Dad’s have had a (sometimes well-earned) reputation for being less than involved in their kids lives. Work, stress, sloth, whatever the case, especially over the past few decades dad’s are more frequently depicted as bumbling boobs when it came to participating in their kids lives. Even advertisers like Huggies took a shot at us now and then.
The reality is, today’s dads are more involved and influential than ever before. There are a lot of reasons for this but I think one of the main factors is many of us who had fathers who were absent, strive to make the lives of our children different from our own. We want to be part of all the aspects of our kids lives. There are also a great number of dads who had strong relationships with their fathers carrying on that tradition with their children. It’s more than a trend, it’s a movement and it’s growing stronger by the day.
Since I started my blog about a month ago, I’ve become part of a fast-growing, Facebook group of Dad Bloggers. Not only is this a supportive community that shares information, it’s a group of guys who take being a dad seriously and take the time to write about it. If you’re a dad blogger, we invite you to join. If you’re a parent (or even if you’re not) looking for insight, perspective or even a laugh, take time to read some, or better yet, all of these awesome posts.
The Dad Blog Highlight Reel for 2012.
Looking At My Boy – Oren Miller
Dear Hypothetically Gay Son – John Kinnear
Why we have kids – Carter Gaddis
Top 10 Phrases That Will Reduce a Parent To Tears – Dan Nessel
Gays, Muppets, Chicken + Jesus - Brent Almond
“May Your Song Always Be Sung” – Bill Peebles
Saying Goodbye To “Campa” – Matt Peregoy
The Upside of Timidity – Ramon E. Colon
“Dad, Does Our “Elf on the Shelf” Have a Penis?” - Kyle James
Biggest Legends of The West in One Photograph: Fake or Real? – Mike E. Henderson
toys reflect our story - Vincent Daly
A Daddies First Miscarriage and the Feelings That Come With It – Keith Hancock
Raising Children Without A Father Of My Own – Chris Read
Spider-Man, My Kids and the Kissing Episode – Andrew Kardon
On holding hands (a meditation on being a father) – Neal Call
A Sublime Parenting Moment - James Austin
The Parenting Wars… Starring Legos – John Willey
Who’s shoes to fill…. - Theron Bostic
Lighting the flame – Olly Du Croz
the intro… – Jeff Tepper
Giving from the Heart - James Hudyma
IN EULOGY: THE FATHER I NEVER KNEW… AND HOW THAT PERTAINS TO YOU - Adam Dolgin
I hope you enjoy there posts as much as I have.
Hi Rob,
There are indeed many motivations for greater involvement. In my case, having an absent father of my own has played a big part in shaping my view of the parenting role that I’ve embraced.
Generally though, I think that there have always been involved dads who don’t fit the portrayal in that Huggies Ad. I’m not convinced that we are more evolved than our predecessors, rather I think that we are simply more visible because of blogging.
I’ve visited many of the listed blogs. It’s a diverse group with a unifying vision that belies the various dad stereotypes. It’s good to see.
I agree Ray, there have always been involved fathers. But it seems that society is embracing the “engaged dad” more than ever before. The Huggies comercial being pulled and redone showing dads in a much more positive light is just one example.
Thanks for your comment.
One day I will make this list, one day indeed