It’s hard to believe that 2017 is almost over. Time flies when you live-stream it.
This year endured floods and fires—Puerto Rico is still in the dark ages—and several deep breaths. We lost some of our favorite people and won a few games. We grew mustaches and supported hashtags, picked up some awards and dropped some needles. We marched together and suffered alone, the constant thread being the clear lack of one.
The positives in policy, from California and New York requiring diaper-changing tables in men’s rooms to many companies rethinking their family leave plans, made 2017 another step forward for fatherhood. And yet, there is much to be done, which is why we are so excited to convene in just five weeks for our 2018 Summit and unite marketers, media, experts, and parents in the conversation of modern fatherhood. Our New Year’s Resolution is to greet you in New Orleans with hugs, handshakes, and/or fistbumps.
Our adolescent century is about to turn 18 and become a responsible adult. And old enough to vote. Here’s hoping.
IN THE NEWS
All over the country, fatherhood and mentor events are overwhelmed by a far larger turnout than they thought they’d ever get.
Is the “dads shopping on Christmas Eve” stereotype missing the point?
As most parents know, hugs aren’t for everyone, and that’s okay.
Not every deployed dad makes it home for Christmas, but it’s cool when technology can offer the next best thing.
If you want your kid’s skills to transcend your own, you’ll be happy to know that tutoring can override DNA.
Dads, play groups aren’t just for kids. And some have t-shirts!
Getting our kids to build healthy attitudes and relationships amid the #MeToo movement is about how parents, guardians and role models treat real people every day.
Phrases like “daddy daycare” and “Mr. Mom” are even farther back in the rear-view mirror.
Drew Daywalt, bestselling author of “The Day the Crayons Quit,” spoke about writing, family and the impact of success on each.
PORCHLIGHT HIGHLIGHTS
- In “On Charlottesville and What Comes Next,” Isom Kuade asks “What do we do now?”
- In “Losing Sight of the Shore,” Aaron Gouveia finds comfort in the uncomfortable.
- The journey of Casey Cavalier in “Call me “Papa”: bonding in open adoption” is a thing of soul.
- Developing Dad, aka Joe Medler, shares his family’s story, one of changing context and an evolution of understanding, in “My Sister.”
- “Are You Ready to Talk to Your Kids About Sex? Are Your Kids?” asks Mike Reynolds of Puzzling Posts in this look at the birds and the bees (and a panda, for some reason).
- Brian Craig is a Dad of Influence sharing an emotional journey through perspective in “The Flight Home.”
- At Tales From the Poop Deck, Creed Anthony focuses on the “Ordinary People” in an extraordinary way.
- Kevin McKeever, writing at the City Dads Group blog, tells the story of his daughter’s battle in “Rare Disease Peddles Its Tricks on Child, Family.”
- Bryan Alkire explains why, “We’re Lucky, Our Daughter Had a Brain Tumor.”
- A reminder that “Parents Need Each Other’s Encouragement More Than Each Other’s Criticism,” from Beau Coffron.
- In “Blending Families of Different Races Brings Challenges, Blessings,” Sean Singleton uses love and patience to be an example for everyone.
- Brent Almond‘s “Transgender Crisis: How You Can Help” offers sobering stats and ways to improve them.
- Christopher Persley and his daughter had some pretty special houseguests in “Working with UN Women & Anne Hathaway on Parental Leave.”
- In “Lessons from Memory: Writing My Mother’s Eulogy,” Vincent O’Keefe reflects on the impact of life and loss.
- Discussing “Sexual Assault: A Hidden Double Standard,” Mike Cruse flips the script on an important conversation.
- Twenty years after his dad’s death, the things Jim Higley misses most are the little things. But isn’t that what life is all about?
- Everyone has a past, and in this stark, honest piece “The Shame I Harbor,” Doug Zeigler dreads telling his kids about the struggles he faced.
We knew our buddy Chris Read, aka Canadian Dad, had moves the first time we saw him hit the karaoke stage, but it wasn’t until he took to the mat with his young daughter that we saw his full repertoire. Dad and daughter are sticking it!
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