Thank you Michael and Fred. This is such an inspiring read, and I especially appreciate its emphasis on the positive, restorative effects of fatherhood rather than dwelling on the negative. Before my first child was born, it seemed like all folks could do is talk about the difficulties, downsides, and exhaustion that comes with being a parent—and, of course, there’s plenty of that. Then the process repeated when my daughter was born. But what Fred highlights so wonderfully in this piece is how rewarding and transformative being a dad is even when it does challenge us (which is all the time). Put simply, it’s always worth it.
Absolutely. One of the things I ALWAYS try and tell first-time/expectant parents is to ignore the horror stories because that's all we hear. Then I tell them about how amazing it is being a parent. Hard as fuck, yes. But the most amazing thing most of us will ever do. Fred nailed that sentiment here!
Indeed! Well said. I wish I would have been on Substack a few years ago to read essays and comments like this. Then again, maybe I would have just found more parenting horror stories 😂
This was inspiring. If Fred can do all this than maybe I can too. I love the bit about how fatherhood is giving back to him double fold. Keep on Dadding brothers.
Thank you Michael and Fred. This is such an inspiring read, and I especially appreciate its emphasis on the positive, restorative effects of fatherhood rather than dwelling on the negative. Before my first child was born, it seemed like all folks could do is talk about the difficulties, downsides, and exhaustion that comes with being a parent—and, of course, there’s plenty of that. Then the process repeated when my daughter was born. But what Fred highlights so wonderfully in this piece is how rewarding and transformative being a dad is even when it does challenge us (which is all the time). Put simply, it’s always worth it.
Absolutely. One of the things I ALWAYS try and tell first-time/expectant parents is to ignore the horror stories because that's all we hear. Then I tell them about how amazing it is being a parent. Hard as fuck, yes. But the most amazing thing most of us will ever do. Fred nailed that sentiment here!
Indeed! Well said. I wish I would have been on Substack a few years ago to read essays and comments like this. Then again, maybe I would have just found more parenting horror stories 😂
This was inspiring. If Fred can do all this than maybe I can too. I love the bit about how fatherhood is giving back to him double fold. Keep on Dadding brothers.