Over the last couple of months, I’ve been noticing the tendency in myself to easily make time for a quick phone call or email during my day if it’s work related, but a reluctance to be able to fit in some of the more important things every day, such as really connecting with my wife…
This year I turned 40, and along with the realization that I’m now middle-aged (ack!) came some meditations on the life lessons I’ve learned so far (or not learned, as the case may be). As part of that process of introspection, I found myself wondering what I wish I had heard (and taken to heart)…
At what point in a boy’s life does he become a man? How does his community, his father and uncles and grandpas, acknowledge that transition and begin the initiation and mentoring process of bringing him into the brotherhood of men? With our daughters, we can acknowledge their ascent to young womanhood when they start their…
I’ve had a number of dads (and moms) ask me why I choose to use the term ‘natural fatherhood’, as opposed to just fatherhood or parenting. One of the first things I bring up is the idea of natural parenting – a parenting style that fits closely with my personal ideals. Everyone defines it a…
New dads, dads-to-be, got a question? on 12seconds.tv I’d like to know what questions you have about being a dad, about fatherhood, about relationships, or parenting in general. Leave me a comment or email me at derek (at) naturalpapa.com.
As a father, it’s important to get some time with your kids, outside the usual routine – a date with your kids, if you will. This video is a little glimpse at a recent daddy-daughter date with my 4 year old. First, she shows us her recent craft project, a doll she made with mama….
I’ve been following the works of Jonathan Fields for some time now, mostly for the great insights on being an entrepreneur that I found in reading his book Career Renegade. Today, however, he wrote about something close to my heart – fatherhood. More specifically, the trials of providing for our families, and how that can…
[I love the fact that there are sites about the art and skills of manliness on the web, but fatherhood doesn't usually make the cut (as far as being considered manly). We're going to try to change that.] When I was growing up, I had a totally different perception of what being a man meant. I…
How can we as dads (and moms) engage more with our partners and our children? What kind of rituals do we participate in, or create, as families, to honor the changing of the seasons and to celebrate each other? Knowing that kids mimic our actions, if we don’t work in a field that our children…
What does it mean to be a man in America today? A unique book and documentary attempts to examine that question in depth through a selection of personal essays – men telling their stories and sharing their experiences: The Good Men Project. “The Good Men Project: Real Stories from the Front Lines of Modern Manhood…
Fatherhood is a tricky proposition. We all want to be great dads, but chances are, our fathers never sat down with us and taught us how to be one. And we don’t necessarily want to be our fathers. I mean, we want to emulate their positive influence on us, but we also want to do…
In order to achieve all that is demanded of us, we must regard ourselves as greater than we are. – Johann von Goethe Becoming a father can bring up a lot of issues for us. It can make us take a look at who we are and where we’re going. It can make us question…
According to new research from North Carolina State University, women become more liberal and men become more conservative as they become parents. “Parenthood seems to heighten the political ‘gender gap,’ with women becoming more liberal and men more conservative when it comes to government spending on social welfare issues.” – Dr. Steven Greene, NC State
I put this bundle of dad blog feeds together to share with you – if you use Google Reader, grab the whole bundle: 37 Dad Blogs to Follow or if you use another feed reader, import the OPML file: 37 Dad Blogs to Follow. It’s got a good, eclectic mix of styles, all by and…
I’m all about the dad being a big part of the children’s lives, but here’s some things I just won’t do, like breastfeeding.
