I have always found it interesting that so many dads are so unwilling to talk about the challenges that they face as fathers. When I became a new dad I found that I was very concerned on being a good dad and not screwing up. Well, now that I have been a dad twice over the last 11 years, I have come to find that screwing up is natural, after all, none of us are perfect.
From the first moments that you hold your child to the diapers that you change, I know that all of it was brand new to me. I had not really spent much time with babies before and I know that I was not alone as I ran into many dads that were the same. To say it lightly I was a bit insecure as a dad at first, but the more that I ran into more dads, talked to them and started t learn from them I began to become more confidant in my own abilities.
These experiences and others over the last 11 years have made me more and more convinced on how important it is to be able to have other dads around me to be able to talk to and share with when it comes to the insecurities that I may or may not have as a father. I have been able to have some of this community through a dad blogger facebook group that Oren Miller started a few years ago, but beyond this, I began learning for myself through a series I started over six years ago called, Dad in the Limelight.
I have learned so much from the series as the dads in it really opened up and let them share their own stories which is something that is not always shared in the public media.
The series was never something that I thought would last as long as it has, but it continues to be one of my most popular series. If I am to be honest though, while I enjoy having people read about the amazing dads that I have in the series, I have even more pride in learning more about being a dad myself from them.
I hope that you start to talk to other dads around you about the experiences that they have been having. The more that you do the more you will find that you will feel free to be who you are and to accept the mistakes you make as a father too. If you want a kickstart on seeing what some other dads think of fatherhood, check these guys out!
- Dave Engeldow – http://www.dadofdivas.com/dads-in-the-limelight/dads-limelight-limelightdads-dave-engledow-daveengledow-dadchat
- Jimmy Chung – http://www.dadofdivas.com/dads-in-the-limelight/dads-in-the-limelight-limelightdads-jimmy-chung-jimmychung
- Mike Kresch – http://www.dadofdivas.com/dads-in-the-limelight/dads-limelight-limelightdads-mike-kresch-mikekresch-dadchat
- Darren Rowse – http://www.dadofdivas.com/dads-in-the-limelight/dads-in-the-limelight-darrenowse
- Ken Mach – http://www.dadofdivas.com/dads-in-the-limelight/dads-in-the-limelight-teacher-ken-mach
Some great insight Christopher, and as a new dad I yearned for advice & writing from dads who’d bee there already. My parenting is all the better for continuing to connect with other dads, whether online or face to face.
I know my husband would have loved any advice from other fathers that he could get. His own Dad wasn’t in his life much growing up so he didn’t have that experience and really, the only thing he knew about parenting was that he didn’t want to be that kind of parent. Thankfully, we’ve both grown and learned along the way and now share our experience with others so they have someone they can talk to, look to for advice, or just a listening ear.
I agree completely u should always get advice from others and learn from their experience
It is really great to reach out and gain support from others – good for you for writing this!!!!
I am a single mom, so its truly admirable to see a father who is so dedicated to his child. Its great how passionate you are. Thank you for sharing. Keep up the great work! Go dads!
Would love to have you as well as any other dads you know come over to the series and share in the fun series!
nice to hear thoughts from a dad’s perspective, and great to see a list of other daddy bloggers that share their experiences with other dads (and moms!)
Great insight Christopher and it is so great to see other dads on this blog sharing their experiences also.
Thank you for the great insight. Yes, even Dads need to hear from their peers that they are doing a good job with their children.
Not a dad, but a single mom. Parenting is tough for everyone. No one is sure they are doing the right thing at any time!
Those photos are wonderful. What a great dad.
fathers are an important part of bringing up children
There really should be more support amongst dads. Nice to see a dad’s point of view.
I love to see fathers taking such interest!
Great story!
I think Dads are less likely to confide with other dads but they really should! I think Dad support is awesome!
It’s always good advice to hear out others who are in the same position you are
I love to see my husband reach out and connect with other fathers. There is truly so much to learn from other parenting perspectives.
Love seeing Dad’s spend time with their children..times have changed it’s not the same as when I was a little girls..Dad’s weren’t as involved and I love the change
So great to have a dad group. I think mom’s are often at home so they seek out mom based playgroups but dad’s need support too 🙂
I love the idea of dad’s groups. My husband could certainly benefit from this as he doesn’t have many friends with kids.
Sweet! All dads could benefit from a dads group!
I love seeing a Dads view of things. Great pictures.
it’s good to see now a days father’s with their children. in the old days mother were the ones who took care of the family and household and father went to work. now there are fathers who stays home and take care of their children and household. I love to see a father looking after their children at the park or simply feeding their child.
This is so interesting! I love hearing things from a dads perspective! You don’t get to see/read/hear it often!
My kids are so lucky and have the most amazing dad. You guys don’t get enough credit!
My husband enjoys talking about the good and challenging things about being a dad! He loves talking about our boys to anyone.
I love telling my husband what a great job he’s doing – he’s the rock of our family 🙂
Excellent article nice hearing about great Dads and how they share their experiences.
very sweet 🙂
Love reading about Dads sharing their experiences 🙂
I loved this article! I love reading the dads view and stories.
Wow this is great! I think more dad’s AND mom’s need to read things like this.
There’s a lot to be learnt and this will certainly do dad some good
we are both go with the flow parents but i know he appreciates any and all advice!
It’s so nice to see such sincerity and openness from a dad’s standpoint. Great read and wonderful job!!
I love to see fathers being so involved
This is a great read. I wish there were more daddy groups around here. My hubby thankfully doesn’t mind being the only daddy in the group and I think that’s great!
I really love the idea of a dad’s group!
Over 40 years ago when I became a dad for the first and only time, this was not considered “Manly” to share or confess our uncertainties. Your statement ” I was a bit insecure as a dad at first, but the more that I ran into more dads, talked to them and started t learn from them I began to become more confidant in my own abilities.” was a little agreed upon concept, but the fact that you have developed the informational guideline that so many dads (first time or otherwise) can now use to overcome uncertainties or insecurities is a wonderful thing
My husband reads dad blogs! I find it so helpful when he shares information that he’s read with me, after all we are both in this together 🙂
Great post for sure! I know as a mom I worried too about screwing it all up. It is good to be able to learn from others, picking and choosing what works best for you and your family! All we can do each and everyone of us, try our best, and it is okay to know we aren’t perfect, no one is.
I would say “Dads out there, you are doing great! We are very PROUD of you all”!
There is much to be learned from other people’s stories and experiences.
Thanks so much for all of your comments. If you know of any great dads out there that should be in spotlighted, I would love to have him in the Dads in the Limelight series that I have on my blog Dadofdivas.com
It’s great to hear that a lot of dads are stepping up and are not afraid to ask for help. Thanks for sharing your experience