Monday, March 26, 2012

What It Means To Be A Great Dad In 2012

As part of the blog competition sponsored by my friend Adam, I was instructed to write a blog post about “What it means to be a great dad in 2012”. I’ve been blogging for almost a year and this is the first real “assignment” I’ve received. I’m someone who usually likes some direction when I’m starting a project but until today my blog, much like my parenting, has been operating under a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants plan.  So far, no major injuries with either.

In the old days (pre-1999), fathers had a traditional role: go to work and bring home the bacon.  Period.  Those are just the tip of the iceberg for me because I like being in the trenches of parenting as much as possible. Holding the Little Dude’s hand when he gets a shot or riding the giant slides at the park first so that he’ll see they’re safe are not obligations. They are gifts. I think being a “Great Dad” means being there for, and with, your children via whatever means necessary.  When I’m at work and can’t be with him, I Skype with my wife and son at home so we can have lunch together while we are 10 miles apart.

For me, being a “Great Dad” means taking care of my son every evening while my wife is working. Making his dinner, giving him baths and reading Goodnight Moon for the 900th time may sound like burdens to some 
fathers, but to me they are just perfect.    



  
 

10 comments:

  1. It's amazing to see how much the role of fathers has changed over the years, at least as I've experienced it and I think that your post is spot on.

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    1. Thanks, Christine. I really appreciate it. Things change every day, so you have to stay on your toes...

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  2. Congratulations from your blog ! It´s interesting, tender, funny and you can learn a lot. I will visit it frequently. Greetings from Spain!

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