Thank you all for reading and commenting here and on the individual pieces!
We'd love to hear your further feedback on how the series landed for you as readers, and also any thoughts you have on topics you'd like us to explore in our next series, coming in Q4 of this year.
Love this so much. Just forwarded to my husband. He does a lot of work in the world of fatherhood. Also a podcast called thriving in fatherhood - might be of interest.
Michael’s piece brought up so many things... I hop my son loves me enough to take care of me when I need it. I hope we can weather the ups and downs for his growing up.
I love being a dad and I know my dad did too.
Maybe the best thing about reading this is I get to think about my dad (he’s gone now) and my son. Looking forward to the next one...
That vignette in your piece—and my friend Roddy (McDowell)'s comment about it—both hit me hard. I sense a level of hurt there that it not part of my experience. What damage was done in my world was much more subtle, and had a lot more to do with what I ended up doing to *myself* than anything that feels so cold and threatening as you hint at. Whew.
I’m actually grateful and welcome the awareness however it arrives. This piece your share invites me and welcomed me to experiencing that which I did not and which I was unable to experience from the resourced more whole person that I am becoming. Thank you. Keep Going.
Adib, your awareness of how your past might inform your parenting is an important first step. The standard isn't perfection. You'll have some highs and lows, but remember that showing up and being reflective, as you are, already gives you a head start. My high school basketball coach told one of my teammates, when he was about to become a young father, that he would never feel anything as powerful as holding his own flesh and blood in his hands. I took that to heart at the time, and twenty years later, when I held my daughter, every word of it was true. You're about to begin the most meaningful experience of your life!
Thank you all for reading and commenting here and on the individual pieces!
We'd love to hear your further feedback on how the series landed for you as readers, and also any thoughts you have on topics you'd like us to explore in our next series, coming in Q4 of this year.
Love this so much. Just forwarded to my husband. He does a lot of work in the world of fatherhood. Also a podcast called thriving in fatherhood - might be of interest.
Thank you for having important conversations
Michael’s piece brought up so many things... I hop my son loves me enough to take care of me when I need it. I hope we can weather the ups and downs for his growing up.
I love being a dad and I know my dad did too.
Maybe the best thing about reading this is I get to think about my dad (he’s gone now) and my son. Looking forward to the next one...
Thank you for reading, Bill. I love that Michael's piece brought you back to your own father, and to your son.
Josh’s piece “I feared the water less than that cold embrace.” Screams as agonizing memories for me and my own parents.
Thanks for reading, though I’m sorry to hear that this line echoes so strongly in your own memories.
That vignette in your piece—and my friend Roddy (McDowell)'s comment about it—both hit me hard. I sense a level of hurt there that it not part of my experience. What damage was done in my world was much more subtle, and had a lot more to do with what I ended up doing to *myself* than anything that feels so cold and threatening as you hint at. Whew.
I’m actually grateful and welcome the awareness however it arrives. This piece your share invites me and welcomed me to experiencing that which I did not and which I was unable to experience from the resourced more whole person that I am becoming. Thank you. Keep Going.
What an excellent idea! The world needs more people like you and your group to explore a topic core to the experiences of most men.
Future topic proposal: I'd like this talented group to explore 'male competitiveness' in all its many forms.
I was just thinking about asking for topic suggestions. Thank you Jonathan that is a good one!
Good one Jonathan. Thanks for the suggestion 🙏💪🏻
Adib, your awareness of how your past might inform your parenting is an important first step. The standard isn't perfection. You'll have some highs and lows, but remember that showing up and being reflective, as you are, already gives you a head start. My high school basketball coach told one of my teammates, when he was about to become a young father, that he would never feel anything as powerful as holding his own flesh and blood in his hands. I took that to heart at the time, and twenty years later, when I held my daughter, every word of it was true. You're about to begin the most meaningful experience of your life!
Great to have you here Adib, thank you for reading and writing in. Enjoy the ride, you're gonna be a great father.