Dad 2.014 Live Blog is presented by Microsoft Surface 2…
CNN and NPR reporter
Great to around my brothers. Coolest fraternity to be part of!
We are all fighting the same fight. shared values. Work to be done but we are doing it
Posted up a hilarious long hash tag — for wall great dads
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He remembers holding kid for the first time – feel his energy and worth
Feeling the joy — he has good news and bad news
Son. heart defect but fixable– open heart surgery
Josh paid the price of being over extended — he was tired and unfocused
Huge year for dads — 2008 — economic collapse — changed fatherhood. Many stay at home dads
Americans understanding of fatherhood changed. People started seeing dads differently…
He interviewed dads — new reality new challenges
No one was talking about dads about dads
People started sharing stories that full time parenting is tough. Video clip — dads feeling pressure
During his 48 hours of being a dad, he was thrust into dad mode — only had been dad 48 hour dad
He was told parenting will age you 10 years overnight. He won’t know a thing
Was taught sudoku so cannot fixate on surgery
His wife felt frustrated that she could not breastfeed and they were helpless, but they then realized they were giving him his life just started early — getting best medical help
Frustrated that there were problems he could fix. But got help
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2009 — dramatic experience. New child
Gave birth in bedroom — delivered his own baby
Coworkers gave him a catchers mitt — Wife did all the heavy lifting…
He didn’t have any trouble focussing now — brought life into focus.
Nothing else matters — not work, stuff
Jolted him in fatherhood. – remembers that moment
Video — what do dads want from dad blogs
We need to get into the conversation that dads are having
We are dads and we are good — promote involved dads
He started writing columns — dads take active roles
What is obvious to us (as dad bloggers) isn’t obvious to every one
Dads do things differently…
2013 — wife pregnant again — really difficult pregnancy
Looked at their reality =- what was best for kids?
Policy — only women get 10 weeks paid
If adopted kids — moms and dads get 10 weeks paid leave
But biological dad only gets 2 weeks!
Biological father gets benefits? They were fascinated by his question
Case law in his favour —
No drama free births. Another heroic birth
Dads got 2 weeks paid only. By their policies
Emailed verdict — we unable to give you this policy
He needed to look after the kids wife could not.
Filed with EEOC charge against time warner
New York times article. Women were fighting for him
equal time off for dads. crusades
Out dated policy — if he gave his kid up for adoption. The adopted parent would get 10 weeks
Coworkers joked about adopting each others kids
Many women group media and magazines supported him
Dad blogs were his greatest support — he salutes dad blogs proof he wasn’t alone
Issues facing dads are the same as the issues facing women
We need to value fathers in America. Need to value families
He writing a book about dad issues.
There is a huge market for these books
He posted his book announcement on tumbler live with us because we mean that much to him (for real)
Women lean in but men are stretched out
Men are like stretch Armstrong — we have so many responsibilities. Stretched out over
We are all stretched — moms and dads — its ok talking about dads 🙂
Q&A time
People don’t know their rights. People whispered support when he returned to CNN then shouted support
He is able to speak out— has the resources
It was a necessary step — vital for his family — we need to stand up. Be people that stand up
Can’t have family values without valuing fathers
America needs to stretch out our rights and roles — when arms are stretched, can reach for things you couldn’t reach before
q — has management changed how they interact with you? No change. Still doing his job…
summary
People sent him their stories
Guy had twins. Wife in hospital — dad got 2 weeks…
Dad took 2 days off after horrific birth. Yelled at by boss. Pregnant boss
Everyone needs a reality check sometime
Serenity prayer. He lives it
Accept the things I cannot change
Courage to change the things I can
Wisdom to know the difference
Thanks JOSH — very inspiring! Jeff Hay (www.thedadvibe.com)