There are men who are fathers, and then there are fathers who are men.
I write about 'fatherhood' in this blog as an overall topic. I write about 'dadhood' as a goal for all fathers.
Dad Blogging
I’m not your typical dad blogger--if there is such a thing. I haven’t had kids at home in 14 years. Neither am I a writer. In fact, I’m the opposite of a writer--I’m a retired engineer. Many dad bloggers are stay-at-home dads (SAHDs). There are dad bloggers that are gay dads, single dads, work-from-home dads and a few dads that fit all of these descriptions. These are wonderful dads by the way! You will find many jokes about dads doing stupid stuff with their kids, but not these guys! Fun stuff? Yes! Taping Bounty paper towels on for diapers? No!
The kind of dad blogger that works full time and blogs about fatherhood is rare because few have the time and/or inclination. I would guess if you asked ten dads if they read, or even know about, blogs written by fathers, eleven would say no! Sometimes I think the only men who read dad blogs are other dad bloggers. Mom bloggers outnumber dad bloggers about 17 to 1. I don’t have a reference handy, but you know its likely true. Women basically own the parenting blog universe. This is understandable and no surprise to anyone, I would guess--but 17 to 1? Many moms read and support blogs about parenting.
So why am I a dad blogger? Well, for one thing, I am concerned about the explosion of fatherless homes having been mostly brought up in one. In my upcoming book, I examine how society is impacted by children growing up without fathers. Another reason for my dad blog may be my narcissistic attitude of thinking I know more than the average male about raising kids. It’s really not that I know more about raising kids, but I did experience it as a father, lacked for it as a young boy, and see the differences. My real goal is to expand the conversation about the crisis regarding fatherless homes in the hope solutions will be found. For more on that topic, see some of my 100+ posts from the past year.
Dadless Fathers
The "Other Dad Problem', a quieter problem, more difficult to see or measure, is ‘Dadless’ fathers. By ‘Dadless’ fathers, I mean men who do not interact with their children in a way that is loving and nurturing. Being a father is a biological act. Being a dad is a social and personal responsibility that should be one of the joys of your life.
In my book, “The Power of Dadhood, A Better Society One Child at a Time”, which is coming out in spring 2015, I discuss ‘The Pyramid of Dadhood’.
I write about 'fatherhood' in this blog as an overall topic. I write about 'dadhood' as a goal for all fathers.
Dad Blogging
I’m not your typical dad blogger--if there is such a thing. I haven’t had kids at home in 14 years. Neither am I a writer. In fact, I’m the opposite of a writer--I’m a retired engineer. Many dad bloggers are stay-at-home dads (SAHDs). There are dad bloggers that are gay dads, single dads, work-from-home dads and a few dads that fit all of these descriptions. These are wonderful dads by the way! You will find many jokes about dads doing stupid stuff with their kids, but not these guys! Fun stuff? Yes! Taping Bounty paper towels on for diapers? No!
The kind of dad blogger that works full time and blogs about fatherhood is rare because few have the time and/or inclination. I would guess if you asked ten dads if they read, or even know about, blogs written by fathers, eleven would say no! Sometimes I think the only men who read dad blogs are other dad bloggers. Mom bloggers outnumber dad bloggers about 17 to 1. I don’t have a reference handy, but you know its likely true. Women basically own the parenting blog universe. This is understandable and no surprise to anyone, I would guess--but 17 to 1? Many moms read and support blogs about parenting.
So why am I a dad blogger? Well, for one thing, I am concerned about the explosion of fatherless homes having been mostly brought up in one. In my upcoming book, I examine how society is impacted by children growing up without fathers. Another reason for my dad blog may be my narcissistic attitude of thinking I know more than the average male about raising kids. It’s really not that I know more about raising kids, but I did experience it as a father, lacked for it as a young boy, and see the differences. My real goal is to expand the conversation about the crisis regarding fatherless homes in the hope solutions will be found. For more on that topic, see some of my 100+ posts from the past year.
Dadless Fathers
The "Other Dad Problem', a quieter problem, more difficult to see or measure, is ‘Dadless’ fathers. By ‘Dadless’ fathers, I mean men who do not interact with their children in a way that is loving and nurturing. Being a father is a biological act. Being a dad is a social and personal responsibility that should be one of the joys of your life.
In my book, “The Power of Dadhood, A Better Society One Child at a Time”, which is coming out in spring 2015, I discuss ‘The Pyramid of Dadhood’.
At the base of the pyramid is the father who is present in his children’s lives and provides for them--absent fathers don’t even rate placement in this pyramid. Being present is the most basic and critical step of fatherhood. Your presence alone, as a provider, prevents or minimizes many childhood issues, even if you aren't an active 'dad'. Of present fathers, a somewhat fewer number of men are also loving fathers. These fathers show their love, protect, provide necessary discipline, and are encouraging to their children. Fewer still, at the pinnacle of the pyramid, is the nurturing father. He is present, loving, and a teacher/mentor. The nurturing father is active in providing guidance, establishing goals, and preparing his children for adulthood.
Of course, I go into much more detail in my book, but fathers are not just figureheads. They need to be dads too--to be involved, to be loving and to prepare their children to be productive adults. It would be wonderful, indeed, if we as a society, could get more fathers into the ‘Pyramid of Dadhood’, and move those in the pyramid further up towards the pinnacle.
You can be part of the solution, one dad, one child at a time!
Of course, I go into much more detail in my book, but fathers are not just figureheads. They need to be dads too--to be involved, to be loving and to prepare their children to be productive adults. It would be wonderful, indeed, if we as a society, could get more fathers into the ‘Pyramid of Dadhood’, and move those in the pyramid further up towards the pinnacle.
You can be part of the solution, one dad, one child at a time!
