join our Rad Dad Pad.
Call to Action
Will you join me? Based on my experience, I need all the help I can get to become the dad I hope to be. My life experiences are so narrow – I want to join together in a group quest to become the dads each of our children need us to be. There is strength in numbers and great power in broad perspective. My boys have brought profound focus, purpose, and meaning to my life. I intend to direct that focus to helping others become the dads they want to be for their children.